When it comes to psychiatric treatments, it’s not just mood-altering drugs that can have side-effects Continue reading...

With over 19,000 carcasses buried and more deaths expected officials are no closer to determining the cause of the catastrophe. RFE/RL report

Craft financed by crowd-funding piggy-backs on the launch of an Atlas 5 rocketA tiny spacecraft designed to sail on sunbeams has been launched in a test flight that could transform long-distance space exploration.The probe, called LightSail, is equipped with a huge silver sail that will unfurl in the coming weeks and use the momentum of sunlight to propel it smoothly through space. Continue reading...

Prof Donald Green ‘embarrassed’ over claims of errors by his co-author in study that found a conversation with a gay canvasser could soften attitudesThe senior author of a study claiming to find that a brief, face-to-face conversation with a gay political canvasser had the ability to soften the opinions of those opposed to same-sex marriage has retracted its findings, claiming there were errors in his co-author’s work.The study, which was published in Science in December and was widely covered in the media, found support for same-sex marriage climbed among voters who had a single conversation with a gay or lesbian canvasser. In addition, the authors found that the changed views not only lasted for at least a year, but also positively influenced the opinions of other members of the household.(1/2) I read "Irregularities in LaCour (2014)," posted at http://t.co/SJ3jE89XeD on May 19, 2015 by Broockman et al. I’m gathering evidence(2/2) and relevant information so I can provide a single comprehensive response. I will do so at my earliest opportunity. Continue reading...

Researchers investigating reproductive defects in baby boys identify possible link between low levels of testosterone and paracetamol intake Continue reading...

X-37B craft launched from Cape Canaveral on Wednesday, its fourth long orbital flight in five years – but many details of the trip are being kept secretA mysterious robotic space plane launched its secretive mission for the US air force on Wednesday, its fourth long orbital flight in five years.

IMF evidence about hidden costs such as pollution, traffic accidents and climate change makes it apparent just how heavily subsidised the coal, oil and gas industries are Continue reading...

World’s most invasive ladybird is consolidating its presence in the country and is responsible for the decline of seven native species, scientists say Continue reading...

You can extend your lifespan without living longer by changing the way you sleep, argues science writer Jessa Gamble

Up to a quarter of patients with three common types of cancer did not receive first treatment within required 62 days, official figures show Continue reading...

The Svalbard seed vault, which opened in 2008, has been entrusted by the world's governments with the safekeeping of the most prized varieties of crops on which human civilisation was raised. It contains the seeds of around 4,000 plant species – more than 720,000 individual samples. The site was built to be disaster-proof – it lies 130 metres up a mountain in Norway in case of sea-level rise and is earthquake-resistant Continue reading...

Technology-based sharing platforms are touching more and more people’s lives, but policy and regulation can struggle to cope with new technologies. We need to rethink our notion of the sharing economy in order to make better regulation

Set in an Arctic mountainside, the Svalbard seed bank contains the world’s most prized crops. But a row has erupted over whether this is the best hope of feeding the world after a catastrophe or just an overpriced deep freeze Continue reading...

Lovell telescope and Lincoln Cathedral among recipients of bumper handout to preserve Britain’s scientific and technological history Continue reading...

Unmanned X-37B flight, to depart from Cape Canaveral, is the fourth in a secretive programme and will carry Nasa and military experiments Continue reading...

Twin studies collated over the past 50 years reveal human traits and disease are almost equally determined by genetic and environmental factorsThe age-old question of whether human traits are determined by nature or nurture has been answered, a team of researchers say. Their conclusion? It’s a draw.By collating almost every twin study across the world from the past 50 years, researchers determined that the average variation for human traits and disease is 49% due to genetic factors and 51% due to environmental factors. Continue reading...

From granular microchips to voice analysis, health-tracking technology offers medical benefits but doubt persist about the quality and security of data gatheredFrom the instant he wakes up each morning, through his workday and into the night, the essence of Larry Smarr is captured by a series of numbers: a resting heart rate of 40 beats per minute, a blood pressure of 130/70, a stress level of 2%, weight of 87kg, 8,000 steps taken, 15 floors climbed, eight hours of sleep.Smarr, an astrophysicist and computer scientist, could be the world’s most self-measured man. For nearly 15 years, the professor at the University of California at San Diego has been obsessed with what he describes as the most complicated subject he has ever experimented on: his own body. Continue reading...

A study released last week presented evidence that prehistoric men and women lived in relative equality. But is the truth even further from the nuclear narrative?Last week, scientists from University College London released a paper presenting evidence that men and women in early society lived in relative equality. The paper challenges much of our understanding of human history, a fact not lost on the scientists. Mark Dyble, the study’s lead author, stated “sexual equality is one of the important changes that distinguishes humans. It hasn’t really been highlighted before.”Despite Dyble’s comments, however, this paper isn’t the first foray into the issue. In fact, it represents another shot fired in a debate between scientific and anthropological communities that has been raging for centuries. It’s a debate that asks some fundamental questions: who are we, and how did we become the society we are today?Related: Early men and women were equal, say scientistsRelated: Being polyamorous shows there's no 'traditional' way to live | Laurie Penny Continue reading...

Shopping around is the mantra of the modern era. But who really benefits from our befuddlement? Continue reading...

Researchers have managed to reproduce the way poppies create morphine in the wild, but warn that the technology needs urgent regulationHome-brewed heroin could become a reality, scientists have warned, following the creation of yeast strains designed to convert sugar into opiates.The advance marks the first time that scientists have artificially reproduced the entire chemical pathway that takes place in poppy plants to produce morphine in the wild. Continue reading...

Perfectionism’s bad reputation is unfair. We’re not procrastinators or obsessives, we just want to do the best that’s possible in the real world Continue reading...

Alok Jha’s The Water Book tells the fascinating and unexpected story of the ubiquitous liquid of life Continue reading...

Global broadband satellite service for companies suffers further holdup after latest malfunction at cosmodrome Continue reading...

We have taken these drugs for granted. But as their efficacy wanes, a global response involving governments, pharmaceutical companies and serious investment is vital Continue reading...

Who knew sitting on the toilet was bad for you? In her best-selling book Charming Bowels, microbiologist Giulia Enders explains how to go to the looIn my large Italian family, I grew up with the subject of poo, bottoms and constipation readily – and far too frequently – discussed at the dinner table. I’d be about to raise a raviolo to my mouth, only to hear how someone’s piles had popped, just that morning.This doesn’t mean I’m anal (sorry) about the subject. It’s fascinating away from the lunch table. Late last year, I read that we are pooing all wrong: we should be squatting, not sitting, on a toilet bowl. Then a book called Charming Bowels by Giulia Enders caused something of a storm in its native Germany and I got fully immersed in the subject. Continue reading...

Prince Charles’s letters to government figures were recently published following a prolonged legal battle. But who’s to say the Prince’s letter writing was restricted to politicians? What if he wrote to high-profile scientists too? And given his poor grasp of science, this probably wouldn’t have ended well. Continue reading...

Last week’s announcement that a UK company won US approval for device-based treatment of depression is excellent news for taking academic findings into a clinical setting Continue reading...

Combination of lumacaftor and ivacaftor modifies genetic defect that causes half of cases of disease that affects 10,000 UK children Continue reading...

Scientist whose studies in the Amazon region of Brazil led to significant discoveries about leishmaniasis and other parasitic diseases Continue reading...

This newly classified frogfish, which inhabits the subtidal waters of New South Wales, has two quite distinct colour phases and an atypical defence strategy Continue reading...

All launches of Proton-M carrier rockets of this type will be suspended, according to media reports Continue reading...

Video from ZSL London Zoo shows Kumbuka, one of the zoo's western lowland gorillas, holding out his hand for his favourite snack, brown rice. London zoo's gorilla troop are very partial to the highly nutritious rice that keepers scatter over the enclosure to encourage the apes to forage Continue reading...

Yvonne went blind overnight, Matthew couldn’t walk, Shahina lost the use of her hand – but doctors found nothing wrong. Were they faking it, or was the mind playing tricks? A neurologist on her most intriguing casesI was a junior doctor when I encountered Yvonne. She was 40 and worked in a supermarket. One Tuesday she was reorganising produce in a refrigerated unit while a colleague cleaned the glass. Yvonne turned to talk to her just as she released a small spray of window cleaner. Yvonne felt the liquid splatter on her face and a burning in both eyes. Another colleague led her to the bathroom and washed her eyes with water. Yvonne was taken by ambulance to hospital, where she was examined and had her eyes bathed. Her husband was called, and by the time he arrived she was feeling better. Her eyes were red and full of tears, but she could see normally and the pain had lessened. Her husband took her home.He told her not to go in to work the next day, and during the morning Yvonne noticed her vision blurring. By lunchtime, she was struggling to read the digital clock. Her husband and children came home that evening and encouraged her to have an early night. When Yvonne woke up and opened her eyes, everything was black. She cried out for help and heard the noise of people entering the room, but could not see them. She was completely blind.I noticed increasingly that when she spoke, she looked me in the eye. It was more than a glance; I felt our eyes connectDo you really think my daughter could hold her hand like this for weeks? She's in pain. I know my own childI can't believe it! I came to this hospital with muscle spasm and now I'm being told I'm doing it on purposeFantastic news: none of his tests had shown evidence of MS. I could see his face darken and his wife's eyes roll Continue reading...

Public invited to experience museums and galleries across UK late at night as festival aims to celebrate diverse and quirky cultural landscape Continue reading...

Criminals beware: a new study has shown that germs on phones, shoes and other personal belongings can help trace a person’s whereaboutsThis piece was first published on The ConversationProspective criminals should take note: bacteria are everywhere. A small pilot study has shown that the germs on personal belongings such as shoes and mobile phones are actually a useful way of tracing a person’s whereabouts – something that may prove useful in forensic investigations. Continue reading...