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Military personnel investigating the poisoning of Sergei Skripal on 11 March in Salisbury

What are Novichok nerve agents and did Russia do it?

13 March 2018

The poison used to target ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter was a Novichok nerve agent, UK prime minister Theresa May revealed yesterday


Eco-friendly nanowood is a super strong and recyclable styrofoam

Eco-friendly nanowood is a super strong and recyclable styrofoam

9 March 2018

Nanowood is a strong yet lightweight material made by chemically stripping wood to its skeletal fibres. It’s eco-friendly and insulates better than styrofoam


A crying baby being comforted

Young babies disapprove when they see adults acting immorally

9 March 2018

Even four-month-old infants expect adults to go comfort another baby that is crying – a finding that suggests we may be born with a foundation of morality


Ancient black holes may have made the first stars look cool

Ancient black holes may have made the first stars look cool

9 March 2018

The signature of cold gas around the first stars is far stronger than expected. Some suggest dark matter is to blame, but black holes may be the culprit


Ancient birds couldn’t sit on their eggs without smashing them

Ancient birds couldn’t sit on their eggs without smashing them

9 March 2018

The first birds to evolve had hip bones that forced them to lay small, weak eggs that could not support the adult bird’s weight


Brain zap can make people re-experience old dreams while awake

Brain zap can make people re-experience old dreams while awake

9 March 2018

While déjà-vu is a false feeling of familiarity, déjà-rêvé is a rare experience of suddenly recalling a dream – and it can be sparked by zapping the brain


A person eating a high-fibre breakfast

A high fibre diet helps treat diabetes by changing gut bacteria

8 March 2018

A diet rich in wholegrains, seeds and vegetables can help treat type 2 diabetes – and it seems to do this by changing the bacteria that live in a person’s gut


Fake news travels six times faster than the truth on Twitter

Fake news travels six times faster than the truth on Twitter

8 March 2018

Despite the belief that armies of bots are spreading misinformation, it is people who are most likely to share incorrect information


Stretchy ‘electric skin’ generates power from your movements

Stretchy ‘electric skin’ generates power from your movements

8 March 2018

This flexible and transparent material generates electricity from your skin as you bend or stretch. It could be worn as a second skin to power wearable tech


Deep sea discovery suggests world's oldest fossils misunderstood

Deep sea discovery suggests world's oldest fossils misunderstood

8 March 2018

Stromatolites represent some of the oldest fossils on Earth but the assumption that they formed in sun-drenched seas has now been challenged


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