science
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Alzheimer's setback as promising drug shows no benefit in clinical trialsDisappointment as idalopirdine fails at trial to improve cognition and limit decline in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease -
Ibuprofen may increase risk of fertility issues in men, study suggestsHigh doses of the common painkiller over a long period of time may put men at greater risk of fertility problems and other health issues, research indicates
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Gas-sniffing pill that transmits from the gut passes first human trialsScientists from Australia’s RMIT University reveal promising results from human trials of swallowable capsule that transmits data to a mobile phone -
Rhinoceros DNA database successful in aiding poaching prosecutionsStatistical study shows how powerful RhODIS database is in linking forensic evidence to particular animals, say researchers
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Nasal spray aimed at tackling gambling addiction to be trialled in FinlandResearchers to test fast-working spray containing naloxone, a treatment usually given to opiate addicts that blocks production of dopamine
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Is everything Johann Hari knows about depression wrong?The Observer has published an excerpt from Johann Hari’s new book challenging what we know about depression. But do his own claims and arguments stack up?
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NHS hospital bans sugar from its meals to tackle staff obesityTameside hospital has stopped selling sugary snacks and fizzy drinks in its restaurant, has removed added sugar from meals and provides low-carb options
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Great Barrier Reef: rising temperatures turning green sea turtles female‘Complete feminisation’ of northern population is possible in near future, researchers find
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key issues
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SpaceSpaceJohn Young, moon astronaut and first to fly shuttle, dies aged 87George HW Bush salutes ‘courage and commitment’ of ‘fearless patriot’ who was the first man to fly into space six times
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BiologyBiologyRhinoceros DNA database successful in aiding poaching prosecutionsStatistical study shows how powerful RhODIS database is in linking forensic evidence to particular animals, say researchers
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Medical researchMedical researchAlzheimer's setback as promising drug shows no benefit in clinical trialsDisappointment as idalopirdine fails at trial to improve cognition and limit decline in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease
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PsychologyPsychologyIs everything Johann Hari knows about depression wrong?The Observer has published an excerpt from Johann Hari’s new book challenging what we know about depression. But do his own claims and arguments stack up?
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PhysicsPhysicsWill 2018 be a year of scientific breakthroughs – or frustrations?From quantum computers that’ll make conventional machines redundant to a map of the brain, freelance writer Philip Ball highlights some of the key issues for science in the coming year
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Starstruck: the best space images of 2017With space missions in 2018 set to boldly go further than ever before, here is a look back at some of biggest breakthroughs and most breathtaking views offered by 2017
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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Will 2018 be a year of scientific breakthroughs – or frustrations?From quantum computers that’ll make conventional machines redundant to a map of the brain, freelance writer Philip Ball highlights some of the key issues for science in the coming year
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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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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
Don’t listen to Gwyneth Paltrow: keep your coffee well away from your rectum