Our monthly collection of links to items you may have missed.

Science, Technology, Natural World

How could we even know what came before the Big Bang? [LONG READ] [££££]

Which brings us on to some misconceptions about the universe.

At the other end of the unknowable, there’s growing evidence that some giant “Blobs” of rock have influenced Earth’s magnetic field for millions of years.

Compared with which it seems tame that researchers having managed to isolate antibiotic-resistant ancient bacteria from 5000-year-old ice.

So we’re gradually going down in size to take a look at the jam-packed nature of cells.

Meanwhile our favourite drug chemist, Derek Lowe, takes a look at the parlous state of scientific research literature.

Health, Medicine

A surgeon looks at the protection afforded by bone and hormone health.

Trigger warning … the rare condition that produces a calcified foetus.

It is totally normal for our skin to be home to countless mites.

Was the 1889 “flu” pandemic actually a coronavirus?

Sexuality & Relationships

Why do women Lose interest in sex? On the causes of low libido.

Scientific American takes a long, hard and rational look at the workings of polyamory. [££££] [LONG READ]

NSFW … Just when did penis size become important in Japan?

History, Archaeology, Anthropology

It is becoming increasingly apparent that ancient humans were seafaring far earlier than we thought. [££££] [LONG READ]

The rules of mysterious ancient Roman board game have supposedly been worked out by AI. [££££]

Early medieval swords found in child graves in Kent suggest they were not just weapons.

Another pandemic item … it seems a mass grave in Jordan is providing new light on our earliest recorded pandemic, the Plaque of Justinian.

Our notions of foul drinking water in the Middle Ages are far from accurate.

We hear of heralds, on and off, throughout European history, but what do heralds actually do?

London

Matt Brown is back having coloured another section of John Roque’s 1746 map of London. This time Victoria and Pimlico. And he follows this up with a look at the very soggy state of Pimlico.

Underneath South Kensington (aka. Albertopolis) there’s a subterranean passage.

Back above ground Matt Brown (again) has a bit of fun with London’s street signs, and Katie Wignall goes looking for some of the city’s oldest street signs.

Lifestyle, Personal Development, Beliefs

A psychologist offers some ideas for staying positive when it never stops raining.

Well it was news to me but it seems there’s a new trend for showering in the dark before bed. Whether or not there’s any scientific justification, I think I’ll pass – thank you.

And finally … By way of puffing her new book, Karin Celestine asks “What is in your pockets?”