Our obsession with perfection is damaging individuals and society Increasingly we strive for unreachable ideals in personal and public spheres – with damaging consequences from mental health problems to Brexit deadlock News
Life Staring down seagulls can stop them stealing your chips Keep the birds at bay with a simple staring contest The threat of having your ice cream or chips pilfered by a seagull will be familiar to anyone who goes on seaside holidays in the UK, but a study suggests there is a way to keep avian scavengers at bay: keep your eyes on them. … News
Health Why the news on dementia deaths is not as bad as it sounds Alzheimer's disease causes damaged to the brain (right) Dementia has cemented its position as the leading cause of death in England and Wales, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics. But part of the rise in dementia deaths can be explained by changes in how deaths are recorded. In fact, more … News
Space Mars 2020 rover cameras get eye exams to hunt life on the Red Planet Photograph NASA/JPL-Caltech HUMANS aren't the only ones who need eye exams – cameras do too. Here, a camera on the Mars 2020 rover is being put through its paces at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Without good vision, the rover won't be able to answer key questions about Martian geology and history, particularly whether … Regulars
Life How killer bees evolved into chiller bees in just one decade While killer bees terrorised the US, in Puerto Rico, an extraordinary accident of evolution has transformed them into a beacon of hope against the threat of insectogeddon Features
Humans How walking helped humans take over the planet We are all fitter for a good walk – and we become smarter just by standing up. In fact, says a new book, the act of walking helped humans colonise a whole planet Culture
Technology How to make a BBQ thermometer with a BBC micro:bit With a BBC micro:bit and a temperature sensor, you can make a device that tells you when your food is perfectly cooked Regulars
In a chess game played to the death, what piece should you be? Feedback is our weekly column of bizarre stories, implausible advertising claims, confusing instructions and more Regulars