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Friday, April 27, 2012

ScienceDaily: Strange Science News

ScienceDaily: Strange Science News


Geneticists identify genes linked to Western African Pygmies' small stature

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 02:41 PM PDT

If Pygmies are known for one trait, it is their short stature: Pygmy men stand just 4'11" on average. Now a study of the Western African Pygmies in Cameroon has identified genes that may be responsible for the Pygmies' relatively small size.

Analytic thinking can decrease religious belief, study shows

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 11:38 AM PDT

A new study finds that analytic thinking can decrease religious belief, even in devout believers. The study finds that thinking analytically increases disbelief among believers and skeptics alike, shedding important new light on the psychology of religious belief.

Space law expert: Before first asteroids are mined, legal framework must be improved

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 10:49 AM PDT

Entrepreneurs' announced venture to extract water and precious metals from asteroids has generated excitement, but it comes amid a vague legal landscape that could complicate plans for space mining, an international space law expert said.

How Twitter broke its biggest story, 'WeGotBinLaden'

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 08:43 AM PDT

By analyzing 600,000 tweets sent on the night US Special Forces captured Osama bin Laden, researchers studied how Twitter broke the story and spread the news. Their data also shows that the Twitterverse was overwhelmingly convinced the news of bin Laden's death was true, even before it was confirmed on television.

Action videogames change brains, improve visual attention

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 08:43 AM PDT

Playing an action videogame, even for a relatively short time, causes differences in brain activity and improvements in visual attention, a new study shows.

Self-healing concrete?

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 07:50 AM PDT

'Self-healing' concrete is being developed. Researchers are using a ground-borne bacteria – bacilli megaterium - to create calcite, a crystalline form of natural calcium carbonate. This can then be used to block the concrete's pores, keeping out water and other damaging substances to prolong the life of the concrete.

The wisdom of retail traders

Posted: 25 Apr 2012 11:05 AM PDT

Retail investors' are not as unsophisticated as many think: they can actually predict future stock returns, a new study shows.

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