Animal behaviour This article is more than 3 months oldFemale frogs appear to fake death to avoid unwanted advances, study showsThis article is more than 3 months oldFindings shed light on European common frog’s sometimes deadly scramble for a mate
When it comes to avoiding unwanted male attention, researchers have found some frogs take drastic action: they appear to feign death.
Researchers say the findings shed new light on the European common frog, suggesting females do not simply put up with the male scramble for mates – a situation in which several males can end up clinging to a female, sometimes fatally.
Japan This article is more than 10 years oldFukushima boss hailed as hero diesThis article is more than 10 years oldMasao Yoshida defied management of power company Tepco by cooling nuclear reactors with seawater to staunch meltdownMasao Yoshida – whose actions as manager of the Fukushima Daiichi power plant during its triple meltdown averted an even greater disaster – has died.
Yoshida, 58, took early retirement from the plant's operator, Tepco, in late 2011 after being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.
The ObserverFrancis Bacon This article is more than 4 years old‘I was the naked cricket model who posed for Francis Bacon’This article is more than 4 years oldThe artist’s friend Barry Joule says it was his physique that helped inspire a 1980s series of cricket nudesThey were some of the most arresting images Francis Bacon created: a series of paintings mainly featuring a male torso and legs, naked except for sports shoes and cricket pads.
The Breakdown newsletterSportA play-off final involving the winner of the Rugby Europe Championship could help to bring new fans to the sport
Late on Saturday night in Edinburgh’s Old Town as we walked back to our hotel, the strains of a familiar tune floated past on the chill, gusty breeze. In the pub around the corner they were still having a grand old time and a loud rendition of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” was in full swing.
Classics cornerClassicsReviewDBC Pierre provides an enlightening introduction to this edition of Dostoevsky's dark classicThe "underground" of the mind is the treacherous terrain into which Dostoevsky here delves deep, exposing its most buried fears and desires. The novel was first published in Russia in 1864 and this excellent Canongate Canons edition has an enlightening and entertaining introduction by DBC Pierre assessing "the scale of this little book" and elucidating how "Dostoevsky dropped a pill into the middle of the 19th century and the thing is still fizzing: existentialism"
CyclingTwo-time world champion thrived as most successful Briton in six-day racing and will be remembered fondly for his fight
I first met Tony Doyle in the lounge of a hotel near his home in Woking. He arrived early, smartly dressed and prepared to give up several hours for an interview about his cycling career. He was similarly generous with his time and wisdom during a friendship that lasted another eight or so years.
Ask HadleyMen's fashionThere is nothing silly about a cardigan – when you're living in Fashion LandWhy do grown men think it's acceptable to wear cardigans?
Jake, London
Are you serious? Have you just arrived in town from 2003? Do iPods mystify you? Really, men's cardigans are your beef? God almighty, get with the programme: men's cardigans are practically a – oh wait. Wait just a gosh darned minute. Do you know what is happening here, Jake?
Erykah Badu: ‘I learned that everything I do is a political statement’ Photograph: Anthony Barboza/GettyErykah Badu: ‘I learned that everything I do is a political statement’ Photograph: Anthony Barboza/GettyErykah BaduInterview'I'm not sorry I said it': Erykah Badu on music, motherhood and wildly unpopular opinionsLanre BakareThe neo-soul star has sold millions, raised three kids and embodied wokeness before the word was even coined. But can her reputation survive January’s ‘I saw something good in Hitler’ comment?
A new start after 60Life and styleAfter years spent looking after others, Linda Parker was determined to have some fun. A new look made her believe in herself – and a job at an arts centre was just the start When Linda Parker turned 60, she made a list. For the past 30 years, she had looked after other people, first as a carer for her dad, and then as a single parent of a daughter.
CommunityBooksBookmarks versus dog ears: how you keep track of your reading – in picturesFrom old gig tickets to toilet paper and £20 notes, almost anything can be co-opted as a bookmark, as as a recent callout for pictures revealed. How do you mark your place in books?
If this sparked your urge to show us how it’s done, you can still take part here The humble “dog ear” was widely condemned by readers responding to a callout to share their bookmarking tips.