Only one country in the world produces all the food it needs. Here's why
While hundreds of millions around the world face food insecurity, a tiny South American nation has managed to become the only country that can entirely feed itself. How did Guyana manage it?
Swearing could give you a hidden physical edge, study finds
Cursing isn't just when you stub your toe or get road rage. Science says it can boost your physical performance
A daily dose of cheese could reduce your dementia risk, study finds
Cheese could be gouda for your brain? You better brie-leve it
Virtual reality farming is set to reshape your food supply forever
This is the future of agriculture, where headsets replace muddy boots and cows chill in the Metaverse
How to build the mindset now proven to slow ageing
How much could a change of attitude change your life?
New issue: Lost in Space
Imagine having access to a time machine. You could experience historical events first-hand – and finally get to the bottom of all manner of mysteries. Although we can’t travel back in time physically, with a good telescope – like the James Webb Space Telescope – we can essentially see back in time. That’s almost as good, right? Take, for example, the very first stars, which formed around 100-200 million years after the Big Bang. Their sudden appearance set the stage for the Universe we see today, triggering a chain reaction that’s still occurring. And by uncovering the oldest objects in the cosmos and examining their unique makeup, we can retrace the chemistry and physics of creation. Those first stars should be easy to spot thanks to their special compositions, and stellar archaeologists (a cool job title, if I’ve ever heard one) have been seeking them for a long time. But as Dr Emma Chapman explains in this issue, the reason we haven’t found them yet could be because we've not been looking for the right things. What we have found, is that so-called 'ancient stars' aren’t behaving quite as we expected. So far, our search into the deep past has raised more questions than answers.
What's the smelliest thing in the world?
The human nose can have wildly different sensitivities to odour molecules, but there is one chemical that made people vomit and go unconscious
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
1,000 AIs were left to build their own village, and the weirdest civilisation emerged
Inside the strange experiment that turned AI agents into workers, leaders and believers
How stable is my personality?
Various studies have looked at how personality changes over our lives
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
This newly discovered spiderweb stretches across two countries – and holds 100,000 creatures
Spiders don’t normally create such large colonies, so no need to fear finding one in your basement
New study reveals salt to blame for missing mega-herbivores
Elephants, rhinos and giraffes might be limited by the availability of this kitchen ingredient
This ‘digital brain’ could soon simulate ethically forbidden experiments
This very complicated computer model was designed to help teach us about our own brains
How to beat social anxiety and actually enjoy your office Christmas party
A festive survival guide for those who’d rather hibernate
Future technology
AI language bots tell us what to think, but what comes next will think and act for us
Generative AI burst into the public domain in 2022, with seemingly unlimited potential. But could its abilities be hitting a ceiling already?
Could I get phone signal on the Moon?
Companies are racing to put 5G on the Moon, an expert explains why as several missions are planned to visit our lunar neighbour
What's the most secret weapon we know about?
Countries around the world have stores and stores of weapons, but what is the biggest secret we know about?
I zapped my vagus nerve every day for a month to fight anxiety. Here's what happened
Can a wearable neuromodulation device that delivers small electric shocks banish anxiety?
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
Should I start sniffing rosemary?
A centuries-old idea is getting modern scientific backing
Can chemicals in clothing mess with my hormones?
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in clothing and in rugs can disrupt your hormone levels. Here's what you can do about it
What is the most dangerous fish to eat?
Pufferfish is considered the most dangerous fish to eat; it is poisonous, potentially fatal. But if sliced properly, it can be quite tasty
Do any foods taste better in space?
How does food taste in space? Bland, say astronauts on the International Space Station
Can noise-cancelling headphones damage my ears?
Noise-cancelling headphones can help us listen to the music we love at lower volumes, but do they cause any damage to our hearing?
The 'lizard brain' lie: How neuroscience demolished the greatest mind myth
Feeling angry? That's not your lizard brain kicking in.
Science photo galleries
30 astonishing close-up images that make the smallest things look epic
Life in stunning detail
31 jaw-dropping space photos that will change how you see the Universe
The strange, stunning and sometimes surreal beauty of our cosmos
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
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
From 9/11 to Hurricane Katrina: 15 unforgettable photos of Earth from space
As its mission ends, we look back at Landsat 7's most stunning and revealing images – a visual record of a world in constant change
Top 10 most dangerous roads in the world 2025
Fasten your seatbelts and hang on for dear life.