Surprising Science

It’s an organic cultural progression that has mostly gone overlooked. Whether it’s the respectful bow in Asia, the formal cheek kiss in Europe or the casual fist bump in North […]

Looking for the upside of depression, The New York Times Magazine approaches the “disease” from the point of view of evolutionary biology.

Rather than eggs, which can sometimes be in short supply, researchers have found that tobacco plants can be used to incubate diseases before they are killed and turned into vaccines.

After losing his voice to cancer, new software is allowing Roger Ebert to “speak” through a computer by taking sounds of his own voice from his DVD commentary on ‘Casablanca’ and ‘Citizen Kane’.

Sexually provocative, sexually suggestive and sexually reminiscent iPhone applications (apps) have been purged from the Apple store to reassure consumers of its wholesome image.

In an effort to curb the spread of dengue fever, scientists are breeding a genetically altered strain of mosquito, the insects which typically carry the disease, to counteract its effects.

Scientists have found that a particular area of the North Atlantic Ocean attracts plastic debris and other trash, leaving the region comparable to the Pacific’s “great garbage patch”.

Scientists are predicting the disintegration of tropical coral reefs by the end of this century as rising acidity in the World’s oceans threatens to mortally unbalance marine ecosystems.

The fossilised jawbone, teeth and scales of an enormous 10-meter predatory shark, which would have roamed the seas around 89m years ago, have been dug up in Kansas, USA.

Why does sustainable transit seem like such a far-off dream? Ostensibly obstructed by years of costly R&D, unprecedented political and technological breakthrough, and often some sort of sci-fi revolution, the […]

As a genre, science fiction could potentially wield more influence over its followers than any other cultural force. Through film, television, and comics, it has inspired countless socially-awkward young people […]

A controversial Christian “child training” practice has come under fire from other Christians who deem its processes “abusive” rather than disciplinarian.

Former vice president Dick Cheney has been hospitalised after experiencing chest pains, having previously had four heart attacks.

A regular system of 26 symbols thought to be the origins of written language crop up in stone carvings throughout the prehistoric world – now experts are trying to decipher their meaning.

Concerns about GlaxoSmithKline PLC’s diabetes drug’s links to heart attacks have been reignited after a Senate report urged the Food and Drug Administration to make changes.

A diverse range of corals harboring unusual symbiotic algae in the warm Indian Ocean suggests resilience to future global warming, Penn State researchers have found.

The mass prescription of anti-retroviral drugs means that the global AIDS epidemic could be controlled and the disease eradicated within the next 40 years, according to predictions.

A palm-sized device inspired by a tiny purple beetle that feeds on palm leaves could one day enable humans to walk up walls in manner similar to comic book hero Spiderman.

Ahead of next week’s healthcare reform summit, the White House and Senate Democrats are reviewing the posibility of passing legislation with a simple majority in the Senate.

The natural sex hormone progesterone first used in contraceptive pills and naturally extracted from yams seems likely to reduce swelling and repair neurons in patients with severe head trauma.

For decades now, academics and songwriters alike have attempted to bridge the gap and extend a helping hand to the world’s poorest people. These efforts have varied from the insipid […]

Dolphins have the unique ability to turn the condition diabetes off and on, scientists have discovered in a major breakthrough which could potentially lead to a cure in humans.

Why are rappers more likely to sing about being “schizophrenic,” while white crooners are more apt to call themselves “depressed”? And why do supposed schizophrenics often get jailed rather than […]

Food packaging and other disposable plastics could soon be biodegraded along with organic waste thanks to a new sugar-based polymer which you can pop on your compost heap.

American President Barack Obama telephoned space yesterday, telling astronauts at the International Space Station that he is “deeply committed” to human space exploration.

Conventional wisdom tells us that church is good for us and obesity is bad for us. So what are we finding when we research the link between the two? On […]

Breast cancer patients who take aspirin regularly after undergoing treatment may be less likely to die or be struck down with cancer for a second time, according to new research.

Lasers are vaporizing materials including rocks and steel in order to allow scientists to analyze their chemical composition in transference of such techniques from Mars probes to forensics.

Former U.S vice presidential hopeful Sarah Palin has blasted popular animated TV show “Family Guy” after it apparently mocked her son who has Down Syndrome.

We now know how Egyptian boy king Tutankhamun died 3,000 years ago as well as who his parents and grandmother were after scientists conducted a post mortem on his remains.