WEIRD STUFF

Jack the Ripper tops Britain's mystery list

More than a century after his killing spree, Jack the Ripper remains the mystery Brits most want solved.

A new poll of 2,000 adults has revealed that the notorious Victorian serial killer continues to captivate the public imagination, topping the list of unsolved historical crimes.

Other long-standing enigmas high on the list include the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in 2014, the assassination of US President John F. Kennedy, and the whereabouts of missing aristocrat Lord Lucan. The unsolved murder of rapper Tupac Shakur also featured prominently.

The survey was commissioned by Sky History to promote its new show, Jack the Ripper: Written In Blood.

A spokesperson said:

"We seem to be fascinated by crimes of the past - especially those that are still a mystery.

These cases, shrouded in intrigue and unanswered questions, offer a unique glimpse into the darker aspects of history."

Heavy drinking doubles risk of brain damage

Heavy alcohol consumption more than doubles a person's risk of developing brain damage, a new study out of Brazil has revealed.

Researchers found that individuals who drank eight or more alcoholic beverages per week were significantly more likely to have brain lesions linked to memory loss and cognitive decline.

Published in the journal, Neurology, the study explains that excessive drinking can lead to hyaline arteriolosclerosis - a condition where small blood vessels become narrow, thick, and stiff, reducing blood flow and gradually damaging the brain.

Dr Alberto Fernando Oliveira Justo, lead author of the study from the University of Sao Paulo Medical School, said: "Heavy alcohol consumption is a major global health concern linked to increased health problems and death.

We looked at how alcohol affects the brain as people get older.

Our research shows that heavy alcohol consumption is damaging to the brain, which can lead to memory and thinking problems."

Life could be beyond the moon's shadows

Microbes may be hiding in the darkest corners of the Moon, according to new - though not yet peer-reviewed - research.

Scientists suggest that permanently shadowed regions (PSRs), which never receive sunlight, could be home to microbial life. These microorganisms would typically be destroyed by heat and UV radiation, but the extreme darkness may provide the perfect shelter.

This possible presence of life has raised concerns about contamination in upcoming lunar missions.

Speaking to Universe Today, Professor John Moores of York University in the UK, said:

"The question then is to what extent does this contamination matter? This will depend on the scientific work being done within the PSRs.

For example, scientists hope to take samples of ice from inside the PSRs to investigate where it came from. This could include looking at organic molecules inside the ice that are found in other places, like comets."

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Dads may hold clues to dementia risk

A surprising new study has found that individuals whose fathers had Alzheimer's disease may be at increased risk of developing the condition themselves.

Researchers discovered that having a father with the illness was associated with a greater spread of tau protein in the brain - a hallmark sign of Alzheimer's - even among people who currently show no signs of memory or cognitive issues.

The study involved 243 adults, averaging 68 years old, all with a family history of Alzheimer's.

While past studies suggested a stronger genetic link through the mother, this latest research offers a different perspective.

Dr Sylvia Villeneuve of McGill University, who led the study, said: "We were surprised to see that people with a father with Alzheimer's were more vulnerable to the spread of tau in the brain, as we had hypothesised that we would see more brain changes in people with affected mothers."

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