Hope still for ‘dead’ Comet Ison, and other stories – our morning round-up
Hope still for ‘dead’ Comet Ison Comet Ison, or some part of it, may have survived its encounter with the Sun, say scientists. The giant ball of ice and dust…
Science & Technology
Do we need new laws to regulate fracking?
After debating GM foods at its inaugural sitting in September, the Rational Parliament returns on 26 November to debate fracking and shale gas. We’re gearing up for the session by…
Fracking: the cost to communities
We need to listen to those who don’t want shale gas exploration on their doorsteps, says Ewa Jasiewicz.
Cosmic explosion is ‘brightest yet’, and other stories – our morning round-up
Gamma-ray burst brightest ever seen A cosmic explosion caused by the death of a massive star has been analysed by scientists. The blast of radiation, called a gamma-ray burst, was…
The battle lines are drawn on the UK’s shale gas debate
Predictions about the benefits and threats of fracking in the UK based on US experiences can lead to misinformation and inaccuracies in the debate, warn Joseph Dutton & Michael Bradshaw.
Neanderthal viruses found in modern humans, and other stories – our morning round-up
Neanderthal viruses found in modern humans Ancient viruses from Neanderthals have been found in modern human DNA by researchers at Oxford University and Plymouth University. The researchers compared genetic data…
Extracting shale gas: a political perspective
The fracking debate cuts to the heart of key questions on environmental targets and the UK's economic future. It's vital that political decisions are based on a rational assessment of…
Fracking and shale gas: what do we want to know?
Adam Smith has some questions for people on both sides of the argument.
NASA’s Maven Mars mission to launch today, and other stories – our morning round-up
Nasa’s Maven Mars mission set for launch The Maven orbiter will study the planet’s high atmosphere, to try to understand the processes that have robbed the world of most of…
2013 ‘one of warmest ‘ on record, and other stories – our morning round-up
2013 ‘one of warmest years’ on record This year is likely to be among the top 10 warmest on record, according to the World Meteorological Organization. It continues a pattern…