The new ‘Bone Collector’ caterpillar wears the remains of its prey – and we have the footage to prove it
A newly discovered caterpillar species has a macabre fashion sense, to say the least
Deadly peanut allergies could be prevented with simple new method
Adults with severe peanut allergies were trained to tolerate handfuls of peanuts in a new study
Scientists analysed 8 million US speeches – and uncovered a surprising trend
Machine learning has revealed how US political rhetoric shifted from evidence to emotion over the past 140 years
Long-lost land bridge may finally explain how – and where – humans migrated out of Africa
The ancestors of humans, elephants and giraffes were shaped by hot rocks bubbling up from the Earth's mantle
New issue: Earth's Final Frontier
Iceland sits upon two continental plates – the Eurasian plate and the North American plate. These huge chunks of Earth’s surface are yawning apart at a pace of 2cm (just shy of 1in) every year. This movement creates fissures in Earth’s surface, like cracks in its shell. In Iceland, the Silfra fissure sits over an aquifer, where glacial meltwater gathers underground, and so this crack became a lake. It's the only body of water in the world that you can dive into and find yourself swimming between two tectonic plates. You can, almost, reach out and touch the Eurasian plate with one hand and the North American plate with the other. I couldn’t tell you why that appeals to me as an idea, as something to see before I die, but it does. While the fissure is around 60m (200ft) deep underwater, in my imagination, swimming through those waters would feel like Earth was opening up beneath me. The idea that there’s another world beneath us has a special kind of hold on humanity, one that’s almost as alluring as the idea that there’s life beyond Earth. The thing is, seismology is now in a place where it’s able to give us a detailed picture of what’s really going on deep inside the planet. And every time it does, our understanding of what it’s like down there changes. In this issue, we share what we've discovered.
This (creepy) Roman skeleton offers first proof of a gladiator fighting a lion – and losing
Bite marks from a Roman skeleton found in England have revealed the first physical evidence that gladiators fought with big cats. The results were not pretty
14 quick and simple ways to improve your teeth, according to dentists
The latest research shows our mouths are strongly tied to our overall health. Here are the top science-backed tips to help you brush up on your oral hygiene.
Here’s the truth about your ‘digital dementia’ risk
New analysis shows that technology might provide cognitive benefits, despite bad press
Why it’s time to rethink what happiness really means
Explaining exactly what's going on in our brains when we experience joy or pleasure remains frustratingly out of reach
Sunscreen might have helped early humans outlive Neanderthals
In a time when auroras danced over most of the Earth and the sun’s rays were more powerful than today, sunscreen may have been Homo sapiens’ secret weapon
Top reads
101 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
The surprising way your body fat sabotages intermittent fasting
A study in mice reveals that obesity could change how our bodies respond to periods of fasting
Videos reveal lax biosecurity in New York poultry markets amid bird flu outbreaks
As bird flu cases mount at inner city poultry markets, footage obtained by BBC Science Focus shows workers and the public exposed without recommended biosecurity measures
Lyrids meteor shower tonight: How and when to see the ancient fireball display
Prepare to be dazzled as the Lyrids light up the sky for the next few days
Something strange is happening to Earth’s rotation. Now we know why
Earth is wobbling more than it should. Scientists say massive water losses are to blame
Future technology
The hidden flaw in cryonics that could ruin your shot at living forever
The chances of cryogenically freezing a human brain and then resurrecting its owner remain sub-zero
Inside the bizarre race to secure Earth’s nuclear tombs
With nuclear energy production increasing globally, the problem of what to do with the waste demands a solution. But where do you store something that stays dangerous for thousands of years?
The genius stealth inventions making people, planes and cities invisible
Scientists around the world are working on ways to hide us from sight. But how close are we to developing tech that could make us invisible?
The 17 worst ideas of the 21st century (so far)
Sorry, Google Glass
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
Is it good for my brain to avoid the news from time to time?
It's easy to get sick of a 24-hour news cycle of war, climate crises and economic turmoil. Here's how a break will help your mental health – and gut
When does a runner's high kick in?
Running feels like a drug – here’s the molecule that explains why
Why do I find it so difficult to switch between tasks?
Why are we so bad at multitasking? A neuroscientist explains.
Science photo galleries
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?
Simply jaw-dropping: The best 31 wildlife photos of 2025 (so far)
From playful polar bears to a kingfisher with a very cold bottom.
The 15 weirdest pictures of nature's smallest animals
Take a look at some of the most stunning insects from around the world.
The 12 fastest animals in the world
Catch us if you can! From cheetahs to falcons, these speedsters rule the animal kingdom.
The longest living animals on Earth 2025
From mole rats to Greenland sharks, here are the creatures with unusually large lifespans.
Top 10 biggest statues in the world
The tallest monuments found on planet Earth.