This month’s collection of links to items you may have missed the firs time around.
Science, Technology, Natural World
A new theory suggests humans might not be that special in the universe after all.
A new asteroid has been found and it might hit us in 2032, but the odds keep changing as it’s orbit is refined by new observations.
A different asteroid has been found to possibly contain the building block of life.
At the other end of the size spectrum … There’s a whole world of tiny “organisms”, smaller than viruses, out there; but do they constitute life? [££££]
This is a few months old, but the Asian Southern Giant Hornet (Vespa soror) has found its way to Europe. That’s a third species: it’s not the Yellow Legged Hornet (Vespa velutina) now widespread in Europe; nor the Northern Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia) which has hit NW USA. [££££]
Studying babies’ minds [££££] [LONG READ] is prompting a rethink of consciousness, and maybe explains why we can’t remember our lives as babies or toddlers.
Health, Medicine
Contrary to the naysayers, we know exactly what’s in vaccines because we put it there.
Researchers using mice have found a surprising link between menthol and Alzheimer’s Disease.
It seems that it may be possible that aching joints really can predict the weather.
Sexuality
I thought we already knew that, although still taboo, masturbation really can be good for you.
Social Sciences, Business, Law, Politics
Following a recent spate of accidents, it looks as if planes are crashing more often. But are they really?
Art, Literature, Language, Music
Amongst his other achievements Leonardo da Vinci made some incredible studies of human anatomy, but they are still not getting the recognition they deserve. [LONG READ]
History, Archaeology, Anthropology
In Egypt, archaeologists have found the 3,500 year-old tomb of a missing pharaoh.
New research suggests that most Europeans had dark skin until less than 3000 years ago. [££££]
Thanks to ever-improving technology, researchers have got the first glimpse inside a 2000-year-old scroll from Herculaneum.
In London some of the earliest parts of the Roman city’s basilica have been found in an office basement.
Meanwhile a new study has found evidence suggesting the ownership of Scotland’s Viking-age Galloway Hoard.
The Oakington Women: A collection of extraordinary female burials in sixth-century Cambridge is evidence of a matriarchal society.
In West Sussex the discovery of a medieval toilet has helped uncover lost home of the England’s last Anglo-Saxon King.
What we choose to remember from the past can give a radically different picture from the contemporary reality.
A potted biography of Samuel Pepys. [LONG READ]
Lifestyle, Personal Development, Beliefs
And finally (yes, pun intended) … knowing the common signs that someone is dying can help in their final days.