DNA from 6000-year-old chewing gum reveals how an ancient woman lived
Lola lived 6000 years ago and made glue by chewing birch bark pitch. By analysing DNA left on the pitch we know about her diet, appearance, and ancestry
Colour me scientific: Two fun free colour-me-in downloads
Never heard of a querkle or a spiroglyphic? No worries – just get your colouring pens and follow the simple instructions to reveal two iconic images of science
House plants don’t clean your air that much – but this GM pothos might
The air-cleaning properties of house plants have been over-hyped. A GM house plant that breaks down indoor pollutants linked to cancer may do a better job
Cheers! Saying thanks is good for you and those around you
The fad of privately recording your gratitude in a journal was all the rage, but it turns out if you actually pass on your thanks to others, the benefits are multiplied
Exercise may lower high blood pressure as much as medication
An analysis of nearly 400 trials suggests that exercise might be as effective for people with high blood pressure as taking the most commonly-used drugs
The very first dinosaurs probably evolved in South America
Dinosaurs conquered every major landmass, making it difficult to work out where they originally came from – but two studies both conclude they were southerners
A swarming asexual midge is island hopping towards Antarctica
Biologists say biosecurity measures need to be stepped up to prevent a non-biting midge reaching Antarctica, because it could radically change the continent
Who do we trust when human and machine intelligence disagree
A faulty sensor – and the automated action it led to – are being blamed for the loss of Lion Air flight JT 610. Is it time for AI to take a back seat, asks Peter Lemme
Snake-oil sellers must no longer be able to hide behind charity status
UK regulators are cracking down on charities that promote bogus treatments. But will it be enough, asks Tom Chivers
How best to talk to your science-denying relatives this Christmas
Trying to change someone's mind is no easy task, but researchers have studied the various pitfalls when it comes to correcting scientific myths