Regina Barber

Here we go. If you guessed that's the sound of a rat driving a tiny car, you're right. Kelly's rats are in a lab at the University of Richmond zooming in these four-wheeled little plastic boxes around this big arena.

And in 2020, right at the peak of the COVID lockdown, watching these rats, Kelly had a breakthrough.

And in 2020, right at the peak of the COVID lockdown, watching these rats, Kelly had a breakthrough.

And in 2020, right at the peak of the COVID lockdown, watching these rats, Kelly had a breakthrough.

So that's what Kelly and her team are studying now. Anticipation. They teach their rats how to drive these little cars in different situations and environments, and they study how these rats respond, how it changes their brains and their behavior. So today on the show, we're learning from rats about anticipation, decision-making, and how to enjoy life.

So that's what Kelly and her team are studying now. Anticipation. They teach their rats how to drive these little cars in different situations and environments, and they study how these rats respond, how it changes their brains and their behavior. So today on the show, we're learning from rats about anticipation, decision-making, and how to enjoy life.

So that's what Kelly and her team are studying now. Anticipation. They teach their rats how to drive these little cars in different situations and environments, and they study how these rats respond, how it changes their brains and their behavior. So today on the show, we're learning from rats about anticipation, decision-making, and how to enjoy life.

I'm Regina Barber, and you're listening to Shortwave, the science podcast from NPR. Hey shortwavers, Regina Barber here. Before we get back to the show, can you give me a quick minute to talk to you about what makes shortwave possible? Aside from caffeine, a well-calibrated circadian rhythm, and a love of science, specifically astronomy.

I'm Regina Barber, and you're listening to Shortwave, the science podcast from NPR. Hey shortwavers, Regina Barber here. Before we get back to the show, can you give me a quick minute to talk to you about what makes shortwave possible? Aside from caffeine, a well-calibrated circadian rhythm, and a love of science, specifically astronomy.

I'm Regina Barber, and you're listening to Shortwave, the science podcast from NPR. Hey shortwavers, Regina Barber here. Before we get back to the show, can you give me a quick minute to talk to you about what makes shortwave possible? Aside from caffeine, a well-calibrated circadian rhythm, and a love of science, specifically astronomy.

Aside from all that, what really makes shortwave possible is you. That's because we work for NPR and NPR is public media, which means we exist not to make money, but to create a more informed public. Public media is kind of like a sidewalk or a public park. It's infrastructure that we all use. It's free. It's for everyone.

Aside from all that, what really makes shortwave possible is you. That's because we work for NPR and NPR is public media, which means we exist not to make money, but to create a more informed public. Public media is kind of like a sidewalk or a public park. It's infrastructure that we all use. It's free. It's for everyone.

Aside from all that, what really makes shortwave possible is you. That's because we work for NPR and NPR is public media, which means we exist not to make money, but to create a more informed public. Public media is kind of like a sidewalk or a public park. It's infrastructure that we all use. It's free. It's for everyone.

That's why we work really hard to bring you stories about science that matter to you, no matter where you live or what community you belong to. We love doing that work. So this time of year, we are saying thank you. Thank you for listening. Thank you for your support. And wouldn't you know, it's Giving Tuesday. That means it's a perfect time to keep Shortwave going.

That's why we work really hard to bring you stories about science that matter to you, no matter where you live or what community you belong to. We love doing that work. So this time of year, we are saying thank you. Thank you for listening. Thank you for your support. And wouldn't you know, it's Giving Tuesday. That means it's a perfect time to keep Shortwave going.

That's why we work really hard to bring you stories about science that matter to you, no matter where you live or what community you belong to. We love doing that work. So this time of year, we are saying thank you. Thank you for listening. Thank you for your support. And wouldn't you know, it's Giving Tuesday. That means it's a perfect time to keep Shortwave going.

Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and similar perks across more than 25 podcasts with NPR Plus today. Join us at plus.npr.org. Plus.npr.org. That link is in our episode notes. And if you don't want podcast benefits, no one can stop you from simply just going to donate.npr.org. Your gifts are tax deductible either way you choose to give. Okay, thank you for listening and back to the show.

Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and similar perks across more than 25 podcasts with NPR Plus today. Join us at plus.npr.org. Plus.npr.org. That link is in our episode notes. And if you don't want podcast benefits, no one can stop you from simply just going to donate.npr.org. Your gifts are tax deductible either way you choose to give. Okay, thank you for listening and back to the show.

Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and similar perks across more than 25 podcasts with NPR Plus today. Join us at plus.npr.org. Plus.npr.org. That link is in our episode notes. And if you don't want podcast benefits, no one can stop you from simply just going to donate.npr.org. Your gifts are tax deductible either way you choose to give. Okay, thank you for listening and back to the show.

Okay, Kelly, describe this setup. So, like, what do the carts look like that the rats are driving, and how do they do it?