Bottle-fed babies ‘more likely to develop rubber fetish’

Babies who are bottle-fed or suck dummies are more likely to develop rubber fetishism or a fixation on gimp suits later in life, according to a leading feminist. Antonella Gambotto-Burke said she thinks such tots derive comfort and gratification from the smell, taste and feel of the synthetic teats they sucked on as infants. Gambotto-Burke, who was once portrayed by Amber Heard, believes that breast-fed babies are less likely to be aroused by rubber in adulthood.

Scientists find Europe’s largest dinosaur

Scientists have discovered the remains of Europe’s largest ever land-based predatory dinosaur on the Isle of Wight. Palaeontologists at the University of Southampton identified the remains of the predator, which measured more than 32ft (10m) long and lived about 125 million years ago. PhD student Chris Barker, who led the research, agreed it was a “huge animal” and “probably several tonnes in weight”.

‘Superworm’ could help recycling

A “superworm” that can eat plastic could hold the key to recycling, Australian scientists have said. The researchers have found that the larvae of the Zophobas morio beetle can exist on a diet consisting solely of polystyrene because there is a bacteria in their guts that allows them to digest it. “We found that superworms fed a diet of just polystyrene not only survived, but even had marginal weight gains,” said one of the team. “It turned out that they have a great appetite for it.”

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up