Seven Earth-sized Exoplanets Found

The system of planets found orbiting nearby dwarf star TRAPPIST-1 may be our best chance yet of finding alien life

What The Earth Will Look Like When We're Gone?

From asteroid strike to climate change to nuclear war, humanity faces all kinds of existential threats. But, if our species disappeared tomorrow, what would actually happen – and what kind of planet would we be leaving behind,

Mahasweta Devi

Author and historian Urvashi Butalia details the life and words of an activist and feminist force

Battling Beetles And How To Conserve These Endangered Species

They were once thought to summon lightning, and we still have lots to learn about stag beetles if we want to conserve these wood-munching leviathans.

In Thrall To The Red Planet

Eric Rabkin argues that depictions of Mars in literature and film – both as the cradle of hideous invaders, and humanity’s potential saviour – frequently reflect the political climate back on Earth

The Most Extreme Jobs in Science

From crocodile behaviourist to faecal transplant technician, Katherine Nightingale and Jo Carlowe look at some of the most extraordinary jobs in science.

How Safe Is Your Plane?

So many of us take to the skies so often. Neil Ashton looks at the rigorous tests that planes undergo to ensure flying remains one of the safest modes of transport.

Discoveries

DISPATCHES FROM THE CUTTING EDGE

The Science Of Fighting Fat

Has good dining taken its toll on your waistline? We navigate through the minefield of misinformation to find out what the experts really say about losing weight. And we have smart tips on how to shed that spare tyre

Serpent Lore Of India

In the next part of the Indian mythologies series, DEVDUTT PATTANAIK explores the different aspects of how serpents are perceived in India

r. k. narayan

author and historian urvashi butalia tells of the life and words of one of india’s mostbeloved writers.

Where the Wild

Sejal Mehta loves the wild in India. This is her pick of national parks you must visit – some of them are delightfully unusual…

The Benefits Of Exercise: Now In Pill Form

We’re all told to exercise more, but that isn’t always possible for those with physical disabilities.

The Robots Who Can Learn

Will Artificial Intelligence have an emotionally fruitful future? The machines of the future are gearing up to surprise you.

Your Doctor will See you Now

While we know our furry friends are brilliant companions, Dr John Bradshaw finds out if they could actually be making us healthier too.

Meet Your Many Times Great Granddad: A Bag-like Creature Without An Anus

It may not look much like Aunty Jean or Uncle Bob, but this tiny sea creature could be your oldest known ancestor.

Five Reasons To Switch

Nintendo is re-inventing the console again…

Learn A Language Or Instrument

So far only two types of mental exertion have been shown to improve or preserve overall cognitive ability.

The Great Pretender

Antonio Melechi reveals how PT Barnum – the brains behind General Tom Thumb, the Feejee Mermaid and a wildly successful circus – turned a flair for outrageous stunts and hoaxes into a multi-million dollar concern