Why do birds sing in Spring?

Up here in the northern hemisphere spring has just started, bringing with it daffodils, sunlight and singing birds. But why do birds sing? They don’t have calendars like we humans do, so how do they know it’s time to start breeding? After all, it can’t be the weather, because where I live it’s been [...]

Discovered: Ancient islanders just 3 feet tall

If you were on vacation and discovered a skeleton, what would you do? Run away? Scream? Call for help? Lee Berger, a scientist in the field of anthropology, did none of those while on holiday on an island near the Philippines (map) - after reporting them to the authorities, he went back a few [...]

The animals that could save your life: Sea Cucumbers

Sea cucumbers aren’t the sort of things you’d think could save someone’s life - most people will never even see one in their lives. But a new material, based on the design of a sea cucumber’s skin, may just be about to start a medical revolution.
When sea cucumbers get scared, they suddenly make their [...]

Scientists advance technology capable of seeing your dreams

Imagine being able to watch someone else’s dream, or see what they’re daydreaming about. Surely this is only possible in science fiction? Well actually, it is (probably) possible in real life too, and the technology needed to do it may be around in just a few decades.
Scientists at Stanford University have published new research in [...]

Japan: Where robots have emotions

Imagine a robot that doesn’t just respond to human emotions, but actually has its own emotions. In just a few years time we may not have to imagine any longer, thanks to the astonishing recent rate of progress in robotics in Japan.
Already robots are being programmed to respond to human emotions - they might [...]