Science news
Daily science news with breaking updates on the latest scientific research, interesting technology breakthroughs, new discoveries and how today's science headlines affect you. Brought to you from the team behind BBC Science Focus magazine.
A flesh-eating parasite has almost reached the US border. Should we be worried?
A deadly fly once wiped out across North America has resurfaced in northern Mexico
30 astonishing close-up images that make the smallest things look epic
Life in stunning detail
There's a 'critical' design flaw in women's running shoes, warn scientists
The shoes’ design might be getting in the way of the comfort and performance of female runners
New issue: What we got wrong about ADHD and why it matters
Psychology is rife with myths: you only use 10 per cent of your brain; you’re either left-brained or right-brained; your brain has a ‘learning style’. Culture is littered with ideas that would have any decent psychologist rolling their eyes. At 146 years old, psychology is no spring chicken, but compared to something like astronomy, it’s a toddler. Since the subject is still in its infancy, a lot of the early ideas about human thought and behaviour linger, giving rise to misconceptions about how our brains work. While erroneous conclusions about the ‘left/right brain’ idea is relatively harmless, others can get us into trouble. TV in the 90s taught us that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was something only kids had – the unruly, fidgety kind that couldn’t sit still long enough to do their homework. The trouble is, psychology and the early narrative around the condition oversimplified what was happening. As we learn more about the disorder, those assumptions are crashing into real people’s lives and a forgotten generation of undiagnosed people are emerging, having struggled their whole lives. This issue, we investigate why millions are waking up to the new reality of ADHD.
Yes, your dog could really be addicted to their ball, says new study
'Ball junkies' are hooked on their toys
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
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
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
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
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
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
These strange markings are the 'clearest sign' of aliens on Mars, say NASA
Huge news for fans of space and David Bowie alike
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
Long-distance runners may face higher colon cancer risk, early findings suggest
Running is overwhelmingly good for your health. But can you take it too far?
The Amazon is drying at an alarming pace – and nearing a devastating tipping point
Dwindling rainfall has put the region under even more strain
Timing your breakfast right may help you live longer, major study suggests
A new study has found a link between the time adults eat their breakfast and their risk of premature death
Groundbreaking video captures hidden moment of human fertility
Observing the crucial step in human development could help improve fertility
Taking common vitamin D supplement may actually lower your levels of vitamin D3
Yes, you read that right
Most of us are overeating protein... and it’s driving up fat levels
We're likely over-consuming the world's most profitable nutrient – and it’s wrecking our waistlines.
We may soon know how to stop dogs ageing, and humans could be next
Cutting-edge anti-ageing advances could extend your dog’s lifespan – and help sniff out the secrets to human longevity too
This strange skull has completely baffled scientists for 60 years – until now
The Petralona skull was discovered in Greece in 1960, yet who this person was or when they lived has remained a mystery
Artificial sweeteners may speed up brain ageing, study claims
Many of these sweeteners appear in diet sodas