Science in the news

July 2025

Shubhanshu Shukla: India celebrates sending its first astronaut into space after 41 yearsGroup Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has become only the second Indian to travel to space.

curriculum links

Physics and STEM careers

June 2025

Breakthrough in search for HIV cure leaves researchers ‘overwhelmed’Exclusive: Melbourne team demonstrates way to make the virus visible within white blood cells, paving the way to fully clear it from the body

curriculum links

Biology - Infection and response

Chemistry - Nanoparticles

Audio support version

hiv.mp4

May 2025

The Pyrotechnic Chemistry of the Vatican’s Pope Smoke Signals ExplainedPyrotechnic chemistry drives the Vatican’s recipes for the black and white smoke used to announce papal election outcomes

curriculum links

Chemistry - combustion

April 2025

Could taking carbon out of the sea cool down the planet?A pilot project will test whether it is a useful way of fighting climate change.

curriculum links

chemistry/physics/biology - Climate change and carbon cycle

March 2025

Peatland restoration aims to prevent Glasgow's tap water turning brownScottish Water is restoring 400 hectares of degraded peat around Loch Katrine which feeds the city's drinking water.

curriculum links

biology - Peat bogs, biodiversity

November 2024

Scientists develop 'environmentally friendly' plastic that dissolves in sea waterEach year millions of tonnes of plastic ends up in the sea, scientists in Japan say they have developed a new version of the material that will fully dissolve in salt water.

curriculum links

chemistry/organic chemistry/lifecycle assessments/ polymers

October 2024

Alarm call as world's trees slide towards extinctionScientists have revealed that more than a third of tree species are facing extinction.

Curriculum links - Biology/Ecology/Biodiversity

September 2024

Big Butterfly Count lowest in 14 yearsThe charity is calling on the government to ban pesticides that can harm butterflies and bees.

Curriculum links - Biology/Ecology/Biodiversity

Audio support version

butterflies.mp4

June 2024

A myopia epidemic is sweeping the globe. Here’s how to stop itTime spent outdoors is the best defence against rising rates of short-sightedness, but scientists are searching for other ways to reverse the troubling trend.

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May 2024

HPV vaccine cutting cervical cancer by nearly 90%Researchers say regular cervical screening may not be necessary because of the success of the vaccine.

Curriculum links - Biology Infection and response

Audio support version

HPV.mp4

April 2024

Why firms are racing to produce green ammoniaAmmonia is essential for fertiliser production but producing it is carbon intensive.

Curriculum links Chemistry - Haber process

Ammonia

March 2024

AI solves nuclear fusion puzzle for near-limitless clean energyNuclear fusion breakthough overcomes key barrier to grid-scale adoption

Audio support version

nuclear fusion.mp4

Extended Reading

History of Fusion - EUROfusionThe science and physics of nuclear fusion started becoming clear in the 1920s when British astrophysicist Arthur Eddington suggested that stars draw their energy from the fusion of hydrogen into helium

Curriculum links

Physics - Atomic Structure

Feburary 2024

England's hedges would go around Earth ten timesEcologists hope a new map of our historic hedgerows will lead to better protection for a key wildlife habitat.

Audio support version

Hedgerows

Extended reading

Curriculum links

Biology - Ecology

January 2024

Secrets of the microbiome: the gut – podcastIan Sample speaks to colorectal surgeon and researcher, James Kinross, about the miraculous world of our gut microbiome, and what we can all do to look after it

Extended reading

Why not listen to this podcast from the Guardian this month. The podcast covers the most up-to-date research around the importance of our gut microbiome (so the good bacteria that live in our digestive system). If you enjoyed this podcast you may want to read Philipp Dettmer's book 'Immune'. It's a beautifully illustrated book taking you on a wonderful journey through the human immune system.

Curriculum links

Biology - Infection and response

December 2023

Space photo of the week: Uranus 'rings' in the New Year in stunning James Webb telescope imageThe James Webb Space Telescope reveals a stunning new portrait of ice giant Uranus, featuring its frigid rings and 14 of 27 moons.

Extended reading

Are you interested in space? What not read Tim Peake's book. Tim answers the questions we are all desperate to ask!

Curriculum links

Physics - Space

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