Here we go with this month’s collection of links to items you may have missed – and we have a good selection of both science and history this month.
Science, Technology, Natural World
Let’s start with a look at some counter-intuitive statistics from the Men’s Soccer Under-21 Euro competition.
Still on statistics, here’s another look at the Monty Hall Problem (above) & the meaning of life.
Now for optical illusions rather than mental illusions.
Now to geology … and there are some deep pulses beneath Africa.
Observers think it possible that some fragments of meteor have landed on Ben Nevis.
Cosmologists report that they’ve seen the gravitational waves from the largest ever seen merger of two black holes. [££££]
The Owl Galaxies (below) (what a wonderful name) are hiding a secret, but observers can’t agree on what the secret is.
And here’s a clump of quasars which really shouldn’t exist in such a small volume of space.
Now we have three items on the third (known) alien visitor to our solar system. The first from Phil Plait’s Bad Astronomy Newsletter, then the Scientific American report [££££], and finally Scientific American also look at seven mysteries [££££] [LONG READ] about the object.
Now let’s come back down to the gory details of life on Earth. Around 13 million years ago there was a huge “terror bird” and one of them appears to have been killed by an equally huge reptile. Truly a battle of apex predators.
More up to date … How do various apes settle status disputes? [LONG READ]
Apparently evolution can explain human testicle size but says nothing about our unique chins.
And finally for this deep science section … every one of the thousands of rose cultivars is ultimately derived from one (or more) of three original species.
Health, Medicine
First a recap of something we already knew … Measles isn’t just dangerous, it can wipe your immune system’s memory leaving you exposed to infections from which you’ve previously recovered.
Plague (Yersinia pestis), aka the Black Death, is still alive and still causing illness and death – albeit at a much reduced level than 400+ years ago. [££££] [LONG READ]
On the curious variety of blood groups, which has uncovered Gwada-negative, the rarest blood group on Earth carried by just one person.
A look at how currency can affect clinical trials.
Art, Literature, Language, Music
A historian looks at the lack of female labia in sculpture. [LONG READ]
Meanwhile another historian takes a look at the history of adultery in art.
History, Archaeology, Anthropology
The first, almost complete, Denisovan skull has allowed researchers to suggest what our ancient cousin looked like. [££££]
A short step across to Neanderthals, and it appears that individual groups had their own local food cultures. [££££]
Once upon a time Pharaoh came in the Nile.
Also from ancient Egypt, in an unusual burial in a pot, the skeleton has undergone whole genome analysis.
A quick hop across to Peru where archaeologists have found a 3500-year-old city.
Back to Europe and one archaeologist points out that most Minoan art is made up – if only by joining the dots to fill in missing sections. [LONG READ]
Going Medieval looks at the Crusades, and how they were pretty much all failures. [LONG READ]
A buildings archaeologist shares some thoughts on cellars. [LONG READ]
Here an archaeologist discusses some of the medieval treasures in Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum. [LONG READ]
Here in the UK we’ve not long managed to escape from this year’s Wimbledon tennis championship, but in the 16th-century (real) tennis was a decidedly dangerous sport.
I’m sure I’ve mentioned the New River before, but in case you missed it, here’s its history. [LONG READ]
And lastly here, we’re right up to date with news of Denmark’s radical experiment in archaeology which embraces metal detectorists. [LONG READ]
London
Matt Brown has taken on the task of colouring John Roque’s 1746 map of London. Here’s the latest section Tyburn Tree to Hide Park Corner. [LONG READ]
Kew Gardens is going to close its iconic Palm House for five years from 2027 in order to give it a major make-over and conservation.
As many here will know GWR have been trialling a battery-driven train on my local branch line, and it seems this technology could bring significant benefits to many small lines.
Lifestyle, Personal Development, Beliefs
A microbiologist looks at how often one really should wash all your bedding.
Let’s finish with three useful and explanatory articles on naturism. First, naturism is only exhibitionism in disguise, isn’t it? Well no, actually.
Secondly a piece on navigating social nudity and group dynamics.
And finally … So what is wrong with tattoos or piercings which have traditionally been frowned upon in nudist settings? Spoiler: nothing.
