WEIRD STUFF

Ganja linked to weaker brain function

Regular cannabis use could reshape the brain, scientists have warned.

A new study suggests long-term users may experience "thinning" in the frontal cortex - the area responsible for decision-making, planning and self-control.

The research, led by the Fidmag Germanes Hospitalaries Research Foundation in Spain, found structural differences in people who used cannabis heavily over long periods.

This thinning could indicate a loss of brain cells or weaker connections between them, potentially affecting how the brain handles complex tasks.

Lead author Ana Aquino-Servin said: "Executive functions are really complex processes and it includes planning, decision making, working memory. They are processes that we need every day to deal with daily problems."

She added: "Maybe they [regular cannabis users] don't have a big struggle to do [tasks], but maybe the brain needs to do more work to do it. We can probably find degrees in productivity, also, in doing work tasks."

While cannabis is often seen as low-risk and can be prescribed in the UK for some conditions, experts say the findings raise important questions.

Dr Julian Beezhold, secretary general of the European Psychiatric Association, said: "As cannabis policies and public attitudes evolve, robust imaging studies like this are important for informing public health discussions with objective data."

However, scientists stress more research is needed to determine whether the brain changes are permanent - or if they could be reversed.

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Wolf bites woman in rare attack

Shoppers were left stunned after a woman was bitten by a wolf in the middle of a busy German high street.

The shocking attack unfolded on Grosse Bergstrasse in Hamburg's Altona district - a bustling shopping area near an Ikea store - on Monday evening.

According to reports, the woman tried to guide the disoriented animal away from the crowds before it suddenly turned on her.

The wolf bit her in the face before fleeing the scene.

She was taken to hospital but has since been discharged.

Officials say the incident is extremely rare - and may be the first of its kind in modern Germany.

A spokeswoman for Federal Agency for Nature Conservation said: "There has not been a case like this since the reintroduction began in 1998."

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Human reproduction unlikely on Mars

The dream of raising families on Mars may have just hit a major snag.

Scientists say while humans could one day live beyond Earth, actually having babies in space might be far trickier than expected.

A new study from the Robinson Research Institute at the University of Adelaide suggests microgravity interferes with sperm's ability to find an egg - a crucial step in reproduction.

Researchers simulated zero gravity conditions on Earth and found that sperm struggled with direction - even though they were still swimming just as fast and strong.

Senior author Nicole McPherson said: "This is the first time we have been able to show that gravity is an important factor in sperm's ability to navigate through a channel like the reproductive tract."

She added: "We observed a significant reduction in the number of sperm that were able to successfully find their way through the chamber maze in microgravity conditions compared to normal gravity."

In fact, the team recorded a 30 per cent drop in successful fertilisation of mouse eggs after just four hours in simulated zero gravity.

Even more puzzling, sperm movement itself wasn't affected.

Dr McPherson explained: "This indicates that their loss of direction was not due to a change in motility but other elements."

The findings, published in Communications Biology, highlight just how many unknowns remain when it comes to life beyond Earth.