ScienceDaily: Strange Science News

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• Fossil saved from mule track revolutionizes understanding of ancient dolphin-like marine reptile
• Mum and dad dinosaurs shared the work
• 'Owning' a darker skin can positively impact racial bias, study finds
• New uses for tiny carbon nanotubes: Adding ionic liquid to nanotube films could build smaller gadgets
• Male testosterone levels increase when victorious in competition against rivals, but not friends
• Trying to be happier works when listening to upbeat music
• Using clay to grow bone: Researchers use synthetic silicate to stimulate stem cells into bone cells
• Illusion of control: Why sports fans prefer 'lucky' products
• From ocean to land: The fishy origins of our hips
• Alligator stem cell study gives clues to tooth regeneration
• Bacterium counteracts 'coffee ring effect'
• Searching for clandestine graves with geophysical tools

Fossil saved from mule track revolutionizes understanding of ancient dolphin-like marine reptile Posted: 14 May 2013 06:31 PM PDT Scientists have revealed a new species of ichthyosaur (a dolphin-like marine reptile from the age of dinosaurs) from Iraq, which revolutionizes our understanding of the evolution and extinction of these ancient marine reptiles.

Mum and dad dinosaurs shared the work Posted: 14 May 2013 06:31 PM PDT A study into the brooding behavior of birds has revealed their dinosaur ancestors shared the load when it came to incubation of eggs.

'Owning' a darker skin can positively impact racial bias, study finds Posted: 14 May 2013 06:30 PM PDT Scientists in the UK have found that when white Caucasians are under the illusion that they have a dark skin, their racial bias changes in a positive way.

New uses for tiny carbon nanotubes: Adding ionic liquid to nanotube films could build smaller gadgets Posted: 14 May 2013 04:06 PM PDT Nanotubes are stronger than steel and smaller than any element of silicon-based electronics. They can potentially process information faster while using less energy. The challenge has been figuring out how to incorporate these properties into useful electronic devices. Now scientists have discovered that by adding ionic liquid -- a kind of liquid salt -- they can modify the optical transparency of single-walled carbon nanotube films in a controlled pattern.

Male testosterone levels increase when victorious in competition against rivals, but not friends Posted: 14 May 2013 03:53 PM PDT A study has found that testosterone levels during group competition are modulated depending on the relationships among the competitors and may be related to the formation of alliances in warfare.

Trying to be happier works when listening to upbeat music Posted: 14 May 2013 03:53 PM PDT Recent research discovered that an individual can indeed successfully try to be happier, especially when cheery music aids the process. This research points to ways that people can actively improve their moods and corroborates earlier research.

Using clay to grow bone: Researchers use synthetic silicate to stimulate stem cells into bone cells Posted: 14 May 2013 10:54 AM PDT Medical researchers report that synthetic silicate nanoplatelets (also known as layered clay) can induce stem cells to become bone cells without the need of additional bone-inducing factors.

Illusion of control: Why sports fans prefer 'lucky' products Posted: 14 May 2013 08:27 AM PDT Consumers engage in superstitious behavior when they want to achieve something but don't have the power to make it happen, according to a new study.

From ocean to land: The fishy origins of our hips Posted: 14 May 2013 07:15 AM PDT New research has revealed that the evolution of the complex, weight-bearing hips of walking animals from the basic hips of fish was a much simpler process than previously thought.

Alligator stem cell study gives clues to tooth regeneration Posted: 14 May 2013 07:14 AM PDT Alligators may help scientists learn how to stimulate tooth regeneration in people, according to new research. For the first time, a global team of researchers has uncovered unique cellular and molecular mechanisms behind tooth renewal in American alligators.

Bacterium counteracts 'coffee ring effect' Posted: 14 May 2013 05:53 AM PDT Ever notice how a dried coffee stain has a thicker outer rim, while the middle of the stain remains almost unsoiled? This 'coffee ring effect' also occurs in other materials. Researchers have now discovered how to counteract coffee rings with 'surfactants', i.e. soap. The key to the discovery was not a kitchen towel, but a bacterium that counteracts the coffee ring effect at the microscopic level.

Searching for clandestine graves with geophysical tools Posted: 14 May 2013 05:52 AM PDT It's very hard to convict a murderer if the victim's body can't be found. And the best way to hide a body is to bury it. Developing new tools to find those clandestine graves is the goal of a small community of researchers spread across several countries.

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