Ancient viruses inherited from Neanderthals have been found in modern human DNA.
Scientists are investigating possible links between the “endogenous retroviruses”, which are hard-wired into DNA, and modern diseases such as Aids and cancer.
Researchers from Oxford University’s Department of Zoology compared DNA from Neanderthals and another group of ancient humans called Denisovans with that obtained from cancer patients. They found evidence of Neanderthal and Denisovan viruses in the modern DNA, suggesting that they originated in a common ancestor more than half a million years ago. (PA)
Bored Robbie’s hair transplant
Chart star Robbie Williams has admitted he has undergone a hair transplant.
The singer, who released an album called Take The Crown last year, said he had the work done because he was “bored” and did not even need it.
Williams, based in Los Angeles, made his admission during the recording of TV show while discussing cosmetic surgery.
“I’ve had a thatch done, I’ll tell everyone now. I didn’t even need it, that’s the weirdest thing. I had like three months off and got bored so thought, I’ll go in.”
The star, who has recently been sporting a Pepe Le Pew-style streak in his hair, indicated the hair had been enhanced around the front of his hairline, rather than all over. (AP)
More cyclists killed on UK roads
Deaths on British roads increased in spring this year, with motorbike and pedal cyclist casualty rates rising in particular, according to provisional government figures.
The estimates showed that there were 450 deaths in reported road accidents in Britain in spring 2013 (April to June) – a 12 per cent rise on the figure of 402 in the same period last year.
Car user and pedestrian casualties – those killed or seriously or slightly injured – fell in spring 2013, but pedal cyclist casualties rose 12 per cent. (PA)
Chinese cheat is held to account
A Chinese rice trader who dodged taxes by claiming that he had purchased a US bank has been jailed for life.
Lin Chunping saved millions with false invoices between September 2011 and May 2012.
He claimed he had taken over a Delaware-based bank for £36 million, winning him praise and a political appointment to a municipal advising body. (PA)
Fugitive fowl foiled by mailman
A hen keeper was stunned to return home to a delivery card from her postman – for “1 chicken”. Leanne Preston, from Congresbury in Somerset, found the Royal Mail card from her postman when she returned home on Saturday.
The ‘Something for you’ card stated the hen had been seen escaping through a hedge into a neighbouring garden at 1.15pm. It said the item, “1 chicken” could not be posted as “it’s too large”.
Ms Preston described the chicken, called Windmill, as an “escape artist” who had been known to wander around before. Windmill was one of four ex-commercial caged hens Ms Preston has rehomed through hen charity, the British Hen Welfare Trust. (AP)
Increase in weird confiscated items
Hippo teeth, walrus horns, tortoises and big cats are among some of the endangered animal items being smuggled into Britain, border officials have said.
The Home Office has revealed that more items were confiscated between April 2012 and April 2013 than in any other year. The 2012/13 year saw 690 items seized – up from 509 the previous year – and included 93 live animals. (PA)