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Scientists discovered two skeletons in the ruins of a Pompeii building and concluded that their deaths must have been caused by wall collapses triggered by earthquakes. Image: Pompeii Archaeological Park

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18 Jul 2024

Pompeii skeleton discovery shows another natural disaster may have made Vesuvius eruption even more deadly

Scientists think that skeletons of individuals trapped and killed inside buildings by earthquakes during the 79CE eruption of Vesuvius could provide a more complete history of destruction

Manuel Castellote taking part in fieldwork. Photograph by Andrea Gilstad.

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15 Jul 2024

'We lost instruments chewed or crunched by bears and sea otters': how Dr Manuel Castellote listens out for elusive belugas

Castellote is the corresponding author of a new article in Frontiers in Marine Science which reveals the stealthy movements of the elusive Cook Inlet beluga, and has kindly taken the time to share some thoughts about his career and research as part of the Frontier Scientist series.

Credit: Warner Bros Pictures and Legendary Pictures

Space sciences and astronomy

12 Jul 2024

Real-life ‘stillsuit’: Dune-inspired upgrade for spacesuits allow astronauts to recycle urine into water

Existing waste management systems for spacesuits are uncomfortable, unhygienic, and don’t recycle valuable water in urine. Now, researchers from Cornell University have designed a prototype for an integrated urine collection and recycling system, which can be carried on the back of next-generation spacesuits. The system is now ready for testing.

Laura Rabbachin, INTK, Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna

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05 Jul 2024

Desert-loving fungi and lichens pose deadly threat to 5,000-year-old rock art

Researchers sampled microflora from the rocks bearing unique, millennia-old petroglyphs in the Negev desert. The diversity and abundance of species found on these rocks was low, suggesting that few can survive the harsh conditions. Most identified species from the petroglyphs were specialized microcolonial fungi and lichens, known to damage rock art through mechanical and chemical means. The authors cautioned that these natural deterioration processes can’t be stopped, making it necessary to monitor and document this important cultural heritage.

Hairy skin does not become less sensitive with age, shows study for the first time

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02 Jul 2024

Study shows hairy skin does not become less sensitive with age

Our sense of touch is generally thought to decline with age, just like the other senses. However, a study has now shown for the first time that age-related decline in sensitivity only happens in hairless skin like the tip of the index finger, but not in the hairy cheeks and forearms. The authors speculate that the exceptional sensitivity of the cheeks throughout life is due to our evolutionary history as social primates, for whom touch is an important method of communication.