The afterglow of creation
The story of cosmic background radiation is a classic example of the chaotic way in which scientific discoveries occur.
Science & Technology
Miniature labs, quantum computing, and the dangers of sweeteners
Chemistry, Biology, Physics: Three scientists talk through big recent developments in their fields.
What comet landings can tell us about the origins of life
Comets are the builders’ rubble left over from the birth of the Solar System.
Homeopaths offer to help contain Ebola outbreak
The National Center for Homeopathy announces that it is working to gain access to Ebola-affected countries.
The city and the sublime
Today, are we more awestruck by our own scientific and technological achievements than by the glory of nature?
Ten cosmic myths
Why is the sky at night dark? What does gravity do? How big is the universe? Does time go forwards or backwards? The answers may surprise you . . .
Understanding water, dying stars, and genetically modified mosquitoes
Chemistry, Biology, Physics: Three scientists talk through big recent developments in their fields.
Chinese medicine should not be available on the NHS
Thousands of studies have shown acupuncture to be little more than a placebo, and herbal remedies have been barely tested. There is no case for public funding, argues David Colquhoun
British Medical Journal comes out in support of Assisted Dying legislation
Support from leading voice in academic medicine is significant in campaign for reform
The dark side of our universe
It is sobering to think that our telescopes can observe only a tiny fraction of the cosmos, writes Marcus Chown