Lab notes: from fairy circles to Venusian waves – an otherworldly week in science

Eclectic - it's a pleasing word, and for this week's science, the only word that seems to fit. Climate science has been a major part of this week's coverage, given that climate change deniers are poised to enter the White House. And since there's now compelling evidence that Greenland and Antarctica's continental ice sheets are highly sensitive to slight increases in ocean temperatures, (which raises the prospect of sea levels continuing to rise dramatically for many centuries) it's really something we need to engage with urgently. But if rising sea levels seem too distant a threat, it's worth considering the sombre news that in the most bleak assessment of primates to date, conservationists found that 60% of wild species are on course to die out, with three quarters already in steady decline. The report casts doubt on the future of hundreds of primate species, including gorillas, chimps, gibbons, marmosets, tarsiers, lemurs and lorises. As Celine Dion would definitely say if she were here: baby, this is serious. If you won't listen to scientists, listen to Celine (but just that bit, then get on with some primate conservation).