BBC Science Focus Magazine - May 2025

In this issue

VICTORIA GILL Deep-sea researchers think that ‘dark oxygen’ is being produced on the seabed. Deep-sea miners think otherwise. REALITY CHECK The science behind the headlines: The cosmetic ingredients you should really be using if you want to protect the planet; Why you shouldn’t rely on TikTok influencers for an ADHD diagnosis. HOW TO BREAK THE YOYO DIET CYCLE The reason diets fail so often might be because our fat cells have a memory.

Caught in the act

These two flower crab spiders have been caught copulating by Sandip Guha, who won the Macro category of the London Camera Exchange Photographer of the Year competition with this image.

1 min

The Cosmic Tornado

What you see here is a Herbig-Haro (HH) object – a bright, nebulous patch of space indicating a star is forming nearby.

1 min

Quantum butterfly

This intricate rainbow pattern represents the first sighting of Hofstadter’s butterfly. Spotted lurking between two layers of graphene, it was - up to this point — a theoretical ‘creature’ with wings made of self-repeating fractal patterns.

1 min

Using a smartphone may reduce your dementia risk

New analysis shows that technology might provide cognitive benefits, despite bad press

4 mins

7,000-year-old mummy DNA reveals a 'ghost' branch of humanity

Ancient remains have opened the door to a long-lost human lineage

2 mins

'Hot' Schrödinger's cat makes quantum technologies possible

90 years on from the famous thought experiment's conception, researchers have broken a crucial barrier in quantum physics

1 min

Fossils reveal a whole new type of life

A strange giant cylindrical lifeform might not be a fungus after all

1 min

New method could finally destroy forever chemicals'

These harmful chemicals found in your home have been linked to several types of cancer

1 min

Strange microscopic lightning kickstarted life on Earth

Tiny zaps of electricity may have provided the energy to form life

1 min

The worst coffee types for your cholesterol levels

Your morning cup of Joe might pack an unexpected punch

1 min

Study makes 'baby amnesia' even more mysterious

New research sheds light on why adults don't remember being babies, but raises more questions than it answers

1 min

NASA astronauts return to Earth after surprise space stay

The pair splashed down off the coast of Florida on 18 March after nine months in space

1 min

Happiness is... well, nobody's really sure

Explaining exactly what's going on in our brains when we experience joy remains frustratingly out of reach

3 mins

Dark energy could be getting weaker

New discoveries suggest that the Universe isn't expanding as we thought. So is it time for us to go back to the drawing board?

3 mins

The 'dark oxygen' debate isn't helping anyone

The mysterious appearance of oxygen on the ocean floor is fuelling curiosity and controversy

3 mins

Here's what cosmetic ingredients you should really be using if you want to protect the planet

Consumers are right to be sensitive about what they put on their skin, but an emphasis on using ‘natural’ ingredients could be misleading

5 mins

TikTok influencers may be raising awareness about ADHD, but don't rely them for a diagnosis

Millions of TikTok users are watching influencers speak about their experiences of ADHD. But how useful is the information being shared?

4 mins

Crash protection, with added convenience

Commuting safely by bike means finding something to do with your helmet when you reach your destination. A British company thinks you should simply deflate it

3 mins

5 of the Best Air Filters

Take a breath with devices that scrub pollen, pollution and other unwanted particles from your home

3 mins

CSI: ISS

When it eventually happens, a murder in space will be unlike any that has occurred on Earth. So how do you investigate an astronaut's killing when your crime scene lacks gravity?

9 mins

HOW TO BREAK THE YO-YO DIET CYCLE

Research suggests your fat cells have a memory, hence any weight you lose always seems to find its way back to your body. So why is it so hard to make your fat cells forget?

10+ mins

WRONG THING, WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME

Some of the first images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope included a group of unidentifiable objects in deep space. The objects were so unusual, they threatened to break our understanding of the cosmos. Now, astronomers think they might be getting to grips with what the objects could be

8 mins

YOU ARE FEELING VERY...HEALTHY

Forget the swinging pocket watches, scientists are now praising hypnotherapy as a powerful tool to fight mental and physical pain. Count back from five and we'll begin...

8 mins

Are fungi conscious?

New research on fungi suggests they could be demonstrating some form of intelligence, but not all experts are convinced

5 mins

WILL SUSPENDED ANIMATION EVER EXIST?

It already does, if you count animals hibernating over winter.

2 mins

THE FRILLED SHARK

In the dark waters of the deep sea, lurk many curious and enigmatic animals that few have seen.

2 mins

HOW HAS LIVING WITH A NARCISSIST AFFECTED ME?

Are you an empathic people-pleaser who prefers to stay out of the spotlight?

2 mins

IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE GIVING US FALSE MEMORIES?

You may have seen videos circulating online of Donald Trump and Elon Musk doing outlandish things - recreating scenes from the TV show Breaking Bad, for example.

1 min

Read all stories from BBC Science Focus

BBC Science Focus Magazine Description:

BBC Focus Magazine is the magazine of popular science and technology that explains the wonders of the Universe through stunning photography and accessible articles. Contributors include the very best writers and science experts, with columns every issue from renowned science writer Robert Matthews, TV presenter and scientist Helen Czerski, and science fiction author Stephen Baxter. From archaeology to neuroscience, climate change and particle physics, BBC Focus Magazine keeps you up to speed with the cutting-edge science and gadgets that will change our world.