4: New clues about mysterious Fast Radio Bursts

*New clues about mysterious Fast Radio Bursts Astronomers have discovered new clues about mysterious cosmic blasts called Fast Radio Bursts – finding they originate from an environment bathed in extreme magnetic fields. While the new findings don’t shed any fresh light on what causes them – the research has provided some new insights to the deep space environment in which they occur. 

*Underground Martian water ice deposits exposed New images have revealed eight sites on Mars where thick subsurface deposits of water ice have been exposed on the cliff faces of eroding slopes. As well as holding clues about the red planet’s climate history – the findings also show how frozen water may be far more accessible for future missions to Mars than previously thought. 

*The universe has far more massive stars than expected Astronomers have discovered an excess of massive stars being formed in a giant stellar nursery in our neighbouring galaxy -- the Large Magellanic cloud. The findings are based on observations of 30 Doradus -- the Tarantula nebula –the biggest star-forming region in our part of the universe and host to some of the most massive stars ever found. 

*Tabby’s star just dusty New research has supported earlier studies indicating strange uneven and sporadic variations in the light coming from a distant star is most likely just dust. For the last few years astronomers and the general public have been captivated by the mysterious changes in brightness coming from the star now commonly referred to as Tabby’s Star. 

*The Science Report 

New figures confirm 2017 was Australia’s third hottest year on record. A new study warns ibuprofen pain killers can affect male fertility. The probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri has the potential to provide an effective treatment for colic. Scientists have finally proved something women have always known – baby brain is real. Alex on Tech covers CES -- the world’s largest Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. 

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