Nukes in space: Why a very very stupid idea just became more likely
Fears of a Cold War nightmare are resurfacing.
Nature’s weirdest: Burmese narrow-headed softshell turtle
Here's how scientists in China are trying to save the weirdest turtle in the world.
Inside the race to stop a deadly new strain of sexually transmitted monkeypox
New data suggests the virulent strain is now being sexually transmitted.
New issue: Reclaim your attention!
Offices, the very place where we’re supposed to get stuff done, seem to be designed to make it impossible to actually get anything done. Open-plan, noisy and full of people. Meanwhile, email, messaging apps, video calls and social media provide endless distractions. It never ends. Sound familiar? We've got some science-backed ways to help keep your focus fixed firmly on the things you need to get done.
Is the Moon shrinking?
A receding Moon will (eventually) have severe consequences for Earth.
A new generation of smart ring is coming. Here’s why you should avoid it
Big tech companies are working on smart rings. But when smart watches and phones are so good, what’s the point of smart jewellery?
How to boost your metabolism: 5 simple ways to speed up fat loss
Ready to welcome a leaner, healthier you? It's time for a metabolic makeover. With a few simple, research-backed changes, you can supercharge your body's calorie-burning.
New ‘map of consciousness’ could help to wake up coma patients
Scientists may finally have cracked the code of what makes us experience consciousness.
Top reads
101 random fun facts that will blow your mind
Our collection of the best interesting trivia covers animals, biology, geography, space and much more.
How to beat anxiety: 8 simple, concrete strategies to take control of your mind
Whether in the short- or long-term, there are lots of different techniques that can help you deal with anxiety.
44 cool gadgets: Our pick of the best new tech for 2024
Welcome to our regularly updated curation of the coolest, smartest kit money can buy.
Science news
Eta Aquariid meteor shower 2024: How to see stunning ‘Earth-grazing’ meteors tonight
With a new Moon at its peak, conditions for the Eta Aquariids this year are favourable – but there's only a short window to spot shooting stars.
Intermittent fasting and correctly timed workouts key to fat loss, says study
A new approach to dieting and exercise could help you lose weight and enhance your health.
Origin of Earth's 'second moon' discovered
Our ‘second moon’ probably came from our first, but an asteroid sampling mission could put this theory to the test.
Bird flu has now jumped to cows - and their milk. Could humans be next?
The WHO chief scientist says the spread is of “enormous concern”.
Future technology
If AI is meant to be so intelligent, why can’t it identify a set of traffic lights?
The "I'm not a robot" box might not be so robot-proof after all.
The next generation of drugs could be made in space. Here’s why
A California start-up recently recovered a batch of drugs manufactured by an automated satellite, but what are the benefits and challenges of making pharmaceuticals in orbit?
Anti-ageing neuro-tech: The bold new devices built to keep your brain young
Sending shocks to the nervous system has a variety of health benefits. But is it a safe thing to do?
Ebikes could soon have double the power. Can we expect more fires?
With fires increasing at an alarming pace, will bumping up the power of batteries make them more dangerous?
Instant Genius Podcast
From the creators of BBC Science Focus, Instant Genius is a bite-sized masterclass in podcast form. With each episode, a different world-leading expert will help you understand the latest ideas and research in the world of science and tech. We want to make you an expert in everything.
Instant Genius Podcast | Do you have synaesthesia? Why some of us can taste words
Do you experience sounds or music visually as certain shapes? Or 'hear' colours?
Instant Genius Podcast | Why you’re not actually addicted to your phone
Not all social media is unhealthy – here's how to rethink your relationship to it.
Instant Genius Podcast | How personalised medicine is about to change healthcare forever
The new power of precision treatments, explained.
Your questions answered
Our team of scientists, doctors and experts answer your burning questions - send yours to questions@sciencefocus.com
Earth's magnetic field is overdue a flip. Should we be worried?
From time to time, the Earth's magnetic poles flip, leaving us without a protective magnetic field for up to centuries at a time.
Why do cats wiggle before pouncing?
Cats often shake their moneymakers pre-pounce. But why?
How much cheese is too much cheese?
Your stomach is likely to tell you when you have reached peak cheese, but is there an exact measure of how much is too much?
A timeline | What happens to a body after death?
Left unburied and uncovered, here's what happens to a body...
Why do I fart so much? The science you never knew you wanted to know about flatulence
Where do farts come from, and what happens if you hold it in? Does everybody fart – and what about animals?
What is a fairy ring?
With fungi, there's a lot going on beneath the surface.
Science photo galleries
Top 10 most dangerous cities in the US
From Detroit to Kansas City, take a trip around the cities with the highest crime rates in the United States of America.
Top 10 biggest statues in the world 2024
The tallest monuments found on planet Earth.
Solar eclipse: The 20 best photos from 2024’s celestial spectacle
The most stunning images from the cosmic event of the century.
A dazzling new side of nature: The 20 best photos of British wildlife 2024
Take a look at this amazing set of images from the latest British Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
Male mammals aren’t bigger than females after all - new study
New research reveals that, for most mammal species, males and females are evenly sized.
These 10 psychedelic animal scans will change how you see wildlife forever
A major collaborative project has created 3D reconstructions of museum specimens previously hidden away.