Who are the women of the periodic table? Can plants help us to explore Mars? Find out in ScienceSeeker's picks of the best posts for the week of Feb 10 - Feb 16 2020 #SciSeekPicks #SciComm

In this week's digest of the best science news from around the world, explore the physics of tossing rice and find out who the most accomplished scientist-politicians in history are. ScienceSeeker editors' favourite posts within their respective areas of interest and expertise also cover many other important and exciting topics. Why not have a read, inform yourself, and indulge your scientific curiosity?

• International day of women & girls in science: The women of the periodic table by Andy Brunning at Compound Interest.

Many women scientists are responsible for the discovery of the elements that our modern world is based upon.
Credit: Andy Brunning via Compound Chemistry (CC-BY-ND)

• A study linking 'girls' and cats draws jeers, then disappears by Michael Schulson for Undark.
• Who are the most accomplished scientist-politicians in history? (UPDATED) by Jeremy Fox at Dynamic Ecology.
• Do you smell your romantic partner's clothes? You're not alone by Marlise Hoffer and Frances Chen for Discover magazine.
• Ground level ozone linked to increased death risk by Cosmos magazine.
• The physics of tossing fried rice by Marc Abrahams at Improbable Research.
• Meet Thanatotheristes degrootorum, new Tyrannosaur from Canada by Sci-News.com.
• France’s Deadly Seaweed by Lorraine Boissoneault for Hakai magazine.
• New image shows Betelgeuse isn’t dimming evenly by John Timmer for Ars Technica.
• Can plants help us explore Mars?  by Giulia Manigrasso for The Gist.
• Quantum SETI by Caleb Scharf for Scientific American.
• How geology can ease your mind by Marcia Bjornerud by Lorraine Boissoneault for Hakai magazine.

To indulge your curiosity even more, follow us on Facebook or Twitter for honourable mentions of great posts that didn't quite make our #SciSeekPicks list this week. Want #SciSeekPicks to help satisfy your scientific curiosity every week? Sign up here for regular notification emails.

Check back next week for more great picks!