Editor's pick: Health apps need to be a regulated public good

11 September 2019

How long before all human traces are wiped out?

11 September 2019

If the human race disappeared overnight, how long would it be before all traces of our existence were erased? Readers weigh up our impact on Earth

Australia's anti-encryption law is hurting press and personal privacy

11 September 2019

Many politicians are calling for anti-encryption laws. Australia has already implemented one, and it is damaging tech firms, user privacy and freedom of speech

Building the battery of the future – today

11 September 2019

As the world becomes more aware of CO2 emissions, new lithium ion batteries are needed to extend the range of electric vehicles. Now Johnson Matthey has developed the special cathode material that will make them work

What is space-time? The true origins of the fabric of reality

11 September 2019

A bold new perspective suggests space-time isn’t a fundamental entity but emerges from quantum entanglement, says physicist Sean Carroll

Some physicists still doubt whether LIGO has seen gravitational waves

10 September 2019

LIGO has explained how it processes gravitational wave data in greater detail than ever before. But some physicists still say the analysis contains mistakes

Everything you need to know about the UN's upcoming climate summit

10 September 2019

The UN climate action summit on 23 September will be the most important event since the Paris climate deal, but a lack of ambition could hold efforts back

Ancient footprints show Neanderthals may have been taller than thought

9 September 2019

The biggest collection of Neanderthal footprints yet discovered offers a window on their social structure, and shows that their group was filled with children

An artificial leg with sensors helps people feel every step

9 September 2019

Two people were able to walk better using an artificial leg thanks to built-in sensors connected to their nerves

Transplant organs can be supercooled to below zero for longer storage

9 September 2019

A new technique cools human tissues to -4°C without forming ice crystals that damage cells, and could boost the number of organs available for transplant