Killer squirrels, Fossil discoveries in the garden and a 124th birthday of a giant crocodile are just some of the headlines we’ve seen in science news this week. But unfortunately, it hasn’t all been fun and games.
The United States has reported its first serious case of bird flu after a patient was hospitalized in Louisiana. In the meantime, California declared a state of emergency as the virus continues to ravage the state’s dairy herds. However, to date, no person-to-person spread of the virus has been reported in the United States and, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk to the general public is still low.
A Christian amulet could rewrite history
A small silver amulet found next to a skeleton in a cemetery in Germany perhaps the oldest evidence of Christianity north of the Alpssuggests further research.
The discovery was made by digitally unrolling a small silver scroll, which would likely have been worn on a cord around the neck. The inscription inside speaks of the pious faith of the owner and changes what we thought we knew about Christianity in the third century AD in this region.
“It takes our understanding of Western Christianization and Christian monotheism to a whole new level!” an independent biblical archaeologist told Live Science.
Discover more news on archeology
—7,000-year-old alien figurine from Kuwait a ‘total surprise’ for archaeologists
—Ancient Assyrian capital abandoned for 2,700 years revealed by new magnetic study
—Rare army general and chariot discovered among China’s terracotta warriors
The little mysteries of life
Feline fur has developed an impressive patchwork of different patterns, from tiger stripes to spots seen on other big cats like cheetahs. But where do these spots come from? What affects their size and shape, and why do some have more than others?
James Webb discovers new asteroids
Astronomers exploring archival images of the James Webb Space Telescope having discovered hundreds of tiny asteroids in the asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars — and some are heading in our direction.
Some asteroids are the size of a school bus, while others are as large as several sports stadiums combined. This pales in comparison to the size of the 10 to 15 kilometer wide Chicxulub impactor that wiped out the dinosaurs, but it would still have a significant impact. Their small size also makes them harder to detect. However, scientists hope this latest discovery will improve our ability to track these small but mighty space rocks.
Discover more space news
—A meteor hits the moon! Astronomer captures possible Geminid lunar impacts
—Surprise discovery in alien planet’s atmosphere could upend decades of theory about planet formation
Also in science news this week
World’s first nuclear battery of its kind could power devices for thousands of years
Worst mortality of a species in the modern era discovered – and the ‘blob’ was the cause
Spotlight on science
During our history of more than 300,000 years, Homo sapiens have spread to almost every corner of the globe. But due to geographic barriers or cultural differences, some of these populations have been genetically isolated for thousands of years.
This phenomenon is more common than you think. And understanding this genetic isolation explains why certain diseases affect certain populations more than others.
Something for the weekend
If you’re looking for something a little longer to read over the weekend, here are some of the best long reads, book excerpts, and interviews released this week.
The position of the magnetic north pole is officially changing. For what?
Science in motion
Researchers have discovered a bird-like robot that can jump, walk and fly like a real bird.
Aptly named “Avian-Inspired Robotic Vehicle for Multiple Environments” (RAVEN), the remote-controlled drone prototype combines a fixed-wing design with articulated legs, allowing it to traverse multiple environments and take off more efficiently than existing drones.
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