Justin Narayan wins MasterChef Australia following reports of ‘unusual betting activity’

A betting plunge that seemed to hint at the eventual MasterChef winner has proven remarkably accurate. Justin Narayan was crowned king of the MasterChef kitchen on Tuesday night, more than two months after he became a clear favourite in several betting markets. The 27-year-old emerged as a favourite to win ‘within a few hours’ of the … Read more

Mysterious ‘Marsquakes’ detected by Nasa’s Insight lander in sign of volcanic activity

Mysterious rumblings known as ‘Marsquakes’ have been detected by Nasa’s InSight lander, offering further clues about volcanic activity beneath the surface of the Red Planet. The tremors originated in a region called Cerberus Fossae – an area where Nasa scientists have picked up significant seismical activity and even landslides in the past.    They believe the tremors were … Read more

‘Stressed’ brain activity linked to broken heart syndrome

Scientists have linked ‘broken heart syndrome’ – caused by life events such as a painful breakup – with heightened activity in the brain. US researchers found that the greater the activity in nerve cells in the amygdala region of the brain, the sooner broken heart syndrome can develop. Broken heart syndrome, also known as Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), is a … Read more

NASA’s Hubble space telescope finds exoplanet that made a new atmosphere via volcanic activity

A small gas exoplanet may have lost its atmosphere billions of years ago, but then gained a second one through volcanic activity, according to astronomers.  The planet, GJ 1132 b, is thought to have begun as a gaseous world, similar to Jupiter or Saturn but smaller than Neptune, with a thick hydrogen blanket of atmosphere.  … Read more

Orangutans: Ten released into the wild having been rescued from inhumane activity

In a degrading spectacle put on for tourists, Nenuah the orangutan was one of many apes who, 16 years ago, was forced put on boxing gloves and fight each other. But this weekend she was released into the wild as one of ten of the endangered great apes being allowed their freedom in the forests of Borneo. … Read more

Ocean marine life endangered by noise pollution from human activity

Waves crashing and water churning are typical sounds humans may hear from the ocean, but creatures that call it home are being objectified to noises from ships, drilling and even surfing – and it is becoming unbearable. A team of 25 international scientists analyzed more than 10,000 papers of marine acoustics starting back to the … Read more

Fitness apps and activity trackers a success in lockdown, study finds 

Smartphone fitness apps and wearable activity trackers really boost physical activity levels, a new study reveals. After analysing data of 7,454 people, researchers found smartphone apps or activity trackers increased physical activity by an average of 1,850 steps a day.  Apps and tracker programmes that included text-messaging involving prompts and cues, and more tailored and … Read more

Physical activity has plummeted during the pandemic by 60% because gyms and sports clubs have closed

Physical activity levels in England has plummeted during the coronavirus pandemic, with sports clubs and gyms forced to close and large swathes of the population left working from home on never-ending Zoom calls. The alarming decline has seen the proportion of adults in England engaged in 150 minutes of physical activity each week fall from … Read more

Psychology: Motivation to learn declines with age due to reduction of activity in key brain circuit

Motivation to learn new things and engage with life declines with age due to falling activity in a brain circuit that weighs costs and benefits, a study on mice suggested. US experts have been studying ‘striosomes’ — clusters of cells in the basal ganglia, a brain area linked to habit formation, movement control, emotion and … Read more

The Craft’s trailer is brimming with supernatural activity as a teen coven discover their powers

The upcoming reboot of the 1996 hit The Craft released its official trailer on Tuesday. The clip follows a new student, who befriends three other teenage girls dabbling in witchcraft. After a few of her male classmates crudely prank Hannah (Cailee Spaeny) on her first day in Catholic school, she is approached by three girls, who find … Read more