A footless goose was at the heart of a 1990s murder mystery
What is the strangest thing you learned this week? Either way, we promise you’ll get an even weirder answer if you listen Popular scienceis the hit podcast. The strangest thing I learned this week comes to Apple, Spotify, YouTube and everywhere else you listen to podcasts every other Wednesday morning. It’s your new favorite source for the weirdest facts, figures, and science spirals, the editors of Popular science can gather. If you like the stories in this article, we guarantee you will love the series.
By Rachel Feltman
In this week’s episode The strangest thing I learned this weekwe reveal the captivating story of Andy, the beloved legless goose who won hearts both And sparked a murder mystery (gasp!). Born without feet in 1987 on a Nebraska farm, Andy’s life seemed bleak until he was rescued by Gene Fleming, an inventor who transformed his mobility with a pair of custom shoes.
Andy became a local celebrity, strutting around the community and even appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. But Andy’s joy in life was cut short when, at the age of four, he was found murdered. The identity of the culprit, however, is shrouded in endless questions and mysteries.
Was Andy the victim of a senseless act, or is there more to this story than meets the eye? Log in to find out!
FACT: The sports bra is incredibly new
By Claire Maldarelli
As a runner and athlete, I’ve always wondered: why hasn’t the sports bra evolved alongside other sports innovations?
In my article this week, I explore the history of sports bras, starting with the invention of the jogging bra in 1977 by Lisa Lindahl, Hinda Miller and Polly Palmer. The trio was frustrated by the lack of adequate support for female athletes. So they decided to design a product that ended up revolutionizing the way women approach sport. But despite significant advances in sports equipment over the decades, the sports bra has seen surprisingly little development since then.
But all is not dark! Today’s scientists are starting to look at sports bra technology again. Take, for example, the Reebok Pure Move bra, which uses non-Newtonian fluid technology to adapt to movement. This means that it behaves like a solid under stress but relaxes when resting. Anyone who has had to wear a sports bra knows that it looks pretty flirty.
This week, I uncover the complexities of sports bra design, the need for better support for female athletes, and the original science that explains how non-Newtonian goo might hold the key to the future of sports bras. Listen to the episode to find out more!
FACT: Sex in space is, well… difficult!
By Moiya McTier
Let’s boldly venture into the cosmos to explore a subject NASA prefers to keep secret: sex in space. Surprisingly, while astronomers are known for their playful and often cheeky language (think “Milky Way bulge” and “fold instability”), NASA is really reluctant to study anything related to astronaut sexual activity.
Despite the romantic appeal of stargazing and the undeniable chemistry that comes from proximity aboard the International Space Station, NASA insists that no human has ever had sex in space. But with nearly 700 people having traveled beyond our atmosphere since the dawn of space travel, we can’t help but wonder if cosmic conditions are more conducive to romance than we admit.
And even beyond purely romantic motivations, the study of reproduction in microgravity is extremely important. If we are ever to travel deep into space, we will need to know how to perpetuate our species there. But it certainly comes with its own challenges. From the mechanics of physical connection in a weightless environment to the physiological obstacles posed by lower blood pressure, sex in space isn’t as easy as it seems. Of course, some researchers are working on a solution. Tune in to learn everything, plus a few other facts about non-human species that have been breeding (with varying results) in space.
FACT: Viking Berserkers may have simply microdosed henbane
By Jess Boddy
I really enjoy working out and weightlifting. And often, that involves taking a pre-workout beforehand — a concoction of carbs, caffeine, and other motivating molecules. It helps me lift more weight, get stronger, and have an overall more enjoyable time at the gym.
But I was wondering…Is there some sort of historical precedent for this? (Of course it was.) In the Viking Age, fierce warriors called Berserkers consumed mysterious concoctions before charging into battle, allegedly entering a trance-like state of ferocity that made them seemingly invincible.
I explore the modern science behind these ancient practices, including a recent study suggesting that Berserkers may have used a hallucinogenic plant called henbane, known for its pain-relieving and delirium-inducing effects.
And even beyond the physical benefits, any type of ritual before engaging in something physically demanding can be very helpful mentally. There are the kamikaze pilots who took ceremonial sake shots. Or, in fiction too, consider the iconic “witness me” war cries of the War Boys in Mad Max: Road to Fury. Whatever the ritual, it can give us a serious boost before we head into the fray.
Check out the full episode this week to hear all the grisly and inflated details.
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