Ian Taylor

Ian Taylor

A former deputy editor at Science Focus, Ian once undertook a scientific ranking of the UK's best rollercoasters on behalf of the magazine. He is now a freelance writer, which is frankly a lot less fun.

Recent articles by Ian Taylor
A person sits smiling with their legs crossed as a group of people rush past.

How to change your perception of time (and make life seem longer)

Can we feel like we have more time by bending our perception of it?
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A collection of chili peppers next to a spicy sauce

How spicy is too spicy?

Even for the biggest spice fans, some foods are going to be too much, causing serious health problems.
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The greatest pyramid mysteries: 6 things experts still can’t explain

From hidden chambers to lost civilizations, the world’s most enigmatic landmarks are still, slowly, revealing their secrets
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Girl with thin waist pulls grey jeans with her hand

The 7 biggest lies you’ve been told about belly fat, according to weight loss experts

From what it is to how to get rid of it, there's a lot we get wrong about the extra inches on our waistline
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Illustration of a person sat on a bench looking out to the sea. Above them is a battery being recharged

This overlooked habit might be the best stress relief tool for introverts

Psychologists want us to carve out more alone time, to give our brains a chance to relax and recharge
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A close-up front portrait of a young Japanese woman with eyes closed, face warmly lit by golden hour sunlight in a Tokyo park. Softly defocused background emphasizes inner peace, mindfulness, and quiet contemplation.

7 strange tips backed by science that will nip your anxiety in the bud

Stop it before it takes over
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Person looking at TV static

Why do I have visual snow?

Do you see a world permanently overlaid with static?
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Composite image of woman at a club at night, and waking in morning.

How to become a morning person: the simple, expert-backed tricks that actually work

If you’re a night owl, you probably have a hard time waking in the morning. Here's how you can tinker with your body clock to make it easier to rise with the larks.
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Man wearing magnetic nasal strip.

I tried a magnetic nasal strip to stop snoring. Here's what actually happened

Can a magnetic nasal strip open your airways and improve your breathing?
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Photo of a person in bath robes sniffing their armpit

How can I find out if I smell?

Nose blindness/olfactory fatigue can make you unaware of your own stink but there might be a way to find if you do smell bad
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A waist-up shot of a father carrying his young daughter on his shoulders as they walk along the coast on a beautiful, sunny day. They are both smiling, enjoying their time together by the ocean

How does a father's health at conception affect his future children?

Obesity and smoking may switch genes on and off in sperm cells, leaving lasting biological fingerprints on future children
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Illustration of a person looking at a giant clear remote control filled with healthy foods, working for the brain

The everyday nutrient a leading doctor says could help tame an anxious brain

Could a nutritional approach make a difference to millions of people suffering with a common mental health issue?
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Illustration of aliens.

'We're not prepared!': How a Harvard professor thinks humanity's chaotic first contact would actually unfold

From interstellar visitors to alien radio signals, scientists are asking a question once confined to science fiction: what happens when we finally make contact?
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Illustration of a person standing on a podium. Their calf muscle is the highlight of the image, besides a floating human heart

What your calf muscles can reveal about your heart health

A ‘second heart’ is located below your knees, and you need to get it pumping
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3D render of a human brain gradually breaking apart and dissolving into soft, flowing fragments drifting away as if carried by wind against a dark blue background. The blue-toned medical visualization represents neurological deterioration, memory loss, and cognitive decline associated with conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and mental health disorders. Side view with copy space.

The dementia vaccine some of us are taking without realising

The evidence has been quietly building for over a decade. Now experts can't ignore it
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Brain taking off from the ground with a cloud of smoke underneath.

How can I improve my memory?

Science just traced the issue back to a surprising source
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Close-up of man's eye.

Experts are finally learning what power does to the brain – and it's not what anyone expected

Evidence suggests power, like alcohol, has a tangible effect on the brain. But are its impacts always negative?
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25 surprisingly small changes that can significantly lower your dementia risk

Here are some of the behaviours that scientists believe will keep your head in the game
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Kale salad served with olive oil

The food pairings that multiply the nutrients your body absorbs

It's time to start nutrimaxxing
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Woman staring into camera

The subtle signs you're not an introvert but an 'otrovert'

Don't fit in with the group? Maybe that's a very good thing
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Person injecting semaglutide in her abdomen

61 surprising ways weight-loss drugs can change your body

Samaglutide use goes way beyond weight-loss
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Young woman with photo of aged eye over her own

How much of our lifespan is down to good genetics?

It's not diet, exercise or luck
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A woman cups her hands around a mug and drinks the brew

What's the best hot drink for your health?

Sadly, it's not hot chocolate
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Man with children

Are my kids ageing me?

Parents, you may want to sit down to read this one – if you're allowed to
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