Orcas Strike A Boat In Spain Sparking New Theory, SETI Starts Looking For Highly Advanced Extragalactic Civilizations In 2,880 Galaxies, And Much More This Week

This week, findings suggest bacteria are passing “memories” of perturbed genes to their descendants, here’s what to know about the human parvovirus B19 that’s increasing in the US, and an expedition surveying the seafloor off the coast of Chile has discovered 20 potentially new species. Finally, we investigate the misinformation and pseudoscience in the wellness industry and explain how to avoid it.

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Orcas Strike A Boat In Spain As A New Theory Arises To Explain The Destruction

A pod of orcas has taken out a boat off the coast of Spain, damaging the rudder to such an extent that the two-person crew were stranded off Cape Finisterre. That’s according to a statement emailed to the New York Times by their rescuers – and given recent events, it’s not all that surprising. Now, the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI) in Spain has put forward an alternative theory for the attacks. Read the full story here

Bacteria Pass “Memories” Of Perturbed Genes To Their Descendants

Bacteria hold a record of how their environment affects them, a new study suggests, and this can be passed on to subsequent generations when they divide. The discovery is one among many in recent years that have complicated the ways biologists think about evolution and the transmission of characteristics. It could also have important medical applications, for example in tackling antibiotic resistance. Read the full story here

SETI Starts Looking For Highly Advanced Extragalactic Civilizations In 2,880 Galaxies

Science fiction has its fair share of galaxy-spanning civilizations. From the United Federation of Planets to the Galactic Empire, from the rule of Paul Atreides to that of Cleon II, we have fantasized about people spreading across the vast gulf of space and building a galactic culture. Could such a thing exist in real life? Some astronomers are trying to find out. Read the full story here

Human Parvovirus B19 Is Increasing In The US: Here’s What To Know

Officials from the CDC have advised healthcare providers and the public to stay alert for the highly contagious respiratory virus, parvovirus B19, as cases appear to be increasing across the US. It’s the virus behind the “slapped cheek” rash commonly seen in children, but what else is there to know about it? Read the full story here

Flying Spaghetti Monsters And 20 Potential New Species Spotted At Sea Mounts

A new seamount and 20 potentially new-to-science species have been discovered off the coast of Chile during an expedition to map uncharted parts of the seafloor. Armed with their trusty ROV SuBastian, the clever folks over at Schmidt Ocean Institute were surveying the unnamed and unexplored seamount when they spotted two flying spaghetti monsters. Don’t you just love the ocean? Read the full story here

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Feature of the week:

There’s A Lot Of Misinformation And Pseudoscience In The Wellness Industry, Here’s How To Avoid It

Wellbeing is a significant concern for many people across the world. However, it is also for sale – anyone who uses social media will be aware of the sheer number of organizations and individual influencers promoting competing wellness claims. These methods, designed to help you reach the “optimum you”, range in their degree of plausibility, from the acceptable or dubious to the downright batshit and bonkers. Read the full story here