Spiky new ant species is named after Game of Thrones dragons
Two newly named species of ant from New Guinea have big spines behind their necks that are full of muscle, which could help supporting their giant heads
Red wolf may lose endangered status because it’s just a hybrid
Not being a recognisable species could lose the red wolf its conservation status, despite being the only carrier of genes from extinct southern grey wolves
Done right, seabed mining could be environmentally friendly
The world is on the brink of exploiting marine mineral deposits but a legislative vacuum could lead to a destructive free-for-all
We’re on the cusp of a gene editing revolution, are we ready?
Beware the backlash, if fast-moving technologies for editing rogue genes outpace public acceptance
Is tech racist? The fight back against digital discrimination
From soap dispensers that don't recognise black skin, to algorithms that discriminate and #airbnbwhileblack, some popular tech has a race problem we need to address
Bacteria made to turn sewage into clean water – and electricity
A self-powered waste water treatment plant using microbes has just passed its biggest test, bringing household-level water recycling a step closer
How drones are learning to find their own way in the world
From delivering pizzas to tracking whales, we have high hopes for drones. Here are three advances that will help them live up to the buzz
CRISPR genome editing could save sight by tweaking DNA
A test of the CRISPR technique in mice shows that it has real promise for treating hereditary eye diseases, although several hurdles remain
Universal ancestor of all life on Earth was only half alive
The identification of genes likely to belong to the common ancestor of life suggests its biochemistry was incomplete, forcing it to cling to undersea vents
Squishy cubes with a secret smile could be used for prosthetics
A rubber metamaterial that reveals hidden patterns when squashed could help build artificial limbs that move in the right direction