/oss/taxonomy/term/1913/all en /oss/article/beware-latrines-unexpected-source-energy <p>Although toilets may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Ancient Rome, they might have had an explosive nature back in the day that made users of the latrines take special caution when carrying out their business. This fear of toilets has been <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/533456a">inferred</a> from the lack of graffiti and the abundance of portraits of Fortuna, the goddess of chance, in the latrines. But what might have made members of this ancient, often ruthless, civilization so scared of holes in a bench?</p> Fri, 31 May 2024 16:00:00 +0000 Daniela Padres 9962 at /oss /oss/article/covid-19-history-general-science/bat-poop-accused-crimes <p>COVID has not been kind to bats. They have been accused of harbouring the SARS-CoV-2 virus and transferring it to people via an animal vector. But this is not the first time that these flying mammals have hit the headlines. Back in 1993, newspaper readers were stunned by this one: “Holy Blam, Batman! Bat Dung Brews Methane; Park Building Explodes!”</p> Fri, 09 Jul 2021 18:32:34 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8781 at /oss