What might the humble house mouse be trying to tell us?

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The Significance of Mouse Squeaks

In our encounters with house mice, usually involving our cat’s “gift” of dead or near-dead specimens, we have witnessed a cacophony of squeaks. Surprisingly, this element of their behavior has been largely overlooked by the scientific community.

As highlighted by reporter Alex Wilkins in a recent study published in Biology Letters, titled “Hidden in plain sound: the scientific potential of house mouse squeaks”, mouse vocalizations, especially audible squeaks, have not gained the research attention they rightfully deserve.

While much of the focus has been placed on the ultrasonic sounds beyond human hearing range, the authors argue that there is a critical void regarding the study of audible squeaks, which demonstrate considerable potential for conveying information about the vocalizer and influencing listener behavior in varying social circumstances.

This revelation has us pondering the intricate ways mice communicate; perhaps it’s high time that squeaks are celebrated for their communicative power. Maybe it’s time to adopt a mantra: What do we want? SQUEAK. When do we want it? SQUEAK!

Nominative Determinism Strikes Again

Nominative determinism, the intriguing idea that names can influence career paths, sometimes surfaces in unexpected forms. Paul Meara pointed out an interesting example from a recent feature on circadian rhythms that included researcher Angela Relógio, who also happens to run a company aptly named TimeTeller. The irony is not lost on those fluent in Portuguese, where “relógio” translates to “clock”.

Furthermore, the University of Dundee hosts an Alzheimer’s specialist distinctly named Amy Lloyd, showcasing yet another delightful coincidence aligned with nominative determinism.

A Laugh and Think Affair at the Ig Nobels

September 18 marked the announcement of the esteemed Ig Nobel Prizes, rewarding innovative and whimsical scientific research. The blend of humor with significance, or as the event’s founders define it, “achievements so surprising that they make people LAUGH, then THINK,” makes attending the ceremony a unique experience.

Though Feedback did not attend, the entire event is available to view online. One particularly noteworthy recipient was educator and clinician William Bennett Bean, honored with the Literature prize for his remarkable dedication to studying the growth rate of his fingernail over an impressive span of 35 years.

Bean’s exploration included various reports, punctuated by a 1953 publication titled “A note on fingernail growth”, detailing meticulous observations accumulated over a decade.

The findings were notably insightful, revealing that different nails exhibit distinct growth velocities, with toenails growing slower than fingernails and the middle finger nail growing the quickest. Bean’s observations were punctuated with anecdotes of personal health affecting growth rates, including a notable slowdown during a bout with mumps, followed by a recovery that caused an uptick in growth.

One must wonder how Bean’s profound dedication to this subject matter did not earn him recognition sooner in the Ig Nobel community.

Other intriguing prizes were awarded for research in topics such as lizards’ dietary preferences regarding pizza, the sensory experiences of nursing babies when their mothers consume garlic, and even an exploration into whether cows painted with stripes can ward off flies.

Particularly amusing was the Chemistry prize awarded for investigating whether ingesting Teflon enhances feelings of satiety on fewer calories. Initially reminiscent of a playful dare, this research suggested promising results in rats—but we do advise against attempting such experiments at home.

On a humorous note, we might just consider spicing up our meals with powdered nail clippings instead.

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