Scientists at the Primate Research Institute at Kyoto University were shocked when 15 Japanese monkeys used tree branches to catapult themselves over the 17ft electric fence enclosing their forest home.

However, despite this feat of intelligence, the monkeys were unsure how to proceed once they had achieved freedom, and research scientists used peanuts to coax them back to captivity.

Hirohisa Hirai, the deputy head of the Institute told the Daily Telegraph, “It was an incredible escape and the first time something like this has ever happened… We were extremely surprised by the intelligence and the power they used in order to escape.”

Does curry cure global warming?

Scientists at Newcastle University have found that curry spices coriander and turmeric can kill off the methane-producing bacteria found in the stomachs of sheep.

Research student Mohammad Mehedi Hasan said: “Methane is a major contributor to global warming and the slow digestive system of ruminant animals such as cows and sheep makes them a key producer of the gas.

My research found that certain spices contain properties which make this digestive process more efficient, so producing less waste – in this case, methane.” Defra figures from 2009 indicate that around 30 million sheep in the UK each produce approximately 20 litres of methane a day.

It is expected the spices will have a similar effect upon cows and goats and, as project supervisor Dr Abdul Shakoor Chaudhry says; “With an estimated ten million cows in the UK, each producing around 500 litres of methane a day, that would be a significant reduction.”

Burger fans risk jaw injury

Dentists in Taiwan have appealed to fast food chains after oversized burgers are the suspected cause of a recent rise in jaw injuries.

The human mouth has evolved to accommodate objects no more than four centimetres. Overextension risks injury to the joint between the jaw bone and the temporal bone in front of the ears.

Giant burgers measuring more than eight centimetres are being tucked into with gusto across the globe, with consumers risking jaw pain and, in more serious cases, a struggle to open the mouth.

First flight of solar powered plane

A solar-powered plane landed safely in the Swiss capital Bern on July 8.

During the 26-hour maiden voyage, the aircraft reached a height of 8,700 m (28,543 ft), breaking records to become the world’s the longest and highest solar-powered flight.

Created by the design team Solar Impulse, the plane used 12,000 solar cells arranged on its wingspan to store sufficient energy for the flight.

After the darkness of night, the plane still had three hours’ worth of power remaining. The Solar Impulse team, led by former Swiss fighter jet pilot Andre Borschberg (who was at the helm of the plane during its flight) and fellow aviator Bertrand Piccard, believe that the achievement proves that solar-powered aircraft can remain airborne for much longer than originally thought.

Piccard said: “Nothing can prevent us from another day and night, and the myth of perpetual flight.” Solar Impulse intends to take a more advanced model of the plane on a round-the-world trip by 2013.

Alligator on German street

A bystander in the small German town of Gross-Rohrheim initially met with laughter when he called to report an alligator loose in the town centre.

However, when it was learnt that his call was anything but a prank, police officers used dog-capturing equipment to catch the 3.3ft long reptile.

The alligator was an escapee from a circus visiting a nearby school, and was returned to school officials. Police spokesman Ferdinand Derigs told news reporters: “Here in the state of Hesse we’re ready for anything that comes our way.”

Even rogue razor-toothed reptiles.

Largest bowl of porridge

The world record for the largest bowl of porridge was smashed this week by food company Scott’s Porage Oats. The giant 690 kilogram breakfast surpassed the previous record by more than 500kg and was enough to feed 2,000 hungry people. Prepared in a massive bowl at the annual Highland Games, the attempt was confirmed as the new Guinness World Record by official Craig Glenday.

Never Let Me Go – to North Korea

The team behind teen pop sensation Justin Bieber invited fans of the singer to cast their vote in an online poll that would determine the route for the young star’s Never Let Me Go tour.

Intended to give devoted fans a chance to see Bieber perform in their country, no location was placed off limits.

However, the contest was targeted by pranksters on the internet message board 4chan, and, at the close of the vote on July 7, North Korea took first place with 659,141 votes. Unfortunately, given that the Communist nation is a political hotspot, and dictator Kim Jong-Il has implemented stringent travel restrictions as well as a ban on most Western music, it seems very unlikely that Bieber’s North Korean show will be occurring later this year.

By Lydia Onyett