WEIRD STUFF

Horses can smell human fear

It has long been thought that dogs were the only animals that could sniff out human emotions, but a new study has found that horses can sense when a person is fearful.

Experts from the University of Tours in France discovered that horses became more reactive when they were exposed to scent samples from humans experiencing fear.

The animals had elevated heart rates and were more hesitant to approach handlers compared with reactions triggered by scents linked to positive emotions.

In a similar manner to dogs, horses involved in the research detected chemical signals that are released in human sweat during states of emotion.

The scientists suggest that the equine ability is tied to survival as horses need to notice signs of danger in their environment.

Dr Lea Lansdale, of the university, said: "This study shows how closely connected animals and humans are.

"Unconsciously, we can transmit our emotions to animals, with quite important effects on their own emotions in return."

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Most educated people believe aliens exist

The vast majority of educated people are convinced that aliens exist.

Boffins at Harvard University in the US and Reichman University in Israel have discovered that 95 per cent of top academics, doctors, and scientists believe that extraterrestrial life is out there but are embarrassed to admit their opinions publicly.

The researchers quizzed over 6,000 highly educated and scientifically interested people from around the world and found that nearly all of them feel that alien life either definitely or probably exists.

Just one per cent -- only 60 people -- of those polled say that extraterrestrials definitely or probably do not exist.

The experts wrote: "Beliefs about extraterrestrial intelligence existence remain socially constrained despite near-universal private acceptance.

"Concerns about appearing unscientific, particularly among educated people, may suppress expression.

"The association of extraterrestrial intelligence beliefs with fringe communities and conspiracy theories creates reputation risk.

"This misperception creates a self-perpetuating cycle: individuals remain silent about their beliefs, interpreting others' silence as sceptics."

The revelation comes after top British scientist Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock claimed last month that she was "absolutely convinced" that proof of alien life would be discovered in the next 50 years.

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Air pollution linked to prostate cancer

Men exposed to higher amounts of air pollution are at greater risk of prostate cancer.

Scientists have called for action to tackle air pollution after research suggests that traffic and industrial fumes contribute to the onset of the disease -- which kills 12,000 men per year in the Unied Kingdom.

The study is based on data from 220,000 men in Britain and found that those exposed to higher pollution levels were 6.9 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in later life than those who were not.

Boffins believes that the key culprit is nitrate, which comes from car exhausts.

Although the precise mechanism is not certain, it is known that nitrogen -- a vital component of nitrate -- can fuel the growth of cancer cells.

Scientists from Peking University in China wrote of their discovery in the Journal of Urology: "Our findings suggest that 'where you live' matters alongside 'who you are' (genetics) and 'what you do' (lifestyle).

"Our results highlight the urgent need to target nitrate emission sources, specifically traffic and agriculture, to reduce the disease."