The Iron Dagger of King Tu

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An iron dagger found in king tuten carman's tomb suggested that an iron nickel meteorite probable source of the blade's metal. Researchers have now used an ex ray florescence technique to map the knife in new detail. They found that the nickel was distributed in a cross hatch pattern typical of a group of meteorites called octa hedrites. For the blade to have retained this, they say it must have been forged at relatively low temperatures.

00:47 Pinpointing the season when an asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs

Around 66 million years ago, an enormous asteroid struck the Earth, leading to the end of the time of the dinosaurs. In a new paper, a team of scientists looked at evidence from fossilised fish, and suggest it happened in springtime in the Northern Hemisphere.

Research article: During et al.

08:42 Research Highlights

Transparency shrinks the gender pay-gap in academia, and how Tutankhamen’s meteorite-metal dagger was forged.

Research Highlight: Gender pay gap closes after salary information goes public

Research Highlight: How a space rock became King Tut’s dagger

11:01 How climate change is affecting nighttime wildfires

Cool, damp nights are a critical barrier to fire progression around the world. But a recent study has revealed that the duration and intensity of nighttime fires has increased in many places, as a result of climate change. The researchers say this trend is likely to continue, hampering efforts to control blazes.

Research article: Balch et al.

18:56 Briefing Chat

We discuss some highlights from the Nature Briefing. This time, how transgenic, fluorescent fish found their way into Brazil’s watercourses, and the ecological impact of a giant oil spill in Peru.

Science: Transgenic glowing fish invades Brazilian streams

Nature News: Unprecedented oil spill catches researchers in Peru off guard

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