Strange & Offbeat News -- ScienceDaily

Why Super Mario runs from left to right: People prefer it Posted: 13 Mar 2015 10:08 AM PDT There may be a fundamental bias in the way people prefer to see moving items depicted in pictures, according to research. An analysis of photos of people and objects in motion revealed a common left-to-right bias.

How cannabis use affects people with Bipolar Disorder Posted: 13 Mar 2015 10:08 AM PDT The first study to examine the use of cannabis in the context of daily life among people with Bipolar Disorder has shown how the drug is linked to increases in both manic and depressive symptoms.

Nearly 70 percent of evangelicals do not view religion, science as being in conflict Posted: 13 Mar 2015 08:04 AM PDT Media and popular culture might portray religion and science as being at odds, but new research suggests just the opposite.

Listening to classical music modulates genes that are responsible for brain functions Posted: 13 Mar 2015 05:34 AM PDT Although listening to music is common in all societies, the biological determinants of listening to music are largely unknown. According to a new study, listening to classical music enhanced the activity of genes involved in dopamine secretion and transport, synaptic neurotransmission, learning and memory, and down-regulated the genes mediating neurodegeneration. Several of the up-regulated genes were known to be responsible for song learning and singing in songbirds, suggesting a common evolutionary background of sound perception across species.

Female mice do not avoid mating with unhealthy males Posted: 13 Mar 2015 05:34 AM PDT A male's attractiveness lies not only in his physical appearance. This is true for people as well as for animals. Scent plays an important role for many creatures when it comes to choosing a mating partner. Female mice show preferences for the scent of healthy males and yet surprisingly they choose unhealthy males just as often as mating partners, scientists report. Mating choice is therefore not based solely on odor.

'Warhead' molecule to hunt down deadly bacteria Posted: 12 Mar 2015 05:29 AM PDT Chemists report they achieved selective modification of two common lipids, producing a new bio-chemical method to label deadly bacteria and potentially target them with antibiotics with reduced harm to healthy cells, according to a new report.