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Science

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Science

Is it true that … dock leaves cure nettle stings?

It’s a time-honoured treatment and rubbing certainly helps, but other leaves could be just as good If you’ve ever brushed against a stinging nettle, chances are someone told you to find a dock leaf. The wide green leaves of dock plants seem to grow conveniently nearby, and rubbing one on a sting is a time-honoured remedy. But does it actually work? Probably not in any way that’s unique to the plant, says John Tregoning, a professor at Imperial College London and the author of Live Forever? A Curious Scientist’s Guide to Wellness, Ageing and Death. Continue reading...

The Guardian
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Science

Starwatch: Count these stars to find out how dark the sky is where you are

Great Square of Pegasus’s four corners are widely visible, but its inner stars provide a useful indicator of darkness This week, we are going to locate the Great Square of Pegasus and count stars to see how dark your sky is. The chart shows the view looking south from London at 2000 GMT on 9 November. High in the sky is the Great Square of Pegasus, a distinctive pattern of four stars that marks the body of the mythical winged horse. Continue reading...

The Guardian
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