CATEGORIES
UNIVERSE, SAY CHEESE!
IN A CALIFORNIA LAB, SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS ARE PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES TO A COLOSSAL CAMERA THAT COULD CHANGE THE WAY WE VIEW THE COSMOS
SHOULD WE BE SIGNALLING OUR EXISTENCE TO ALIEN LIFE?
Astrobiologist and extraterrestrial researcher Dr Douglas Vakoch speaks to Sara Rigby about transmitting messages into the cosmos in the hope of finding intelligent extraterrestrial life
WHERE ARE THE ALIENS IN OUR SOLAR SYSTEM?
A FLEET OF MISSIONS IS SPREADING ACROSS THE SOLAR SYSTEM TO INVESTIGATE OUR NEIGHBOURS FOR SIGNS OF LIFE. HERE’S WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR
WATER FOUND ON THE MOON COULD QUENCH FUTURE ASTRONAUTS' THIRST
Water could be more widespread on the Moon than previously thought. New readings from NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) indicate that molecular water (H2O) is present in the Clavius crater, one of the largest craters on the Moon.
IN PRAISE OF ‘AWE' WALKS
Spending time outdoors is great for your health, but there’s an easy way to reap even better benefits
WHY WE WANT TO BELIEVE...
Whether they’re tiny microbes or little green men, aliens never fail to capture our imagination. So why do they have such a hold on our collective psyche?
IN SEARCH OF DARKNESS
The nights might be getting longer, but the internet is open and ready for business 24 hours a day. Is this a good thing?
Bold New Plans For The Future Of Space Exploration
The plans include landing the first woman on the lunar surface, establishing a space station in orbit around the Moon, and returning samples of Martian rock to Earth
It's A Slug's Game Solar-Powered Sea Slug
Sea slugs sport some of nature’s most unreal adaptations, including solarpowered skin and disposable penises. Welcome to their weird world
Why (Nearly) Everything You've Been Told About Your Diet Is Wrong
We all know that fat is bad for you and veganism is super-healthy, right? Not necessarily. Read on as we bust some of the biggest, most-enduring food myths…
Covid-19: Is It Mutating?
A number of media outlets reported that the coronavirus is mutating. Is it a cause for concern?
THE PUZZLE OF A PERSON
Forensic anthropologist Prof Dame Sue Black talks to Amy Barrettabout what it’s like to dissect a human body, how a single bone can tell a whole story, and the ways in which we can identify perpetrators from the backs of their hands
HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT CUPPA
IN BRITAIN, WE DRINK AROUND 165 MILLION CUPS OF TEA A DAY, SO LET’S GET IT RIGHT. FOOD SCIENTIST DR STUART FARRIMOND REVEALS ALL…
The Psychology Of Resilience And How To Cultivate It
No matter what life throws at some people, they seem to roll with the punches and come through the other side stronger than ever. With many of us now experiencing bereavement, illness, job loss and insecurity, what can we learn from these resilient individuals and how can we be more like them?
THE EXPLAINER WHY DO WE SLEEP?
Q&A:
THE DIAGNOSIS DETECTIVES
Sometimes, doctors have to unleash their inner sleuths in order to solve tricky cases
THE STRESS TEST
WHAT IF MEASURING YOUR WELLBEING WAS AS SIMPLE AS TAKING YOUR TEMPERATURE? SCIENTISTS ARE TESTING OUT HEART RATE VARIABILITY, TO SEE WHAT IT CAN TELL US ABOUT OUR MENTAL HEALTH…
NEW WORLD ORDER
In 1993, the internet was brought to the masses, changing the online world forever. Now, COVID-19 will transform our virtual lives again
A LIFE OF SLIME
Do you need a brain to solve puzzles? Not if you’re a slime mould. These single celled organisms can learn, navigate mazes and perhaps help us gain a deeper insight into the structure of the Universe itself…
ASTEROIDS: HOW LIKELY IS IT THAT WE'LL BE STRUCK BY ONE?
It’s happened before, so what are the chances of another catastrophic collision with a space rock?
In Search Of Immunity
It seems the more we learn about COVID-19, the more menacing it becomes. Why are there so many symptoms? Are some of us already immune? As scientists race towards a vaccine, we report on the latest discoveries helping us understand how our immune system handles the infection
Eating Contests: Is There A Limit To How Much You Can Consume In One Go?
This summer, the world record for the ‘sport’ of hotdog speed-eating was broken for the third time in five years. Are we approaching peak performance?
Face Masks: Are They Changing How We Behave?
Wearing face masks could affect how we communicate
Covid-19: Should We Infect People With It?
A vaccine may be available sooner if volunteers are deliberately infected. But is it ethical?
HOW TO SIT
STIFF AS A BOARD OR SLOUCHED LIKE A SLOTH? PULL UP A CHAIR AND TAKE THE WEIGHT OFF YOUR FEET AS BACK PAIN RESEARCHER DR KIERAN O’SULLIVAN EXPLAINS HOW TO SIT
IN PRAISE OF CAFFEINE
There’s more to a cup of coffee than just an early morning pick-me-up
TURNING THE RED PLANETGREEN
If humans are to stand a chance of successfully setting up a colony on Mars, we’re going to need to figure out a way of producing food on the Red Planet
THE SEE-THROUGH ZOO
WELCOME TO NATURE’S MENAGERIE OF TRANSPARENCY
Extinct woolly rhinos were a victim of climate change, not overhunting
By analysing their genetic diversity, scientists have been able to estimate changes in population size over time
BACK TO SCHOOL
After months of homeschooling, children are returning to the classroom. How can we ease the transition and help frazzled teachers?