In Short

What makes a successful conspiracy? One evil genius and no minions!

On the set and behind the scenes of medical drama Call the Midwife.

Could hibernating animals provide a cure for free radical damage in humans?

How can we use Big Data for national security without invading the privacy of individuals?

New therapy might act by blocking signals that drive growth of cancer cells

Dogs drink in a very distinctive way, lapping up water. But, how exactly do they do it?

Tim Peake embarked on his journey to space on Tuesday but what will he do once he's there?

What have world leaders signed up to at COP21 and are the climate commitments achievable?

A plant protein used to communicate with friendly soil fungi has been identified

What was the most momentous bit of science that you heard about this year?

Kat Arney reveals how high temperature bacteria provide us with the molecule that speeds up DNA sequencing

You've probably never heard of them but their technology is everywhere...

Kiki Sanford examines the molecule that holds the balance between life and death

Researchers have linked a gene with your ability to stop smoking.

Research this week has revealed why loneliness can be a bigger killer than obesity.

Michael Freemantle awakens us to the history of diethyl ether

Compulsive sexual behaviour is driven by the huge novelty provided by online material

A new supergene has been identified that determines breeding strategies in ruffs

Brian Clegg paints a picture of a compound found in ancient cave paintings and top-of-the-range electronics: Manganese...

Michael Freemantle examines the explosive history and chemistry of mercury fulminate

Do you remember when you went through puberty and when is the healthiest time for it?

It has been shown for the first time that environmental sounds can convey emotions.

We've all heard of Novak Djokovic's tennis racket but what else can graphene be used for?

New research shows that DNA mutations may be less random than previously thought.