Quirk of Space: 5 Most Incredible Discoveries of the Week

Including the benefits of drinking another glass of water
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 5, 2016 4:57 AM CST
Quirk of Space: 5 Most Incredible Discoveries of the Week
In this July 12, 2015, photo, astronaut Scott Kelly takes a photo of himself inside the Cupola on the International Space Station.   (Scott Kelly/NASA via AP)

A finding about going gray and astronaut Scott Kelly's growth spurt make the list:

  • Scientists Find Gene Linked to Gray Hair: London researchers have identified something that may someday help us put away the hair dye: a gene that causes hair to lose its natural color. In addition to the obvious cosmetic uses this could lead to, the finding may have other intriguing applications—including by forensics experts.
  • Something Weird Happened to Astronaut Kelly in Space: NASA will be studying how Scott Kelly's body reacted to almost a year in space, using his twin brother Mark Kelly, who stayed on Earth as a control. One big difference has already been noted: Scott is now 2 inches taller than his twin—but his bragging rights will be temporary.
  • It's Astounding What Another Glass of Water Will Do: It's a frequent entrant on resolutions lists: Drink more water. Now, new research provides some compelling reasons to pick up another glass. Increasing "the proportion of daily plain water in total dietary water consumption" by just one percentage point—you read that right—was linked to a number of benefits.

  • Plumbers Find Lost Gold During Bathroom Remodel: Plumber Alif Babul and his apprentice were tearing apart a residential bathroom in Calgary when one of them saw a "gold shimmery thing on the ground" that turned out to be a gold brick the homeowners had apparently hidden near the jacuzzi. Babul says it "kind of sucks that we had to give it back," especially once it was revealed how much the bar was worth.
  • Scientists Await Rare 'Dragon' Birth: In the cave rivers of the Balkans exist creatures that grow up to a foot long, can live for a century, and need to eat only once a decade. These olms—which our ancestors thought were dragons (click to see what they look like)—also lay eggs about as often, which is why 50 to 60 olm eggs stuck to the underside of a rock in Slovenia are so remarkable.
Click to read about more discoveries. (More discoveries stories.)

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