The surprising gut-health fix that's been overlooked until now
There are millions of bacteria living in our guts. There are millions of dead bacteria there too. And scientists are learning just how much potential the dead ones have to improve our health
Does negative thinking increase your risk of dementia?
Can negative thinking raise your risk of dementia and other psychological disorders? Here's how to catch the negative thinking pattern
How many electrons are there in the Universe?
How many electrons are there in the Universe? One bold theory suggests that there could only be one, although this theory has issues
How to retrain your body's natural sleep drive
Is the hyper-stimulation of modern life keeping you awake? It’s time for a reset.
Can you catch COVID on top of COVID?
Can you catch COVID on top of COVID? A doctor explains why it is, unfortunately, a possible scenario and what you can do to protect yourself
New issue: Don't count the calories
January’s long nights, howling winds and unending drizzle that constitute a British winter all seem to scream: stay indoors, get under a blanket and stay very still. But every year, I reach January and the same conclusion as millions of others: it’s time for change. Christmas is what does it. There’s only so much indulgence the body can take. It starts on the 24th when, if you’re lucky, work’s finished and the fridge is full. Over the next seven days, I’ll feast like a Tudor monarch, picking at carcasses, stabbing at cheese and washing it all down with a bit of port (well, someone’s got to finish it). But by New Year’s Day I’ve had enough. Meaningful, lasting change isn’t easy. The science says so. Sure, a fitness influencer will scream at you until they’re Christmas-ham-pink in the face that losing weight is JUST SIMPLE MATHS: burn more calories than you consume, and you’ll lose weight. But your genes, biology and chemistry don’t work like a calculator. There’s more to it. So we’re here to help you construct bite-sized changes that will add up to significant improvements in your health and wellbeing this year.
Our Solar System has a wall. And NASA is about to reveal its true shape
NASA’s newly launched IMAP mission is set to tell us more about the boundary between our Solar System and interstellar space than ever before
A cow has been filmed using tools for the first time ever, stunning scientists
Veronika, a cow from Austria, taught herself to use a broom – and we have the footage to prove it
We're finally learning the true side-effects of weight-loss drugs
Millions of people are now using weight-loss drugs, but it seems there are drawbacks that come with the slimmer waistlines
Can what happens at an ultrasound really influence how parents bond with their baby?
A study has suggested that the language used to describe a foetus during an ultrasound may affect parents' perceptions of their baby... even after birth
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
Why sinking cities may now be a bigger climate crisis than rising seas
A hidden force is causing highly populated river deltas to sink. In many cases, the subsidence is happening faster than the sea is rising
Scientists asked 800 people to compare penis sizes. Here’s what they found
The study aimed to investigate why humans have larger appendages than other primates
75 per cent of US adults could be obese under new definition
The new guidelines highlight people who could be at risk from complications further down the road
The ancient baths of Pompeii were outrageously filthy, study finds
The pre-Roman baths of Pompeii would have been seriously grotty, according to an analysis of mineral deposits
Future technology
So you want to lucid dream? Here's how
New technology aims to help you induce a lucid dream at will, enabling you to enter a state of consciousness where anything is possible. Dare you close your eyes?
We might finally know what will burst the AI bubble
Many experts and analysts are warning that the AI industry is overvalued and heading for a crash. But why?
Why the Moon's far side is now the prize every country wants
There’s only one place to go if we want to catch sight of the cosmic dawn
How whales, vodka and volcanic ice blocks could soon solve the carbon crisis
From living paint to injecting rocks, scientists have bizarre carbon capture ideas that could help us tackle the climate crisis
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
How does being born by C-section affect a child's long-term health?
When babies are born vaginally, they pick up helpful bacteria from their mum as they pass through the birth canal
Should I ditch the HIIT?
HIIT exercise isn't for everyone and there's some evidence that you can overdo it. Here's what the experts recommend
Will we ever know how many people died in 9/11?
Health conditions related to the terrorist attacks in New York City are only now making themselves known, more than two decades later
Science photo galleries
The 10 best optical illusions that will blow your mind
Optical illusions are fun and intriguing, and we don't always know why they happen. Here are some of our favourites.
The top 22 most ugly animals in the world
Not all creatures can be beautiful, but they all have interesting stories to tell
30 astonishing close-up images that make the smallest things look epic
Life in stunning detail
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.
Nature like you've never seen it: 18 jaw-dropping aerial photos
Our planet, like you've never seen it before
This year’s most powerful scientific experiments, in 14 images
The annual Wellcome Trust image award shortlist showcases the most powerful images of global health challenges