science news

Rover drills second rock sample

Nasa's Curiosity rover drills a second sample of Martian rock to deliver to its onboard laboratories for analysis in the coming days.

Posted on 21 May 2013 | 7:57 am

Tornado Alley: Patterns without predictability

What we know - and cannot know - about the forces driving through Tornado Alley…

Posted on 21 May 2013 | 6:56 am

EU bathing water 2012 data released

The latest data on EU bathing water quality is released, showing that 93% of more than 22,000 sampled locations meet the minimum standards.

Posted on 21 May 2013 | 5:31 am

VIDEO: 'First crane egg in 400 years'

The first crane egg in southern Britain in more than 400 years has been laid by a nesting bird.

Posted on 21 May 2013 | 3:18 am

Ant abilities could aid robot design

A study showing how ants tunnel their way through confined spaces could aid the design of search and rescue robots, say scientists.

Posted on 21 May 2013 | 1:49 am

Flightless penguin puzzle 'solved'

The underwater prowess of the penguin may have cost the bird its ability to fly, scientists believe.

Posted on 21 May 2013 | 12:25 am

Irish potato famine pest identified

Scientists have used plant samples collected in the 19th Century to identify the pathogen that caused the Irish potato famine.

Posted on 20 May 2013 | 10:05 pm

Bahrain digs unveil one of oldest civilisations

Digs shed light on one of world's oldest civilisations…

Posted on 20 May 2013 | 8:43 pm

Vaccine developed for farm disease

A vaccine to protect sheep and cattle from a livestock virus spread by midges has been approved by government vets.

Posted on 20 May 2013 | 6:08 pm

VIDEO: Ant engineering seen in slow motion

Detailed slow-motion footage showing how ants tunnel their way through confined spaces could aid the design of search and rescue robots, say scientists.

Posted on 20 May 2013 | 2:58 pm

VIDEO: Fight on to beat Ash Dieback fungus

East Anglia is spearheading the fight to beat Ash Dieback fungus with a planting scheme designed to develop resistance.

Posted on 20 May 2013 | 9:27 am

First crane egg in 400 years laid

A nesting crane lays the first egg laid by that breed of bird in southern Britain in more than 400 years.

Posted on 20 May 2013 | 8:22 am

Tree health policy to 'stop spread'

Strengthening biosecurity at UK borders and a plant health risk register would help protect the nation's trees from pests and diseases, a report concludes.

Posted on 20 May 2013 | 7:20 am

Ground control to 'Major Tim'

Getting ready for the "Full English" in orbit…

Posted on 20 May 2013 | 6:48 am

AUDIO: Space travel is 'logistical nightmare'

Colin Pillinger, famous for the "Beagle 2 Mars" mission, says the value of sending astronaut Tim Peake into space "should not be underestimated".

Posted on 20 May 2013 | 4:25 am

UK astronaut given station date

UK astronaut Tim Peake is to fly to the International Space Station, launching on a Soyuz rocket in November or December 2015.

Posted on 20 May 2013 | 3:26 am

Warming extremes 'not as likely'

Global temperature rises will be slower in the coming decades say researchers but the long term picture is consistent.

Posted on 19 May 2013 | 12:31 pm

Deep sea 'gold rush' moves closer

The prospect of a deep sea "gold rush" opening a controversial new frontier for mining on the ocean floor has moved a step closer.

Posted on 17 May 2013 | 8:27 pm

Meteoroid impact triggers bright flash on the moon

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - An automated telescope monitoring the moon has captured images of an 88-pound (40 kg) rock slamming into the lunar surface, creating a bright flash of light, NASA scientists said on Friday.

Posted on 17 May 2013 | 6:49 pm

VIDEO: Ghana students aim for orbit 'by 2016'

Students in Ghana launch a model of a satellite attached to a balloon for the first time.

Posted on 17 May 2013 | 6:23 pm