‘Male brain’ autism theory backed by biggest-ever study
Theories that suggest men have a natural tendency towards autism have been supported by a major study exploring psychological sex differences.
Science
Scientists hail quantum computing breakthrough
Scientists say they have achieved a breakthrough in creating a new breed of computer which could do calculations that would take current supercomputers billions of years to carry out.
NASA holds pumpkin-carving competition for Halloween – with amazing results
If you think you could create a jack-o’-lantern to rival an engineer at NASA, you might want to think again.
This backpack is made out of recycled plastic recovered from the ocean
New York-based company Solgaard Design has launched a backpack made from recycled plastic recovered from oceans around the world.
Codebreaker Turing’s work could help improve medical testing – researchers
Work by the Second World War codebreaker Alan Turing could help develop better tests for the early detection of cancer and other diseases, according to university experts.
Scientist sealed in airtight biodome aborts experiment early due to CO2 levels
A scientist who set out to spend three days sealed inside an airtight biodome to raise awareness of climate change has aborted the experiment 15 hours in, after CO2 levels became too high.
Cargo ship noise can stop singing of male humpback whales – study
Noise pollution from cargo ships can stop the singing of male humpback whales, a study has suggested.
YouTuber locks himself in greenhouse to raise awareness of climate change
A scientist and YouTuber from Canada is sealing himself inside an airtight biodome for three days to raise awareness of climate change.
New image of ‘beautiful’ skull and crossbones nebula revealed
A new image of the cluster of stars making up the “pirate of the southern skies” has been revealed.
Ancient object identified after remaining a mystery for nearly 150 years
Experts have finally managed to shed a light on the origins of this ancient and mysterious golden relic which has baffled archaeologists for more than a century.
Big city living ‘switches off human instinct to be nice’
Living in a big city could cause people to switch off their “Stone Age nice instincts” and become more selfish with strangers, according to a new study.
Scientists warn of crippling impact of hard Brexit
World-leading scientists have warned Theresa May not to allow Brexit to create new barriers to collaboration across Europe.
Mission launched to uncover mysteries of Mercury
A British-built spacecraft has started a seven-year journey to Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun.
Smart hives to help researchers understand the decline of bees
Researchers have found a new way to try to understand the decline in the honeybee population using a network of connected smart hives.
Giant E.coli sculpture forms centrepiece of bacteria exhibition
A giant inflatable sculpture of E.coli has been installed in a museum as the showpiece of its new exhibition on bacteria.
Stephen Hawking’s words from beyond the grave bring tears to daughter’s eyes
Speaking from beyond the grave, Professor Stephen Hawking has told a new generation growing up in an increasingly insular world: “Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet.”
Study offers a vision of new myopia treatments
New treatments for myopia may be in sight after a study of genes involved in visual impairment.
Statins benefits inconclusive for non-heart conditions
Medicines commonly prescribed to cut people’s risk of having a heart attack may have limited use for treating other diseases, analysis of hundreds of scientific studies has suggested.
Ice shards 50ft tall may cover surface of Jupiter moon
Shards of ice 15 metres (50ft) high could exist on the surface of Jupiter’s moon Europa, posing a threat to landing probes, scientists say.
Large hadron collider operator suspends scientist in ‘sexism’ row
Officials at the world’s largest particle accelerator have suspended an Italian physicist pending an investigation of his “highly offensive” presentation on gender issues that raised new concerns about sexism in science.
Brexit-proofing Scottish science on agenda for new government adviser
Helping the Scottish science sector cope with Brexit is one of the tasks facing the government’s new chief scientific adviser for environment, natural resources and agriculture, ministers have said.
Japan’s Hayabusa2 explorer successfully deploys two rovers on asteroid surface
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) took to Twitter to celebrate as two rovers caught photos on the surface of an asteroid called Ryugu.
‘Zombie’ cell elimination offers Alzheimer’s treatment hope
Eliminating so-called “zombie” cells in the brain has been shown to reduce cognitive decline in mice.
Jellyfish robots could be ‘guardians of the oceans’
Soft robot jellyfish that can swim through openings narrower than their bodies could be used to monitor fragile coral reefs, say scientists.
Shrinking played key role in evolution of mammals, researchers conclude
Sometimes the best things come in small packages – and this appears to be true for mammals, according to new research.
Britain formed by merging of three continents rather than two, researchers say
Britain was formed by the collision of three ancient continents, new research suggests.
Fossilised plastic could be around for 10 million years
Fossilised plastic preserved in rocks will remain as a stark reminder of our polluting age for millions of years to come, an expert has said.
Search on to find homes for Isaac Newton’s space seed saplings
New homes are being sought for eight apple tree saplings grown from seeds blasted into space with British astronaut Tim Peake.
Cutting-edge electron microscope revealed as structural biology centre opens
A “world-class” £5 million structural biology centre housing a cutting-edge electron microscope has opened in Glasgow.
Patients with healthcare associated infections feel like lepers, study finds
Many patients with healthcare associated infections (HAIs) like MRSA have reported feeling “like a leper” or “dirty” after being diagnosed, according to a new study.