PubHawk
September 2000 PMID 11028990

Maze-solving by an amoeboid organism.

T Nakagaki, H Yamada, A Tóth

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Mentions

83
Peak: 3 in May 2023
across 7 sources since Feb 2021

Extended reach

11,634,916
potential audience

Total likes

160,691

Video views

4,844,679

Mentions per month

Feb 2021 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News38 articles
  • Blogs30 articles
  • X / Twitter7 posts
  • Facebook3 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Reddit2 posts
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions frequently praise the research for revealing how simple organisms like amoebas can solve mazes and make decisions without a brain, using phrases like 'fascinating' and 'groundbreaking,' indicating strong curiosity and appreciation for its biological and AI implications. Some examples include mentions of studies exploring decision-making and problem-solving mechanisms that underscore the organism’s complex behavior despite its simplicity, demonstrating moderate to deep engagement with the subject matter.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge and support the significance of the research, especially noting its implications for understanding primitive problem-solving.

InterestHigh interest

The topic garners high interest due to its fascinating look at non-brain-based navigation and decision-making processes in simple organisms.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts show moderate engagement, with some referencing specific studies and mechanisms like pathfinding and stimuli response.

ImpactModerate impact

Although impactful in highlighting biological and artificial intelligence connections, the overall perceived influence remains moderate based on the shared commentary.

Abstract in brief

  • The text explores how an amoeboid organism solves mazes, highlighting its ability to find paths through complex environments without a brain.
  • It explains the mechanisms behind this behavior, such as how the organism physically explores and responds to stimuli in its surroundings.
  • The study offers insights into primitive problem-solving and navigational strategies that could inform both biology and artificial intelligence.]
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Mary WildBehav
@wildbehav · X

Os dejo por aquí unos papers sobre este fascinante moho que en realidad es una ameba #NingunHiloSinSuPaper https://t.co/2ZrCMukXg5 https://t.co/YxKr74e3LI https://t.co/OyrVdtdKKd https://t.co/WFitTz5Ryj https://t.co/GtIiICxsEV

May 2, 2023 · 12 likes · 2 shares · 11,308 followers View post →
저성능길찾기 독륜
@dulunsche · X

2008년에 이그노벨 인지과학상을 수상한 연구(doi: 10.1038/35035159)와 2010년에 이그노벨 운송계획상을 수상한 연구(doi: 10.1126/science.1177894) 모두 나카가키 토시유키 교수 연구팀이 수행했다고 한다. 그 뒤로 다른 연구자들도 황색망사점균의 학습 능력을 증명하거나 메커니즘을 연구했다고.

Mar 25, 2023 · 4 likes · 884 followers View post →
Dulwich Quantum Computing
@DulwichQuantum · X

@SeskirZeki @neirenoir Maze-solving by an amoeboid organism https://t.co/V5I2CP0eWL Rules for Biologically Inspired Adaptive Network Design https://t.co/5uYEHYDzG2

Feb 17, 2024 · 2 likes · 5,770 followers View post →
Rina Saltman
@rinatie_ceo · X

Maze-solving by an amoeboid organism | Nature https://t.co/qQK0bH3sXU

Feb 25, 2021 · 1 like · 3,574 followers View post →
Grok
@grok · X

@mere_ad23 Yes, several studies explore Physarum polycephalum's maze-solving and decision-making under variables like nutrients or light. Key ones: - "Maze-solving by an amoeboid organism" (Nature, 2000): Shows it finds shortest paths in labyrinths. - "Decision-making without a brain"

Sep 29, 2025 · 6,767,246 followers View post →
Jaminton
@Jaminton777 · X

RT @wildbehav: Os dejo por aquí unos papers sobre este fascinante moho que en realidad es una ameba #NingunHiloSinSuPaper https://t.co/2Z…

May 2, 2023 · 2 shares · 1,157 followers View post →

All mentions

Discovering Habituation in Smart Slime Moulds

Researchers demonstrate that the slime mould Physarum polycephalum can exhibit habituation, a form of learning typically associated with neural organisms. This groundbreaking discovery suggests non-neural organisms…

Ze Frank · Jan 31, 2023 3,904,862 views
Grok
@grok · X

@mere_ad23 Yes, several studies explore Physarum polycephalum's maze-solving and decision-making under variables like nutrients or light. Key ones: - "Maze-solving by an amoeboid organism" (Nature, 2000): Shows it finds shortest paths in labyrinths. - "Decision-making without a brain"

Sep 29, 2025 · 6,767,246 followers View post →
Dulwich Quantum Computing
@DulwichQuantum · X

@SeskirZeki @neirenoir Maze-solving by an amoeboid organism https://t.co/V5I2CP0eWL Rules for Biologically Inspired Adaptive Network Design https://t.co/5uYEHYDzG2

Feb 17, 2024 · 2 likes · 5,770 followers View post →
Dios, que pereza ser yo
@JCHxD1 · X

RT @wildbehav: Os dejo por aquí unos papers sobre este fascinante moho que en realidad es una ameba #NingunHiloSinSuPaper https://t.co/2Z…

May 3, 2023 · 2 shares · 287 followers View post →
Jaminton
@Jaminton777 · X

RT @wildbehav: Os dejo por aquí unos papers sobre este fascinante moho que en realidad es una ameba #NingunHiloSinSuPaper https://t.co/2Z…

May 2, 2023 · 2 shares · 1,157 followers View post →
Mary WildBehav
@wildbehav · X

Os dejo por aquí unos papers sobre este fascinante moho que en realidad es una ameba #NingunHiloSinSuPaper https://t.co/2ZrCMukXg5 https://t.co/YxKr74e3LI https://t.co/OyrVdtdKKd https://t.co/WFitTz5Ryj https://t.co/GtIiICxsEV

May 2, 2023 · 12 likes · 2 shares · 11,308 followers View post →
저성능길찾기 독륜
@dulunsche · X

2008년에 이그노벨 인지과학상을 수상한 연구(doi: 10.1038/35035159)와 2010년에 이그노벨 운송계획상을 수상한 연구(doi: 10.1126/science.1177894) 모두 나카가키 토시유키 교수 연구팀이 수행했다고 한다. 그 뒤로 다른 연구자들도 황색망사점균의 학습 능력을 증명하거나 메커니즘을 연구했다고.

Mar 25, 2023 · 4 likes · 884 followers View post →
ivacheung.com
@ivacheung.com · Bluesky

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_GTIL7AECQ

Jan 31, 2023 View post →
Rina Saltman
@rinatie_ceo · X

Maze-solving by an amoeboid organism | Nature https://t.co/qQK0bH3sXU

Feb 25, 2021 · 1 like · 3,574 followers View post →