In a shocking turn of events, an international blackout swept across Spain, Portugal, and southern France this week, plunging millions into darkness. The cause? A mystery that experts are still unraveling.

Initially, Portugal's national electricity network pointed fingers at an unusual atmospheric phenomenon called "induced atmospheric vibration." However, they later walked back that claim. This strange occurrence involves high voltage power lines oscillating due to stark temperature changes. Climate experts warn that such fluctuations are likely to become more frequent as climate change continues to rear its head, posing serious risks to power infrastructures globally.

In brighter news, scientists in China have unveiled an innovative technique for safer nuclear energy, reviving an old U.S. technology to revolutionize global energy production.

Dinosaur Handbags: The New Fashion Trend?

Could the world of luxury fashion soon see accessories crafted from dinosaur leather? This week, three bold companies announced their plans to create high-end handbags from Tyrannosaurus rex collagen and lab-grown cells. Promising a cruelty-free and eco-friendly alternative to traditional leather, their ambitious project has sparked both excitement and skepticism.

While evidence of soft tissues in dinosaur fossils is rare, fragments of collagen have been extracted from a select few bones. Yet scientists caution that our understanding of T. rex collagen is still limited, raising questions about the practicality and authenticity of such products.

Curiosities in Science

Ever wondered if astronauts can burp in space? In microgravity, the mechanics of burping change drastically. Unlike vomiting, which relies on muscular contractions, burping needs gravity to separate gases from solids in our stomachs. So, what happens when astronauts have to release gas in a weightless environment?

Mummification Revisited: A Strange Discovery!

In a twist that seems straight out of a horror film, researchers have discovered that the remains of an 18th-century monk were preserved using an unusual technique—his anus was stuffed with wood chips and fabric. This bizarre embalming method belonged to Franz Xaver Sidler von Rosenegg, who passed away in 1746. His body, revered for miraculous healing properties, had baffled historians until recent analyses revealed he succumbed to tuberculosis.

Notable Science News

In other headlines, a Soviet satellite from 1972, originally aimed at exploring Venus, is predicted to make a fiery return to Earth in the coming weeks. The lander, weighing 1,091 pounds, could touch down anywhere, raising safety concerns for potential populated areas below.

Finally, astronomers have captured images of a dark nebula in the process of being torn apart by vibrant, newborn stars, offering fascinating insights into the history of our own solar system.