ScienceDaily: Strange Science News

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• First-aid for defective mucus
• Researchers design 'biological flashlight' using light-producing ability of shrimp
• Chore or stress reliever: Study suggests that washing dishes decreases stress
• Are the blueprints for limbs encoded in the snake genome?
• 3-D printing techniques help surgeons carve new ears
• Nectar thieves are damaging rare orchids in North Dakota
• Tweets from mobile devices are more likely to be egocentric
• Scientists control rats' senses of familiarity, novelty

First-aid for defective mucus Posted: 02 Oct 2015 08:35 AM PDT Proper lubrication is crucial to keep not only machines but also humans functioning smoothly. The mucus membranes in our mouths, eyes, stomachs and genital area help keep friction to a minimum and also protect us against environmental hazards such as chemicals and pathogens. Researchers are investigating exactly how these mechanisms work.

Researchers design 'biological flashlight' using light-producing ability of shrimp Posted: 02 Oct 2015 07:35 AM PDT Researchers describe the design and engineering of the new bioluminescent imaging tool called the "LumiFluor" in a new report. Using the natural light-producing ability of deep-sea shrimp, the team of scientists developed the new imaging tool to help cancer researchers better track tumor development and treatment responses.

Chore or stress reliever: Study suggests that washing dishes decreases stress Posted: 01 Oct 2015 01:58 PM PDT Mindfully washing dishes calms the mind and decreases stress, a new study shows. The study looked at whether washing dishes could be used as an informal contemplative practice that promotes a positive state of mindfulness -- a meditative method of focusing attention on the emotions and thoughts of the present moment.

Are the blueprints for limbs encoded in the snake genome? Posted: 01 Oct 2015 09:56 AM PDT The shared patterns of gene expression in the limbs and phallus are generated in part by a common set of noncoding DNA, also called 'elements' or 'enhancers,' which act to control gene expression in both of these structures, argues a new study. These conclusions stemmed from an initial observation that many limb control elements, or limb enhancers, found in limbed animals are still present in snake genomes.

3-D printing techniques help surgeons carve new ears Posted: 01 Oct 2015 06:46 AM PDT A otolaryngology resident and bioengineering student have used 3-D printing techniques to create more lifelike models to help aspiring surgeons -- who currently practice on soap, apples, and vegetables -- learn to perform ear reconstruction surgeries.

Nectar thieves are damaging rare orchids in North Dakota Posted: 01 Oct 2015 06:37 AM PDT Robbers and thieves are flying in the fields of southeastern North Dakota, but these larcenists aren't your typical criminals, prowling around in masks and disguises. They are hawk moths and bumble bees, and they've been stealing nectar from the federally-listed threatened western prairie fringed orchid.

Tweets from mobile devices are more likely to be egocentric Posted: 01 Oct 2015 06:37 AM PDT It's now normal behavior to take selfies or live Tweet an event, but can a mobile device really be an extension of ones self? Tweets from mobile devices are more likely to employ egocentric language as opposed to non-mobile device Tweets, new research shows.

Scientists control rats' senses of familiarity, novelty Posted: 29 Sep 2015 03:12 PM PDT Brain scientists didn't just study how recognition of familiarity and novelty arise in the mammalian brain, they actually took control, inducing rats to behave as if images they'd seen before were new, and images they had never seen were old.

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