When it comes to animal intelligence, octopuses have few rivals. Though the advantages are obvious, it’s unclear why octopuses alone evolved this rRNA break. By preventing misfolded proteins, he says, the rRNA break “might help these neurons to work well.” Other researchers say that a connection between the break and octopus intelligence is plausible, though it lacks direct evidence. To truly establish that link, he says, you’d have to alter the rRNA break and test for changes in learning, sensory processing or problem-solving.