Astronomers have discovered that 3I/ATLAS is carrying methanol and other chemicals that were probably important in the origin of life
Author: hatman
Tattooing may trigger localised damage to the immune system
There is relatively little information on the long-term health effects of tattooing, but a couple of recent studies suggest the art form might trigger prolonged inflammation
The two standout science-fiction films of 2025
From Mickey 17 and M3gan 2.0 to a musical about the end of the world, this was an eclectic year for science-fiction films. Film columnist Simon Ings shares his two breakout hits
Hunter-gather groups are much less egalitarian than they seem
There is a widespread belief that altruism and equality drive social behaviour in traditional hunter-gatherer societies, but the truth is more surprising and complex
Quantum experiment settles a century-old row between Einstein and Bohr
Albert Einstein and Niels Bohr had an ongoing rivalry about the true nature of quantum mechanics, and came up with a thought experiment that could settle the matter. Now, that experiment has finally been performed for real
How Australian teens are planning to get around their social media ban
From legal challenges to lesser-known apps, the teenagers of Australia are already preparing to push back against a law that will see under 16s banned from social media
The four best science documentaries of 2025
From animal rivals to Jane Goodall’s last thoughts, enjoy 2025’s best science documentaries, says our TV columnist Bethan Ackerley
AI can influence voters’ minds. What does that mean for democracy?
Voters change their opinions after interacting with an AI chatbot – but, encouragingly, it seems that AIs rely on facts to influence people
Why is AI making computers and games consoles more expensive?
The AI industry consumes vast amounts of energy, fresh water and investor cash. Now it also needs memory chips – the same ones used in laptops, smartphones and games consoles
Volcano eruption may have led to the Black Death coming to Europe
Climate data and historical accounts suggest that crop failures in the 1340s prompted Italian officials to import grain from eastern Europe, and this may have carried in the plague bacterium