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Scientists investigate the bizarre “intelligence” of slime molds, which appear to learn and make decisions—without a brain. These cunning, single-celled blobs can navigate mazes and create efficient networks. Can they also redefine cognition?

Meet slime molds: the brainless blobs that can learn, make decisions, and navigate mazes.

Secret Mind of Slime

Secret Mind of Slime Preview

Meet the charismatic slime mold Physarum—which can learn, make decisions, and go through mazes without a brain—and the researchers studying it.

Can a slime mold find food placed at the far end of a labyrinth?

Brainless Slime Molds Navigate Mazes and Make Decisions

When presented with a buffet of custards with varying ratios of protein to sugar, slime mold selects its optimal food source.

The purpose of this experiment was to see how Physarum regulates its nutritional needs.

The Great Australian Slime Mold Bakeoff

Great Australian Slime Mold Bakeoff

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Who says you need brains to be smart? Extremely primitive life-forms called slime molds can navigate mazes, choose between foods, and create efficient networks—no brain required. New research on these organisms, which are neither plant nor animal, could help reveal the fundamental rules underlying all decision making.

Meet slime molds: the brainless blobs that can learn, make decisions, and navigate mazes.

Nature

NOVA investigates the story of cannabis from the criminalization that has disproportionately harmed communities of color to the latest medical understanding of the plant. What risks does cannabis pose to the developing brain? How much do we know about its potential medical benefits? As cannabis becomes socially accepted, scientists are exploring its long-term health consequences. (Premiered September 29, 2021)Check out a previously recorded panel discussion and audience Q&amp;A featuring experts and producers from "The Cannabis Question" <a href="https://youtu.be/nSTT5RZ_hxA">here</a>.

As state-legalized cannabis spreads, NOVA explores its little-known risks and benefits.

The Cannabis Question

A 2006 composite image from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and Spitzer Telescope shows the chaos of baby stars in the Orion nebula some 1,500 light-years away. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/STScI

With the upcoming launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, the Hubble era is gradually drawing to a close. Here are some highlights from the countless wonders Hubble has shown us during its 31 years in space.

10 spectacular Hubble Space Telescope images

A statue of Zheng He at the Sam Poo Kong Temple in Java, Indonesia. Image Credit: Budianto Santosa, Shutterstock

In the 1400s, Zheng He sailed thousands of miles around Asia and Africa in ships the size of soccer fields, spreading Chinese innovations like compasses and gunpowder in the process.

Secret Mind of Slime

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Support Provided By

Explore More

The Next Green Revolution May Rely on Microbes

Would You Wear Clothing Made of Slime?

Slime Mold Smarts

Eight smart things slime molds can do without a brain

Brainless Slime Molds Navigate Mazes and Make Decisions

The Great Australian Slime Mold Bakeoff

Mushroom Material

Is There Such A Thing as Probiotics for Paintings?

Snail Slime

Secret Mind of Slime

Clothing from Slime?