The Weird Universe homepage, weirduniverse.net, says the website explores every aspect of a human and natural cosmos that is not only "stranger than we imagine, but stranger than we can imagine."
A Weird Universe reader posted details Sept. 29 of research conducted in part by two Texas A&M College of Architecture professors and their colleagues showing that nature paintings reduce males’ stress levels in an office setting. The research was published by Lou Tassinary, professor of visualization and the college’s associate dean for research, Roger Ulrich, holder of the college’s Julie and Craig Beale ’71 Endowed Professorship in Health Facilities Design, and two associates.
“We found that nature and abstract art posters have a significant influence on state anger and stress for male participants, but not for female participants,” the research team reported. “Male participants experienced less state anger when there are art posters on the wall of the office setting than when no art posters are present.” State anger is defined as anger at a given moment.
“It's not clear why men are calmed by wall art, but not women,” wrote Alex, who posted the item. “Maybe men are just simpler creatures.”
The Weird Universe post can be accessed online at www.weirduniverse.net
