6 h. ago Crick: A Mind in Motion by Matthew Cobb review – the charismatic philanderer who changed science

Genius and arrogance play leading roles in a new biography of the man who helped uncover the structure of DNAMost people could tell you that Francis Crick, together with James Watson, discovered the double helix structure of DNA, and shaped our understanding of how genes work. Fewer know that Crick also played a key role in modern neuroscience and inspired our continuing efforts to understand the biological basis of consciousness.Crick once said the two questions that interested him most were “the borderline between the living and the non-living, and the workings of the brain”, questions that were usually discussed in religious or mystical terms but that he believed could be answered by science. In his new biography of the Nobel prize-winning scientist, Matthew Cobb, emeritus professor of zoology at the University of Manchester, does an admirable job of capturing the rare thinker who not only set himself such ambitious goals but made remarkable progress...

Politics

5 d. ago Teacher gave young pupil Christmas gift bag with alcohol, vape and card signed with a kiss

Richard James Pugh, 41, a former head of science, accused the child of "changing her story" and said "she has made things up as well."

Politics

8 d. ago Gained weight? Blame climate change! Higher CO2 levels are making our food more calorific and less nutritious, study finds

If you've piled on the pounds recently, a surprising factor could be to blame - climate change.

Society

8 d. ago Now woke scientists claim parents should ask their babies for CONSENT to change their nappies

Most parents try to get them over and done with as soon as possible - but woke scientists now claim that nappy changes should be used as an opportunity to teach babies consent.

Politics

9 d. ago Top MIT scientist blasts 'climate hysteria,' says global warming fears are driven by money... not evidence

A climate scientist with decades of experience has joined the growing opposition to what critics of climate change alarmism call nonsense science.

Events

1 week ago Humans have 'nearly exhausted' earth’s global warming limit, scientists say

The warning comes after a stifling summer for Londoners who endured four heatwaves and temperatures reaching 34.7C

Events

2 w. ago Net zero is an insidious loophole that distracts from the scientific imperative to eliminate fossil fuels | Joëlle Gergis

History tells us that polite incrementalism and political kowtowing will prevail at Cop30 – even as catastrophe unfolds around usAs world leaders gather in Brazil this year for Cop30 – the first Amazonian Cop – it’s worth doing a quick reality check on how we are collectively tracking to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.Despite 30 years of UN climate summits, about half of the carbon dioxide accumulated in the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution has been emitted since 1990. Incidentally, 1990 was the year the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – the global authority on climate change science – released its First Assessment Report confirming the threat of human-caused global warming. As scientists all over the world prepare the IPCC’s Seventh Assessment Report, we do so knowing that our work is still being overshadowed by politics. Despite all the well-intentioned half-measures, the truth is that the world is still disastrously off track to limit dangerous climate...

Politics

3 w. ago Daylight Saving Time warning as clock change could make you sick for months, scientists say

As the US prepares to set the clocks back once again, there's mounting evidence that extra hour of sleep will do lasting harm to your mental and physical health.

Events

3 w. ago Who decides how we adapt to climate change? | Leah Aronowsky

The question is not whether we will reshape our institutions to manage climate impacts, but howFor decades, “stopping climate change” has been the singular goal of climate politics. Across the political spectrum, from grassroots climate campaigners to elite UN negotiators, reducing carbon emissions to avoid future catastrophe has been the organizing logic of climate policies.Yet climate change has arrived and its material impacts are already being felt. This means that climate politics can no longer focus only on preventing future catastrophes. It must now also encompass struggles over how society manages climate impacts already reshaping economic and social life. Insurance markets, housing, water and land use policies, national labor markets, and local economies – all will need to be radically remade as we adapt to a changed and increasingly volatile climate.Leah Aronowsky is a historian of science and assistant professor at the Columbia Climate School Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Scientists blame climate change for Hurricane Melissa: Catastrophic storm was made 4 TIMES more likely by global warming

Hurricane Melissa - the most powerful storm in Jamaica's history - was made four times more likely by climate change , according to a study.

Events

3 w. ago Scotland’s Life Sciences Conference: Hear why this year’s headliners believe Scotland could lead change

Scotland’s life sciences sector is at a crossroads, facing significant challenges but also unprecedented opportunities.

Politics

3 w. ago Climate change is spiralling out of control: Damning report reveals how 22 of Earth's 34 'vital signs' are at record highs

Earth is 'hurtling towards climate chaos' as most of the planet's vital signs are now 'flashing red', reveals a new report from an international coalition led by Oregon State University scientists.

Politics

3 w. ago Scans shed light on changes in brain when we zone out while tired

Study finds lapses of attention in sleep-deprived people coincide with wave of fluid flowing out of the brainIt’s never a great look. The morning meeting is in full swing but thanks to a late night out your brain switches off at the precise moment a question comes your way.Such momentary lapses in attention are a common problem for the sleep deprived, but what happens in the brain in these spells of mental shutdown has proved hard to pin down. Continue reading...

Politics