Tom Howarth
Tom is trends editor at BBC Science Focus. He obtained an MPhil degree in advanced chemical engineering from the University of Cambridge, where he conducted research into amyloid protein folding using fluorescent lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). Before joining BBC Science Focus, Tom worked as a science communicator at the European Southern Observatory and has previously written GreenBiz and Geographical Magazine too. Today, he covers all types of trending science stories, from ecology to epidemiology, chemistry to computer science.
Recent articles by Tom Howarth
An ancient tooth is reshaping what we know about Stonehenge
A single prehistoric cow tooth has revealed that Stonehenge’s builders may have brought more than just giant stones from Wales
A new mega-earthquake hotspot could be forming beneath the Atlantic
Mysterious earthquakes in the region have long gone unexplained
We may have solved a major part of the puzzle of how life got started
Scientists have recreated a key step in the chemistry of life – offering new clues as to how our genetic code came to be
121 random fun facts that will blow your mind
Our collection of the best interesting trivia covers animals, biology, geography, space and much more
How we read emotions could reveal a hidden sign of brain ageing
Ageing isn’t all doom and gloom: you may see the world in a more positive light
Archaeologists have unlocked new secrets of life in Pompeii
Far from being frozen in time, Pompeii lived on as a fragile community built among the ruins
We can't predict when a mega-tsunami will strike. Here's why
The Kamchatka earthquake in July was the sixth-largest ever recorded, yet no major tsunami materialised despite millions of evacuations
Cats get dementia too. And they might be the key to new human treatments
New research has found that our feline friends develop dementia in a similar way to human Alzheimer’s Disease, opening the door to further research
A top secret US spacecraft takes flight tonight – and it could rewrite the rules of future warfare
The X-37B returned to Earth this month, but details of its time in space remain hazy, to say the least.
‘It’s just chaos!’: Inside the political unravelling of America’s climate disaster defence system
Staff at NOAA say verbal orders, travel bans and self-censorship are reshaping the agency from within
This tiny stone tool may have just rewritten human history
Who left them on this Indonesian island? No one knows... yet
A massive earthquake could be brewing beneath North America, study suggests
The only problem? No one knows when it will strike
Bigger dinosaurs didn’t always have stronger bites, surprising new study finds
You probably still wouldn’t want to come face to face with them, though
Here’s how working a four-day work week could transform your body
A shorter work week could be a powerful tool for improving wellbeing – without sacrificing productivity. But is it enough to tackle burnout?
The deadly fungus behind Tutankhamun’s ‘curse’ could now save lives
The tomb-dwelling fungus sparked rumours of a ‘pharaoh’s curse’ that has endured for decades. Now it might be used to fight cancer
This simple tool could let you find out your heart’s real age
It's likely to reveal a surprising truth about your ticker
This simple walking hack could make you live longer, study finds
Best get a move on then
Eating this breakfast staple every day could lower your cholesterol
This new study is no yolk
Your brain might be wired for extremism. Here's what you can do about it
Scientists are uncovering why some of us are more vulnerable to extreme ideologies than others
Astronomers have spotted a solar system being born for the first time
This discovery marks the earliest building blocks of planets we've ever seen taking shape around a star
We may finally have an easy way to make water on the Moon
Lunar dust could one day quench astronauts’ thirst – and help make their fuel
Your brain’s biological age can predict how long you’ll live, study finds
A new blood test could reveal how fast your organs are ageing – and what that means for your health
Alpha males are the exception, not the rule, bold new study claims
Clear-cut male dominance is surprisingly rare in our animal relatives – and many females hold more sway than expected
Scientists uncover (very) creepy reason humans first kept pet cats
Our relationship with our feline friends may not have gotten off to the best start…