science
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What the ancient DNA discovery tells us about Native American ancestryA new genome from a Pleistocene burial in Alaska confirms a longstanding model for Native American origins.
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Alcohol can cause irreversible genetic damage to stem cells, says studyLink between drinking and cancer clarified by study which indicates alcohol causes cancer by scrambling DNA in cells, eventually leading to mutations -
No alien megastructure around mysterious 'Tabby's star', analysis showsStand down space cadets: there is (sadly) no alien megastructure around star KIC 8462852, also known as Tabby’s star -
Humans can spot small signs of sickness at a glance, research suggestsHumans may use a host of facial cues – visible just hours after an infection starts – to avoid contracting illnesses from others, study indicates
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The Real T. rex with Chris Packham: an attempt at a truthful TyrannosaurusPresenter Chris Packham and palaeontologist Dave Hon e explain the challenges involved in recreating Tyrannosaurus rex for a new BBC documentary
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Universities are under attack – time to drag the fight to a higher levelFor months, universities have been on trial in the court of public opinion. David Willetts’s new book shows them how to respond: with passion and sophistication
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Keep global warming under 1.5C or 'quarter of planet could become arid'A global temperature rise to 2C above pre-industrial levels could see many regions facing an increased threat of drought and wildfires, study suggests
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Limit children to two sugary snacks a day, parents toldPublic Health England urging parents to take tougher line on sweets, cakes and fizzy drinks between meals to stem obesity crisis
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key issues
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SpaceSpaceHow did scientists figure out the ages of the Earth and the universe?The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific concepts
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BiologyBiologySurprise as DNA reveals new group of Native Americans: the ancient BeringiansGenetic analysis of a baby girl who died at the end of the last ice age shows she belonged to a previously unknown ancient group of Native Americans
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GeneticsGeneticsAlcohol can cause irreversible genetic damage to stem cells, says studyLink between drinking and cancer clarified by study which indicates alcohol causes cancer by scrambling DNA in cells, eventually leading to mutations
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PsychologyPsychologyNeurotechnology, Elon Musk and the goal of human enhancementBrain-computer interfaces could change the way people think, soldiers fight and Alzheimer’s is treated. But are we in control of the ethical ramifications?
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PhysicsPhysicsAfter 40 years of studying the strong nuclear force, a revelationThis was the year that analysis of data finally backed up a prediction, made in the mid 1970s, of a surprising emergent behaviour in the strong nuclear force
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Of macaques and men: do bereaved monkeys need space to grieve?A zoo has been inundated with messages of support after closing to give a group of greiving macaques time to ‘come to terms with their loss’
in depth
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Weatherwatch: scientists develop 'speed breeding' to feed rising populationResearchers are developing a system to enable six harvests a year of staple food crops that can survive climate change
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opinion
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My 85-year-old aunt appears to have little – but visiting her gives me so muchThis Christmas visit an older relative. For me Auntie Gillian’s bravery and sharp mind mean time spent with her is always a joy, never a chore, says freelance journalist Nicholas Milton
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Rushing students through university and fixating on science is not the way forwardIt is to the detriment and cost of us all that we see science and society as separate or in opposition with each other, writes David Cannadine, president of the British Academy
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pictures & video
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Social media videos capture SpaceX streaking across California skies - video
A reused SpaceX rocket carried 10 satellites into orbit from California on Friday, leaving behind a trail of mystery and wonder as it soared into space
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Supermoon skies: your best photographsWe asked you to share photos as parts of the world experienced the only supermoon of 2017. Here are some of our favourite images
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Supermoon trilogy begins – in picturesThe lunar phenomenon occurs when a full moon is at its closest point to earth so it appears larger than usual
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'It's a delicate place': Nasa captures 20 years of Earth's seasonal changes – videoA Nasa oceanographer explains how the US space agency successfully captured 20 years of changing seasons in a striking new global map of earth.
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Delving into a hidden world – in picturesThe winning and shortlisted entries for the the Royal Society of Biology’s 2017 Photographer of the Year and Young Photographer of the Year competitions
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SpaceX successfully launches reused Falcon 9 rocket – video
Billionaire SpaceX founder Elon Musk has hailed the twin achievement of salvaging a used rocket and re-launching it yet again as a revolutionary step in his quest to slash launch costs and shorten intervals between space shots
Surprise as DNA reveals new group of Native Americans: the ancient Beringians