Nell Greenfieldboyce

Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR's science correspondent, dives into the quirky tale of an eight-year-old Twinkie unearthed by Colin Purrington during the pandemic. Unbelievably, this snack’s original 45-day shelf life turned into a scientific mystery. Greenfieldboyce explores how two scientists investigated its mummified state and the fungi that contribute to its strange preservation. The discussion wraps around existential reflections, using the immortal Twinkie as a humorous yet poignant symbol of decay and resilience.

Nell Greenfieldboyce, an NPR science correspondent, dives into the captivating world of animal self-recognition. She examines the iconic mirror self-recognition test and its implications for understanding animal cognition. Discover why only a few species, like chimpanzees, dolphins, and elephants, excel at recognizing themselves in mirrors. Nell also dissects the playful yet puzzling behavior of pets, raising intriguing questions about how different animals perceive their own reflections and what this reveals about their self-awareness.

Nell Greenfieldboyce, an NPR science correspondent, dives into the intriguing world of animal self-recognition. She reveals which species can actually recognize themselves in mirrors and which only use reflective surfaces as tools. The discussion includes captivating insights into the behaviors of chimpanzees and dogs, shedding light on animal awareness. Nell also navigates the ongoing debates within the scientific community about what these findings mean for our understanding of consciousness in animals. Prepare for some thought-provoking revelations!