Researchers identified a brain structure change associated with tameness in domesticated foxes.

What it means

Researchers have identified a specific change in the brain structure of domesticated foxes that correlates with tameness. The change involves a reduction in neurons expressing estrogen receptor alpha in the ventromedial hypothalamus, a brain region involved in aggression and social behavior. This finding provides a neural basis for the behavioral differences observed in foxes selectively bred for tameness.

Accuracy & sourcesGrounded

The claim is based on a new study reported by Scientific American, a reputable secondary source. The study appears to be a primary research paper, likely published in a peer-reviewed journal, given the detailed neuroscientific findings about specific neuron types and brain regions.

How new