The surprising ways Parkinson’s can now be spotted years early
A wave of new breakthrough tech could detect the disease years – even decades – before major symptoms strike
Here’s how you could be a psychopath and never know it
Psychopathy isn’t rare, just widely misunderstood and overlooked – even by those who have it
31 jaw-dropping space photos that will change how you see the Universe
The strange, stunning and sometimes surreal beauty of our cosmos
New issue: Think Yourself Younger
Your mindset matters. As I write this, I’m conscious it sounds like the title of an obnoxious self-help book or a soundbite clipped from a questionable podcast, but it’s true. There’s a growing body of evidence that your attitude – the way you approach the world – makes a big difference to your health. In fact, the effect is so strong that people with a rosier view of the future tend to live longer than those who are pessimistic, 7.5 years longer on average. There’s a more dramatic example that comes to mind if you still need some convincing that your brain can cure your body: sham surgeries. Under lab conditions, there are procedures for which the placebo surgery – an operation with all the elements of real surgery, from receiving anaesthesia, getting an incision and going through recovery – has the same recovery rate as the real surgery. The placebo is as effective as treatment. In fact, placebo painkillers can be effective too when it comes to chronic pain. It’s a take on medicine that’s well explored by the late Dr Michael Mosley in his film on placebos, which you can find on iPlayer (bit.ly/MosleyPlacebo). So it begs the question: if a positive mindset can lead to being healthier, can it also help slow the effects of ageing? Is there something to growing old ungracefully? Instead of expecting and resigning ourselves to aching joints and weary muscles, what if we adopted a more positive attitude, one that presumes the best years of our lives are still ahead? In this issue, David Robson examines what he calls the 'Expectation Effect.'
Only 1% of the world is eating a healthy and sustainable diet, major report finds
Eating healthier diets could transform the food system to be kinder on the planet and improve human lives around the globe
We finally know why men don’t live as long as women, say scientists
Males that spend less energy on sex and more on raising their children tend to live longer
This ‘rogue’ planet is now the fastest-growing world we've ever seen
It might be a planet, but it’s growing up more like star
The hidden trigger behind Parkinson’s has finally been spotted
The findings mark a major advancement in our understanding of the world’s fastest-growing neurological disease
This simple diet swap could help you lose weight without trying, study claims
Participants who mixed up their protein sources lost weight and improved their cholesterol, without restricting their calories
Top reads
121 random fun facts that will blow your mind
Our collection of the best interesting trivia covers animals, biology, geography, space and much more
How to beat anxiety: 8 simple, concrete strategies to take control of your mind
Whether in the short- or long-term, there are lots of different techniques that can help you deal with anxiety.
44 cool gadgets: Our pick of the best new tech for 2025
Welcome to our regularly updated curation of the coolest, smartest kit money can buy.

Science news
Yes, your dog could really be addicted to their ball, says new study
'Ball junkies' are hooked on their toys
Your brain runs on autopilot most of the time. Here’s how to take back control
A new study has found that habits rule our daily lives, and yet they may be the key to achieving our goals
Our Universe could be trapped inside a black hole with no way out
It's black holes all the way down
Somehow, Earth's ancient core froze solid. Now we finally know why
When it comes to understanding how the planet's core cooled, carbon is the key
Future technology
These 4 kitchen gadgets are about to change how we cook
Meet the next hot trends in cooking tech that might put your air fryer to shame
With this gadget, you could grow your own meat at home
A citizen science company is teaching people how to grow their own meat from a few bizarre ingredients
5 mind-blowing inventions turning humans into real-life cyborgs
A future where humans can lift incredible weights, see in the dark and fly sounds far-fetched, but it’s already here
Here's what Trump's space strategy means for future Mars landings
The American president wants boots on the Moon and eyes on Mars – but his budget aims to slash NASA’s funding by nearly a quarter
Instant Genius Podcast
From the creators of BBC Science Focus, Instant Genius is a bite-sized masterclass in podcast form. With each episode, a different world-leading expert will help you understand the latest ideas and research in the world of science and tech. We want to make you an expert in everything.
Instant Genius Podcast | Do you have synaesthesia? Why some of us can taste words
Do you experience sounds or music visually as certain shapes? Or 'hear' colours?
Instant Genius Podcast | Why you’re not actually addicted to your phone
Not all social media is unhealthy – here's how to rethink your relationship to it.
Instant Genius Podcast | How personalised medicine is about to change healthcare forever
The new power of precision treatments, explained.
Your questions answered
Our team of scientists, doctors and experts answer your burning questions - send yours to questions@sciencefocus.com
Why does my eyelid randomly twitch?
Your twitchy eyelid might be irritating, but it's probably nothing to worry about. Here's why
Can animals play video games?
From dolphins to pigs: Inside the surprising world of nature's gamers
This ancient blue-blooded sea creature has saved countless human lives
But now the race is on to save them from extinction
Is there anything on Earth that could withstand conditions on Mars?
Scientists have conducted a variety of experiments to find out what, if anything, could survive the harsh conditions of Mars
What's the strangest satellite in space?
There are likely over 12,000 artificial objects in orbit around Earth, including some very strange satellites you might not expect to be there
The truth about Borneo's 'vampire squirrel' - and its massive tail
Meet the tufted ground squirrel of Borneo, which has been said to gorge on the hearts and livers of deer and chickens
Science photo galleries
15 of the world's weirdest-ever inventions
From the V-shaped bed designed by an exercise legend, to a robot that feeds you tomatoes
The top 10 fastest jets in the world 2025
Come and take a look at our gallery of the top ten fastest jets in the world. All while singing 'Highway to the danger zone'...
10 of the world's worst-ever inventions
From the electric tricycle to parachute coat, these are some of the most poorly received devices developed around the globe.
Top 10 most dangerous roads in the world 2025
Fasten your seatbelts and hang on for dear life.
The top 22 most ugly animals in the world, in pictures
Not all creatures can be beautiful, but they all have interesting stories to tell
The 13 fastest supercars in the world 2025
If you had an awful lot of money and a fondness for speed, what are the fastest cars you can buy for the road?