Australia
Male possums, Australia’s endangered marsupials, die after their mating season, according to a new study using radio-tracking devices. Scientists have found that possums may become weak and reckless as they sacrifice sleep to travel long distances in search of a mate. One person walked 10.5 miles (the human equivalent of 24 miles) in one night.
France
A cryptographer has deciphered 57 handwritten encrypted letters from Mary, Queen of Scots, who was arrested and later beheaded as a rival of Elizabeth I. Most of the sixteenth-century letters were addressed to the French ambassador to England, revealing Mary’s extensive political activities during her imprisonment. .
India
Cave wall discovery initially identified as 550 million-year-old fossil Dickinsonia Researchers say the sea creatures are actually the remnants of modern-day bee hives. The discovery rekindles debate about the geological history of nearby formations.
Kenya
The 2.9-million-year-old tool set used to dismantle the hippopotamus is the earliest example of simple flake stone products, included in what is called the Oldowan tool set. However, these artifacts may not be of human origin. These were excavated along with the teeth from the branches of extinct humans. Paranthropus.
Great Lapa (Easter Island)
hitherto unknown beautifulOne of the famous volcanic rock statues, this statue was found in a lake bed that is drying up as a result of climate change. Archaeologists say there may be more statues under the reeds.
England
The small Welsh island of Innis Enri, shielded from mainland light pollution by mountains, has been declared Europe’s first ‘dark sky reserve’. It’s home to two humans year-round, and it’s also home to nocturnal seabird nesting grounds that need to fly home in dark skies.
For more information, please visit www.ScientificAmerican.com/may2023/advances.
