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Multi-resistant bacteria fear avocados

February 22, 2012 in Natural Sciences

Substances in avocado plants can fight off multi-resistant bacteria. The newly-discovered extracts can complement existing antibiotics.

Lilliputian shop of horrors

February 21, 2012 in Natural Sciences

Do you cringe at the thought of head lice or intestinal worms? Well, if you were a little creepy thing you would risk something much worse than an itch.

Zebra stripe mystery solved

February 18, 2012 in Natural Sciences

It’s been unclear up to now why zebras are striped, but now a team of Swedish and Hungarian researchers claim to have solved the mystery.

What’s the deal with morning breath?

February 11, 2012 in Natural Sciences

While you sleep the bacteria in your mouth are forced onto a low-carb diet. They protest by gassing your breath with sulphur.

Microbe masters

February 9, 2012 in Natural Sciences

Viruses, bacteria and parasites make us sneeze, poop or scratch our behinds. Can they also be behind some of the world’s major cultural differences?

Neutron star riddle solved

February 8, 2012 in Natural Sciences

New theoretical calculations show how quickly rotating neutron stars – millisecond pulsars – slow down when they no longer attract matter from their companion stars.

The illusion of light constricts pupils

February 7, 2012 in Natural Sciences

Which of the figures below is brightest in the middle? Maybe when your brain plays tricks on you it isn’t a mistake, but rather a sort of improvement on reality.

The giant that perished

February 4, 2012 in Natural Sciences

The largest known razorbill, or auk, was a powerful swimmer that couldn’t fly. Our ancestors carved images of the Great Auk in caves 35,000 years ago. But in the 1800s we drove it to extinction.

Ants in supercolonies defy evolution

February 2, 2012 in Natural Sciences

Some invasive ants create supercolonies which eliminate other ants in an area. But the supercolonies cannot continue to exist, since evolution doesn’t allow for this social behaviour.

Cryptozoology isn’t just about abominable snowmen and dinosaurs hiding out in highland lakes. Normal animals also have their place in the study of creatures that are still hypothetical. Anyway, what do we mean by normal?

Chimpanzees have the X factor

January 30, 2012 in Natural Sciences

New research reveals how natural selection has affected the evolution of chimpanzees, and perhaps also humans. The X chromosome probably holds the answer.

The mother of all birds had black wings

January 28, 2012 in Natural Sciences

A study has discovered new evidence about the colour of the wings of Archaeopteryx – the primordial bird.

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Serial criminals should be punished less harshly

February 23, 2012 in Society & Culture

Repeat offenders should be punished less harshly than today because society hinders the criminal in living a normal life, say philosophers in a new anthology.

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