Did climate change set the scene for hurricanes like Patricia?
It's hard to pin the blame for a single event on climate change. But studies suggest that a warming world will experience storms more powerful and more destructive than usual
Booze and sweets officially found in nearby comet for first time
Comet Lovejoy dazzled us in January on its closest approach to the sun. Now observations show it contains ethanol and sugars – as might Rosetta's comet
El Niño-powered hurricane Patricia set to hit Mexico tonight
Potentially catastrophic consequences are expected when record-breaking Patricia makes landfall later today
Old rat brains rejuvenated and new neurons grown by asthma drug
A drug used to treat asthma has reduced inflammation in the brain, increased new brain cells and made old rats perform better in learning and memory tests
China must stop censoring the debate on killer air pollution
The UK must urge visiting Chinese president Xi Jinping not to hide air pollution research, so the problem of dirty air can be tackled, says Rachael Jolley
Bees found farming fungus for first time to feed larvae
If you thought bees only cared about flowers, think again. Some of them also farm fungus to survive – meaning that fungicides could harm them
Howler monkeys have to choose between big balls and big bawls
In species with the largest vocal organs, males have the smallest testicles, suggesting an evolutionary trade-off between winning mates and making sperm
Self-sacrificing immune cells spew out DNA nets to trap invaders
When all else fails, neutrophil cells can fight infections by releasing nets of their own genetic material, studded with antimicrobial compounds
23andMe relaunches direct-to-consumer tests for genetic disease
US company gains FDA approval for selling a test that gives information about your risk of passing on faulty genes, two years after its last test was banned
New species of giant tortoise brings Galapagos tally to eleven
Two populations of giant tortoise on the Galapagos island of Santa Cruz are in fact two species that arrived in separate events 1.7 and 1.3 million years ago
