Volume IV Interdisciplinary Sciences
The Opposite of Colorblindness
Perceiving More Than Three Colors
Written by: Amy Yao | Edited by: Mariano Frare | Photo by Eugene Golovesov
But what if I told you that some animals–known as tetrachromats–can see four colors? Goldfish have long been shown to be tetrachromatic, and some birds, such as the zebra finch, are as well. In fact, there are even some humans who can perceive four colors! So, how does this occur? What’s the fourth color they’re seeing? Wait, what do we even mean when we talk about particular “colors”?
Seeing Sounds and Hearing Colors
Written by: Amy Yao | Edited by: Mariano Frare | Graphic Design by: Ethan Kung
For example, in a well-known form known as grapheme-color synesthesia, letters or numbers, or both, are perceived as inherently colored–“shaded” or “tinted.” Another common form of synesthesia is chromesthesia, where some individuals may “see” a color upon hearing sounds or specific musical notes or keys.
Why Are Some People Masochists?
Neuroscience Explains Why Some People Enjoy Pain
Written by: Charli Lu | Edited by: Selina Hui | Graphic Design by: Sophia Ravenna
Typically, pain is a signal to stop—a sharp reminder of injury or danger. It is your body telling you in the only way it knows how that something is wrong. Yet, for some people, pain can be a source of pleasure, where distressing experiences can become exhilarating. So, why do some people enjoy the burn of spicy food and the soreness of intense workouts?
Insect-Inspired Engineering: How Arthropods May Influence the Future of Design
Explore How Insects Have Influenced Engineering Projects and How Biomimicry Will Impact Future Engineering
Written by: Ellis Fertig | Edited by: Ethan Kung | Photo by Egor Kamelev
Insects have been around on this Earth significantly longer than humans. In that time, they’ve evolved countless adaptations designed to solve extremely specific problems. Humans can take inspiration from these adaptations to find solutions to growing problems.
The Neuroscience of Music Improvisation: Mapping Creative Networks
How Spontaneous Musical Creation Reshapes Neural Pathways
Written by: Luke Chang | Edited by: Ellis Fertig | Graphic Design by: Annie Yuan
Picture a jazz musician lost in the moment, fingers dancing across piano keys, creating melodies that have never been heard before. What's happening in their brain during these magical moments of creativity? Improvisation is the act of creating music on the fly, without any preparation at all. It may seem ridiculous to some, but it’s an essential part of both the creation and advancement of art.