Some scientific discoveries develop our understanding of the world, improve the lives of millions and help to cure diseases that affect people around the world… but not this lot.
WINNER: A team of ‘astronauts’ this year completed a mission in which they simulated a mission to Mars — without ever leaving a container in a Moscow car park. They donned spacesuits, conducted tests and even walked on red sand pretending it was the surface of Mars. (BBC)
Runner-Up: A Russian female scientist stripped naked and braved freezing temperatures to swim with beluga whales in a bid to tame them. It’s believed belugas do not like to be touched by artificial materials such as diving suits… or at least that’s what Natalia Avseenko was told. (Daily Mail)
The invisibility cloak has for years been the dream of scientists and science fiction fans. But researchers at the University of Birmingham have finally cracked it — as long as you are only trying to hide a paperclip. (Guinness)
Medical history was made in 2011 when researchers discovered that a 22-year-old woman had grown a fully fledged nipple on her left foot. While 5% of the population have an extra nipple, none had previously been found on a foot. (The Sun)
Being stared at by men has the ability to make women worse at maths. That was the discovery made by a team of psychologists who decided to test the theory in 2011. We’re guessing staring at breasts doesn’t do much for men’s maths ability either. (Live Science)
