Millipede species named after Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift has spent 258 weeks in the UK music charts

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Scientists have named a newly discovered millipede the “Nannaria swiftae” millipede in recognition of Taylor Swift’s “talent as a songwriter and performer”. Dr Derek Hennen, the lead author of the Virginia Tech study, said: “Her music helped me get through the highs and lows of graduate school, so naming a new millipede species after her is my way of saying thanks.” Hennen and his team spent five years searching for millipedes in the Appalachian Mountains.

Gallagher would prefer wheelchair to hip operation

Liam Gallagher said he would rather be in a wheelchair than face the “stigma” of a hip operation for his arthritis. The former Oasis frontman, 49, told Mojo magazine: “My hips are f***ed – I went to get it checked and my bones are mashed up. The lady was going: ‘You might need a hip operation, a replacement’ – no way. You’re all right... I think I’d rather just be in pain. It’s also the stigma, saying you’ve had your hips replaced... What’s next?”

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Jupiter’s moon may be habitable

Jupiter’s moon Europa may be habitable, according to a new study. Europa has long been regarded as a prime candidate to host alien microbes as it appears to possess a liquid saltwater ocean that could be as much as 150km deep, said The Times. “Liquid water near to the surface of the ice shell is a really provocative and promising place to imagine life having a shot,” said Dustin Schroeder, an associate professor of geophysics at Stanford University.