MONKEYPOX
In case you thought we didn't have enough diseases floating around at the moment, there's a new kid on the block: Monkeypox. There have been a bunch of cases around the world, and while it sounds pretty concerning, experts say there's no need to panic. See, there's been more than 250 cases of monkeypox across Europe, North America, Israel, and even a couple in Australia. But where did it start? And what is it? Well, it's a virus that can be transmitted through close contact with cuts and body fluids and can cause flu-like symptoms and some pretty nasty skin rashes. It's actually been around for a while. It was first discovered in laboratory monkeys in the 1950's, and then in humans in 1970. But, while the name might suggest monkey's are to blame, scientists reckon it might have originated from rats in tropical parts of central and west Africa before jumping across to other animals and humans. So, what happens next? Yeah, health experts say, unlike COVID, Monkeypox isn't airborne and you're not very likely to come in contact with it so it can be contained. But just in case, several countries have stocked up on vaccines.
OLDEST TREE
Scientists in Chile think they may have found the world's oldest living tree! They reckon this Alerce tree in Chile's Alerce Costero National Park could be more than 5000 years old! They're only 80% sure because the trees actually too big to count the bark rings, which is how they usually figure out tree age. But if it is it'll break the record set by a 4,853 year-old bristlecone pine tree in California, known as Methusela.
EXTRA FINGER
Have you ever dreamed of having an extra finger? Pretty handy, right? Well, Japanese and French researchers have developed an artificial robotic digit. It works using sensors attached to your forearm that pick up on muscle movements that tell the finger how to move. While having an extra finger is cool, the researchers say the main aim of the robot is to study how the brain adapts to having an extra body part. And it is kind of convenient. The researchers say their robot finger could make us better at daily activities like typing or carrying things, and one day we might all be able to put on an extra digit as a handy little accessory.
VIVID RETURNS
Nighttime in Sydney is about to get a whole lot more colourful thanks to the Vivid festival. The festival's been cancelled for the past three years. Thanks Covid! But now we've got 23 days to enjoy the light, music, fun, and whatever this is. Organisers are expecting millions of people to visit, and if the last Vivid is anything to go by, it's going to be chock a block!
BUDGIE FLOCK
There's something a bit different about this tree. You see those aren't leaves! They're budgies! In Central Australia, near Alice Springs, photographers were amazed by the sight of these huge flocks of budgies. Every winter, they migrate up to the red centre, where they can eat, drink and breed for a while.
TEA COSY
And finally, to a new world record. This is officially the largest knitted tea cosy ever. Measuring in at 5 meters tall and 19 meters around the middle. It was a joint effort by the folks at this year's Fish Creek Tea Cosy Festival who reckon they went through around 2,000 balls of wool to make it! The cosy won't stay a cosy for long, though. It's gonna be turned into blankets for people affected by the floods and without a home.
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For the past 50 years, Behind the News has been helping to break down current issues and events for young people all around the world. The program is a high-energy, fun way for people to learn about the stories we see in the news while providing background information that isn’t usually given by other news bulletins.
