Latest Stories
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Big ideas hit prime time in His Dark Materials
Are dust and dæmons fiction or fact? A new book about consciousness argues that the ideas behind Philip Pullman’s books and new TV series maybe closer to reality than you might think.
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ISIS leader ‘died like a dog’ in US raid
Does this also spell the death of ISIS? The world’s most wanted man was a powerful figurehead for the terror group. His death is a blow, but experts say ISIS operations will continue unabated.
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‘Woolly mammoths could walk the Earth again’
Scientists in Japan have made a “significant step” towards bringing the ancient species back from the dead, using the DNA of a frozen mammoth. But is it the right thing to do?
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Abortion no longer illegal in Northern Ireland
Is abortion about women’s rights? As of yesterday, women in Northern Ireland can end their pregnancies without fear of prosecution. It marks an end to one of the world’s strictest abortion laws.
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Baby in a bag: artificial womb project launches
Is it a dream come true or a science-fiction nightmare? Scientists in the Netherlands have been given €2.9m to build a prototype artificial womb. They say it could save millions of lives.
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The disturbing rise of racist robots
Are robots racist? AI computers are showing sexist and racist bias. A growing number of experts fear that we have created AI in our own worst image, and it could have awful consequences.
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Mind-reading fears as brain science advances
Should we worry if computers know what we are thinking? Huge advances in the science of brain-computer interfaces are helping disabled people. But they also open a window to our secrets.
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Gulf enemies ‘on the brink of Armageddon’
Is this the spark that could ignite war? A devastating, night, missile raid by one of the rivals in a Muslim “civil war”. The USA on one side. Russia on the other. At risk: the global economy.
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The plumber who restored our faith in humanity
Does giving make us happier than getting? James Anderson’s simple act of charity has touched a deep chord all over the world. Evidence proves that we are wired to be good, say scientists.
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Revealed: sunflowers are social creatures
Should plants have rights? Scientists increasingly think of plants as intelligent creatures. New studies show they can tell each other apart, and use 20 senses to understand their environment.
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Teenager goes blind after living off chips
Has modern society forgotten how to eat? We know that, despite hardships, many of our Stone Age ancestors enjoyed a great diet. Today, we live in luxury but lose touch with necessities.
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Scientists create first human-monkey hybrid
Should animals ever be part-human? Faced by a deadly shortage in human organs for life-saving operations, our only hope may be animals with human DNA. But there are serious ethical concerns.
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Stormzy rocks at the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’
Do experiences matter more than things? According to millions of posts today, this year’s Glastonbury Festival will be the memory of a lifetime for many fans. Is this part of a deeper trend?
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USA accused of running concentration camps
Are the detention centres along the southern US border “concentration camps”? Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has sparked a row over language and history by saying that they are.
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Toy Story 4 explores what it means to be alive
Why are we alive? This is the surprisingly existential question posed by a new character in Toy Story 4, released today. The new film tells the story of a plastic spork that comes to life.