Imagine a mouse, tentatively exploring its surroundings, its senses alert to any sign of danger. In one part of its environment, the mouse has experienced something deeply unpleasant—a mild but startling shock. As it roams, it pauses near the spot where the shock occurred, its behavior changing noticeably. It stretches out, sniffs the air, and hesitates to step back into the area where it was hurt. What’s happening in the mouse’s brain during these moments of heightened awareness? And how does it remember where the danger lies, ensuring it avoids a repeat encounter? A recent study published in…
