Astronauts may be able to make cement using their own pee (www.sciencenews.org)
Lunar dust and a compound found in urine could be used to build future dwellings on the moon, a new study finds.
A four-holed piece of ivory provides a glimpse into ancient rope-making (www.sciencenews.org)
The tool, unearthed in Central Europe, suggests that locals made devices for stringing together sturdy cords over 35,000 years ago, researchers say.
This first-of-its kind palm plant flowers and fruits entirely underground (www.sciencenews.org)
Lucy Cooke’s new book ‘Bitch’ busts myths about female animals (www.sciencenews.org)
“Female animals are just as promiscuous, competitive, aggressive, dominant and dynamic as males,” she writes....
Bacteria fossils hold the oldest signs of machinery needed for photosynthesis (www.sciencenews.org)
Most people say self-control is the same as willpower. Researchers disagree (www.sciencenews.org)
See some of the James Webb telescope’s stunning images from 2023 | Science News (www.sciencenews.org)
Physicists get a first glimpse of the elusive isotope nitrogen-9 (www.sciencenews.org)
With seven protons and two neutrons, the lopsided atomic nucleus of nitrogen-9 pushes the limits of what can even be considered a nucleus.
Quantum particles can feel the influence of gravitational fields they never touch (www.sciencenews.org)
Spirals inspire walking aids for people with disabilities (www.sciencenews.org)
Long admired for their beauty, spirals have inspired a shoe that may help disabled people walk. The shapes make for a better crutch and an entertaining skateboard as well.
These bats are the only mammals known to mate without non penetrative sex (www.sciencenews.org)
This study in serotine bats (Eptesicus serotinus) shows that the penis is used as a ‘copulatory arm’ rather than an intromittent organ, revealing a novel copulatory behaviour in mammals. DOI:doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.0
Head lice hitched a ride on humans to the Americas at least twice (www.sciencenews.org)
How hummingbirds fly through spaces too narrow for their wings (www.sciencenews.org)
The mysterious deaths of dozens of Zimbabwe’s elephants has been solved | Genetic tests identified a little-known bacterium that can cause deadly internal bleeding (www.sciencenews.org)
Brain tissue may be fuel for marathon runners (www.sciencenews.org)
Surprisingly long-lived wild female chimps go through menopause (www.sciencenews.org)
10 billion snow crabs have disappeared off the Alaskan coast. Here’s why (www.sciencenews.org)
In a first, genetically modified silkworms produced pure spider silk (www.sciencenews.org)
Planets without stars might have moons suitable for life (www.sciencenews.org)
Thanks to gravitational squeezing by their host planets, some moons of rogue planets could stay warm for over a billion years, simulations suggest.
Birds with more complex vocal skills are better problem-solvers (www.sciencenews.org)
Research article: Songbird species that display more-complex vocal learning are better problem-solvers and have larger brains
Wild male palm cockatoos rock out with custom drumsticks (www.sciencenews.org)
Like teenage Romeos toting sticker-plastered guitar cases, male palm cockatoos show that romancing a crush with a love song isn’t just about music — it’s also about style....
Ancient ‘megasites’ may reshape the history of the first cities (www.sciencenews.org)
How an ancient solar flare illuminated the start of the Viking Age (www.sciencenews.org)
The fastest-evolving moss in the world may not adapt to climate change (www.sciencenews.org)
The genus Takakia has the largest number of fast-evolving genes of any moss, a study finds. But it’s losing ground in the warming Himalayas.