Think you know Pompeii? These are the 7 myths you probably still believe
We all think we’ve heard the story of the deadly Roman-era volcanic eruption. But there’s so much more to learn
How can I make myself more attractive?
It turns out the most magnetic people all share a few simple habits
The 5 absolute best space images of 2026 (so far)
Jaw-dropping images of outer space from the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition
Britain's biggest carbon store is hidden beneath our forests – and it can help to future proof our planet
We explore how the carbon cycle’s delicate balance lies in an invisible world underground.
How to permanently change your relationship with alcohol in 30 days
How much good can ditching drink for a month really do? Answer: A whole lot
New issue: The dark dimension
Most of the Universe seems to be missing – or at least, we don’t know what 95 per cent of it is. And at this point, my biggest question is, does it matter? Most of the missing stuff (68 per cent) is something called 'dark energy'. It was 'discovered’ in 1998 when astronomers observed that distant supernovae (exploding stars) were dimmer than expected. We knew the Universe was expanding, and so the supernovae should become fainter over time, but we thought that expansion was slowing down. After all, the Universe is full of matter and that matter produces gravity, which should be pulling everything together. Instead, it seemed the expansion was accelerating. So, the physics world decided on a new kind of universal constant, dark energy. It’s a similar story for dark matter (the other 27 per cent). It was something used to fix the difference between what our model was predicting and what we were seeing in the Universe. The trouble is, we’re still nowhere near understanding exactly what either of them are. So, back to my question. Does it matter? Well, we also don’t really know what gravity is, fundamentally, but we know a lot about how it behaves. And that’s the important part – we can model what it does extremely well. This lets us probe planets, stars and phenomena light-years away from us and so it seems to matter less, even as the mystery boils on. But if you would really like to know what’s going on, one set of cosmologists has a wild new theory to help us understand what dark energy could be. Find out what that theory is, in this issue.
Can plants count?
Plants can't count exactly like humans do, but scientists agree that they're capable of some very clever things
10 times space missions went hilariously wrong
From dropped tool bags to farting astronauts, spaceflight has had its fair share of amusing mistakes and embarrassing oversights
Armed robots are now battling on Ukraine’s front line. What comes next is even stranger
Unmanned ground and air vehicles are changing warfare as we know it
The 6 most important questions about anxiety, answered by a psychologist
Here are the simple, science-backed ways of reframing your inner demons.
Top reads
151 random fun facts that will blow your mind
Our collection of the best interesting trivia covers animals, biology, geography, space and much more
Could hidden dehydration be the cause of your daytime fatigue?
Feeling tired? Your afternoon dip could be low-chronic dehydration
8 techniques all anxious people should use, according to a psychologist
Whether in the short- or long-term, there are lots of different techniques that can help you deal with anxiety.
Science news
An invisible force could be changing your lifespan, study suggests
Could the secret to how long we live be linked to Earth’s magnetism?
Experts have found an unexpected side-effect of weight-loss drugs
GLP-1s are linked to hair and nail changes, which experts say are reversible
This surprising factor could reveal how compatible you and your partner really are, says science
A shared taste in music is as good an indicator as any, scientists say
These are the US states that will be worst hit by El Niño
From wildfires to floods and storms, different states will be hit in very different ways
Future technology
'It's extremely controversial': The bizarre, once-shunned idea that could finally cool our heating planet
As Earth's climate continues to warm, experts are increasingly wondering if we could, and should, take more drastic action and start tinkering with the planet in the hope of saving it
What if we built a super-collider around the Moon?
Scientists have considered putting a super-collider on the Moon. What benefits would this have over the Large Hadron Collider at CERN?
5 mind-blowing inventions that are already turning humans into cyborgs
A future where humans can lift incredible weights, see in the dark and fly sounds far-fetched, but it’s already here
What will spacesuits of the future look like?
Spacesuits of the future could recycle an astronaut's pee back into drinking water
Instant Genius Podcast
From the creators of BBC Science Focus, Instant Genius is a bite-sized masterclass in podcast form. With each episode, a different world-leading expert will help you understand the latest ideas and research in the world of science and tech. We want to make you an expert in everything.
Instant Genius Podcast | Do you have synaesthesia? Why some of us can taste words
Do you experience sounds or music visually as certain shapes? Or 'hear' colours?
Instant Genius Podcast | Why you’re not actually addicted to your phone
Not all social media is unhealthy – here's how to rethink your relationship to it.
Instant Genius Podcast | How personalised medicine is about to change healthcare forever
The new power of precision treatments, explained.
Your questions answered
Our team of scientists, doctors and experts answer your burning questions - send yours to questions@sciencefocus.com
This 450-million-year-old fish has gone viral in Japan for the weirdest reason
Meet the Sacabambaspis, an extinct fish without jaws or fins
How much will exercise control my blood pressure?
How much exercise do you need to do to help control your blood pressure? A doctor explains the best exercises you can do
Are there any other Stonehenges?
Stonehenge is one of many ancient stone circles dotted around the world, in Japan, Australia and even the US
Is there anything on Earth that could withstand conditions on Mars?
Humans wouldn't last very long in Mars' extremely harsh climate. Some creatures, however, may just be tough enough to try
What’s the best comeback to an insult?
'I know you are, but what am I?' is surely the best comeback of all time.
Why do more perimenopausal women get diagnosed with ADHD?
Some women spend decades masking
Science photo galleries
These might be the 11 best science photos from the past 30 years
15 of the world's weirdest-ever inventions
From the V-shaped bed designed by an exercise legend, to a robot that feeds you tomatoes
The world’s largest camera has taken its most mind-blowing images yet
One year in, the Vera C Rubin Observatory is already changing astronomy forever
*Koch Institute Image Awards 2026*
From glowing neurons to intricate tissue structures, these award-winning images reveal the hidden beauty driving breakthroughs in modern biomedical research.
10 of the world's worst-ever inventions
From the electric tricycle to parachute coat, these are some of the most poorly received devices developed around the globe.
Artemis II in pictures: 21 jaw-dropping photos, from launch to splashdown
Ten days, one Moon, and a view we’ve waited half a century to see again
