WEIRD STUFF

New Zealand has more sheep than people

The vast number of sheep in New Zealand relative to the country's scant human population has long been the subject of jokes aimed at New Zealanders abroad. It's true: The country is one of a handful in the world that's still home to more sheep than people.

But humans are catching up, according to new figures released last week. With a population of 23.6 million sheep and 5.3 million people, there are about 4.5 sheep for each New Zealander, government statistics agency data showed.

That's down from 22 sheep per person in 1982, when farming sheep for meat and wool was New Zealand's biggest earner.

Weight-loss injections could significantly reduce the risk of developing obesity-related cancers, according to new research from Israel.

Scientists analysed data from 6,356 people - half of whom had undergone bariatric surgery while the rest used GLP-1-based slimming jabs. After an average follow-up period of 7.5 years, 298 participants had developed obesity-related cancers.

GLP-1-based medicines, such as tirzepatide, work by mimicking the glucose hormone GLP-1, helping to decrease appetite and increase feelings of fullness.

Presenting the findings at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, Spain, researchers said that newer, highly potent GLP-1 receptor agonists like Wegovy could offer even greater benefits.

Study co-lead Professor Dror Dicker, of Rabin Medical Center, said:

"New generation, highly potent GLP-1 RAs with higher efficacy in weight reduction may convey an even greater advantage in reducing the risk of obesity-related cancers."

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Scientists hunt for alien clues

Scientists from the University of St. Andrews are searching the Scottish Highlands for traces of ancient life to support preparations for future space missions.

The team is testing new camera systems in Lower Diabaig for a European Space Agency robot rover, scheduled for launch in 2028. As part of their research, they are studying billion-year-old mudstones - rocks that have not undergone metamorphosis - to hunt for signs of ancient biology.

Dr Claire Cousins, speaking on the BBC programme Landward, explained: "The rocks haven't metamorphosed. They haven't been cooked and squeezed and crushed. These are perfect for showing us there was once liquid water - a habitable environment for life."