Science often deals with serious topics – important medical research, new technologies and the mysteries of the universe. But sometimes we come across stories that are so strange, fascinating, or downright bizarre that they’re worth sharing for your own enjoyment. In 2024, science has not disappointed when it comes to weirdness, with discoveries and innovations that have sparked our imaginations and raised many eyebrows.
From the surprising health benefits of mare’s milk ice cream to the discovery of microplastics in human tissue, this year’s most unusual science stories proved that science is about more than big ideas. Science is also about the strange and unexpected moments that make us pause and ask ourselves, “How did we get here?”
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Scientists spin silk from artificial spider gland
Japanese researchers have developed a microfluidic device which mimics the natural process of producing spider silk, creating artificial silk with similar strength and structure – potentially advanced industries like biomedical engineering and textiles.
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Man who received 217 COVID-19 vaccines has functioning immune system
A 62-year-old man from Magdeburg, Germany, received 217 vaccines over 29 months to test the limits of vaccination. Despite the unusual number of doses, research has found no signs of damage to the immune system.
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Postmenopausal females live 40 years longer
Female toothed whales, including orcas and belugas, live up to 40 years older than their non-menopausal counterparts – supporting the “lifespan hypothesis”, which suggests that menopause evolved to extend life beyond the reproductive years, allowing older women to help care for their grandchildren.
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Microplastics detected for the first time in the human penis
The researchers have microplastics detected in human penile tissues, raising concerns about the effects of environmental pollutants on reproductive health.
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Horse Milk Ice Cream Might Be Better for Your Gut Than a Regular Dessert
A study suggests that mare’s milk ice cream, rich in probiotic bacteria, could be healthier for digestion than traditional cow’s milk ice cream.
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New technique allows transparent skin for deeper imaging
Researchers developed a method use food coloring to make living tissues transparent, allowing clearer and deeper imaging for medical diagnostics and biological research.
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