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Thursday, February 7, 2013

ScienceDaily: Strange Science News

ScienceDaily: Strange Science News


Sensing the light, but not to see: Primitive organism's photosensitive cells may be ancestral to 'circadian receptors' in mammalian retina

Posted: 06 Feb 2013 04:06 PM PST

In a primitive marine organism, scientists find photosensitive cells that may be ancestral to the "circadian receptors" in the mammalian retina.

New light shed on the mysteries of spider silk

Posted: 06 Feb 2013 01:22 PM PST

Researchers have now measured all of the elastic properties of an intact spider's web, drawing a remarkable picture of the behavior of one of nature's most intriguing structures. The work could lead to new "bio-inspired" materials that improve upon nature.

Turning repulsive feelings into desires

Posted: 06 Feb 2013 01:21 PM PST

Hunger, thirst, stress and drugs can create a change in the brain that transforms a repulsive feeling into a strong positive "wanting," a new study indicates.

Pirate-like flies connect symbiosis to diversity

Posted: 06 Feb 2013 06:47 AM PST

After a year of studying up close the symbiotic relationship between a mosquito-sized bug and a fungus, a biologist has advanced the scientific understanding of biological diversity. Jeffrey Joy has discovered that symbiosis -- a relationship between two or more organisms that can be parasitic or mutualistic -- is as much the mother of biological diversity as predation and competition.

Eat to dream: Study shows dietary nutrients associated with certain sleep patterns

Posted: 06 Feb 2013 06:35 AM PST

A new study shows for the first time that certain nutrients may play an underlying role in short and long sleep duration and that people who report eating a large variety of foods -- an indicator of an overall healthy diet -- had the healthiest sleep patterns.

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