Weird News

Microgravity makes human sperm dizzy

Scientists say colonisation in outer space is at risk as human sperm becomes disoriented in microgravity.

Raising questions about the feasibility of conceiving children beyond Earth, a study conducted at the University of Adelaide and published in Communications Biology examined how sperm from multiple mammalian species behaved in simulated zero-gravity conditions. Researchers used rotating laboratory equipment to mimic weightlessness, observing how sperm navigated a maze designed to replicate the female reproductive tract.

The findings showed significantly fewer sperm were able to successfully complete the course in microgravity compared with normal Earth conditions, despite their swimming ability remaining unchanged. The research has implications for long-term space colonisation plans, including ambitions outlined by Elon Musk to populate Mars.

Speaking about the findings, study lead Dr Nicole McPherson said: "This is the first time we have been able to show that gravity is an important factor in sperm's ability to navigate through a channel like the reproductive tract." But scientists found introducing progesterone - a hormone released by eggs that helps guide sperm - improved their navigation in microgravity, suggesting chemical signals may still assist fertilisation even when gravity is absent.

But the team said further research is required to determine how effective this mechanism would be in real space environments.

Robot dinosaurs welcome guest to hotel

An influencer has shared her experience of being checked in by robot dinosaurs at a Japanese hotel.

Describing the encounter as both "terrifying" and unexpectedly efficient, Anna Lynne, 27, posted a video on Instagram documenting her stay at the Henn na Resort and Spa Kansai Airport, a hotel known for using robotic staff in place of human receptionists.

In the clip, Lynne arrives at the ocean-themed lobby where she is greeted by multilingual animatronic dinosaurs operating the check-in desk. The hotel, part of the wider Henn na brand, markets itself as one of the first to be staffed primarily by robots, offering guests a novelty experience alongside standard hospitality services such as spa facilities, themed rooms and on-site dining.

Lynne said: "Booked this stay not knowing I'd be checked in by dinosaurs and low-key, I was terrified."

She added: "It was 8 p.m., I was exhausted after a flight, and I had to walk from the train station in pitch dark just to get here. Then these prehistoric receptionists welcome me and I was like uhhh the f***.

But real talk they were somehow more polite than some humans I know. The check-in was smooth, and this place is super clean and quirky in the best way."

The hotel features a range of amenities including indoor and open-air baths overlooking the bay, a mineral mist sauna and a dry sauna. Its restaurant, Seian Aoi-an, serves Japanese cuisine using locally sourced ingredients under the supervision of a Michelin one-star chef.

Space signals may not be getting through

Signals from extraterrestrial life may have gone undetected as they are being distorted by the environments of distant star systems.

Astronomer Vishal Gajjar from the SETI Institute led a new study examining how so-called technosignatures - radio signals potentially sent by intelligent alien life - could be altered before they reach Earth. For decades, scientists involved in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence have focused on detecting extremely narrowband radio signals, which are unlikely to occur naturally. However, the research suggests activity from nearby stars may broaden these signals, spreading them across multiple frequencies and making them harder to detect with existing methods. The findings were published in The Astrophysical Journal.

Speaking about the study, Vishal said: "SETI searches are often optimised for extremely narrow signals. If a signal gets broadened by its own star's environment, it can slip below our detection thresholds, even if it's there, potentially helping explain some of the radio silence we've seen in technosignature searches." A research team analysed how radio signals behave by studying transmissions from spacecraft within our own solar system. This allowed them to model how signals might be affected by stellar conditions closer to their source, rather than solely during their journey across interstellar space.

The findings indicate that solar activity, often referred to as space weather, could play a significant role in masking potential evidence of extraterrestrial communication.