What’s been in the news this week? (Pictures: AP/Getty)
Welcome back to the Saturday science quiz.
As always, it’s been an exciting week in the fields of science and tech, not least thanks to cosmic discoveries, ancient finds and new gadget releases.
In space, astronomers have uncovered the largest cosmic explosion ever witnessed, nearly eight billion light years away and ten times brighter than any known supernova.
Back on Earth, an ancient road, estimated to be around 7,000 years old, has been discovered underwater along the Croatian coast.
And the annual Google I/O unveiled the company’s latest developments in AI and some new gadgets, including its first folding phone.
But that barely scratches the surface – what else do you remember from a week of fascinating finds and tech trends?
Let us know how you got on in the comments.
1. A new AI-powered dating app aims to put an end to ghosting how?
a) By blocking users who don’t reply within two days or formally end a chat
b) By adding a ghost emoji to their profile
c) By allowing users to chat to bot versions of other people to screen out unsuitable matches
d) By adding an AI-generated image of them standing alongside Donald Trump to their picture reel
What’s up with koalas this week? (Picture: Getty/500px)
2. Koalas are at risk in Australia – what is the government doing to help them?
a) Building treehouses to keep them safe from predators
b) Installing subways under motorways to help them cross safely
c) Placing fire extinguishers in forests to help locals tackle fires that threaten them
d) Vaccinating them against chlamydia
3. What new virtual reality feature did a team from China unveil this week?
a) A VR swimming pool
b) A VR ‘odour generator’
c) The first VR restaurant
d) A wearable VR jumper that changes temperature
This rock – a possible meteorite – landed in the bedroom of a family home (Picture: AP)
4. What appeared to be a meteorite crashed through the roof of a family home in new Jersey earlier this week, but which meteor shower is it thought to be a part of?
a) Eta Aquariid meteor shower
b) Lyrid meteor shower
c) Perseids meteor shower
d) Geminids meteor shower
What could affect the shape of your nose? (Picture: Getty/Westend61)
5. Scientists have suggested a particularly ‘tall’ nose may be a sign of what?
a) Intelligence
b) Neanderthal DNA
c) Athletic ability
d) A longer than normal pregnancy
6. A new group of butterflies has been named after which fictional villain?
a) Scarface
b) Voldemort
c) Sauron
d) Hannibal Lector
Answers
1. c Teaser AI allows users to ‘trial run’ conversations with AI-generated versions of other users before getting in touch directly
2 d Chlamydia can cause blindness, infertility and death in koalas, so a widescale vaccination programme has been launched
3 b That’s right, smell-o-vision could be here after a team in China and Hong Kong created a small plastic ‘moustache’ that can emit smells underneath the wearers’ nose
4. a It is thought to have been part of the Eta Aquariid meteor shower, an annual event between April and May created by the trail left from Halley’s Comet
5 b A taller nose may be the sign of a Neanderthal in your family tree – they’re better adapted for colder climates
6. c Sauron – the black rings on the vivid orange wings of the flying insects are reminiscent of the all-seeing eye described in JRR Tolkien’s books
MORE : The Saturday science quiz – test your knowledge of the week’s news
MORE : The Saturday science quiz – test your knowledge of the week’s news
What’s up with koalas this week?
