Discoveries in Science

2. An Australian zoo recently celebrated the rare birth of baby duck-billed platypus twins. What is so unusual about platypuses?

• They are egg-laying mammals.
  You got it. The platypus is one of only three species of monotreme, or egg-laying mammals in the world. Australia has more than its share of animal oddities, from wombats to echidnas.
• The males give birth.
  Not these guys. It's still the mom's job to lay the eggs. The platypus is one of only three species of monotreme, or egg-laying mammals in the world. Australia has more than its share of animal oddities, from wombats to echidnas.
• They are the only flying mammals.
  No, they don't fly, they just have a snout like a duck's bill. The platypus is one of only three species of monotreme, or egg-laying mammals in the world. Australia has more than its share of animal oddities, from wombats to echidnas.

3. A new superfast Japanese train has broken speed records in tests. How fast did it go?

• 186 mph
  No, that's how fast the current bullet trains can go. The Meglev (for magnetically levitated) train reached 343 mph! If that were your morning train, guess there'd be no excuse for being late!
• 343 mph
  Yes. The Meglev (for magnetically levitated) train reached 343 mph! If that were your morning train, guess there'd be no excuse for being late!
• 763 mph
  No, that's the land speed record, set by a jet car. The Meglev (for magnetically levitated) train reached 343 mph! If that were your morning train, guess there'd be no excuse for being late!

4. In recent months several very well preserved child mummies have been discovered in what country?

• Egypt
  No, not this time around. Four very well preserved mummies from 500 to 1500 years old have been discovered in Argentina in two different Andes locations. These were children's bodies, and are among the most intact ever found. Even their facial features can be seen.
• Guatemala
  No, at least not yet. Four very well preserved mummies from 500 to 1500 years old have been discovered in Argentina in two different Andes locations. These were children's bodies, and are among the most intact ever found. Even their facial features can be seen.
• Argentina
  Yes. Four very well preserved mummies from 500 to 1500 years old have been discovered in Argentina in two different Andes locations. These were children's bodies, and are among the most intact ever found. Even their facial features can be seen.

5. In some muck off the coast of Namibia, researchers have found the largest bacterium ever discovered. Just how big is it?

• As big as a mosquito.
  Not quite that big. The new bacteria are about the size of a poppy seed. That's about 750 times bigger than most bacteria. That's like the difference between a mouse and a whale! Yikes!
• As big as a poppy seed.
  You got it. The new bacteria are about the size of a poppy seed. That's about 750 times bigger than most bacteria. That's like the difference between a mouse and a whale! Yikes!
• As big as an atom.
  No, bigger than that. The new bacteria are about the size of a poppy seed. That's about 750 times bigger than most bacteria. That's like the difference between a mouse and a whale! Yikes!