Julia Biermann
Recent articles by Julia Biermann
Ancient dogs domesticated twice
New theory suggests that prehistoric dogs were domesticated in both Asia and Europe around the same time.
Silver Boa: the new treasure of the Bahamas
Biologists on a Caribbean treasure hunt discover a new species of snake with shimmering, silver skin.
Are ‘red geysers’ the solution to an old-galaxy mystery?
Scientists discover supermassive black hole phenomenon that stops ageing galaxies from producing new stars.
Seeing red: how birds' yellow feathers turn into red ones
Two teams of scientists independently discover the gene that helps birds produce their dazzling red feathers, and it's found in their eyes.
This is why you can’t sleep in a new bed
Feel groggy when you sleep in a new place for the first time? It’s because your brain switches into “dolphin mode”.
Fate of the dinosaurs sealed even before asteroid impact
The number of dinosaur species in decline 50 million years before extinction and could have helped mammals take over.
Flexible camera could change the way we take photos
New lens technology means cameras could once day be as thin as a credit card – and flexible.
Project Starshot to search for alien life
Stephen Hawking, Yuri Milner and Mark Zuckerberg to send tiny StarChips to Alpha Centauri in ambitious hunt for extra terrestrials.
First cave art 10,000 years older than thought
Radiocarbon dating finds paintings on the wall in the ‘Louvre of the Stone Age’ are much older than archaeologists believed.
Human diseases from Africa could have wiped out Neanderthals
DNA opens up new theory as to how disease spread from Africa to Europe and from Homo sapiens to Neanderthals.
This week in science history: Apollo 13, Rosalind Franklin and England's 'green heart'
We look back at some of the most significant events in science, technology and natural history that changed how we view the world around us and beyond.
Sentinel-3A’s first infrared picture is a masterpiece
It looks like modern art but until ESA’s climate satellite is regarded akin to Picasso or Pollock, we’ll just have to enjoy it for the scientific beauty.
Two hearts beating in one baboon
Phil Collins probably never imagined his 1988 hit ‘Two Hearts’ would finally come true – albeit about the xenotransplantation of a pig’s heart into a baboon.
Supermassive black hole discovered in the unlikeliest of places
A newly discovered monster black hole suggests that more of its kind exist, where nobody expected them to be.
Bilingual babies get early brain boost
Babies in bilingual households benefit from early exposure to two languages.
Mummy DNA reveals that early Americans were wiped out by Europeans
Analysis of ancient DNA confirms that European colonisers had a devastating impact on indigenous Americans.
Tanned skin can reduce body’s vitamin D production
Working on your summer tan already? Don’t overdo it or you may risk weak teeth and bones.
Watching online videos could help improve your golf skills
You don’t need to hit all 18-holes if you want to learn the perfect golf swing – new research suggests watching online tutorials could help.