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A natural phenomenon consisting of polka-dot-style formations has been cropping up around the world, and scientists are baffled as to why. The circular-shaped patches of ground have been seen in deserts in Australia and Namibia but now experts believe they are more widespread than originally thought. Known as “fairy circles”, there are now 263 known sites across the globe where they can be found, according to new research published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). They have been documented in 15 countries, across three continents, including the Sahel region of Africa, Madagascar, and in Middle-West Asia. And yet, despite the spread of these anomalies, scientists are still none the wiser about how they actually form. A team led by environmental scientist Emilio Guirado, of the University of Alicante in Spain, explained in their paper on the "intriguing" phenomenon: “We conducted a global and systematic assessment of fairy circle-like vegetation patterns and discovered hundreds of [fairy-circle]-like locations on three continents. “Our study provides insights into the ecology and biogeography of these fascinating vegetation patterns and the first atlas of their global distribution.” The mysterious circles appear in desert regions and can be as wide as 12 metres (39 feet) in diameter. They are almost always spaced out and rarely connect or overlap with one another. Several theories have been put forward as to what causes them, including, tiny insects, termites, and plant toxins. But, none have been accompanied by any significant evidence and some have been debunked completely. One significant factor limiting their study is they are often found in places that are difficult to access and are inhospitable. Locating the 263 different sites of “fairy circles” involved analysing high-resolution satellite imagery. Guirado and his team wrote in their paper: “[The sites] include those already identified in Namibia and Western Australia, as well as areas never described before, including the Sahel, Western Sahara, Horn of Africa, Madagascar, Southwest Asia, or Central and Southwest Australia. “By doing so, our study provides a global atlas of areas showing FC-like vegetation patterns and expands the known existence of this vegetation type to new countries and continents.” The team hopes that locating new sites will enable them to find common traits that may point towards their cause. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

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It’s all about retro vibes in the footwear department this season, with Nineties and Noughties trends getting a new lease of life. And whether you want comfy slides for walking, high heels for partying or something in between, there’s a sandal for every occasion. From chunky to dainty, here are five sandal styles to accessorise your summer outfits… 1. Cork soles Part of the catwalk trend for all things au naturel, cork platforms are back and they go perfectly with this season’s crochet and mesh beach dresses. Team super-high cork sandals or wedges with faded mom jeans, or Seventies-style flares and a breezy white top for a cool city look. Dune London Jealous Gold Cork-Platform Sandals, £100 Hush Puppies Blush Poppy Slide Sandals, £95 2. Studded sandals Give cute and colourful outfits a high fashion edge with designer-inspired studded sandals. Keep it classic with brown or black leather – these trendy flats will become your go-to all summer long. La Redoute Leather Wedge Heel Sandals with Studded Details, £88 Studio Studded Tan Sandals, £9 (were £30) 3. Espadrilles Espadrilles never really go out of style – and this season they’ve got the designer seal of approval, with Stella McCartney, Gucci and Loewe all creating luxe versions for spring/summer 2023. Opt for low-heeled espadrilles to team with casual shorts and skirts, or chunky wedges for a ‘quiet luxury’ look. Gaimo Flat Ankle Tie Sandals Natural, £60, Office (clothing, stylist’s own) New Look Gold Faux Snake Metallic Espadrille Wedge Sandals, £37.99 Bobbies Cleo Espadrille Wedges in Lemon Curd, £180 4. Gladiator sandals Part of the 2000s revival, multi-strap gladiator sandals are back in a big way this season, but with a more minimalist feel than in previous years. Choose from chunky black leather flatforms for everyday wear, or holiday-ready raffia gladiators. Manebi Black & Natural Raffia Gladiator Sandals, £135, Oliver Bonas Deichmann Catwalk Ladies Black Gladiator Zip Sandals, £34.99 5. Green sandals From handbags to heels, green accessories are all the rage right now. Create a cool colour clash by pairing emerald heels with a pink dress, or go for a Nineties palette with lime green and tangerine orange. Tu at Sainsbury’s Lime Twisted Strap Flat Sandals, £17 Monsoon Barely There Leather Heel Sandals Green, currently £34.50 (previously £69) Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live 6 triggers asthma sufferers should watch out for this summer Imposter syndrome – what is it and why does Kim Kardashian have it? The best TV shows, books and podcasts about Windrush