OK, so it’s time again for our monthly selection of links to items you may have missed the first time. There’s a lot in this month’s selection so here goes …
Science, Technology & Natural World
The mobile 5G technology is supposed to be the great white wonder but there are fears it could jam weather forecasting satellites (and others?).
Beavers are in the news again. New Scientist ran an article on a secret site in England where beavers control the landscape [£££]. And in Scotland they have been given protected status.
Researchers reckon that (some) wasps are able to reason using logic. If true they would be the first insect known to do so. And in other buzzy news scientists tell us that we really should appreciate wasps.
Health & Medicine
We know we’re all subtly different, but it seems that some of us harbour mysterious variations like extra teeth and extra nipples.
Recent work has suggested that having your appendix removed can make you more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. The Conversation takes a look and discovers there really is no good evidence one way or the other.
There are medical reasons why some men need to be circumcised, usually in adulthood, but for a few this creates more trauma than beforehand.
Scarleteen is a great Sex Education resource. Here they talk to one woman about her experience of having an abortion. [LONG READ]
Staying on women’s health … Just what does the menopause do to the body? [Includes video]
Sexuality
How one couple rejuvenated their marriage and got out of a “sex rut”.
Environment
New York is banning glass-clad skyscrapers and iconic architect Le Corbusier warned against them. Now it seems academics are also coming to the conclusion that glass skyscrapers are an environmental folly.
So who would have guessed that urban greening can save species, cool warming cities, and make us happy.
Art & Literature
The genius of Leonardo da Vinci came up with ideas for things like helicopters. Some of them aren’t as far-fetched as it seems.
History, Archaeology & Anthropology
A fossilised bone found years ago in a Tibetan cave turns out to be from a Denisovan, showing they were widespread across Asia. Which would account for the fact that Tibetan people carry a genetic mutation from Denisovans which allows them to function at high altitude.
New Scientist tells the story of the Yamnaya who conquered Europe about 5000 years ago in what seems to have been a fairly bloody era. [LONG READ] [£££]
Here we go again … Yet another academic thinks he has uncovered the secret of the Voynich manuscript. I wonder.
Somewhat echoing my sentiments, Oxford Historian Amanda Power sets out a case for not restoring Notre Dame but keeping it as a symbol of our flawed lifestyle(s). Oh and, I believe, as a teaching aid for historians and architects.
London
London is in danger of flooding and the Thames Barrier is coming to the end of its design life. So what can be done?
London is full of statues. Diamond Geezer looks at a selection of royal ones.
In North London there is a botanical garden that’s home to a variety of bits of London no-one else wanted. It sounds worth a visit.
We all know about the ravens at the Tower of London, but now they have their first raven chicks for 30 years.
Lifestyle & Personal Development
One Guardian journalist took a lot of tests to try to find out if she was being poisoned by modern life.
So you really need five reasons to be naked in your garden! OK, here they are.
Food & Drink
Finally, one to gladden the hearts of many of my friends … Belgian monks have resurrected a 220-year-old beer after deciphering the recipe. And they’re brewing it!
More goodies next month! Cheers! Hic!