BBC News

Scientists discover one of the secrets of how the world’s biggest whales engulf their own weight in water and food: the nerves in their big jaws are incredibly stretchy.

Expedition that paved way for understanding the Arctic

David Shukman takes a look around the bridge, sleeping quarters and laboratories for a taste of life on board the Norwegian Arctic research vessel Lance.

The surgeon who cut out his own appendix

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station celebrate Star Wars Day with a movie pick that may surprise some fans.

Changes in the Arctic Ocean are so profound that the region is entering what amounts to "a new era", according to Norwegian scientists.

Monitoring how ice cover is changing in the far north

David Shukman reports from a research vessel deliberately wedged into the arctic ice pack.

Detectives from the West Midlands are using 3D technology to provide juries with microscopic evidence, previously beyond the reach of forensic testing.

About 60% of the world's largest herbivores are at risk of extinction, according to research by an international team.

Why is it that two apparently similar earthquakes can have such different outcomes in terms of the number of people killed and the damage that results?

Environment Analyst, Roger Harrabin has been looking at how the parties say they plan to tackle environmental issues in the countryside.

The Calbuco volcano in southern Chile erupts for the third time in eight days, sending a large plume of dark grey smoke and ash into the air.

Scientists have made progress towards correcting the errors that are expected to arise in quantum computing.

US electric carmaker Tesla Motors unveils batteries that can power homes and businesses in a bid to expand beyond its vehicle business.

Areas of airspace where human use is restricted could help to protect billions of animals, scientists say.

England is set for more record-breaking warm years like 2014, say scientists.

After a decade in space and four years in orbit, Nasa's Messenger spacecraft reaches the end of its mission and crashes into the surface of Mercury.

One in six species on the planet could face extinction due to the effects of climate change if nothing is done to reduce emissions, according to analysis.

There have been stunning scenes at Hawaii's Kilauea volcano which has been overflowing lava.

Blue Origin, the US space company set up by Amazon entrepreneur Jeff Bezos, says it has conducted the first test flight of a new sub-orbital vehicle, reaching an altitude of 93km.

An American vet has claimed to have decoded the language that cats use, believing that cats use more than a dozen sounds, each having its own meaning.

After a decade in space and four years in orbit, Nasa's Messenger spacecraft will end its mission on Thursday by crashing into the surface of Mercury.

How thorn bushes and donkeys could save Africa’s predators

Pluto may have a polar cap of nitrogen ices. This is the tantalising prospect revealed in the latest images to come down from the New Horizons spacecraft.

The US state of California has stepped up its attempts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by setting tough new targets for 2030.

Wild beavers living in the Tay and Earn have adapted well to living in Scotland, studies by Scottish Natural Heritage suggest.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the UK government must draw up plans to reduce air pollution by the end of this year.

The permanent headquarters of the Square Kilometre Array - the world's biggest radio telescope - will be based in Britain.

A Russian spacecraft delivering supplies to the International Space Station is out of control and will fall back to Earth, unnamed officials say.

Europe's Sentinel-1a satellite gets its first good look at the aftermath of Saturday's big quake in Nepal.

Calls are being made for snares to be banned after two runners were caught in the traps in the Peak District.

Artificial lighting in harbours is luring in sea creatures that cause damage to ships, a study suggests.

Using thermal cameras and X-rays, engineers get a detailed view of overheated lithium-ion batteries failing and exploding.

Firefighters battle blaze in woods near Ukraine's disused Chernobyl nuclear plant, the site of the worst nuclear disaster in history.

The Nepal earthquake and its aftershocks have probably triggered many landslides, scientists warn.

About 1% of all the tree species in the Amazon rainforest account for half of the carbon locked in the region, a study estimates.

The Vatican Science Academy urges politicians to end their "infatuation" with a form of economic growth that is ruining the Earth.

Victoria the polar bear is settling into her new home in the Highlands as keepers hope they will hear the pitter patter of tiny feet if a suitor is found.

The European Parliament votes to limit the use of plastic bags in Europe, in a drive to curb pollution.

Land-speed record-holder Andy Green sees the installation of the seat he will use in the 1,000mph Bloodhound Super Sonic Car.

The state of New York is to turn off non-essential lights in state-run buildings to help migrating birds navigate routes in spring and autumn.

A fox in Chernobyl has made a large sandwich using cold meats and bread fed to him by a radio crew in the area.

Nepal's devastating magnitude-7.8 earthquake on Saturday was primed over 80 years ago by its last massive earthquake in 1934, geologists working in the region say.

People with lower back problems are more likely to have a spine similar in shape to the chimpanzee, our closest ape ancestor.

Scientists' camera traps offer a snapshot into the secret lives of wildlife inside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.

One island's bid to track the shy sea creatures

The men who hunt huge prey with rowing boats and spears