Gravitational waves found: how we proved the power of the dark side

Feb 11, 2016 15:42 pm UTC| Science

One hundred years ago Albert Einstein in his general theory of relativity predicted the existence of a dark side to the cosmos. He thought there were invisible gravitational waves, ripples in space-time produced by some of...

Opposition to genetically modified animals could leave millions hungry

Feb 11, 2016 08:00 am UTC| Insights & Views Science

In a world with a ballooning population and deteriorating environment, we will need to use every trick in the book to stave off mass starvation, disease and political chaos. According the Food and Agriculture...

Explainer: what is the gut microbiota and how does it affect mind and body?

Feb 07, 2016 15:07 pm UTC| Science

The human gastrointestinal tract harbours trillions of microorganisms, consisting of up to 1,000 or so different bacterial species. These bacteria, known collectively as the gut microbiota, perform a number of vital...

The long hunt for new objects in our expanding solar system

Feb 04, 2016 02:06 am UTC| Science

Recognise these planet names: Vulcan, Neptune, Pluto, Nemesis, Tyche and Planet X? They all have one thing in common: their existence was predicted to account for unexplained phenomena in our solar system. While the...

Explainer: what are the 'nacreous clouds' lighting up the winter skies?

Feb 03, 2016 14:19 pm UTC| Science

People in the polar regions of the world, such as Scandinavia and Canada, sometimes get to watch majestic, rainbow-coloured clouds drift across an otherwise grey winter sky. Over the past few days, observers from across...

From chrome plating to nanotubes: the 'modern' chemistry first used in ancient times

Feb 02, 2016 14:00 pm UTC| Science

The ancient Babylonians were the first to use sophisticated geometry a staggering 1,400 years before it was previously thought to have been developed. Sadly, these mathematical innovations were forgotten as the Babylonian...

Confessions of a chemist: I make molecules that shouldn't exist

Feb 02, 2016 12:19 pm UTC| Science

At drinks parties and dinners, if someone asks what I do for a living, I always say: Synthetic chemist … I make new molecules … especially those that shouldnt exist. People typically respond that they were...