Author: Richard Parks

Oxford University is in the spotlight after it was revealed that a human skull was used as a cup at formal college dinners. The skull-cup was used at Worcester College until 2015. The news comes from a book by Professor Dan Hicks, who works at Oxford’s Pitt Rivers Museum. His book, Every Monument Will Fall, looks at how looted human remains were used and how colonial history is still present today. A Skull Used at Dinner The skull was made into a cup with a silver rim and stand. At first, it was used to serve wine. Later, it held…

Instagram has launched a new artificial intelligence (AI) system to find users who lie about their age. The move is part of the platform’s efforts to better protect teenagers and offer a safer experience online. The AI looks at suspicious accounts and checks if the age entered matches the user’s behavior and profile data. This change comes at a time when more people are concerned about how social media affects teen mental health. Instagram, owned by Meta, is taking steps to make sure teens are treated differently on the platform, with more privacy and less risky content. The new AI…

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission has returned a groundbreaking collection of samples from the asteroid Bennu, revealing chemical compounds that may hold the key to understanding how life began on Earth. Scientists have found life-essential materials like amino acids and nucleobases, hinting that asteroids like Bennu may have played a crucial role in seeding our planet with the building blocks for life. The samples have sparked excitement in the scientific community, with experts such as Prof. Sara Russell, a cosmic mineralogist at the Natural History Museum in London, calling the findings “jaw-dropping.” Researchers believe that these compounds, never seen before in meteorites,…

A new study has found microplastics in the follicular fluid of human ovaries for the first time. This discovery has sparked serious concern among scientists about the possible effects on female fertility. The study, published in the journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, tested 18 women who were receiving fertility treatment in Salerno, Italy. Microplastic particles were found in the ovarian fluid of 14 of those women. Why Follicular Fluid Matters Follicular fluid surrounds and protects the egg in the ovary. It helps with egg development and plays a key role in fertility. The discovery of microplastics in this fluid means…

Oscar Piastri showed impressive skill and calmness to win the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The 24-year-old Australian driver passed Max Verstappen both in the race and in the overall standings. With this win, Piastri now leads the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship. He took control of the race after a smart pit stop strategy and a penalty given to Verstappen. Penalty Gives Piastri the Edge in Saudi Grand Prix Max Verstappen started the race in pole position and held the lead into the first corner. But at turn two, he ran wide while defending against Oscar Piastri, who had made…

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have made an exciting discovery. They have found a color that no human has ever seen before. The breakthrough happened through an experiment where laser pulses were fired directly into the eyes of the subjects. These lasers stimulated the retinal cells in the eyes, pushing the limits of human vision. The Color “Olo” The researchers call the new color “olo.” They say it looks like a kind of blue-green. But it is not exactly that. The team says it is something much more complex. “We predicted it would look like an unprecedented color…

Max Verstappen secured a crucial pole position for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, edging out Oscar Piastri by a mere 0.01 seconds. However, championship contender Lando Norris suffered a major setback, crashing out in the final qualifying session. Norris will start 10th, which could significantly affect his title challenge. The result sets up an exciting race as Verstappen and Piastri continue their battle, while Norris looks to recover from his costly mistake. Verstappen Clinches Pole in Thrilling Qualifying Max Verstappen delivered an impressive performance in qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, claiming pole position with a lap time of…

Top YouTube creators like MrBeast, the Sidemen, and Jake Paul are quickly changing the entertainment world. They are making waves in TV and streaming, and platforms are welcoming them with open arms. Creators Become Global Brands The Sidemen, a group with over 150 million subscribers, recently released the second season of their show Inside on Netflix. It follows the success of their YouTube series. Netflix has even commissioned a U.S. version of the show. Recently, the Sidemen also sold out Wembley Stadium for a football match featuring stars like MrBeast and Jake Paul. Meanwhile, MrBeast’s Beast Games—a reality show inspired…

An artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot recently completed an entire month of writing for a prominent Italian newspaper, sparking both praise and deep reflection. The experiment, led by editor Claudio Cerasa, aimed to explore how AI could support and challenge journalism rather than replace it. It also raised important questions about the future of journalism in an AI-driven world. For a whole month, from March 18, the Italian paper Il Foglio released a special edition titled Foglio AI. This edition, unique in the world of journalism, was entirely written by an AI chatbot. The project aimed to explore the role AI…

A recent study by the University of Cambridge highlights a surprising risk for pollinators like bees in urban areas. The research shows that wildflowers growing in contaminated city soils can absorb toxic metals and pass them on to pollinators. This study is a call to action for better soil management in cities to protect pollinators and urban wildlife. Wildflowers and Toxic Metals In Cleveland, Ohio, a city known for its industrial past, researchers studied common wildflowers growing in vacant lots. They looked at plants like white clover, bindweed, wild carrot, and chicory. These wildflowers had absorbed harmful metals from the…