Ian Taylor
A former deputy editor at Science Focus, Ian once undertook a scientific ranking of the UK's best rollercoasters on behalf of the magazine. He is now a freelance writer, which is frankly a lot less fun.
Recent articles by Ian Taylor
I love nothing more than donning some Lycra and hitting the roads on my ultra-lightweight, professional-grade steed. Should I be shaving my legs?
You'll never miss a 9am meeting again.
How is your driving affected after a night of insomnia?
Best make sure you get a good night's kip before setting out on your next road trip.
How to finally break free from your smartphone addiction
Inside the strange new science of 'dopamine fasting'.
How 'paleo lighting' can upgrade your sleep this winter
With the evenings drawing in, could
embracing the darkness be good for you?
Struggling to wake up in a world that starts at 9am? Here's how science can help
If you’re a night owl, you probably have a hard time waking in the morning. Here's how you can tinker with your body clock to make it easier to rise with the larks.
Blobfish: Facts about the world's ugliest animal
Learn what the blobfish really looks like – and why it’s become an unlikely poster child for marine conservation.
Group workouts can make you fitter – if you do it right
Exercise classes are more popular than ever. Here’s what the science says about their effects on motivation and whether they really are more effective.
Can ‘mewing’ really improve your jawline and sleep? The experts explain
Can a TikTok beauty trend really give you the profile of a supermodel?
37 best LEGO sets for adults in 2024: NASA, Star Wars, architecture and more
LEGO sets aren't just for kids. There's a huge array of fantastic kits for adults, from a bonsai tree to the enormous Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer.
What are the 10 coldest places on Earth?
You wouldn't want to live there, but bring a coat if you're going to visit these spots – they have recorded the lowest temperatures ever!
The new science of CRISPR: How gene-editing tech is about to change food, children and vaccines forever
Everything you need to know about the genome-editing tool that's changing the building blocks of life itself.
What's the longest a dog can live for?
It's a dog's life, but how long it lasts depends on a number of factors, including size and breed.
How loneliness is killing men
Why mates are a kind of medicine.
Naps: A user's guide
You snooze, you win. Research shows that napping can have a powerful effect on health and cognition. This is the art of a scientific siesta…
In pictures: The air taxis that could be taking to the skies by 2025
You could be hailing an air taxi sooner than you'd expect.
Flying cars take off: How air taxis are about to revolutionise how we travel
Just a few years ago, it felt like flying cars were still a distant sci-fi future. But investment has increased rapidly, and a number of companies are now building air taxis to make our city journeys faster, easier and cleaner.
13 incredible scientific moments to remind you 2021 wasn't all bad
It's been a long year, but there were some amazing scientific discoveries.
CRISPR: A guide to the health revolution that will define the 21st century
Scientists will soon have the tools to rewrite the book of life, and in doing so, edit out sections that cause disease, piece by piece. But is the technology safe and will all of us get the benefits, or will it be the preserve of those who can afford it?
Stegosaurus: The enigmatic icon of the Jurassic
Why one of the most famous dinosaurs ever discovered is still keeping researchers guessing today.
Road runner stopped by Trump's border wall wins Bird Photographer of the Year
Take flight and explore stunning photographs of some of the most endangered and enigmatic species of bird in the world.
What it's like to fly to the edge of space, according to Virgin Galactic's pilot
Strap in as Dave Mackay takes us on a tour to low-Earth orbit.
Biological space race: NASA doctor reveals the future of genetically edited astronauts
Prof Christopher E Mason has been studying astronaut Scott Kelly's reactions to life in space and reveals how we might adapt to overcome the challenges we face.
Dr Michael Mosley’s 10 simple shortcuts to getting healthy
Being healthy and fit demands hard work, dedication above all time. Or does it? Michael Mosley shares his favourite shortcuts to staying healthy and well as we get older. No sweat bands necessary.
A gigantic guide to the mighty triceratops
Everything you want to know about the famous three-horned dinosaur.