It may surprise you to learn pigeons can count much less understand abstract rules about numbers, but in fact, researchers have proved just that. This skill is something previously only showed in rhesus monkey testing from the 1990's. Pigeons, super smart? Apparently.

Future X-Factor and American Idol stars can rest easy in the knowledge scientists have been working tirelessly to take out the guesswork in what makes a hit song. They've developed a software program that can predict chart positions with about 60% accuracy.

If you've ever been hospitalized and sent home to recover, you know it can be overwhelming. Now imagine it from a child's point of view. Children's Hospital Boston is now piloting a program to send telepresence robots home with post-op patients. The robots will allow for ongoing communication, observation and care to ease recovery from the familiar comfort of home.

It may not seem as exciting as a title fight in Las Vegas, but for the cell biologists participating in the World's First Cell Race there was the same thrill of victory and the agony of defeat as they placed their cells on a special petri dish racetrack.