The surprising origin of sprouts, the vegetable we either love or hate
14 December 2022
Sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage and a dozen other vegetables are all the same species, Brassica oleracea. Now we have finally discovered their common ancestor
-
Subject
-
Section
-
Type
-
Topics
-
Author
-
Issue
-
Premium
The secrets in our sewers helping protect us from infectious diseases
16 August 2022
Waste water contains a treasure trove of data on our health, well-being and inequality, and can be used to head off epidemics, track pandemics and even spot new designer drugs before their effects show up in the population. But how much information are...
Growing younger: Radical insights into ageing could help us reverse it
27 April 2022
New insight into how we age suggests it may be driven by a failure to switch off the forces that build our bodies. If true, it could lead to a deeper understanding of ageing – and the possibility of slowing it
Ambergris: What fragrant whale excretions tell us about ancient oceans
15 December 2021
Ancient whale poo, known as ambergris, has long been prized by perfumiers – but it also contains precious information about ancient oceans that could help save today’s whales
Why fitness training for worms and flies could make humans healthier
16 December 2020
Creepy-crawlies can provide unique insights into how exercise benefits humans – but how do you get a fruit fly to drop and give you 20 or a nematode to run a marathon?
Why people enjoy alcohol or are teetotal may come down to a hormone
9 December 2020
Whether you are a happy carouser or a small-time tippler could depend on a hormone produced by your liver that tells your brain to stop boozing
Deep and crisp and living: How snow sustains amazing hidden life
18 December 2019
Snow may look pristine but even the freshly fallen variety is teeming with microscopic life. This vast and mysterious ecosystem could have a big impact on Earth
Want to regrow organs and defy cancer? Just copy these awesome animals
9 October 2019
Creatures with incredible superpowers including the ability to survive being frozen and suffocated and resist ageing could revolutionise medicine, space travel and even war
The mummified penguins that hold the secrets of Antarctica's past
18 December 2018
Antarctica’s Adélie penguins nest on the well-preserved remains of their ancestors. All it takes is a trowel and a strong stomach to dig into their climate history
Cheep taste: The birds that adorn their nests with tat
19 December 2017
From stolen underwear to clods of cow dung, some birds feather their nests with all manner of things – but what lies behind the decorative urge?
