Octopus and human brains are more similar than expected 🐙

Plus: Never-before-seen microbes in Arctic could aid search for life on Mars Jun 27, 2022 [Blueprint]( The mighty octopus might be one of my favorite sea creatures. With eight arms, more than 1,000 suckers, and three hearts, octopuses couldn’t ace a calculus test, but they are definitely one of the smartest species around. Now, scientists are one step closer to decoding their remarkable intelligence. A new study has found that the neural and cognitive complexity of these animals could share surprising similarities with the human brain. Before we learn more about the similarities between the octopus and human brains, watch today’s video to see a YouTuber using air as a wire. Nikola Tesla would be proud. Good morning. I’m Derya, an editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let’s dive in. [Play]VIDEO OF THE DAY [YouTuber uses air as a wire — thanks to Nikola Tesla]( [Wire.]( The exciting experiment is conducted using one of Tesla's most famous inventions. [Must Read]MUST READ [Octopus and human brains share the same ‘jumping genes’]( [Octopus.]( Researchers in Italy [may have found the reason]( for the remarkable intelligence in octopuses: active jumping genes. → Interestingly, those same jumping genes are also active in the human brain. How? The team of researchers studied octopus brains at a molecular level in an attempt to understand its cognitive abilities. Using next-generation sequencing, the researchers found that the octopus brain has active transposons. These are commonly called jumping genes, and they help the DNA or genetic material inside the nucleus of the cells to cut or copy and paste itself in different regions of the genome. → The researchers believe that this similarity between humans and octopuses could be explained by convergent evolution. This is when two genetically distinct species independently develop the [same molecular mechanisms]( as a response to their similar needs. The team now wants to focus on transposons to improve our understanding of the evolution of intelligence. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Linkedin]( [INNOVATION]INNOVATION [The Caesar howitzers: all about the powerful French weapons sent to Ukraine]( The main attribute of the [Caesar truck-mounted howitzers]( is that they allow users to fire and then quickly move away. This means the target does not have time to find the source of the shelling to fire back in response. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( And Other Stories in Innovation - Roblox CTO, Daniel Sturman, spoke to IE about [his vision of the metaverse](. - A [new wearable offers extra support]( for those with physical disabilities. - There’s [an entire street of 3D-printed houses]( in Texas. [SCIENCE]SCIENCE [Never-before-seen microbes in Arctic could aid search for life on Mars]( The scientists found that [microbes managed to survive]( — and even thrive — indicating that there may also be life on the Red Planet. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( And Other Stories in Science - A new method has revealed that megalodons [were the ultimate apex predators](. - Microsoft president Brad Smith [warned in an interview]( that Orwell's 1984 could “come to pass” in 2024. - Nuclear tests by North Korea were [powerful enough to move an entire mountain](. [MAIL & MUSINGS]MAIL & MUSINGS Scientists have found that the octopus and human brain share similar transposons, or “jumping genes.” Will we ever fully understand how the brain works? [Yes! Anything is possible.]( [No, it’s beyond our capabilities.]( [Maybe. Not with our current technology, though.]( [Only the aliens can…]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS We asked whether you would take medicine that contains mucus components. For the majority, it’s a sounding “yes”. 56% Yes. Health comes first. 24% If I have the chance, why not? 14% I wouldn’t choose it unless I had to. 5% Ew, no. [QUOTE OF THE DAY]QUOTE OF THE DAY “Evolution advances, not by a priori design, but by the selection of what works best out of whatever choices offer. We are the products of editing, rather than of authorship.” George Wald in “Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences” [THINGS WE LOVE]THINGS WE LOVE [image]( [Fandian Fandelier]( [image]( [Eton, American Red Cross Emergency Radio]( [image]( [Arkscan Thermal Printer]( [image]( [Swarovski EL 12x50 Binoculars]( [AND ANOTHER THING]AND ANOTHER THING - ​​Investors [lost more than $7 billion]( after selling Bitcoin at market lows. - [This novel wind tunnel could]( clear the way for the quietest, most aerodynamic vehicles yet. (Popular Mechanics) - Elon Musk [wants Twitter to have]( nearly four billion users. - Fertility and period apps collect sensitive data that could be subpoenaed by law enforcement or sold by data brokers, [putting women seeking abortions at risk](. (WIRED) - A prostate cancer breakthrough [could speed up research]( by 10 years. - Humanity left [an irreversible imprint upon Earth's rocks](. Here's how. (National Geographic) - Scientists created [a bendable, green, and cement-free concrete]( that can better withstand earthquakes. Prepared by Derya Özdemir Enjoy Reading? Forward this email to a friend. Was this email forwarded to you? [Join Free!]( [About Us]( [Advertise]( [Contact Us]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( [Instagram]( You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. Manage you e-mail preferences or unsubscribe [here](. © Copyright 2022 | The Blueprint is by Interesting Engineering, Inc. 201 Spear Street, Suite 1100 San Francisco, CA 94105 | All Rights Reserved [Interesting Engineering]