Maths inequality
The paucity of female mathematicians may be a result of cultural, not innate, factors. Teams entered for the International Mathematics Olympiad had more girls if they were from countries with higher educational, professional and political equality (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, ).
Ocean volcano surprise
Has a huge underwater volcano appeared in Indonesia? A seamount 4600 metres high was found during a survey of the Indian Ocean. No signs had been seen before, so some doubt the claim. 鈥淎 volcano cannot possibly emerge all of a sudden,鈥� geologist Iskandar Zulkarnaen told the Antara news agency.
Witches begone
Contents of a rare, sealed 鈥渨itch bottle鈥� unearthed in Greenwich, London, have been analysed. Witch bottles were often buried in the 16th and 17th centuries to ward off spells. This one contained a nail-pierced leather 鈥渉eart鈥�, fingernail clippings, navel fluff, hair and human urine, British Archaeology reports.
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Pluripotent pig cells
Adult pig cells have been 鈥渞ewound鈥� to an embryonic state. As it is easier to genetically manipulate embryonic stem cells than adult cells, these cells should ease the creation of genetically modified, disease-free pigs, which could one day provide organs for transplantation into people (Journal of Molecular Cell Biology, ).
Penguin poop
Penguins are not visible from space, but their faeces are. British Antarctic Survey scientists have used satellite images to locate the reddish-brown guano stains of emperor penguin colonies. The work will allow the team to monitor the penguins鈥� response to climate change.