infant speech sound perception language contrasts

Babies can hear speech differences from languages they have never learned

For about their first six months, babies can tell apart speech sounds used across many different languages. As they grow, their hearing becomes more tuned to the sounds of the language or languages they hear around them.

Qing China's population tripled

About 100M → 300M

During the 18th century, Qing China's population rose from about 100 million to 300 million, but the amount of land did not grow with it. Farmers had to work ever-smaller holdings more intensively.

Burnt food is not likely to cause cancer

Baking, grilling, or broiling starchy foods until they form a toasted crust can create acrylamide. Research has found that acrylamide in burnt or well-cooked food is not likely to cause cancer in humans.

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infant speech sound perception language contrasts

Babies can hear speech differences from languages they have never learned

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