THIS YEAR'S WEIRDEST SCIENCE STORIES

The good, the bad and the frankly bizarre: from the world's oldest baby to a body-snatching bug, here were science's strangest discoveries in 2025

- 

THERE'S A CATERPILLAR THAT WEARS THE BONES OF ITS PREY

A newly discovered species of caterpillar was seen wearing the leftover body parts of the prey it had devoured as camouflage. Dubbed the 'Bone Collector', this bizarre caterpillar is a rare exception in the insect world: just 0.1 per cent of moth and butterfly species are carnivorous.

EXTINCTION ISN'T FOREVER

It began in January with news of the development of an artificial womb to implant in a marsupial as a means to bring back Australia's extinct thylacine. In March, Colossal Biosciences, the company behind this move, genetically engineered mice to resemble woolly mammoths. Then, in April, Colossal successfully brought back the American dire wolf, which had been extinct for over 10,000 years.

ORCAS GOT EVEN ODDER

As well as devouring dolphins, sinking ships and tearing out the livers of great white sharks, orcas also demonstrated that they can use tools made from kelp to massage each other. They were also caught on camera 'tongue kissing'. Cute.

HAIR-BASED TOOTHPASTE COULD FIX OUR TEETH

Yes, you read that right. A study by King's College London found that toothpaste made from human hair could offer an effective and sustainable way to protect and repair tooth enamel. The pioneering keratin-based treatment forms a dense, crystal-like layer that seals off exposed nerve channels.

FUNGI CAN PLAY MUSIC