It's always the pretty ones who get the attention. Scientists trying to raise awareness about a mysterious illness affecting bat populations along the East Coast say that bats' sketchy reputation keeps them from getting the attention they deserve.

But being cute didn't help little puppies in Hungary circa 900-1200 AD. New research shows that sacrifices of adult and baby dogs was more widespread than previously thought. The domestic animals were thought to have been killed to protect against evil. (Although apparently not the evil of killing puppies.)

Also in today's links: why it's okay to read this at work, another study on testosterone and risk, and more.

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Two of the great inventors of our time finally get their due: Wallace and Gromit have a museum exhibit devoted to their inventions -- from the snowmanotron to the crackervac -- as well as true but equally quirky inventions. Who knew someone cared enough about the canaries that went down into mines to build them a resuscitation chamber?

Also in today's links: an Egyptian hoax that will soon make the rounds of middle school slumber parties, hermit crab torture, and more.

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"Socially interactive" robots are being developed that can interact naturally with people, such as turning toward a person to give the impression of paying attention. The goal is to have such machines perform assistive tasks from hugging to encouraging stroke victims to perform important exercises or children with autism to imitate behavior. Researchers designing what such robots will look like also have to avoid the "uncanny valley" -- a phrase based on the idea that people are most comfortable with robots that look either completely human, or identifiably not human.

Also in today's links: blaming quants, mapping science, imaging religion, and more.

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In light of the ongoing world financial collapse, here's a tip to banks: take a look at your customers. A new study suggests that a person's creditworthiness can be seen in his or her face. And here's a tip to would-be borrowers: try not to look shifty. (Points off from the article, though, for not explaining what exactly that means, though.)

Also in today's links: hilarious species names, the next level of smart in phones, and more.

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Also in today's links, the other uses of bat wings, and the other reason you should be out in the fresh air instead of online.

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College sports is all about winning, and so is alumni donations. An analysis of gifts to Middlebury College published last month in the Journal of Sports Economics shows that a winning season in high-profile sports leads to more donations for the school.

The study also showed that former athletes are 22 percent more likely to give than their couch-potato counterparts, and that hockey players are more generous than football alums, but that there's no difference in generosity between men and women.

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