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 -
Questioning AI: what are the key research challenges? – Science Weekly podcastIn the first episode of our Questioning Artificial Intelligence mini-series, Ian Sample explores some of the key hurdles for machine learning, including reasoning and social intelligence
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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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Why scientists need to do more about research fraudRichard P Grant: Scientific misconduct is more than just an academic problem – it has repercussions for real people
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Patients in Africa twice as likely to die after an operation than global average, report showsHigher mortality rate occurs despite patients usually being younger and fitter and is likely due to lack of medical staff, say scientists
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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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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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Medical researchMedical researchPatients in Africa twice as likely to die after an operation than global average, report showsHigher mortality rate occurs despite patients usually being younger and fitter and is likely due to lack of medical staff, say scientists
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PsychologyPsychologyQuestioning AI: what are the key research challenges? – Science Weekly podcastIn the first episode of our Questioning Artificial Intelligence mini-series, Ian Sample explores some of the key hurdles for machine learning, including reasoning and social intelligence
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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
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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Communication is everything when it comes to the climate change debate, writes Guardian US columnist Lucia GravesWhich works better: climate fear, or climate hope? Well, it's complicated
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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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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