Inside out

Our fortnightly digest of facts and rumours from Brussels and beyond.

Underlying problems

Readers bothered by the soggy problem of ‘poop splash’, the back splash of toilet water as a result of a free-falling number two, have been offered welcome relief this week. The solution is to lie sheets of toilet paper over the water in the bowl, according to a citizen scientist from the United States. German readers, however, can discard this helpful tip as their toilets have a dry shelf above the level of the toilet water. This shelf has the beneficial side effect of avoiding poop splash, its supporters argue. As you can see, it’s been a very boring summer in science and in news.