2024

The partial rib attributed to a Denisovan

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An article published in the journal “Nature” reports the results of a study of over 2,500 fossils found in the Baishiya Karst Cave, in the Chinese region of Xiahe, on the Tibetan plateau, among which a partial rib attributed to a Denisovan. A team of researchers used an analysis technique called Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS) to attribute isolated and often fragmented bones to the right species through collagen characteristics. According to the researchers, the Denisovans may have lived in that cave between 200,000 and 40,000 years ago.

Fantastic Voyage II: Destination Brain by Isaac Asimov

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The novel “Fantastic Voyage II: Destination Brain” by Isaac Asimov was published for the first time in 1987.

Albert Morrison is a neurophysicist who is developing theories considered decidedly unorthodox by his colleagues, and that’s at the best of times. When Natalya Boranova, a Soviet scientist, approaches him at a conference to propose that he participate in a miniaturization experiment that requires his skills, he declines her invitation.

To his surprise, Morrison is approached by an American secret agent who suggests he accept Boranova’s invitation to find out if the Soviets have truly developed miniaturization technology. He refuses but is kidnapped by Soviet agents and transported to the USSR, where he’s pressured to participate in an experiment aimed at entering the brain of Pyotr Leonovich Shapirov, a scientist in a coma, to literally try to read his thoughts.

Onslaught by D. Rebbitt

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The novel “Onslaught” by D. Rebbitt was published for the first time in 2018. It’s the third book in The Globur Incursion series and follows “Contact”.

Rear Admiral Shin is tasked with managing the rescue of the Marines who survived the disastrous first contact with the aliens they call Globur. The information they collected could be crucial to understanding the Globurs’ intentions. The Marines must survive on a planet where they can only hide from aliens.

A small fleet is hastily sent on the rescue mission, also to try to establish communications with the Globurs in the hope of avoiding an open war to break out with the humans. Rear Admiral Shin is determined to follow the fleet’s traditions and rules even if they were established generations before.

Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson), the Fifteenth Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and Mel Bush (Bonnie Langford) in Empire of Death (Image courtesy BBC / Disney+)

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“Empire of Death” is an episode of the 14th season of the new “Doctor Who” series, also indicated as season 1, and follows “The Legend of Ruby Sunday”. It’s also the season finale. It’s available in the UK and Ireland on BBC channels and in many other countries on the Disney+ platform.

Beware that in various adverts and marketing materials, this season is promoted as season 1, marking the start of production by Bad Wolf and distribution by Disney+, hence the double notation. On BBC’s website, “Empire of Death” is indicated as episode 8 of 8 while Disney+ indicates it as episode 9.

The Night Land by William Hope Hodgson

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The novel “The Night Land” by William Hope Hodgson was published for the first time in 1912.

When his wife, Lady Mirdath the Beautiful, dies, her widower falls into a state of great prostration. He loved his wife very much and had a very special connection with her, as they literally shared some very special dreams.

In his state, the man starts having a vision of a very distant future in which the Sun is dead and the last human beings live underground. On that Earth whose surface is inhabited by monstrous creatures, the souls of the two spouses have reunited in new human incarnations. However, the two of them are separated and the man must face the darkness to reunite with his beloved.