4 h. ago Primordial surf: ‘microlightning’ in mist may have sparked life on Earth, study finds

Tiny lightning streaks in fine spray can power chemical reactions that generate molecules for life, scientists sayCharles Darwin thought it started in a warm pond. Others point to comets that ploughed into Earth. And some suspect a bolt from the blue, a lightning strike into the ocean.How life started on Earth may forever be a mystery, but new research proposes a radical idea: that crashing waves and waterfalls may have kicked off the process by throwing up mists of water. Continue reading...

Politics

5 h. ago Brits rely heavily on reviews for everything from tech to parking spaces

A study found Brits are bombarded with so many choices they now turn to mates or family for guidance on what to buy next

Politics

7 h. ago Decision to cut winter fuel payment ‘complied with Equality Act’, court told

Attorney General Andrew Webster said there is ‘no general common law duty to consult residents who may be affected by such a law’.

Events

7 h. ago Earth was wiped out twice when huge stars ran out of fuel and violently imploded

A new study from Keele University suggests that at least two mass extinction events in Earth's history were likely caused by the devastating effects of nearby supernovae

Politics

8 h. ago Tiny ‘microlightning’ flashes inside water droplets may have sparked life on Earth

Study says tiny electric discharges between water droplets can make building block molecules of life

Politics

8 h. ago 'Giving up one common habit finally meant I could sleep through the night'

Sleep has always been a bit of a struggle for Ariane, but in the last few months she's made some changes that have really helped - and ditching one particular habit seems to have done wonders

Politics

8 h. ago Tragic outcome with dementia patients that's so common but can put them at risk

A dementia expert has urged primary caregivers to reach out for support following the tragic deaths of Hollywood megastar Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa

Events

9 h. ago Village where one in 10 people live to 100 all have one thing in common

Acciaroli on the Cilento coast south of Naples, has been dubbed the 'Land of the Eternal Youth' - and everyone has this in their diet

Politics

9 h. ago Common crisp error is increasing risk of heart attack and stroke

A study has found that many people are making the same mistake with one of the nation's favourite snacks

Events

10 h. ago Poor sleepers are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories, study suggests

Psychologists also found depression was a mechanism in conspiratorial beliefs

Politics

12 h. ago Scientists reveal the reason retirees abroad may suffer 'black spot in paradise' as study shows retired people who move abroad are more likely to feel lonely

Many senior citizens dream of retiring overseas in a warmer, less expensive country - but researchers in the Netherlands said loneliness can be a 'black spot in paradise'.

Politics

17 h. ago National Trust creates living gene bank of endangered native black poplar

Cuttings of tree captured by John Constable being planted on restored Devon floodplainCaptured by John Constable in one of his most celebrated paintings, the black poplar tree was once as common as oak and beech in Britain.Now the rarest and most threatened native species in the country, the National Trust is creating a living gene bank of the black poplar to ensure Constable’s The Hay Wain does not become a tribute to an extinct breed. Continue reading...

Politics

18 h. ago Why Gen Z are ditching Ibiza for these unlikely holiday destinations instead

Move over Ibiza. According to a recent study, more young travellers are abandoning boozy trips with their mates for enriching getaways to these lesser-hyped destinations

Politics

24 h. ago Some advanced AI models can't tell the time as 'significant gap' discovered

AI might be taking over the world, but it seems some systems can't even tell the time. A new study found AI systems got clock-hand positions right less than 25% of the time

Politics

28 h. ago Destruction of Ukraine dam caused ‘toxic timebomb’ of heavy metals, study finds

Researchers say environmental impact from Kakhovka dam explosion comparable to Chornobyl nuclear disasterThe destruction of a large Ukrainian dam in 2023 triggered a “toxic timebomb” of environmental harm, a study has found.Lakebed sediments holding 83,000 tonnes of heavy metals were exposed when the Kakhovka dam was blown up one year into Russia’s invasion, researchers found. Continue reading...

Events

28 h. ago UK study highlights severe impact of period pain on women's lives

A recent study of 5,000 women in the UK has shown the debilitating impact of period pain, with many women saying they have been told discomfort is normal

Politics

29 h. ago Important brain scan results show impact of simply watching videos on our pain levels

New research has been carried out by researchers from the universities of Exeter and Vienna

Culture

30 h. ago Giant red ball pit appears in city centre as Brits forget how to have fun

A giant red ball pit appeared in Manchester city centre this week, with a study finding that many adults in the UK have forgotten how to have fun

Politics

30 h. ago Shock study discovers popular drinks can cause deadly mouth cancer

American experts, examining data from over 160,000 women, found those who consumed a type of drink regularly had an increased chance of developing a type of cancer.

Events

31 h. ago Prevalence of microplastics in soil increased 15 times in four years – study

Researchers looked at samples from a field in Hartwood, North Lanarkshire, included in a UK-wide sewage sludge experiment between 1994 and 2019.

Politics