No more Asteroid Watch: US government shut-down hits NASA
Until the Congress can reach an agreement, NASA's research will remain at a standstill
Science & Technology
Book review: Touching a Nerve
Raymond Tallis finds Patricia Churchland’s neurophilosophy to be more neuro than philosophy
Scientists solve volcano mystery, and other stories – our morning round-up
13th century volcano mystery solved? Scientists suggest that the Samalas volcano on Indonesia’s Lombok Island to be the previously unidentified source of the largest volcanic eruption in the last 3,700…
Water on Mars, and other stories – our morning round-up
Nasa’s Curiosity rover finds water in Martian soil Each cubic foot of the fine-grained Martian soil contains around two pints of liquid water, Nasa scientists confirm. (Guardian) Climate change report:…
Ed Miliband goes for the informal approach: political language unmasked
Critical discourse analyst Johnny Unger looks at the rhetorical tricks used yesterday in the Labour leader's conference speech.
A scientist’s job is to question our assumptions about the world, not unthinkingly repeat them
If the "reality" of your event is that you haven't invited any women, then address the failing, writes Alice Bell
The IPCC meets in Sweden to issue a new critical climate change report, and other stories – our morning news round-up
Scientists to issue firm warning on climate change The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, comprising scientific experts and political officials from as many as 195 UN states, will this week…
Nick Clegg plays the victim card: political language unmasked
Critical discourse analyst Johnny Unger looks at the rhetorical tricks used today in the Lib Dem leader's conference speech.
Mind warp
Distorted and unproven claims about the benefits of brain training have infiltrated Britain’s schools. James Gray says it’s time to think again
The death of the Milky Way
There may be darkness ahead, but we’re lucky to have been born in a bright universe, says Marcus Chown