The 3 rules your diet needs to actually work
Fed up with navigating all the tips telling you how to lose weight? Us too. So we asked an obesity expert to reveal whether anything actually works for weight loss.
Most planets in our galaxy are born ‘bloated’, new study suggests
The planets are unlike anything found in our Solar System
Should I ditch the HIIT?
HIIT exercise isn't for everyone and there's some evidence that you can overdo it. Here's what the experts recommend
Virtual reality farming is set to reshape your food supply forever
This is the future of agriculture, where headsets replace muddy boots and cows chill in the Metaverse
These are the most narcissistic countries in the world, study suggests
Plus, why some groups are more likely to be self-obsessed, no matter their nationality
New issue: Don't count the calories
January’s long nights, howling winds and unending drizzle that constitute a British winter all seem to scream: stay indoors, get under a blanket and stay very still. But every year, I reach January and the same conclusion as millions of others: it’s time for change. Christmas is what does it. There’s only so much indulgence the body can take. It starts on the 24th when, if you’re lucky, work’s finished and the fridge is full. Over the next seven days, I’ll feast like a Tudor monarch, picking at carcasses, stabbing at cheese and washing it all down with a bit of port (well, someone’s got to finish it). But by New Year’s Day I’ve had enough. Meaningful, lasting change isn’t easy. The science says so. Sure, a fitness influencer will scream at you until they’re Christmas-ham-pink in the face that losing weight is JUST SIMPLE MATHS: burn more calories than you consume, and you’ll lose weight. But your genes, biology and chemistry don’t work like a calculator. There’s more to it. So we’re here to help you construct bite-sized changes that will add up to significant improvements in your health and wellbeing this year.
A deadly new wave of 'whiplash weather' is set to hit our biggest cities. Are we ready?
Weather patterns are see-sawing from one extreme to another faster and more frequently than ever before. And the phenomenon is coming to places you wouldn’t expect
Why giving up alcohol may be the key to slowing down ageing
Giving up alcohol could add years to your life by slowing down your biological clock
Is psychopathy born or bred?
For years, scientists have argued over whether psychopathy is learned or inherited. Brain imaging is now offering an unexpected verdict
We finally know how little exercise you need to actually make a real difference
New studies suggest just a few minutes of exercise a day can dramatically improve your health and longevity.
Top reads
121 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
How to beat anxiety: 8 simple, concrete strategies to take control of your mind
Whether in the short- or long-term, there are lots of different techniques that can help you deal with anxiety.
Science news
Your dog might be eavesdropping on your conversations – and learning words from them
Certain dogs can learn words like human toddlers, by listening to family members’ conversations
The hidden problem with Venezuela’s oil supply
The South American nation has vast oil reserves, but getting them out of the ground will not be easy
Exercise won’t help you lose much fat. Changing this will
Groundbreaking research is rewriting the science of how we use energy – and why effort alone won’t shift the scales
Most people think social media is bad for kids. Australia is trying to prove it
The country has banned kids from using social media. The world is watching to see what happens next
Future technology
We might finally know what will burst the AI bubble
Many experts and analysts are warning that the AI industry is overvalued and heading for a crash. But why?
Why the Moon's far side is now the prize every country wants
There’s only one place to go if we want to catch sight of the cosmic dawn
How whales, vodka and volcanic ice blocks could soon solve the carbon crisis
From living paint to injecting rocks, scientists have bizarre carbon capture ideas that could help us tackle the climate crisis
1,000 AIs were left to build their own village, and the weirdest civilisation emerged
Inside the strange experiment that turned AI agents into workers, leaders and believers
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
Will we ever know how many people died in 9/11?
Health conditions related to the terrorist attacks in New York City are only now making themselves known, more than two decades later
How can I banish the January blues?
Don't let January get you down. Here's how to beat the winter blues
Can animals be left- or right-pawed?
Does your pet favour one paw in particular? Surprisingly there is an easy way to find out and it applies to most animals.
Why Christmas with family overwhelms your brain (and how to cope)
Affective labelling and scheduled escapes: the psychological tactics you need for a merry (and sane) Christmas.
How to prime your hunger hormones to avoid over-indulgence this Christmas
Breakfast or no breakfast on Christmas day?
Why scientists once thought the platypus was an elaborate hoax
The platypus is such a strange animal that it was originally thought to be an elaborate hoax by pranksters
Science photo galleries
The 10 best optical illusions that will blow your mind
Optical illusions are fun and intriguing, and we don't always know why they happen. Here are some of our favourites.
The top 22 most ugly animals in the world
Not all creatures can be beautiful, but they all have interesting stories to tell
30 astonishing close-up images that make the smallest things look epic
Life in stunning detail
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.
Nature like you've never seen it: 18 jaw-dropping aerial photos
Our planet, like you've never seen it before
This year’s most powerful scientific experiments, in 14 images
The annual Wellcome Trust image award shortlist showcases the most powerful images of global health challenges