Sprightly sperm
When it comes to sperm, it is quality, not youth, that counts. A study of 39,000 cycles of fertility treatment in the UK found that the odds of a successful pregnancy were the same whether the sperm came from older or younger donors. The results were presented at this week鈥檚 meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Munich, Germany.
Green vegetarians
Giving up meat could slash the greenhouse gas emissions from your food. A study of vegetarians鈥� diets estimates their food-related carbon footprints were 60 per cent smaller than those of meat-eaters ().
People鈥檚 drone
Ukrainians have built a 鈥減eople鈥檚 drone鈥� to help their army in clashes against pro-Russian forces. The People鈥檚 Project raised 拢20,000 on a crowdfunding website to build a lightweight drone with cameras for reconnaissance. It has also raised funds for bulletproof vests and camouflage gear.
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Drinker鈥檚 lung
It鈥檚 not just smoking that harms lungs. After prolonged alcohol consumption, rats鈥� lungs develop the same fatty deposits that damage the livers of heavy drinkers. The extra fat oozed out of cells that lubricate the lungs. If this also happens in humans, it may explain why drinkers are prone to lung as well as liver problems ().
Bouncing on five legs
Kangaroos have five 鈥渓egs鈥�, making them the first known pentapedal animals. A study of kangaroo motion suggests their tails aren鈥檛 simply a crutch but actively move them forward, producing as much propulsive force as all four limbs combined ().