Lies, damn lies and Chinese science
The People's Republic is becoming a technological superpower, but who's checking the facts? Sam Geall seeks out the Chinese science cops
Science & Technology
Aid wars
Mired in controversy from Afghanistan to Sudan, humanitarianism itself is in crisis. Susie Linfield surveys the battlefield
Film review: Inception
Christopher Nolan has created a rare thing – an intelligent summer blockbuster. If only the details were as inspiring as the ideas, says Fred Rowson
A star is born
Since its launch 20 years ago, the Hubble telescope has been sending back stunning images that have transformed our understanding of the universe. This is Marcus Chown’s favourite
The eye of Sauron
This image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope shows what will become of our own star, says Marcus Chown
Book Review: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Louise Foxcroft on the oddest biography ever
Material errors
In arguing that quantum physics challenges the materialist view of the world, Jay Lakhani gets his science wrong, says Mano Singham
Slings & arrows
Evolutionary archaeologist Timothy Taylor on the outrageous fortune that made us the dominant ape
Unreasonable doubt
Climate change, AIDS, GM foods – all have their detractors. But when does disbelief become dogma? Keith Kahn-Harris explores the cult of denialism
It’s Immaterial
Hindu Council director Jay Lakhani is also a trained scientist. He believes science and religion meet at the level of the infinitely small