Speculation is an essential part of science. So how does it fit in? Two recent publications, both about the misty depths of canine and human history, suggest some answers.

Jerry Coyne's paper on the relationship between acceptance of evolution, religion, and societal health, available for free download.

"The Internet is blind faith’s worst nightmare."

(Phys.org) -- In the course of its evolution, the architecture of the mouse brain may have barely changed. Similar to the tiny ancestors of modern mammals that lived about 80 million years ago, nerve cells in the mouse visual cortex are densely packed in a small area of ​​the brain. However, during the subsequent evolution of larger brains the architecture of the cerebral cortex was radically restructured. This is the conclusion of an international team of researchers led by scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, the University of Göttingen and the Bernstein Center Göttingen. The brains of larger mammals, such as humans, however, have a completely different structure to those of mice. Processes of self-organisation led to the emergence of modules in which neurons conjointly are responsible for specific tasks.

Dr. Robert L. Spitzer, considered by some to be the father of modern psychiatry, recants his study that supported the use of so-called reparative therapy to “cure” homosexuality.

Recent analyses of the human genome reveal a huge number of rare—and therefore probably fairly new—mutations.

Richard Dawkins's review of The Social Conquest of Earth, by Edward O Wilson (WW Norton, £18.99, May)

The beauty of creation: an interview with Richard Dawkins
COSMOS Managing Editor, Heather Catchpole, caught up with Richard Dawkins to discuss evolution, the origin of life and his plans for his next book.

A reporter tracks down the remnants of Harold Camping’s apocalyptic movement and finds out you don’t have to be crazy to believe something nuts.

One of the first creatures to step on land could not have walked on four legs, 3D computer models show.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews Rally to Discuss Risks of Internet

Sean Faircloth in California - May 18, 19, 20 - Sacramento, Berkley, San Francisco

Conversion on Mount Improbable: How Evolution Challenges Christian Dogma

[Journalists] seem to feel let down when they discover that the real people aren't anything like the way they so relentlessly portray us; as if, since they've gone to the trouble of inventing extravagant caricatures of us, we should at least have the decency to live up to them in real life.
Also in Polish

Do Atheists Understand and Appreciate Black Bodies?

Locked Out: How the Church Responded to their Pastor’s Coming Out