Science Archives

Hugo de Vries’s Theory of Evolution: Filling in the Gaps

What is Hugo de Vries known for? How did Hugo de Vries’s theory of evolution differ from Darwin’s? Hugo de Vries is known for filling the gaps in Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by adding the concept of mutations. Mutations are a critical part of the evolutionary theory: There must be a chance, however small, that genetic information could spontaneously change during reproduction. Here’s why without mutations, evolution is not possible.

The Underground Fungal Network’s 2 Functions

What is an underground fungal network? What are the two main functions of this network? In Finding the Mother Tree, Suzanne Simard explains that trees share information and nutrients through an underground fungal network. Simard’s research has led to a shift in thinking about ecological relationships. Check out more about trees’ unique network that helps them flourish.

Gregor Mendel’s Discovery: The Laws of Heredity

How did Gregor Mendel contribute to the field of genetics? What foundational principles of heredity did Mendel discover? Long before the discovery of DNA, biologist and Augustinian friar Gregor Mendel discovered how genes get passed down from parents to offspring. His discovery was one of the major breakthroughs in genetics (although that word didn’t exist yet), laying the foundation for the study of heredity. Keep reading to learn about Gregor Mendel’s discovery.

Lisa Feldman Barrett’s Theory: Emotions Are Learned

What is Lisa Feldman Barrett’s theory of emotions? How is her theory different from everything psychologists have said in the past? After years of research, psychologist and neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett claims she’s discovered the secret to understanding human emotions. Barrett’s book, How Emotions Are Made, explains how you actually learn emotions—they’re not innate as many previously believed. Read on for Lisa Feldman Barrett’s theory of emotions and find out why she says “emotions don’t happen to you.”

The Map Is Not the Territory: The Limitations of Maps & Models

What does “the map is not the territory” mean? What practical lesson can we learn from this? Alfred Korzybski, a scientist and a philosopher, keenly observed that “the map is not the territory.” He meant that a representation (the map) is not the thing it represents (the territory); it’s merely an abstraction of the thing itself. Continue reading to learn what practical implications this principle has for all of us.

Emotional Neuroscience (A New Theory of “Feeling”)

What is emotional neuroscience? What does a modern theory of emotion tell us about neuroscience and emotions? According to neuroscientist and psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett, emotional neuroscience gives us a modern explanation of emotions, and many beliefs about how humans “feel” are outdated. Barrett’s new theory of constructed emotion reveals the neuroscience behind feelings and emotions. Read on to learn how Barrett explains emotional neuroscience with her theory of constructed emotions.

Suzanne Simard: Biography and Career

What is the most important to know from Suzanne Simard’s biography? How did she become an ecologist? Suzanne Simard is one of the top ecologists in the world, but it took her a long time to get there. Her research that involves tree communication and cooperation took a lot of patience, but it led to sustainable forest practices. Read below for a biography of Suzanne Simard’s fascinating career, as explained in her book Finding the Mother Tree.

What Martin Seligman’s Dog Experiment Means for Humans

What was the significance of Martin Seligman’s dog experiments? What do the results mean for humans, according to psychology? Martin Seligman conducted a series of experiments using dogs to explain his theory of learned helplessness. According to Seligman’s findings, learned helplessness exists in humans and can lead to a number of mental health problems, if left untreated. Read on to find out what Martin Seligman’s dog experiment means for the mental health of humans.

Natural Selection: Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

How did Darwin’s theory affect science and society? How did Darwin’s ideas shape our understanding of evolution and genetics? Charles Darwin’s natural selection theory paved the way for many subsequent theories and discoveries that make up the bedrock of our current understanding of human evolution. However, while Darwin accurately explained the results of evolution, he wasn’t able to figure out how it worked. Here’s how Darwin’s ideas shaped our understanding of genetics.

Dr. Suzanne Simard’s Battle as a Female Ecologist

How did Dr. Suzanne Simard overcome gender discrimination in her career? How did her gender slow down her research? Dr. Suzanne Simard (author of Finding the Mother Tree), who grew up in a logging family in British Columbia and earned a Ph.D. in forest sciences in 1997, is a pioneer in the research of the cooperative relationships among plant life. But many of her coworkers and colleagues opposed her research because she’s a woman. Learn how Dr. Suzanne Simard proved her coworkers wrong.