Monthly science explainer
Genome editing: how to modify genetic faults – and the human germline
Is it time for a debate on whether there are any circumstances where there is an ethical case for ‘editing’ human embryos?
What is fossil fuel divestment and why does it matter? – video
Divestment is a very simple idea. It means taking your money away from companies involved in extracting fossil fuels. Bill Mckibben explains
Mars One mission: a one-way trip to the red planet in 2024
The launch date is still a decade away but preparations are underway for the first human expedition to Mars. Here we explain about the mission, Mars spacecrafts and selecting volunteers to establish a colony on the planet
Biological control: Our best defence against pests such as knotweed
Dr Dick Shaw from CABI explains how we are fighting the non-native species causing pandemonium on our shores
Geoengineering: the ethical problems with cleaning the air
Intervening in climate change currently raises more questions than answers when it comes to manipulating the atmosphere, writes Nicola Davis
After giant panda Tian Tian lost her cub, will she become pregnant again?
Nicola Davis: Iain Valentine, director of Edinburgh zoo’s Giant Panda Project, explains how to help a panda get pregnant
From online dating to driverless cars, machine learning is everywhere
Dr Michael Osborne from the University of Oxford answers our Q&A about the mysteries of a component of artificial intelligence
How El Niño fuels storms along the Pacific coast of the Americas
Dr Kevin E Trenberth explains that ocean warming periodically triggers an atmospheric event with a global impact on weather
How mapping the human proteome reveals new insights into our bodies
Professor Kathryn Lilley explains the science behind recent progress in working out when and where our proteins are made
Unlocking the mysteries of the Earth's twin, Kepler-186f, and other exoplanets
Dr Giovanna Tinetti of University College London explains why newly discovered planets outside our solar sysem are so exciting
Electronic noses explained: in future we will be sniffing out disease
Technology is being developed to create electronic devices that will be able to 'smell' the presence of diseases such as TB
Quantum computing explained: harnessing particle physics to work faster
Work is underway around the world to revolutionise computers using the principles of quantum mechanics
Vertical farming explained: how cities could be food producers of the future
Growing food in population centres would increase yields, cut transport costs and overcome limited land area
Explaining supervolcanoes: big, hot and dangerous
A supervolcano could kill billions and lead to a new ice age, so should we cancel that holiday to Yellowstone National Park?
Explaining meteors: are we in danger?
The dinosaurs didn't get on with them, but there are things we can do to avert an impact
Explaining nuclear fusion: is it the way forward for cheap energy?
With a new nuclear fission power station given the green light, Professor Steve Cowley examines whether nuclear fusion could soon be a viable alternative
