This week, newly analyzed Neanderthal remains suggest our extinct relatives were caring and compassionate, researchers discovered the largest land-mammal migration ever recorded, and a robot with a face made of lab-grown human skin became everyone’s new nightmare. Finally, we examine how some physicists once believed the explosive Tunguska event was actually caused by a black hole flying through the Earth.
Subscribe to the IFLScience newsletter and receive the most important science news directly to your inbox every Wednesday and Saturday.
A 44,000-year-old wolf in permafrost could still contain living bacteria
A prehistoric wolf that was frozen like a popsicle for over 44,000 years has undergone an autopsy in Russia that could provide insight into its life as an apex predator during the Ice Age. Read the full story here.
Neanderthal child with Down syndrome underlines the altruism of earlier humans
Researchers in Spain have discovered the remains of a Neanderthal child who had a number of traits consistent with Down syndrome. However, unlike other prehistoric people with the condition, the child did not die as a baby, suggesting that both the child and his mother received ongoing care and support from the rest of their ancient tribe. Read the full story here.
Six million animals migrate in the largest land mammal migration in the world
Around 6 million antelopes were spotted migrating through East Africa. It is the largest land mammal migration ever recorded in the world. Read the full story here.
Watch this creepy robot face grin and frown thanks to self-healing, lab-grown human skin
This grinning pink blob may give you nightmares for the next week or two (sorry), but if you can look past the all-too-realistic eyes, you’ll discover a very impressive feat of engineering. Scientists in Japan have found a way to glue lab-grown human skin tissue to the faces of complex humanoid robots. Read the full story here.
Family sues NASA in unprecedented case after piece of ISS crashes into their home
A Florida family has filed a lawsuit against NASA, seeking compensation after a piece of space debris fell from the sky and crashed through the roof of their home. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, although the family’s attorney says the ramifications of this case extend far beyond simply recovering damages and could set a precedent for settling future lawsuits of this nature. Read the full story here.
TWIS is published weekly on our Linkedin page. Visit us there for even more content.
Feature of the week:
Physicists once suspected that the Tunguska event was caused by a black hole flying through the Earth
Every year on June 30, Earth celebrates Asteroid Day to commemorate the day of the largest asteroid impact in history and to make the public aware of the dangers of asteroid impacts and crisis communication plans should one hit us. Now we know about the Tunguska event of 1908, which leveled over 2,000 km2 A forest in Siberia was likely the explosion of an asteroid, but physicists once suspected it was a primordial black hole that flew through the Earth. Read the full story here.
Further content:
Have you seen our e-magazine CURIOUS? It’s about to turn 2! July issue 24 will be released on June 30th and June 2024 issue 23 is available now. Check it out and read exclusive interviews, book excerpts, long texts and more.
PLUS: The first episode of the fourth season of IFLScience’s podcast “The Big Questions” is now available.
