Alex Hughes
Alex is a staff writer at BBC Science Focus. He has worked for a number of brands covering technology and science with an interest in consumer tech, robotics, AI and the often generally wonderful and weird world of future technology.
Recent articles by Alex Hughes
More bad weather could cause earthquake ‘swarms’ globally, suggests new study
Recent research suggests that climate such as snow and rain could influence seismic activity.
Vaccine for eczema now possible, say scientists
By treating eczema-based flareups in children, a team of researchers from Trinity College aim to solve this common issue.
Simple ways to spot a liar, explained by a psychology professor
Lying is a daily part of life, but how can you identify the liars around you? A psychology professor outlines the top tips.
A new generation of smart ring is coming. Here’s why you should avoid it
Big tech companies are working on smart rings. But when smart watches and phones are so good, what’s the point of smart jewellery?
There’s a hidden irreversible deficiency in most plant-based diets. Here’s how to avoid it
Vitamin B12 is lacking in most plant-based diets and can cause serious symptoms if it isn’t dealt with.
The great multivitamin myth: Why the pills could be harming your immune system
There are plenty of companies claiming their vitamins can boost your immune system, but do you actually need them?
Instant Genius Podcast | How to keep your immune system healthy
The biggest myths about your immunity, debunked.
Why 10am is the perfect time to have your morning coffee
If you were to have just one cup of coffee today, the late morning is the best time according to your body’s natural rhythms.
Anti-ageing neuro-tech: The bold new devices built to keep your brain young
Sending shocks to the nervous system has a variety of health benefits. But is it a safe thing to do?
Your next cup of coffee could be made from these plant cells. Here's why
Making coffee is resource intensive and an ecological nightmare. So what’s the future? It could be coffee cells.
What is Sora AI? Everything to know about OpenAI’s text-to-video tool
Artificial intelligence can now create videos from your prompts, but how does it work?
Ageless brain: How this new supercomputer could help keep your mind young
The DeepSouth project aims to mimic the human brain.
Instant Genius Podcast | How the Placebo effect actually works
How people can be healed without actual treatment.
The 7 biggest myths about your coffee, debunked by a scientist
The world of coffee is flooded with myths and opinions on how to perfect the magical drink, but which ones are true?
This is what a near-death experience actually feels like
Near-death experiences are unique. Large portions of people have reported intense visions and increased happiness – but why?
Microscopic robots could soon float inside your liver to fight cancer
Canadian researchers are closing in on a novel approach to treat liver tumours using microrobots in a MRI device.
Instant Genius Podcast | How to get better at being bored
What boredom is actually signalling to your body, explained by a neuroscientist.
What is ImageFX? All you need to know about Google's new AI image generator
Like OpenAI’s Dall-E, ImageFX can create full images from just your prompts but is it any good and can you use it now?
Instant Genius Podcast | The strange science of why humans need laughter
The connection between laughter and your immune system, and what really happens when you get the giggles.
Black hole unbalances entire galaxy with massive tantrum
The XMM-Newton space observatory has spotted a black hole going full toddler.
Your inbox is a mess. These 5 research-backed steps will finally tame it
Keeping up with emails can be a nightmare. But there are some easy ways to do some digital housekeeping and keep the noise to a minimum.
Why everything you know about charisma is wrong
Want to become a more charismatic person? That could be harder than you might think.
These videos show (nearly) exactly how animals see the world
Thanks to open-source cameras, we can now see the natural world through the eyes of animals with over 90 per cent accuracy.
AI snore pillows and very cute robots: The 7 best trends from 2024’s biggest tech show
CES 2024 has come to an end, and these are the biggest trends from the event that are shaping the future.