BBC News

Engineers in the US have built the first self-contained, entirely soft robot - in the shape of a 7cm octopus.

For the first time, a soft robot has been built that moves on its own with no batteries or cables.

How do astronomers decide whether a planet is potentially habitable?

The UK records its highest temperature of the year so far - 33.9C (93F) at Gravesend in Kent - as experts warn of possible health risks.

Scientists have discovered a planet similar to Earth that is orbiting our Sun's nearest neighbour, Proxima Centauri.

Scientists identify a planet only slightly larger than Earth that is orbiting Proxima Centauri - the closest star to our Solar System.

Prof Ed Bullmore from the University of Cambridge discusses a potential revolution: immunopsychiatry

MPs have recommended banning the tiny particles of plastic called "microbeads" which are used in a number of cosmetics and cleaning products. But why have they taken the move?

Historian and author of the international bestseller Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Yuval Noah Harari speaks about the future of humanity.

China gives the world a first glimpse of the space probe and rover it plans to use in its first mission to Mars in 2020.

Detecting traces of perfume could help in the fight against crime, a study suggests

A worldwide ban on plastic microbeads in cosmetics should be imposed as soon as possible, MPs demand.

Hundreds of thousands of fish, commonly known as peanut bunker fish, have washed up dead in a New Jersey creek.

Most countries in the world have little capacity to deal effectively with invasive species, a study suggests.

Badger culls are to be carried out in five new areas of England in a bid to control bovine TB, the BBC learns.

There has been a massive spike in the amount of recycling that gets rejected.

Archaeologists have uncovered a mysterious stone structure buried under what they describe as Scotland's "largest Neolithic rubbish dump".

Spider silk is used to create a superlens for a microscope, allowing Bangor University scientists to view objects previously deemed "invisible".

Firefighters in California gain ground in tackling the massive Blue Cut wildfire, containing around 40% and allowing many evacuees to return home.

A study of Australian zebra finches makes the surprising discovery that singing to eggs can alter hatchling development.

About 100 water voles are to be released into Malham Tarn in the Yorkshire Dales.

The sunken wreck of a fishing trawler that swept for mines during World War One is given special protection by Historic England.

Researchers have combined satellite imagery with AI to predict areas of poverty across the world.

Tourists flock to Hawaii's Kilauea volcano after lava from its Pu'u O'o vent reached the sea. Aerials - Lava Ocean Tours.

A global audience joins Prof Michael Sandel to discuss the world's response to climate change.

Australian researchers are investigating if the scent of giant sea snails could help repel millions of coral-eating starfish from the Great Barrier Reef.

A new analysis shows that Oetzi the Iceman's clothes came from at least five species of animal, including a hat of brown bear fur.

A satellite tag fitted to a hen harrier has stopped transmitting in the same mountains where eight tagged eagles "vanished", says RSPB Scotland.

Astronomers capture rare images of a white dwarf - before, during and after it exploded as a "classical nova".

Scientists have identified a new species of dolphin that lived 25 million years ago.

In its vision for the future of post-Brexit agriculture the Campaign to Protect Rural England says too much money is given to large-scale farms.

The large-scale, long-term decline in wild bees across England has been linked to the use of neonicotinoid insecticides by a new study.

The large-scale, long-term decline in wild bees across England has been linked to the use of neonicotinoid insecticides by a new study.

Scientists carrying out international nuclear fusion work are concerned dust from a planned quarry could affect their experiments.

China successfully launches its first quantum-enabled satellite, named after the ancient Chinese scientist and philosopher Micius.

Results from a lab experiment have lent support to one of Stephen Hawking's most important predictions about black holes.

Professor Brian Cox has verbally sparred with a newly elected Australian politician Malcolm Roberts who believes climate change is a global conspiracy.

British particle physicist Brian Cox verbally spars with a newly elected Australian politician who believes climate change is a global conspiracy.

Madagascar's conservationists work in secrecy to protect one of the world's most beautiful tortoises from poachers, writes journalist Martin Vogl.

Lonnie Johnson had an illustrious career as a nuclear engineer working on the Galileo space programme and the stealth bomber - but he is best known for creating a water pistol

Photographs and footage capture the annual Perseid meteor shower, which is more active than usual this year.

Two-inch long fish have appeared in a garden in Banff.

An animal charity appeals against a court decision which ruled a monkey could not own the copyright to a selfie photograph it took.

Scientists find some rockhopper and Snares crested penguins travel 15,000km in six months.

Observers say the annual astronomical event was marked with "spectacular fireballs" in the early hours of Friday.

About 200 baby Montserrat tarantulas have hatched at Chester Zoo - the first time the rare Caribbean spider has been bred in captivity.

Keepers at Chester Zoo have become the first in the world to successfully breed Montserrat tarantulas in captivity.

Thousands are calling for a ban on grouse shooting, arguing the sport increases the threat faced by an endangered species of raptors.

Scientists say they have found a Greenland shark that is about 400 years old - making it the longest-living vertebrate known.

Scientists find a baby tooth in the fossilised faeces of an extinct shark, suggesting the animals practised filial cannibalism.