sciencetech

Palaeontology: chicken-sized dinosaur with long ‘needles’ sticking out of it is discovered in Brazil

by

A peculiar, chicken-sized dinosaur which sported long ‘needles’ sticking out of its shoulders has been discovered. Experts led from Portsmouth found the new species — originally unearthed in 1995 in the Chapada do Araripe in north-eastern Brazil — among the collections of the State Museum of Natural History in Karlsruhe, Germany. Dubbed Ubirajara jubatus — indigenous Indian for ‘Maned … Read more

Footage captures endangered 50ft right whale frolicking with her calf off the coast of Hilton Head

by

One of the world’s most endangered whales was spotted swimming with a newborn in the waters off South Carolina’s Hilton Head island. A drone camera captured footage of a 50-ton North Atlantic right whale and her calf frolicking about four miles from shore. According to the boat captain who spotted the pair on Friday, the … Read more

Astronauts have snuck alcohol into space in hollowed-out books and pouches in their spacesuits

by

Drinking alcohol is prohibited in space but that hasn’t stopped some intrepid crew members from smuggling hooch into orbit. Cosmonauts have admitted they’ve smuggled bottles of cognac in their space suits, in intentionally mislabeled ‘juice’ bottles and even inside hollowed-out books. One cosmonaut hid a bottle in the wristband of a device used for measuring … Read more

Climate change to blame for wiping out Central Asia’s medieval river civilisations 700 years ago 

by

Climate change – not Genghis Khan – was to blame for wiping out Central Asia’s medieval river civilisations 700 years ago, a new study claims.  UK researchers investigated the river channels around the Aral Sea in Central Asia, which was historically a vast body of water but is now a fraction of its former size.  Hundreds … Read more

Apple Fitness+ subscription service launches around the world

by

Apple has launched its hotly anticipated Fitness+ exercise service with video sessions for everything from yoga and cycling to mindful cool down and dance.  The service was first announced at the launch of the new Apple Watch Series 6 in September and has been designed around the wearable device. It ‘dynamically integrates personal metrics’ from … Read more

Space: Arachnids in orbit weave webs in microgravity using LIGHT as a reference point 

by

When spinning webs in the microgravity found in the International Space Station (ISS) in Earth’s orbit, spiders use light as a reference point, a study has found. In their natural habitat on the planet’s surface, our eight-legged friends weave webs that are slightly asymmetrical — with their centre slightly closer to the upper edge. The … Read more

Moment Mount Etna eruption sends a stream of lava and smoke 328 feet into the air over Sicily

by

An eruption at Mount Etna sent a violent stream of lava and smoke hundreds of feet into the air above Sicily Sunday night. Volcanic activity was first detected from the southeast crater shortly before 9:30pm local time. The eruption lasted through Monday morning, with a dense ash plume some three miles high and lava fountains … Read more

Empty vial and syringe from the world’s first Covid-19 vaccination saved by Science Museum

by

Empty vial of the world’s first Covid vaccine which was given to Margaret Keenan, 90, last week will go on display at the Science Museum Margaret Keenan was first person in the world to get the vaccine outside trials Her jab at 6:45am on December 8 marked a turning point in fight against Covid Empty vials … Read more

Amazon’s self-driving car company reveals its autonomous ‘carriage-style’ robotaxi

by

Amazon’s self-driving car company reveals its autonomous ‘carriage-style’ robotaxi that hits speeds of 75mph and can travel for 16 hours on a single charge Amazon acquired the self-driving car company Zoox in June 2020 Zoox officially unveiled its autonomous vehicle set to shuttle people around  It has a carriage-style design that seats four passengers facing each other … Read more

Antibiotic azithromycin is DROPPED from RECOVERY trial

by

A commonly prescribed antibiotic called azithromycin, which was being investigated as a potential treatment for Covid-19, has been found to have no meaningful benefit for hospitalised patients.  The findings come from the RECOVERY trial led by the University of Oxford, which assesses the benefits of different drugs in more than 20,000 severe Covid-19 cases at 176 … Read more