And other stories from the stranger side of life
Nasa’s Perseverance rover has discovered organic molecules on the surface of Mars, suggesting that life may have once existed on the planet. The molecules are chemical compounds normally found in living systems, which can consist of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. “They are an exciting clue for astrobiologists since they are often thought of as building blocks of life,” Joseph Razzell Hollis, told Newsweek.
Humans do not have to defecate every day
Human beings do not have to defecate every day, an expert has told CNN. Dr Folasade May, a gastroenterologist, said that “there’s really not a fixed or normal number of bowel movements” and “most people will have anywhere between a bowel movement up to three times a day to three times per week”. Dr Michael Camilleri, a consultant and professor in gastroenterology, said that “the stool form, appearance or consistency of the bowel movement is actually a much better criterion” for determining health.
Otter steals surfboard
A sea otter keeps pinching surfers’ boards in California, reported The Telegraph. Videos show the five-year-old otter, known as Otter 841, “jumping atop surfboards, nudging their owners out of the way and basking in the sunshine as it waits for the swell in Santa Barbara”, said the paper. However, while “most people have found the encounters charming”, officials are now attempting to return her to captivity, to prevent her biting someone.
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