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Life

Why the hunt for alien life is under way far beneath Earth's surface

Microbes that breathe sulphur could redefine what it means to be alive and provide clues about what organisms may lurk in the cosmos

Features

Biochemistry

Definition

Biochemistry

DNA emerging on early earth

Life

Life may have begun with simple genes made out of urine

News

Sir William Ramsay

Humans

Sir William Ramsay added a whole new group to the periodic table

Regulars

Helicopter putting out a fire

Environment

Sticky fluid can be sprayed on grassy verges to prevent wildfires

News

Glider in the sky

Physics

Stealth glider made out of special polymer self-destructs in sunlight

News

Plastic in the ocean

Environment

Tiny magnets could help rid the ocean of harmful microplastics

News

Lee Cronin

Chemistry

Chemist Lee Cronin is building an alien to work out why life exists

Regulars

Military jet

Physics

Military-grade jet fuel made cheaply from plant waste instead of coal

News

Earth's magnetic poles probably won't flip within our lifetime

Earth

Earth's magnetic poles probably won't flip within our lifetime

Contrary to recent reports, new research suggests the next reversal of Earth’s magnetic pole won’t happen in a human lifetime and could take tens of thousands of years

News

Technology

How to suck water from desert air and quench the planet's thirst

Features

Physics

Molecules pictured changing shape as they gain and lose electrons

News

Earth

Earth's helium is running out and it has dire consequences for science

Comment

Question

What is alchemy?