The limits of ocean heavyweights: Prey availability helps curb size of whales
Some whales are huge, giant even, and are the largest creatures to have evolved on the planet.
Science
Scientists modify plants to fight off widespread crop disease
Scientists have tested a new method to protect crops from disease by making the plants manufacture antibiotics derived from bacteria.
Tim Peake: Investment in R&D allows UK to reap rewards
Investment in science, and research and development is key for the UK to reap the rewards of future technologies, Tim Peake has said.
Dog years are a myth and puppies are middle-aged, scientists claim
The idea that dogs age seven years for every human year is a myth, scientists have claimed.
Sepsis alert system hailed for reducing deaths and hospital stays
Digital alerts which monitor patients for sepsis have resulted in a fall in deaths and hospital stays linked to the deadly condition.
Influencer pigeons sway the flock’s flight, study suggests
Most people associate influencers with social media nowadays but it seems there is a different form among birds guiding the flock.
Ultra-fast star found to be travelling at more than 3.7m mph
Astronomers have discovered an ultra-fast star travelling at more than 3.7 million miles per hour.
‘Smart needle’ could speed up cancer diagnosis rates, scientists say
A “smart needle” has been developed by scientists in the UK which could speed up cancer detection and diagnosis times.
Fingerprint test can tell if someone has used heroin, even after washing hands
Advanced technology that can tell whether a person has used heroin even if they wash their hands could help police identify drug users and dealers.
Astronomers find evidence of smaller black holes ‘hiding’ in Milky Way
Astronomers may have discovered a new class of black holes, smaller than any previously identified in the universe.
Scientists hope enzyme discovery could help prevent deadly infections
An enzyme has been found which scientists believe could prevent a group of infections blamed for 500,000 deaths each year worldwide.
First edition of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species sells for £162,500
A first edition of naturalist Charles Darwin’s seminal evolutionary work On the Origin of the Species has sold at auction for £162,500.
Nobel prize winner missed call informing him of prestigious honour
A newly-crowned Nobel Laureate who was the first to discover an exoplanet missed the initial phone call telling him he had won the prestigious award.
Tetraplegic man walks using mind-controlled exoskeleton
A tetraplegic man in France has been able to walk while wearing an exoskeleton controlled by his brain signals.
Genetically-modified chickens lay eggs from different poultry breeds
Hens that cannot produce their own chicks have successfully acted as “surrogates” to lay eggs from rare chicken breeds.
PM pledges £200m for life-saving treatments to be developed in UK
The Government is to inject £200 million into UK companies developing life-saving treatments for diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s, Boris Johnson has announced.
Mass extinction event ‘disrupted’ ocean ecosystems for millions of years
The mass extinction event caused by a massive asteroid strike on Planet Earth led to ocean ecosystems being disrupted for millions of years, according to new research.
William and Kate join Sir David Attenborough to see ship named after naturalist
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have joined Sir David Attenborough for the official naming of a polar research ship the public voted to call Boaty McBoatface.
Scientists embark on major Arctic expedition to study climate change
Researchers from more than a dozen nations are embarking on the largest and most complex expedition ever attempted in the central Arctic – a year-long journey through the ice they hope will improve the scientific models that underpin our understanding of climate change.
Deep mysteries of human brain to be probed by scientists
Scientists are hoping to reveal deep mysteries of the human brain by mapping it in unprecedented detail.
Science of the silver screen, spacemen and superheroes to be explored at Aberdeen TechFest
The science of superheroes, the moon landings and some of the biggest Hollywood blockbusters are set to come under the microscope.
Study of French postmen’s testicles awarded Ig Nobel prize
The study of French postmen’s testicles has won a scientist a spoof Nobel prize.
New hope for chemotherapy patients in combating hair loss
Chemotherapy patients have been offered a new hope in combating hair loss associated with cancer treatment.
Astronomers seeking out-of-this-world names for new planets
Can you think of a better name for a new planet than WASP-13b?
DNA mutations cause people to age quicker, scientists find
DNA mutations throughout a person’s life can significantly increase their biological age and susceptibility to heart conditions, scientists have found.
Trophy hunting bans bad for biodiversity, say conservationists
Conservationists have written an open letter arguing that imposing trophy hunting bans without viable alternatives will imperil biodiversity.
A person’s genes do not meaningfully predict their sexual behaviour – study
There is no so-called “gay gene”, but a mix of genetic and non-genetic factors which influence sexual behaviour, scientists have said.
Minute-to-minute brain activity fluctuations ‘impact risk-taking’
Spontaneous fluctuations in human brain activity influence whether people make risky decisions, a new study has suggested.
New monitoring method offers hope for patients with serious lung injury
Patients with a serious lung injury could be helped by new method of monitoring recovery, a study suggests.
One Loch Ness monster theory remains plausible, scientist says
Scientists who have completed a DNA investigation of the waters of Loch Ness have said that one theory about its fabled monster “remains plausible”.