Science/Nature

Can we change how our brains age? Scientists think it’s possible

[ad_1] Getty ImagesIt's long been known that our lifestyles can help to keep us healthier for longer. Now scientists are asking whether new technology can also help slow down the ageing process of our brains by keeping track of what happens to them as we get older.One sunny morning, 76-year-old Dutch-born Marijke and her husband Tom welcomed me in for breakfast at their home in Loma Linda, an hour east
Science/Nature

Big rocket prepares to head skyward

[ad_1] 15 minutes agoBy Jonathan Amos, @BBCAmos, Science correspondentESA/CNES/ARIANEROUPEurope's big new rocket, Ariane-6, is set to make its inaugural flight later.The vehicle will launch out of French Guiana on a demonstration mission to put a clutch of satellites in orbit.Developed at a cost of €4bn (£3.4bn), Ariane-6 is intended to be a workhorse rocket that gives European governments and companies access to space independently from the rest of the world.It already has a
Science/Nature

Planet smells like rotten eggs, study finds

[ad_1] A planet known for its inhospitable weather has another bizarre feature: it smells like rotten eggs, according to a new study.Scientists studied the atmosphere of HD 189733 b, which has scorching temperatures and precipitation akin to raining glass, using data from the James Webb Space Telescope.Hydrogen sulphide, which also exists on Jupiter, makes up most of HD 189733 b's atmosphere, and emits a bit of a pong, according to
Science/Nature

Footage reveals ‘miracle chick’ in flight

[ad_1] 26 minutes agoBy Victoria Gill, @vic_gill, Science correspondent, BBC NewsWhite-tailed eagles: Footage reveals 'miracle chick' in flightFootage captured from a boat off the Isle of Mull shows a "miracle" white-tailed eagle chick in flight, after it was nursed back to health by two unusually caring parents.In an unprecedented display of extended eagle parenting, the two white-tailed parents skipped this year's breeding season to continue to tend to their year-old offspring. The youngster's
Science/Nature

Rare plants disguised as toys and ivory painted black

[ad_1] 16 minutes agoBy Navin Singh Khadka, Environment correspondent, BBC World ServiceSouth African Police ServiceThe succulents were found neatly packed in this boxWhen South African officials at Cape Town’s international airport came across cardboard boxes labelled as toys being sent to China they became suspicious.China is famous for exporting toys around world - not importing them.The boxes were opened for a spot check - and instead of finding the promised toddler’s cooking
Science/Nature

IVF in zoos ‘could help wild population’

[ad_1] 6 minutes agoBy Rebecca Morelle, Science Editor, @BBCMorelle • Alison Francis, BBC News ScienceBBC/Kevin ChurchZanta, a 22-year-old rhino at Dublin Zoo, has had her eggs collected Collecting eggs from a two tonne rhino is far from easy - but the procedure is being carried out in zoos across Europe in a bid to help the wild population.The hope is that cutting-edge fertility technology could boost the genetic diversity of southern white rhinos in Africa.The species
Science/Nature

World’s oldest cave art found in Indonesia showing humans and pig

[ad_1] BRIN Google Arts & CultureThe painting is the earliest known example of representational artThe oldest example of figurative cave art has been discovered in the Indonesian Island of South Sulawesi by Australian and Indonesian scientists.The painting of a wild pig and three human-like figures is at least 51,200 years old, more than 5,000 years older than the previous oldest cave art.The discovery pushes back the time that modern humans
Science/Nature

Record-breaking sign of warming world

[ad_1] 2 hours agoBy Mark Poynting, Climate reporterReutersHurricane Beryl devastated St. Vincent and the GrenadinesHurricane Beryl is wreaking havoc in parts of the Caribbean – and putting the role of climate change under the spotlight.With maximum sustained wind speeds of more than 160mph (257km/h), it became the earliest category five Atlantic hurricane in records going back around 100 years.In fact, there has only been one previous recorded case of a category five