ScienceDaily: Strange Science News

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• 'SpongeBob' mushroom discovered in the forests of Borneo
• Non-invasive brain stimulation helps curb impulsivity
• 'Magical thinking' helps dieters cope with unrealistic expectations
• Animal instincts: Why do unhappy consumers prefer tactile sensations?
• When singing mice choose a mate, a skillful song gets the gal
• Neutrinos change flavors while crossing Japan: Findings shed light on why universe is made of matter instead of anti-matter
• Evidence of a natural origin for banned drug that plumps up livestock
• First self-powered device with wireless data transmission
• Coming to TV screens of the future: A sense of smell
• The mushroom with no name
• 'Casanova gene' in female songbirds: Females inherit 'infidelity gene' from their fathers
• Early French had a taste for beer

'SpongeBob' mushroom discovered in the forests of Borneo Posted: 15 Jun 2011 11:26 AM PDT A researcher has discovered Spongiforma squarepantsii, a new species of mushroom almost as strange as its cartoon namesake.

Non-invasive brain stimulation helps curb impulsivity Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:36 AM PDT Inhibitory control can be boosted with a mild form of brain stimulation, according to a new study. The study's findings indicate that non-invasive intervention can greatly improve patients' inhibitory control.

'Magical thinking' helps dieters cope with unrealistic expectations Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:03 AM PDT 'Magical thinking', usually dismissed as naive and irrational, can actually help consumers cope with stressful situations like trying to lose weight, according to a new study.

Animal instincts: Why do unhappy consumers prefer tactile sensations? Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:02 AM PDT A new study explains why sad people are more likely to want to hug a teddy bear than seek out a visual experience such as looking at art. Hint: it has to do with our mammalian instincts.

When singing mice choose a mate, a skillful song gets the gal Posted: 15 Jun 2011 09:02 AM PDT Like rock stars of the rodent world, the flashiest performers of a Central American mouse species get the most attention from the ladies, a new study shows.

Neutrinos change flavors while crossing Japan: Findings shed light on why universe is made of matter instead of anti-matter Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:32 AM PDT By shooting a beam of neutrinos through a small slice of the Earth under Japan, physicists say they've caught the particles changing their stripes in new ways. These observations may one day help explain why the universe is made of matter rather than anti-matter.

Evidence of a natural origin for banned drug that plumps up livestock Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:30 AM PDT There may be a natural solution to the mystery of how small amounts of a banned drug that disrupts thyroid function and plumps up livestock gets into their bodies -- and the bodies of humans, scientists are reporting. Their study reports the first evidence that the substance can form naturally in feed and food.

First self-powered device with wireless data transmission Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:30 AM PDT Scientists are reporting development of the first self-powered nano-device that can transmit data wirelessly over long distances. Researchers say it proves the feasibility of a futuristic genre of tiny implantable medical sensors, airborne and stationary surveillance cameras and sensors, wearable personal electronics, and other devices that operate independently without batteries on energy collected from the environment.

Coming to TV screens of the future: A sense of smell Posted: 15 Jun 2011 06:45 AM PDT In a new paper, engineers demonstrate that it is possible to generate odor, at will, in a compact device small enough to fit on the back of your TV with potentially thousands of odors.

The mushroom with no name Posted: 15 Jun 2011 05:02 AM PDT A rare species of fungus discovered growing in Scotland has been chosen to feature in a nationwide competition to give it a name.

'Casanova gene' in female songbirds: Females inherit 'infidelity gene' from their fathers Posted: 15 Jun 2011 03:22 AM PDT It is assumed that many bird species are monogamous, yet infidelity is a widespread phenomenon. The advantage for the male seems obvious as in this way he can increase the number of his offspring. A female, however, mostly faces costs. The cuckolded partners often reduce their parental care. In addition, the extra lovers also may transmit diseases. Nevertheless, some females actively seek such contacts. Researchers investigated a large number of zebra finches and found a possible explanation for this behaviour. In a genetic long-term study they found that females inherit the disposition for their infidelity from their fathers.

Early French had a taste for beer Posted: 14 Jun 2011 06:56 AM PDT A new study unveils archaeobotanical evidence of beer brewing in Iron Age France.

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