Latest Stories
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Teenage cannabis users risk stunting intelligence
A forty year study into cannabis and intelligence has finally ended, and the results are in: while adult brains are safe, the IQ of teenage users permanently drops by around eight points.
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Carnage at Pamplona in running of the bulls
Every day this week, hordes of tourists will line Pamplona’s streets for the terrifying running of the bulls. They risk injury and death. Are these daredevils foolish or heroic?
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Developed world finally learning to get by on less
Western consumption of food, water and manufactured goods has put humanity’s future at risk. The good news? There are signs that the long binge may finally be coming to an end.
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Trillions of alien cells found hiding in human body
Scientists have compiled a list of every microbe found in a healthy human body. The conclusion: there are trillions of them. And we need our parasites as much as they need us.
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American cougars return from the brink
After years on the endangered list, cougars have made a comeback in the USA. It is great news for the big cats – but can humans live with these deadly predators?
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FUTURE SCIENCE: Engineering planet Earth
Plans to send a giant hose pipe into the atmosphere to combat global warming have been postponed – but not for long. Soon we may be tinkering with the climate of Earth itself.
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FUTURE SCIENCE: Creating artificial life
Scientists are now capable of building artificial species. Soon, designer organisms could be serving our every need: they will clean our beaches, grow our fuel, even cure cancer.
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FUTURE SCIENCE: Birth of the super human
Last month, a woman succeeded in moving a robotic arm using only her mind. Soon we could be using technology to enhance or even replace our muscles, our senses – and perhaps our brains.
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Scientists to put ‘yeti remains’ to the test
Yeti, Bigfoot, Nessie: the world is full of so-called, ‘cryptids,’ mythical creatures that some claim are real. Now scientists have launched a project to test the evidence for these beasts.
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Ape’s war with humans displays advanced thinking
What do a chimp’s aggression and a whale’s compassion have in common? Both are evidence that animals are more intelligent than we ever thought. Is it time for a new approach on animal rights?
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Scientists appeal to anti-GM ‘cereal killers’
Activists plan to destroy a field trial of genetically modified wheat. Now, the creators of the new wheat variety have released an emotional appeal, asking protesters to spare the mutant crop.
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THE BIG QUESTION: Why is it so hard to cure cancer?
A huge new study has revealed that what we know as ‘breast cancer’ is in fact at least ten different diseases. Could this be a clue to why curing cancer has been such a struggle?
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Snacks in the spotlight as pasty tax bites
With millions furious over VAT on baked goods, politicians are falling over themselves to demonstrate their love of pasties. But do their favourite foods matter?
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Animal testing blockade ‘means people will die’
Labs in the UK are facing a crisis, a former science minister warned yesterday, as activists cut off their supply of animal test subjects. Many think this is cause for celebration.
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Test-tube burger nearly ready for cooking
Researchers at Maastricht University in the Netherlands have made a breakthrough in the hunt for artificial meat. ‘Frankenburgers’ could revolutionise the way we make our food.