Science
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Scientists hail new era of ‘motherless babies’
For 200 years, our knowledge of reproduction has been clear: sperm + egg = baby. But scientists say they may have found a way to create babies with two biological dads. Should we celebrate?
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Giant pandas no longer endangered species
Everyone loves a panda. We have spent millions rescuing them and good news: it worked! But is this really conserving the planet — or creating a world in our own image and to our own taste?
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Star Trek: how sci-fi predicted the future
It has been half a century since the USS Enterprise first took flight. Since then, Star Trek has shown that sci-fi can have uncanny predictive...
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‘The Age of Humans has begun’ say scientists
Nuclear tests. Mass extinction. Climate change. Experts say we have entered a new geological era, defined by humanity’s actions. But could the Anthropocene be a golden opportunity?
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The ‘Second Earth’ orbiting our nearest star
Meet Proxima b, a newly discovered exoplanet just four light years from Earth. Scientists say it could be rocky, watery, and habitable. Should we be optimistic about finding alien life there?
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Italy shaken by ‘apocalyptic’ earthquake
In the early hours of yesterday morning, Italians in the Apennine mountains woke to a violent earthquake. Italy has suffered similar disasters for centuries. Why are they so hard to predict?
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'Immortal' Bolt and Phelps bow out with golds
The two greatest Olympians of the current age have won gold medals again. As Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps prepare to retire, who is more impressive: the rapid Bolt or the relentless Phelps?
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Ice Bucket Challenge funds ALS breakthrough
Cynics called it ‘slacktivism’, ‘problematic in almost every way.’ But two years on, the ice bucket challenge has funded a medical breakthrough. Can social media change the world after all?
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Five reasons to be cheerful this summer
Summer is here. Upheaval and tragedy may have dominated the news this year. But we should not forget that the human race has also made some important strides: solid reason for good cheer.
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‘Make doping legal for all’ contrarians cry
For years Russian athletes cheated in the majority of Olympic sports due to a state-sponsored programme of doping. Rather than banning Russia, what if doping were made legal for everyone?
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NASA celebrates spectacular ride to Jupiter
On Independence Day, NASA pulled off its hardest mission ever: inserting a 3.5 tonne probe into Jupiter’s orbit. The technology involved is astounding. Are we witnessing a new space race?
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Solar-powered plane soars across the Atlantic
Solar Impulse 2 has flown from New York to Spain in the latest leg of its historic trip around the world. It did not use a single drop of fuel. Will we soon see the end of fossil fuels?
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Body transplants are on the way, say doctors
Surgeons in China say that they will soon be able to graft a new body onto a living head. This should be good news for the disabled. But many are horrified by the ethical implications.
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‘Ban zoos!’ demand animal rights activists
When Harambe the gorilla was killed to protect a child who had fallen into his enclosure, there was global outrage. But as the grief fades, a new debate has arisen. Do we need zoos at all?
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Physicists hint at a ‘fifth force of nature’
Scientists around the world are abuzz with news of a study which suggests there could be a ‘fifth force of nature’. It would revolutionise our knowledge of the universe. But would we notice?