{
  "id": 3420395,
  "title": "Wouldn’t you like to know? A mouse would",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/wouldnt-you-like-to-know-a-mouse-would",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-26T04:00:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Transmitter",
    "slug": "the-transmitter",
    "url": "https://www.thetransmitter.org/behavior/wouldnt-you-like-to-know-a-mouse-would/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new study published in Nature Neuroscience suggests that mice, like humans and other primates, value information-seeking behavior even without a reward. Researchers found that mice preferentially choose to seek information over a reward, even when the probability of receiving water is identical at both information-gathering and no-information gathering ports. The orbitofrontal cortex, a region in the brain, represents the value of information differently from the value of a reward, indicating separate pathways for the desire to know something versus the desire to have something. The researchers trained water-deprived mice to choose between two ports, one providing information and the other providing no information. The mice chose the information port 78% of the time, and they entered it faster than the no-information port by an average of 220 milliseconds. The study opens the door for future research on information-seeking behavior in mice, using tools and techniques that are not available in humans and other primates.",
  "summary": "Mice seek information for curiosity’s sake—and their desire for knowledge versus a payout is represented distinctly in the brain, new findings suggest.",
  "key_points": [
    "Mice prefer information-seeking behavior over rewards.",
    "Orbitofrontal cortex represents value of information differently.",
    "Mice chose information port 78% of the time, faster by 220ms."
  ],
  "editors_take": "This study reveals that mice have an inherent desire for information, separate from the desire for rewards, challenging the traditional view that information-seeking behavior is solely driven by tangible benefits.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}