Not to worry, no giant radioactive wasps here

Feedback provides a humorous examination of the latest in science and technology news. We welcome amusing submissions at feedback@newscientist.com

Radioactive Wasps: A Cause for Alarm?

One genre of news that consistently raises eyebrows is the kind that resembles the harbingers of a cinematic catastrophe. You know the type: headlines like “Earthquake Predicted Near Major Metropolis” or “Scientists Create Sentient Robot with Laser Blasters.” Recently, we were unsettled after encountering a BBC News article about a “Radioactive Wasp Nest Discovered at Abandoned US Nuclear Facility.”

The nest was unearthed at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina, previously a production hub for nuclear bomb components during the Cold War and currently housing tanks with millions of gallons of liquid nuclear waste. Fortunately, investigators assure the public that there has been no leakage from these tanks, with the contamination reportedly stemming from historical activities at the site rather than recent mishaps.

Following the discovery, the nest was exterminated and disposed of as radioactive waste. To our relief, it appears that no wasps were left behind. However, we do hope their absence is attributed to radiation effects rather than them flying off to acquire mutated powers and terrorizing the population like a giant insect movie plot. With 2025 already presenting its challenges, we could do without an invasion of colossal radioactive wasps on the Eastern Seaboard.

In a moment of levity, we dusted off New Scientist‘s book Does Anything Eat Wasps?, which reveals that wasps have natural predators, including dragonflies, certain birds, and even badgers. We humorously suggest deploying a few badgers to the Savannah River Site for some potential radiation-enhanced growth to address this situation once and for all.

When Your Dog Gets into Trouble

In an amusing twist, reporter Matthew Sparkes perused recent press releases and stumbled upon one with a startling title: “What Should You Do If Your Dog Consumes Cocaine?” Our initial jest was “perhaps take it for a stroll?”—which turns out isn’t quite the appropriate response.

The press release recounts a case involving a chihuahua that was presented to a veterinary clinic, experiencing sudden lethargy and a brief episode of unresponsiveness. Tests revealed the presence of cocaine and its byproducts in its urine—a revelation that would certainly sap our energy levels.

Fortunately, the veterinarians successfully treated the pup, but we couldn’t help but picture a high-energy chihuahua wreaking additional chaos had it been left unchecked.

Interestingly, the dog already had a reputation for “dietary indiscretion.” We sympathize, as we once met a particularly dim-witted spaniel notorious for devouring anything it discovered on the ground, often meeting dire consequences during walks—an experience that prompted a realization: had we traversed through Soho, who knows what intriguing items our mischief-maker might have consumed?

The Curiosities of Journal Abbreviations

Feedback regularly pours through reference lists at the conclusion of academic papers in search of essential context. These references often appear bafflingly concise, such as “Thomas, R. & Harold, ‘Something very Complicated,’ Nature vol. 13 p 666 (1984).”

To save space, jargon often gets abbreviated, resulting in some hilariously confusing titles. For instance, we stumbled upon a journal abbreviated as Fish Fish. Was the editor so enamored with aquatic life that they insisted on doubling down on the name? Eventually, we realized the journal’s full title is Fish and Fisheries.

With our curiosity piqued, we sought the most comical examples of academic journal abbreviations. Given the scope of publications, the limits of Feedback’s lifespan cannot possibly accommodate a complete survey. Hence, we invite readers to share their discoveries of absurd journal name abbreviations.

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