Buzz
A full week has passed, and it’s time once more to dive into some of the oddest news stories that caught the public’s attention this week. For more quirky updates, click here.
Today's collection is diverse and fascinating. From pole dancing in China to a ghost ship adrift in Myanmar, and even a massive penis carved into an English hillside. We uncover an amazing shark discovery and delve into some issues aboard the ISS. We also revisit two unusual heists—one freshly committed and the other solved after 13 years.
10. Astronaut Seals Hole Using His Finger
Last week, astronauts aboard the International Space Station encountered a potential disaster when they discovered a leak that was causing the air pressure to drop. Luckily, the hole was small enough that one astronaut managed to temporarily seal it with his finger.
NASA ground crews first noticed the leak while the ISS crew was asleep. The following morning, their priority was to locate the source of the breach. They found a tiny 2-millimeter-wide hole in the orbital section of Soyuz spacecraft MS-09. Initially, it was thought that a micrometeorite had struck the ISS, creating the hole, but later investigations revealed it was drilled. Whether this was due to sabotage or human error is still unclear.
German astronaut Alexander Gerst prevented further air loss by blocking the leak with his finger. Of course, this was just a temporary fix while a permanent solution was considered, though the final fix wasn’t much more advanced. Astronauts ended up using epoxy and high-strength tape to seal the hole, and for now, it’s holding. However, they are still exploring more reliable options for the future.
9. LSD On Trial
This week marked the start of the first-ever trials of LSD microdosing to investigate whether this method of consumption offers any potential benefits.
Microdosing, as the name implies, involves taking minuscule amounts of a substance, sometimes as small as one-fifteenth of a tab. It’s said to eliminate any hallucinogenic effects, while improving focus and alleviating depression. This practice has gained traction in places like Silicon Valley. However, it’s never been scientifically validated, meaning all reports of its benefits and side effects remain anecdotal. On September 3, a placebo-controlled trial began at Imperial College London, sponsored by the Beckley Foundation, which seeks to promote research into mind-altering substances.
There’s one major issue—taking LSD is still illegal, no matter how small the dose. As a result, researchers had to take an unconventional route, inviting individuals who already microdose to participate in a 'self-blinded study.' This means participants will supply their own substances, placing them into gel capsules, some of which will contain the drug, and others that will be empty as the placebo. They will then regularly take doses without knowing if they’re consuming LSD or a placebo.
Following that, participants will engage in online surveys and cognitive games to assess the effects of the drug. The research team will use QR codes to identify which capsules contain LSD and will analyze the data after four weeks of testing.
8. The Ghost Ship Of Yangon
Last week in Yangon, Myanmar, a strange sight appeared when a massive ‘ghost ship’ was spotted drifting near the shore. The mystery was solved on Saturday when the ship was identified as the Sam Ratulangi PB 1600, an Indonesian freighter bound for Bangladesh.
The ship was found devoid of crew members or cargo. Myanmar navy officials initially suspected it had been towed, having discovered two cables at the front. The investigation later uncovered an Indonesian tugboat named Independence, located about 80 kilometers (50 miles) away.
What began as a fascinating, even eerie enigma turned out to have a simple explanation. The tugboat had been towing the freighter since August 13, bound for a ship-breaking facility in Bangladesh. However, rough weather caused a cable to snap, leading the crew to abandon the vessel.
7. Going Up
This month, we are one step closer to the realization of a space elevator as Japanese scientists prepare to test a miniature prototype to demonstrate its viability.
Researchers from Shizuoka University have plans to launch a small stand-in for an elevator: a box measuring 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) in length, 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) in width, and 3 centimeters in height. Unlike a conventional space elevator, this box will be sent into space aboard a rocket. It will be accompanied by two miniature satellites, linked by a 10-meter-long (33 feet) steel cable.
The motorized box will move along the cable between the two satellites, simulating the role of an elevator car. Its brief journey will be documented and transmitted back to Earth. The main objective is to observe how an object connected to a cable behaves in space. The mission is scheduled to launch on September 11 from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima.
While there are many hurdles to overcome before a true space elevator is possible, the marked reduction in both risks and costs is accelerating its development. The university’s partner and advisor, the Japanese construction powerhouse Obayashi Corporation, is working on its own space elevator, which is expected to be operational by 2050. Such a system would drastically reduce the cost of transporting cargo, dropping from $22,000 per kilogram via shuttle to just $200.
6. Whiskey In The Jar
This fall, whiskey lovers can savor a new creation named 'Blackened,' brought to you by the legendary heavy metal band Metallica. The unique flavor of this whiskey has been 'shaped' through a special process known as 'sonic enhancement' or 'Black Noise.' In essence, the whiskey was infused with Metallica's music during the distillation process.
The band’s deep bass lines were played through a subwoofer positioned beside the barrels where the whiskey was aging. These powerful low-frequency sound waves are designed to influence the whiskey on a molecular level, increasing its interaction with the wood, which enhances its wood-flavored notes. Custom playlists were tailored for each batch.
The creation of the whiskey involved collaboration between the band members and master distiller Dave Pickerell. The result is a blend of various bourbons, ryes, and other whiskeys, which are aged in black brandy barrels in the final stages. The whiskey will retail for approximately $50 per bottle.
5. Pole Dancing For Kindergarteners
A headmaster from a kindergarten in China found themselves in hot water after hiring a pole dancer to perform for students and parents during the school's welcome ceremony.
Xinshahui Kindergarten in Shenzhen opened its doors on September 3 and invited families to join in the celebrations. The entertainment included several women performing in revealing outfits, with one of them being a pole dancer. She danced to 'Buttons' by the Pussycat Dolls while swinging from a flagpole that held the Chinese flag.
Videos of the performance surfaced on Chinese social media platforms like Sina Weibo, where parents expressed shock and anger over the event. Some even withdrew their children from the school in protest.
In response to numerous complaints, the local Bao’an Education Bureau launched an investigation and determined that the actions were 'not appropriate.' As a result, the headmaster was dismissed, and the school was instructed to issue an apology. The school explained in a statement to parents that the intention was to 'introduce children to a broader variety of dances.'
4. There’s No Place Like Home
The FBI recently revealed the recovery of a priceless piece of Hollywood history—a pair of ruby slippers once worn by Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. These iconic shoes were stolen 13 years ago from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, the late star's hometown.
Michael Shaw, the owner of the slippers, bought them in 1970 for $2,000. At the time of the theft, they were on loan to the museum. The thief managed to steal the slippers, break through the glass of an emergency exit, and escape. The FBI has yet to reveal the specifics of how the criminal was caught and the stolen memorabilia was recovered.
Although three other pairs of ruby slippers are known to exist, these shoes still hold significant value. The last pair to be sold at a private auction fetched $2 million. Shaw explained that the insurance company paid $800,000 for the stolen shoes, which means they now technically own them, though Shaw retains the option to repurchase them.
3. The Insect Heist Of The Century
In one of the largest insect heists ever, thieves stole over 7,000 live spiders, scorpions, and other creepy-crawlies from the Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion.
A total of 80 different species of arthropods were taken, with the criminals making off with more than 80 percent of the museum's collection. The robbery, which occurred in late August, appeared to be an inside job. Security footage showed employees moving boxes full of insects and arachnids over several days. Afterward, the thieves left their blue uniforms pinned to a wall with knives.
Authorities know the identities of some of the thieves, though no arrests have been made as of now. While a dozen insects were recovered from a suspect’s home, thousands are still missing.
The motive behind the heist appears to be financial. The stolen creatures are valued at approximately $40,000 and are easily sold, especially on the exotic pet market. This makes recovering the stolen arthropods highly unlikely.
After only a year in operation, the Philadelphia Insectarium had to close off its second and third floors as owner Cambridge works to rebuild his collection. In response to the theft, a number of institutions and private collectors have generously donated specimens to support the Insectarium and its efforts.
2. The First Omnivorous Shark
The bonnethead shark has been officially recognized as the first known omnivorous shark species. According to US researchers, up to 60 percent of its diet consists of seagrass.
A species of hammerhead shark, the bonnethead is commonly found in various regions, including the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and the Western Atlantic. Previously, experts believed this shark exclusively fed on crustaceans, mollusks, and bony fish. However, a team of scientists from the University of California in Irvine and Florida International University in Miami decided to investigate the bonnethead’s eating habits after reports suggested it was consuming seagrass in coastal waters. Initially, scientists thought the shark was just nibbling on seagrass incidentally and that it provided no nutritional benefits.
To test this hypothesis, scientists cultivated their own seagrass in a lab environment, infusing it with sodium bicarbonate powder containing a distinct carbon isotope. Then, they fed five bonnethead sharks a diet consisting of seagrass and squid.
After three weeks of experimentation, all the fish showed an increase in weight. Additionally, their digestive systems were able to process the seagrass. High concentrations of the isotope were detected in the sharks' blood and liver, indicating that the bonnethead was using seagrass as a source of energy and to maintain its bodily functions.
1. The Bicycle That Became A Penis
On Tuesday morning, the residents of Ilfracombe, Devon, were greeted with the sight of a giant cardboard bicycle on Capstone Hill transformed into a large cardboard penis by pranksters.
The original artwork was created as part of the celebration for stage two of the ongoing Tour of Britain. Constructed from recycled materials, it also aimed to raise awareness for Plastic Free North Devon, a group focused on keeping the beaches clean and reducing the environmental impact of single-use plastics.
Over the course of the night, some mischievous individuals transformed the cardboard sculpture into something with a more phallic appearance. Despite the alteration, the original creators didn’t seem too upset. In fact, project leader Seth Conway found the humor in the situation and was even pleased by the additional attention the prank brought to the project.
