This year has been full of fascinating science news that’s both entertaining and enlightening. From mysterious circles in deep space to what our pets might do to us after we die, here are some of our favorite stories that’ll spark wild conversations over the holidays.
In 2019, astronomers discovered a strange “odd radio circle” undulating through space, but they finally tracked down its cause – no need for a starship! Meanwhile, scientists created a virtual reality chamber for a fly in central Pennsylvania, which could reveal deep insights into insect brains. When it comes to cooling down on hot days, the answer is more complicated than you might think.
For those looking for love, Indian dancing frogs use their rear legs like cancan dancers to ward off rivals. And when trying to figure out who’s a cat and what’s gibberish in the scientific community, we found an “exercise in absurdity” featuring Larry Richardson – a world’s most cited cat with over 130 citations in just four years.
Our list also includes prehistoric cave art made by ice age children as young as three years old and the enigmatic story of scientists who discovered ancient markings that might have been doodled by kids. But be warned: your pet might eat your corpse, a problem for investigators. And in waters off Brazil, “cocaine sharks” were found to be exposed to cocaine – a discovery we’re proud to share.
These stories might not change the world, but they’re sure to entertain and enlighten you. So grab a cup of hot cocoa, settle in, and get ready to dive into the fascinating world of science.
Source: https://www.science.org/content/article/our-favorite-online-news-stories-2024