Subglacial Lake Vostok cracked for a second time
Near 4 kilometres below the Antarctic ice, this ancient lake could hold extreme life forms. This time it was sampled with extra care to avoid contamination
UK parliament gives three-parent IVF the go-ahead
In a world first, members of the UK parliament have voted to allow mitochondrial donation
New Urbanist: The ghosts that keep your house safe
Gadgets designed to replicate your presence at home when you're not around could spark a technological arms race between residents and would-be burglars
Let public have greater say over big health data
We risk harming the huge potential of mass medical data in health research unless public concerns are properly addressed, says Martin Richards
Green light for mission to Jupiter moon Europa
Jupiter's icy moon is considered one of the most likely prospects for discovering life in our solar system – and it looks like we're going there
Mitochondrial replacement vote: What you need to know
The UK parliament votes today on whether DNA from three adults can be used in an IVF technique to prevent rare inherited diseases
Hottest year on record ramps up the climate pressure
UN negotiators should take note. 2014 year was the warmest on record, and climate effects are digging in across the world
Queen Elizabeth prizewinner: Put pharmacies on chips
Bioengineer Robert Langer, winner of the 2015 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, talks about microchips that deliver drugs and battles still to be fought
Formation-flying birds swap places to share out lift
Birds that benefit from each other's aerodynamic lift take turns to do the harder work out front – a rare example of reciprocal altruism
Thaw point: Why is Antarctica's sea ice still growing?
In the waters around the warming continent, the icy grip of winter seems stronger than ever. We explore the mystery of the Southern Ocean sea ice
What makes us altruistic – and what's it good for?
Two new books use the latest brain science to figure out what makes us behave selflessly – and also suggest practical steps for encouraging it
Ozone hole: How we are misled in the fight to cut smog
Obama wants to cut ozone pollution, but Republicans are crying foul over the cost. Europe is being tougher… or is it? Much is obfuscation, finds Fred Pearce
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