ScienceDaily: Strange Science News

---

• New order found in quantum electronic material: May lead to new materials, magnets and superconductors
• Tapeworm eggs discovered in 270-million-year-old fossil shark feces
• Chimp see, chimp learn: First evidence for chimps improving tool use techniques by watching others
• Leading by the nose: Star-nosed mole reveals how mammals perceive touch, pain
• Virtual superheroes more helpful in real world, too
• New genre of 'intelligent' micro- and nanomotors
• Revolutionary cooling system uses lasers
• Snails signal a humid Mediterranean
• The ecological badminton robot: Optimizing energy efficiency in machine design
• Even the brains of people with anxiety states can get used to fear
• Engineers solve a biological mystery and boost artificial intelligence

New order found in quantum electronic material: May lead to new materials, magnets and superconductors Posted: 30 Jan 2013 03:44 PM PST A new type of order, or symmetry, discovered in an exotic material made with uranium may one day lead to enhanced computer displays and data storage systems and more powerful superconducting magnets for medical imaging and levitating high-speed trains.

Tapeworm eggs discovered in 270-million-year-old fossil shark feces Posted: 30 Jan 2013 03:42 PM PST A cluster of tapeworm eggs discovered in 270-million-year-old fossilized shark feces suggests that intestinal parasites in vertebrates are much older than previously known.

Chimp see, chimp learn: First evidence for chimps improving tool use techniques by watching others Posted: 30 Jan 2013 03:41 PM PST Chimps can learn more efficient ways to use a tool by watching what others do, according to new research. Their study presents the first experimental evidence that chimps, like humans, can watch and learn a group member's invention of a better technique.

Leading by the nose: Star-nosed mole reveals how mammals perceive touch, pain Posted: 30 Jan 2013 03:41 PM PST The most sensitive patch of mammalian skin known to us isn't human but on the star-shaped tip of the star-nosed mole's snout. Researchers studying this organ have found that the star has a higher proportion of touch-sensitive nerve endings than pain receptors, according to a new study.

Virtual superheroes more helpful in real world, too Posted: 30 Jan 2013 03:41 PM PST Having virtual super-powers in a game may incite people to better behavior in the real world, according to new research.

New genre of 'intelligent' micro- and nanomotors Posted: 30 Jan 2013 09:16 AM PST Enzymes, workhorse molecules of life that underpin almost every biological process, may have a new role as "intelligent" micro- and nanomotors with applications in medicine, engineering and other fields. Single molecules of common enzymes can generate enough force to cause movement in specific directions, new research shows.

Revolutionary cooling system uses lasers Posted: 30 Jan 2013 07:19 AM PST Bulky and noisy air-conditioning compressors and refrigerators may soon be a thing of the past. Current cooling systems which uses refrigerant harmful to the ozone layer could be replaced by a revolutionary cooling system using lasers.

Snails signal a humid Mediterranean Posted: 30 Jan 2013 05:28 AM PST An international team of researchers has shown that old wives' tales that snails can tell us about the weather should not be dismissed too hastily.

The ecological badminton robot: Optimizing energy efficiency in machine design Posted: 30 Jan 2013 05:27 AM PST A robot to play with! A childhood's dream has now come true for researchers in Belgium. Wim Symens and his team pioneered the development of the first robot ever to play badminton. But this robot is only a guinea pig to test a software application designed to optimize energy efficiency in machine design.

Even the brains of people with anxiety states can get used to fear Posted: 30 Jan 2013 05:24 AM PST Fear is a protective function against possible dangers that is designed to save our lives. Where there are problems with this fear mechanism, its positive effects are cancelled out: patients who have a social phobia become afraid of perfectly normal, everyday social situations because they are worried about behaving inappropriately or being thought of as stupid by other people. Scientists in Austria have now discovered that this fear circuit can be deactivated, at least in part.

Engineers solve a biological mystery and boost artificial intelligence Posted: 30 Jan 2013 05:23 AM PST By simulating 25,000 generations of evolution within computers, engineering and robotics researchers have discovered why biological networks tend to be organized as modules -- a finding that will lead to a deeper understanding of the evolution of complexity. The new insight also will help evolve artificial intelligence, so robot brains can acquire the grace and cunning of animals.

You are subscribed to email updates from ScienceDaily: Strange Science News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610