WEIRD STUFF

Researchers make shocking space discovery

Scientists say they have discovered the "strongest evidence yet" of life on a faraway planet.

A research team from Cambridge University studying the faraway exoplanet K2-18b has detected molecules in its atmosphere that, on Earth, are only produced by simple life forms.

It's the second time NASA's powerful James Webb Space Telescope has picked up these potential biosignatures on the planet.

Lead researcher Professor Nikku Madhusudhan told the BBC: "This is the strongest evidence yet there is possibly life out there. I can realistically say that we can confirm this signal within one to two years."

He said the amount of gas detected in the planet's atmosphere was "thousands of times higher" than what's found on Earth -- potentially meaning the planet is "teeming with life".

"If we can confirm that there is life on K2-18b," he added, "it should basically confirm that life is very common in the galaxy."

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Dogs are listening to your conversations

A new study has revealed that dogs are capable of "listening in" on human conversations -- and picking out words that matter to them, even when you're not speaking directly to them.

The research, which involved around 50 dogs from various breeds, found that our furry friends can recognise keywords like their names in casual chatter. This challenges the belief that dogs only respond to 'baby talk' or familiar commands.

Lead researcher David Reby, of the University of Sussex, said: "Dogs are able to pick out and recognise words relevant to them in a monotonous stream of otherwise irrelevant speech, even in the absence of the intonation cues we usually use to engage them."

Researchers believe this may be linked to domestication, and plan to test wolves and other wild animals next.

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Scientists grow meat in lab

Japanese scientists have created the world's first lab-grown nugget with real meat-like texture, thanks to a technique that mimics blood vessels, allowing muscle cells to grow in layers.

Unlike current lab-grown chicken, which is made from ultra-thin sheets of cells and lacks texture, this new nugget weighs over 10 grams and comes much closer to the real thing.

Dr Shoji Takeuchi, from the University of Tokyo, said: "Cultured meat offers a sustainable, ethical alternative to conventional meat. However, replicating the texture and taste of whole-cut meat remains difficult."

The breakthrough could pave the way for bigger, better-tasting cuts of lab-grown meat.

"We're using semi-permeable hollow fibres, which mimic blood vessels in their ability to deliver nutrients," Dr Takeuchi added. "Our study presents a scalable strategy for producing whole-cut cultured meat."