60 Seconds
6 September 2017
One plus of being short, the confused fossil fish, Uranus's moons due for a smash-up, and other stories
-
Subject
-
Section
-
Type
-
Topics
-
Author
-
Issue
-
Premium
Failed electric buses remind us that roads not taken do matter
6 September 2017
Human actions rather than technology undermined London's electric buses 100 years ago, showing there's plenty to be learned by revisiting the past
Democracy needs an upgrade to ensure it keeps people on its side
6 September 2017
If an election winner gains fewer votes than the loser, the system is flawed. To stay the best mode of government, democracy needs to use new technology
Europe's last wildernesses are under threat – can we save them?
6 September 2017
A glut of new dams and motorways in eastern and south-eastern Europe will bring prosperity, but could mean unique flora and fauna will soon be gone for good
Want to make your vote really count? Stick a blockchain on it
6 September 2017
Democracy has some serious flaws. A radical rethink of the technology behind bitcoin could put real political power back in the hands of the people
Alzheimer’s and smoking genes suggest we’re still evolving
5 September 2017
In the 20th century, people in the UK evolved to be less likely to smoke heavily and get Alzheimer’s, but the changes were subtle and may not last
We may be able to use Zika virus to attack brain cancer cells
5 September 2017
Zika virus can infect and kill brain stem cells, causing neurological problems and microcephaly in babies. But this trait may also fight deadly glioblastoma
Asteroid Florence buzzes Earth in closest fly-by since 1890
4 September 2017
A 4.4-kilometre-wide space rock whizzed past Earth on its closest orbit in over a century. This asteroid won’t get this close again until after 2500
Controversial footprints suggest we evolved in Europe not Africa
4 September 2017
A set of 5.7-million-year-old footprints, found on a Greek island, suggest that our earliest ancestors strayed far beyond their supposed African homeland
Seismic tests hint North Korea’s nuke is its first hydrogen bomb
4 September 2017
Kim Jong-un’s latest test is probably an order of magnitude bigger than the last one, about a year ago – and suggests the nation has developed a worrying new capability
