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Pulsing blob makes memories sans brain

Slime molds navigate using their own gooey trails

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

A dollop of living yellow ooze has aced a test of navigation, showing that you don’t really need a mind to make spatial memories.

MAKING TRACKS As a slime mold extends its tendrils across the growth medium of a petri dish, it avoids an already explored region (left) that was crisscrossed in previous journeys.