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Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - May 17, 2016
May 17, 2016
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Human Nature:
A "sixth sense" may protect drivers when they're a bit distracted behind the wheel --but not if they're texting while driving! A new study finds drivers were able to stay in their lanes when researchers distracted participants with challenging questions. Discovery News says this is likely because the brain can subconsciously correct for many mistakes that are made behind the wheel. But when the drivers were asked to text while behind the wheel, they tended to drift between lanes, impeding the brain's ability to make course corrections and keep people safe. (Bartha)
Weird science:
A new study in the journal Cell Metabolism finds Labrador retrievers are more likely than other dog breeds to beg for treats and generally be obsessed with food because they have a specific gene mutation associated with food-motivated behaviors. It's the first of its kind that has been directly associated with canine obesity.
The study looked at specific genes related to obesity in humans. Obese dogs were more likely to have mutations in the gene POMC, making them more likely to beg for food, pay attention at mealtimes, scavenge for scraps, and weigh more in general.
The gene mutation was only present in Labrador retrievers and flat coat retrievers, and more likely in Labradors that were working as assistance dogs. "It was surprising," University of Cambridge researcher ELEANOR RAFFAN says. "It's possible that these dogs are more food-motivated and therefore more likely to be selected for assistance-dog breeding programs, which historically train using food rewards." (Kaye)Better late than never:
An Indian couple in their seventies just had their first child.
Doctors say 72-year-old DALJINDER KAUR gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Proud father 79-year-old MOHINDER SINGH GILL says he and his wife have been undergoing fertility treatments for the past two years. He adds, "Every one asked me to adopt a baby but I never wanted to. Now I have my own child." (Still)Idle gossip & unconfirmed rumors:
RIHANNA has already made some brand-new friends in Houston this week. TMZ.com reports the "Work" singer headed out to a (ahem) gentlemen's club called V Live with TRAVIS SCOTT yesterday morning at 3:30 a.m. Word is RiRi brought a fat stack of cash, made it rain with $15-thousand dollars and everyone --including the audience-- enjoyed the show. (Lee)
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