We often hear that most people throughout history believed the world was flat. But that’s not entirely true.
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The magic and wonder of the mathematics of straight lines in curved spaces is best explained when you look to nature for examples.
No matter how much evidence scientists present in support of climate change there are those who refuse to believe it. They think it’s all part of the consprarcy theory.
Peer review is not infallible, but it’s central to how science works. In this extract from Peter Doherty’s new book, The Knowledge Wars, he explains how it works in practice.
Giant sharks did once exist in our oceans – many millions of years ago. But rumours persist that some may still be alive today.
Astronomers think they may have found evidence within our galaxy of some of the missing matter thought to make up our universe.
Scientists say they have evidence that the solar system has an extra planet, bigger than Earth and way beyond Pluto. So how come we never knew this before?
Microsoft warned back in 2014 that anyone continuing to use Windows XP, once it ended support, would be vulnerable to attack. So why are some organisations still using the old operating system?
Some people love to pick holes in science fiction movies, such as Star Wars, especially when they stray from science fact. But does it really matter?
There’s something about mosquitoes that means they don’t get sick from the infections they carry. So can we turn that function off, genetically?
Humans can only do so much when it comes to diagnosing what’s wrong with a patient. So why not let machines take over? They learn faster than humans and never retire.
Science fiction has long warned of technology taking over the world. We’re increasingly connected to a digital world that’s growing, and more automated. So what if it starts to evolve?
Science can be fascinating and exciting. But much science writing is dull and obscure. Here are some of the tricks scientists often use to suck the joy out of science.
Our entire knowledge of one of Australia’s extinct ancient giant birds is flawed because experts have been looking at remnants of the wrong egg the whole time.
An open letter signed by security experts from around the world is calling on governments to protect encryption rather than undermine it in a quixotic attempt to tackle terrorism.
It’s no easy task to find a meteorite that’s just been seen flashing across the sky. But it helps if you have an automatic network of “eyes” on the night sky.
Charles Darwin visited Australia 180 years ago, and while here, he had a revelation that helped spark his insight into evolution by natural selection.
Much of the way people use Twitter has been determined by the users of the social media giant. So why all the upset at talk of allowing tweets beyond the current 140 character limit?
When looking for evidence of some of the universe’s mysterious high energy particles, why not enlist the help of our nearest neighbour: the moon.
Netflix took everyone by surprise when it announced it was tripling its global reach for video on demand. So who are the winners and potential losers in the new deal?
From the high-speed journey to Jupiter to solar eclipses, meteor showers and planetary alignments visible in the skies above – add these space highlights to your 2016 calendar.
New elements found in the reactions of nuclear tests during World War II sparked the hunt for additions to the periodic table.
As machines get ever more complex as we strive to make them complete more complex tasks, it’s time to ask again: will they ever be able to think? But what is thinking anyway?
They might only last for a fraction of a second but four new elements have finally won their place in the periodic table. The hunt is now on to find even more.
A good summer picnic, bushwalk or barbecue with friends and family can all be ruined by those annoying flies that never leave you alone. So what are they after?