According to the University of Queensland’s UQ News Online, a team of researchers at the university recently completed a study on snake and spider phobias. Traditionally, it was believed that these phobias are innate and based on an evolutionary adaptation.

However, the Australian team found that the fear response is separate from a natural tendency to pay close attention to these animals. Though the research is preliminary, it may ultimately change how phobias are treated. For a review of the study, see New Study Unravels Snake and Spider Phobias.