RefBan

Referral Banners

Friday, January 27, 2012

ScienceDaily: Strange Science News

ScienceDaily: Strange Science News


Believing the impossible and conspiracy theories

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 12:21 PM PST

Distrust and paranoia about government has a long history, and the feeling that there is a conspiracy of elites can lead to suspicion for authorities and the claims they make. For some, the attraction of conspiracy theories is so strong that it leads them to endorse entirely contradictory beliefs, according to a new study.

Rap music powers rhythmic action of medical sensor

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 12:21 PM PST

The driving bass rhythm of rap music can be harnessed to power a new type of miniature medical sensor designed to be implanted in the body.

Viruses con bacteria into working for them

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 09:37 AM PST

Researchers have discovered that certain photosynthetic ocean bacteria need to beware of viruses bearing gifts. These viruses are really con artists carrying genetic material taken from their previous bacterial hosts that tricks the new host into using its own machinery to activate the genes, a process never before documented in any virus-bacteria relationship. The con occurs when a grifter virus injects its DNA into a bacterium living in a phosphorus-starved region of the ocean.

Tiny crooners: Male house mice sing songs to impress the girls

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 07:06 AM PST

It comes as a surprise to many that male house mice produce melodious songs to attract mates.  Unfortunately for us, because the melodies are in the ultra-sonic range human ears cannot detect them.  Through spectrographic analyses of the vocalizations of wild house mice, researchers have found that the songs of male mice contain signals of individuality and kinship. 

Barley adapts to climate change

Posted: 25 Jan 2012 06:11 AM PST

The upsurge in droughts is one of the main consequences of climate change, and affects crops in particular. However, a biologist has confirmed that in the case of barley at least, climate change itself is providing it with a self-defense mechanisms to tackle a lack of water.

No comments: