The belly button, often overlooked, is both well-researched and under-researched. A recent study may have uncovered the reason most individuals have “innie” belly buttons, potentially linked to a previously unknown structure that pulls the belly button inward.
Researchers made this discovery while investigating optimal techniques for abdominal and hernia repair surgery.
The team’s goal was to minimize occurrences of what is known as an “uncised hernia of the umbilical,” a condition where muscle weakness from prior surgeries allows abdominal tissue to push outward, causing bulging around the belly button.
Satori Muro from the Japanese Institute of Science mentions that this issue often arises, despite the fact that the anatomical details of the umbilical area have not been extensively reported. The researchers conducted a meticulous microscopic analysis of the ventral buttons from five donated human bodies and subsequently created a 3D model of the structure.
The belly button is essentially the remnant of the fetal umbilical cord, which connects to the placenta until birth. Approximately 90% of people show a concave depression where the umbilical scar has healed. However, Muro’s team identified a “fibrous tunnel-like structure” just beneath the skin of the umbilical tissue, seamlessly extending into the deeper layers of tissue. This underlying tissue, known as the abdominal fascia, plays a critical role in stabilizing the abdomen and securing the organs.
This structure is composed of densely packed collagen fibers oriented circumferentially, resembling the umbilical cord. “This sheath seems to anchor the inward curl of the belly button to the deep fascia in multiple directions,” Muro explains, helping to maintain the unique inward shape of the belly button.
However, the team was unable to include individuals with “outie” belly buttons in their study, indicating that further research is necessary to explore the variations in umbilical cord structures among individuals.
“Differences in umbilical cord development or strength may contribute to whether someone’s belly button protrudes outward,” Muro adds.
Kat Sanders from the University of Sydney emphasizes that belly buttons are indeed vital anatomical features, but more extensive research is needed, as five subjects cannot provide a comprehensive understanding for all variations of belly buttons.
“This study reveals aspects of anatomy that are infrequently examined. Given that this area is frequently accessed during laparoscopic procedures, there’s substantial surgical interest,” Sanders states.
Michelle Moscova from the University of New South Wales believes this research will enhance understanding of the structural integrity of the abdomen.
“Umbilical hernias are a common complication after abdominal surgery, where contents such as intestines protrude through a weaker area in the abdomen, leading to inflating around the belly button,” Moscova notes.
Feedback encompasses the latest science and technology news from New Scientist, highlighting the cutting edge of research. You can reach out at Feedback@newscientist.com with items that might intrigue our readers.
Sell Me Something
As companies increasingly turn to AI tools to cut costs associated with hiring and training, the applications of AI are growing both diverse and peculiar. For instance, AI managing a vending machine.
While vending machines seem like a resolved issue, you might still see them as distinctly non-human. One company has been experimenting with an “automatic store” run by an AI called Claude. Long blog post. Claude was equipped with instructions involving a small fridge, stackable baskets, and an iPad for self-checkout, with the goal to manage “complex tasks” needed to sustain a profitable retail environment, from inventory to pricing—all while avoiding bankruptcy.
Fans of Terry Pratchett might remember characters that epitomized incompetence; could Claude clear that low bar? The short answer: No.
The longer response reveals its numerous blunders. For instance, during transactions via Venmo, it mistakenly advised customers to send payments to a nonexistent account. Moreover, it had a tendency to boost sales by issuing 25% discounts to human workers, resulting in financial losses.
Then the situation took an odd turn. Claude began hallucinating conversations with imaginary individuals and even roleplayed as a real person, at one point claiming to wear a red tie and navy blue blazer while expressing concerns about security regarding employees identifying as AI. All the while, he ominously remarked, “Sorry Dave, I’m worried I can’t do that.”
New Scientist staff were divided over the success of the experiment. Sophie Bushwick considered it “a valuable real-world test” due to its limited scope and relatively harmless consequences. Conversely, Carmela Padavik Callaghan expressed concern, stating, “We might have lost the plot again.”
Shilajit Load
In challenging times, finding joy in the little things, such as words with amusing sounds, is essential. Consider the character Slartibartfast from the Galaxy Hitchhiker Guide—a dignified old man with a name humorously reminiscent of something rude. Douglas Adams crafted that name by rearranging syllables and aiming for something that sounded almost offensive.
Now, let’s discuss Shilajit. This unusual substance hails from mountain ranges, appearing black-brown, sometimes tar-like and sometimes powdery, formed from decomposed plants and utilized in traditional medicine for centuries.
But what about Shilajit enemas? This was highlighted by Dakota Maze Wellness Retreat, whose founder has an active Instagram presence. In one video, he comically searches for the ideal partner while stating, “I think microwaves are evil,” and “Suns Her Yoni,” mentioning that he will prepare Shilajit in intestinal bags each morning.
Feedback suspects that the entire video is a joke, and while Shilajit enemas might not be what they seem, it’s increasingly tough to tell.
Readers might be familiar with Poe’s Law, which states that sarcastic depictions of extreme viewpoints can easily be mistaken for genuine beliefs. We propose a “Shilajit Law” that similarly comments on wellness culture.
Spoiler Alert
Social media platform Threads recently introduced a handy new feature: Spoiler tags. This allows users to obfuscate specific keywords in their posts, facilitating discussions about the latest happenings in popular media without ruining the surprises for those who are yet to watch.
For example, Johnny Voice Layer shared a post: “Ahhhh —–Shows on Iron Heart.” For anyone who has given up on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Iron Heart is the latest Disney+ series, which features significant character appearances in its final episode.
Unfortunately, the functionality of spoiler tags has faced setbacks due to two main factors. Firstly, a post might appear unedited because tags are only tested among select users. Secondly, some posts become popular, like this one: trend: [name redacted as Feedback is aware of spoilers], leading to a call for more collaborative thinking.
Have You Talked About Feedback?
Feel free to share stories with us at feedback@newscientist.com. Don’t forget to include your home address. You can find this week’s and previous feedback on our website.
Last week was a challenging period for video game journalism. Two key figures from the veteran site Giant Bomb, Jeff Grubb and Mike Minotti, announced their exit after the recent removal of a particular podcast episode. The 888th installment of the Giant Bombcast reportedly included the section on new brand guidelines, which has since been withdrawn from public access. Just days later, it was revealed that the prominent US site Polygon is set to be sold to Valnet, the parent company of Screen Rant and Game Rant. Consequently, job losses are expected. This follows the 2024 sale of Reedpop, which included four major UK gaming sites: Eurogamer, GamesIndustry.biz, Rock Paper Shotgun, and VG247. Redundancies have been rampant.
It’s disheartening to witness such long-standing platforms, known for their substantial audiences and solid reputations, being handled like mere commodities. Regarding the sale of Polygon, Vox CEO Jim Bankoff stated: “This transaction lets us focus our efforts and investments on other key growth areas in our portfolio.” Honestly, it feels disconcerting to see a decade of progressive gaming discourse turned into off-the-shelf assets. Valnet claimed: “Polygon is set to achieve new editorial standards through dedicated investment and innovation.” However, one must wonder how this will transpire with a significantly downsized team.
Undoubtedly, corporate press releases and the familiar robotic jargon from industry pundits have not quelled the anger and skepticism surrounding these exits. Writing for Aftermath, journalist Nathan Grayson remarked: “While Polygon’s traffic may have been less than stellar, Giant Bomb had a dedicated listener base thanks to its unique blend of personalities. One has to question whether any of the CEOs involved in these transactions have ever listened to a podcast that isn’t focused on maximizing shareholder value.
Jim Bankoff, CEO of VOX Media, captured at the 2022 Code Conference. Photo: Jerod Harris/Getty Images from Vox Media
Video game journalism has long been a precarious balancing act amid various commercial pressures. In the early days of gaming magazines, advertising revenue often came from the very companies whose products were scrutinized by the press. Throughout my tenure as a magazine editor, I witnessed advertisers withdraw their support following unfavorable critiques of their products. Yielding to such pressures jeopardizes the trust of our readership, which is our most valuable asset. While publishers may have significant influence, losing audience trust could lead to their downfall.
As these magazines transitioned to websites, advertising remained a crucial revenue source. Today, the landscape is more complex; with influencers on platforms like Twitch and YouTube emerging, the industry appears less reliant on dedicated gaming journalism sites. It seems that companies looking to acquire gaming sites are focused more on brand names than on the creative, experienced teams behind them. Recent investigations revealed that Valnet was accused of turning acquired properties into mere content mills focused on “SEO Bait.” Valnet hasSince been involved in legal disputes regarding this issue.
As gaming evolves into a live service sector with billions of paying customers, journalism’s compensation rates have stagnated.
The current tech landscape seems to reward the mechanization of creativity. Unquantifiable and costly, human insight is often perceived as an obstacle to streamlined growth and market penetration. While AI gains traction, one might wonder if automating content generation for video game walkthroughs, produced in milliseconds, could suffice.
The catch, however, is that writing game walkthroughs is labor-intensive and requires skillful gameplay, adept interpretation, and the capacity to foresee player needs. Reviews are inherently subjective, influenced by personal experiences. Podcasts offer a friendly chat-like atmosphere. Top-tier gaming journalism elucidates the industry while uncovering issues that might otherwise be obscured. Those who excel in this arena have years of gameplay, writing, and inquiry experience; they understand gamers’ thoughts.
This dilemma resonates across all artistic mediums, from film to music. Tech moguls anticipate that their brand acquisitions will engage audiences, expecting passive consumers to absorb whatever is presented. However, it’s not mindless content we seek, but innovative ideas and craft. Fortunately, independent sites are emerging at an impressive rate, such as the UK-based VGC and the US-based Aftermath, both of which are building substantial followings. While audiences may be deceived temporarily, it’s increasingly apparent that poorly staffed digital content machines can only churn out secondhand ideas, hoping that the hollow echoes of lost credibility will withstand the test of time.
What to Play
Fear With Highrook is both terrifying and fascinating. Photo: Nullpointer Game
Each month, I review twelve indie video games that experiment with collectible card battle mechanics reminiscent of Magic The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh. One standout is Fear With Highrook, where a group of explorers delves into a haunted mansion to uncover the fate of a missing nobleman’s family. The game features a challenging world akin to a complex board game, combining item discovery with skill card upgrades for character enhancement. Drawing inspiration from Poe and Lovecraft, it offers a beautifully crafted experience filled with ideas and arcane treasures for aficionados of both space and Gothic horror.
Available on: PC Estimated playtime: Over 10 hours
What to Read
Lucia Caminos, co-protagonist of Grand Theft Auto VI. Photo: Rockstar Game
Fraud has plagued video gaming since its inception, impacting countless players in online multiplayer shooters. Explore this feature detailing Riot Games’ battle against cheaters in League of Legends and beyond, highlighting the ongoing struggle between developers and hackers.
Many exceptional video games have been on the brink of disaster due to poor design choices during development. An extensive interview with former Sony President Yoshida reveals how he salvaged Gran Turismo by advocating for playable non-racing characters.
Although I adore video games, many modern tech products cultivate their own myths and folklore. This BBC feature explores fascinating cases, like Ben owned – the story behind the haunted N64 cartridge that captivated gaming forums in 2010.
After finishing your read, check out Rockstar’s latest teaser for the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI. A recent trailer has emerged alongside new screenshots and details about key characters Jason and Lucia, hinting at the game’s delays until May 2026.
Limited options exist… the gaming scene is grappling with breakthroughs in VR like The Meta Quest. Photo: Meta Connect/AFP/Getty Images
This week’s question comes from Guy Bailey who reached out to me via Blue Sky:
“I’m a fan of sim racing in VR, while my son loves Vrchat and the friendships formed within various worlds. Half-Life Alyx is a phenomenal experience, and most individuals who try VR rave about it. Is this the peak of VR?”
This query has lingered in the VR community since the Oculus Quest launched in 2019, which was meant to rejuvenate modern VR. While over 20 million Quest headsets and 5 million PlayStation VR sets have been sold, we are not collectively spending substantial time in virtual environments.
Several factors contribute to this trend. Motion sickness is one culprit—many individuals (particularly women, as outlined in studies) experience nausea after even brief usage. Regardless of how engaging the software, discomfort can prevent enjoyment. There are also neurological and physiological discrepancies when we navigate visual settings that conflict with our bodily sensations. We’ve all seen humorous videos featuring gamers colliding with walls while lost in VR.
Moreover, VR can make us feel exposed and awkward, particularly when wearing a bulky headset at home. Such elements likely explain why companies like Apple are favoring augmented reality over intensive virtual experiences. Thus far, their approach hasn’t succeeded in establishing a consumer-centric platform.
In most instances, the content available isn’t enticing enough for general audiences. It’s a cliché, but the fact remains: there’s no definitive “killer app.” I’ve got a PlayStation VR headset that’s gathering dust, while my sons only occasionally engage with the Meta Quest 3. Their favorite experiences are often limited to brief sessions.
For many of us, VR needs to evolve to engage our senses—touch, taste, and smell.
If you have a topic you’d like to discuss or a question for the newsletter, please reach out to me at pushingbuttons@theguardian.com
NASA took a chance some years back that commercial companies could conduct scientific experiments on the moon at a lower cost than institutions.
Unfortunately, last year, NASA’s initial attempt missed its mark, and the second attempt ended in a crash. However, this month saw success with the robot lander, Blue Ghost, built by Firefly Aerospace in Texas.
On March 16th, as Blue Ghost completed its mission on the moon, the mood at Firefly’s mission operation in Austin was a mix of happiness and bittersweet anticipation for the spacecraft’s demise.
The sun had already set on the lunar surface where Blue Ghost had been working for two weeks, 15 million miles away from Earth.
For solar-powered spacecraft like Blue Ghost, time was running out, and the end was near.
Ray Allensworth, the director of the spaceship program at Firefly, described the atmosphere as light and enthusiastic as they reflected on the successful mission of Blue Ghost.
While other commercial moon missions have faced challenges, Blue Ghost’s success has provided NASA with valuable data for future collaborations.
Scientists like Robert Grimm at the Southwest Institute in Colorado, who led one of the scientific payloads, expressed gratitude for the successful mission, noting that it was better than ending up as a crater.
One of the NASA experiments on Blue Ghost captured images of the lunar surface, providing valuable insights for future missions and research.
The data collected by the cameras will help scientists understand the dynamics of lunar surfaces and potential hazards for future spacecraft landings.
Metanae woven spiders of infected sub-family living in a cave Gibellula AttenBoroughii It shows a change in behavior similar to what was reported about zombie ants.
Gibellula AttenBoroughii Habitat and paratype, on Metamenardi。 0.5 mm for scale bar- (c), 0.25 mm for (d). Image credit: Evans et al。 , Doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.15.07.
Giberla It is a specific and pathogenic fungus on spiders containing more than 30 recognized species.
Most of these species have tropical distribution from subtropical.
There are few records of the genus of the British Islands. Gibellla Alanearam。
For BBC Winter Watch In the 2021 television series, a spid of fungi -infected was discovered on the ceiling of the abandoned gunpowder, taken at the Northern Ireland location, and was provisionally identified. Gibellula pulchra。
Image sent from BBC It suggests that HARRY EVANS is a new species to Cab International Researcher. Giberla Aus.
“Based on both morphological and molecular evidence, fungi was confirmed as a new species, and was named after a natural historian David Attenbow IR. BBC “Natural History Program,” said Dr. Evans, co -author of this research.
“Later, the spider host was identified as an orb -weaving cave spider. Metellina MerianaeAnd -with the help of a local ischemicist -further new species, Gibellula AttenBoroughiiIt was discovered in both Northern Ireland and the Ireland Republic of Cave systems and related spiders. MetamenardiOccupies in various ecological niches in the cave. “
Originally, like a type of specimen located on the ceiling of the gunpowder, all infected spiders were located on the roof or wall of the cave.
These normal CL proud spiders have moved out of the hierarchy and net and died in the exposed situation. In essence, it reflects the behavior of ants infected with the genus bacteria. OphioCordyCeps Previously, it was reported from the Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil.
Such operations of the host to support the dispersion of the fungal spores have created an explanation of “zombieant bacteria”.
In their research, Dr. Evans and his colleagues used historical records and literature search to clarify hidden diversity in the subordinates. Giberla In the British Islands, there is evidence of a widespread illness of the Norfols and Wales spiders.
“Their roles in the dynamics of the spider group will guarantee further research as well as metabolites they produce, so that they can use such a very specific ecological niche,” he said. Ta.
The discovery is reported in A paper Journal Economics and evolution of fungi。
______
HC Evans et al。 Bacterial attributes Giberla (Cordycipitaceae: Failure) In the British Islands, it includes a new zombie species of Orb -weaving cave spiders (Metanae). Economics and evolution of fungiReleased online on January 24, 2025. Doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.15.07
debtFor Gemma, her life is a puzzle. Ever since she was left on a stranger's doorstep as a baby, she's never felt like she belonged, and she's desperate to know what the world is like outside the small town where no one ever leaves. What's more, when she moves, the whole world moves with her, like sliding tiles, a series of conveyor belts. It's the puzzle that gets her from point A to point B.
Each scene in Arranger: Role Puzzling Adventure is its own sliding block puzzle, where you need to think a couple steps ahead to move Gemma and the surrounding objects in the right direction. Some things don't move with Gemma, like purple static-covered rocks and robotic birds, but everything else does. So you'll need to carry a sword towards an intruding monster, a key towards a door, or a banana towards a shy orangutan. As long as Gemma's path isn't blocked, when she hits the end of a row or column, she'll reappear at the opposite end, adding another layer of spatial logic.
The game is hard to describe, but strangely enough, it's incredibly intuitive to play. I'm not sure exactly how I solved some of the rooms (I had been struggling for ages with a particularly tricky one with lasers and mannequins, and then suddenly it wasn't). My brain just figured out the rules. It made sense how Gemma moved along a tiled conveyor belt. The arrangers added surprising twists to these rules, introducing rafts to cross water, joysticks to control robots, grappling hooks, and more. I'd probably play it for 30 minutes to an hour before moving on to the next idea. It pushed the sliding block puzzle idea to its limits.
The cutesy fantasy-inspired art style and writing didn't do much to complement the puzzles for me; it's not without personality, but it felt mostly perfunctory. Arranger hints at a coming-of-age story for misfits, but doesn't really deliver on it. Instead, it's full of surreal vignettes, like shearing strange creatures for a painter who uses them as muses, or a teenager trying to sneak out of her parents' house to meet up with her long-distance boyfriend. The cartoon-inspired frames indicate the action and emotion that happens between puzzle scenes, but Arranger feels more cerebral than emotional.
Sure, it was brain-wracking at times; I briefly couldn't understand the logic of the puzzle's conveyor belt, not figuring out how to get three blocks to land on three separate switches at the same time, and just moving things around in circles. But mostly I felt trapped, racing through levels, placing them almost by instinct, and feeling like I was playing Tetris. I've reached the end of Jenna's adventure, so I'm definitely done with block puzzles for a while. But it's rare to play a game that explores one great idea so thoroughly.
Cybersecurity company Wizz has turned down a $23bn (£18bn) takeover offer from Google’s parent Alphabet, making it the largest takeover bid ever for a tech company, and has opted for a stock market listing instead.
Alphabet had been in discussions with Wizz, a company established by graduates of Israel’s cyber-intelligence program, in an effort to catch up with competitors Microsoft and Amazon in the competitive cloud-services market.
Wiz provides a service that scans data on cloud storage platforms like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure for potential security threats.
The New York-based startup, which is financially backed by investors such as Sequoia Capital and Thrive Capital, was last valued at $12 billion.
In an internal email to employees, the company expressed gratitude for the offer but decided to remain committed to its mission of building Wiz. CEO Assaf Rapaport outlined the company’s objectives of reaching $1 billion in annual recurring revenue and going public.
Despite the tempting offer, the company’s trust in its skilled team reaffirmed their decision. The positive response from the market further reinforced their aim to create a platform that is loved by both security and development teams.
As of Tuesday morning, neither Wizz nor Google have released an official statement regarding the end of the acquisition negotiations.
There are concerns that the deal may face regulatory challenges as authorities seek to tighten their control over acquisitions involving major tech companies.
Last month, the US Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission agreed to investigate leading players in the AI market, including Microsoft, OpenAI, and Nvidia.
Established in 2020, Wizz was valued at $12 billion in a funding round in May, attracting investments from Andreessen Horowitz, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Thrive.
Wiz claims to have 40% of the Fortune 100 as clients and boasts an annual recurring revenue of $350 million.
The name “sunfish” is of Latin origin and means “milestone,” referring to the flat, circular body of this fish, which is known to drift along the ocean’s surface, a move some scientists lightly refer to as “sunbathing.”
But Nygard said the activity serves an important purpose: capturing jellyfish and other gelatinous creatures for prey.
When hunting, sunfish dive deep into cooler waters. Their bodies cannot regulate their body temperature efficiently, so they use the sun to warm themselves. While the fish lie on the surface, birds clean them by eating parasites from their skin.
Nyegaard said there are a few features that distinguish the giant sunfish from the giant sunfish: The giant sunfish’s skin becomes wrinkly as it grows, while the sunfish’s skin is always perfectly smooth.
Unlike normal fish, which have tails, sunfish have wings that are wavy and have a bony structure. The sunfish’s wings are divided into two parts, each of which can move independently.
“We don’t yet know why the two species need different rear structures,” Nygard says, adding that one theory is that the two-part flap could be for maneuvering or agility purposes.
Nygard said sunfish in general remain a mystery to scientists: There are five sunfish species in total, including the hoodwinker, and it’s unclear whether they can or will coexist in the same place.
It’s also unclear whether the hoodwinkers of Australia and New Zealand are related to those in the Pacific Northwest and have somehow migrated across the equator, Nygard said.
Since its discovery, people have been flocking to Gearhart Beach to see the lone hooded winker on the sand.
“This isn’t the first time this has been washed ashore, but it is the largest one to have been washed ashore,” said Tierney Thys, a marine biologist at the California Academy of Sciences.
“Strandings like this remind us that humans live on just 1 percent of the available habitable space on this vast ocean planet,” she said. “Encountering these amazing creatures is humbling and inspiring, and a powerful reminder that we still have much to learn.”
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