Abstract

It is shown that in five dimensional Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet theories exact vacuum solutions with non-vanishing torsion can be constructed. Some possible observational effects related to neutrino oscillations are pointed out. In the theory of continuum media (in which suitable defects can be described by localized non vanishing torsion) "the gravitational intuition" is a rather useful tool to describe the physical effects of such defects. A possible astrophysical application is shortly described.