Weird News

Early humans could have been cannibals

A new study claims that our ancestors may have feasted on Neanderthal children 45,000 years ago after experts analysed bones in a Belgian cave where cannibalism is known to have occurred.

The research revealed that the six victims were children and young women who might have been cooked before being eaten. Although the identity of the cannibals remains unknown, there is the chance that it could have been early Homo sapiens preying on Neanderthals.

Isabelle Crevecoeur, research director at the French National Centre for Scientific Research, said: "The composition - women and children, without adult men - cannot be coincidental. It reflects a deliberate selection of victims by the cannibals."

The Goyet caves, which were first excavated in the 19th century, have revealed the most important clues about Neanderthals in Northern Europe. A 2016 study discovered that a third of the 101 bones found there demonstrated traces of cannibalism with cut marks and notches. The latest research combined genetics, isotope analysis, and a detailed study of morphology to paint a biological portrait of the cannibalised Neanderthals.

DNA analysis showed that the four adult and adolescent victims were women of small stature and provided evidence of circular impacts, made in order to break the bone to extract the calorific marrow.

Patrick Semal, one of the study's authors from the Royal Belgian Institute of National Sciences, said: "The Goyet site provides food for thought.

"We cannot rule out that the cannibals were Homo sapiens, but we rather think they were Neanderthals. Some of the fragmented bones were also used to retouch stone tools, and this practice is known mainly among Neanderthals."

'Dry January' can improve mental well-being

Experts at Brown University in the United States have revealed that a short break from drinking alcohol can boost mood, sleep, and health - even if the individual doesn't abstain from booze for the whole month.

The boffins conducted a major review of 16 studies that included 150,000 participants on the effects of 'Dry January', which sees people cut out alcohol for the first month of the year. Those who stopped drinking for the entire month reported improved sleep quality, mood, and healthier liver function and blood pressure. They were also more likely to lose weight, were able to concentrate better, and had more energy than before. Even those who didn't stop drinking entirely during January drank less afterwards and stated that they felt better for it.

Despite this, a small number who couldn't complete the challenge reported drinking more afterwards in a 'rebound effect'.

Dr Megan Strowger, the lead author of the study, said: "The effort leads to sustained moderation.

"Overall, participating in Dry January allows people to pause, reflect, and rethink their relationship with alcohol, including how it affects their social life, mental health, and physical health."

Professor Suzanne Colby, a part of the team who produced the research, added: "There is so much more support for living an alcohol-free lifestyle now.

"It is more socially acceptable than ever to be 'sober curious' or alcohol free.

Sabrina Carpenter had 2025's most annoying songs

Sabrina Carpenter released the most annoying songs of 2025, according to a new study.

Researchers at the website Seat Pick found that the pop star's hits Sugar Talking and Tears were the most irritating releases of last year after putting the biggest tracks of the past 12 months through an 'annoyingness index'. They scored the songs across four key factors, including repetition and lyrical filler (words like yeah, la, and uh that are repeated). According to the index, Carpenter's tunes irked 46 per cent of listeners. Other songs deemed as annoying include Ed Sheeran's Azizam and The Dead Dance by Lady Gaga.

Seat Pick explained: "[The year] 2025 has proven to be a memorable year of music, with record-breaking releases, viral TikTok hits, and artists pushing creative boundaries across genres. However, some tracks have also sparked debates over how irritating they are from repetitiveness to 'harmonic dullness'."

The site added: "Sabrina has still achieved significant streaming numbers and strong social media traction and has celebrated a highly successful year overall - earning multiple awards, including Best Pop Solo Performance at the Grammy Awards and Pop Artiste of the Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards."

Those who disagreed with the results have been urged not to fret.

Seat Pick said: "Annoyance is listener subjective."