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
Scientists could soon use giant fire tornadoes to clean up our oceans
Sometimes, the craziest ideas just happen to be the best
Some (very weird) weapons are being launched in space. And that's only the beginning
From lasers to space planes, the battle for space is already underway – and everyone wants to win it
This ‘gruesome’ execution pit is raising unsettling questions about the Vikings
The disturbing burial site contained decapitated corpses and body parts stacked on top of each other. Yet what happened there remains a mystery
An ‘astonishingly’ large new dinosaur species has been discovered in the Sahara
This school-bus-sized predator was so unusual that scientists didn't recognise it at first
4 ridiculously easy ways to upgrade your pancakes, according to science
Whether you’re going fluffy or thin, these easy science hacks will take your pancake game to the next level.
Scientists spent a decade recording the Arctic Ocean. What they heard raises some unsettling questions
The Arctic used to be one of the quietest places on Earth. But all that’s changing, putting animals at risk
Climate change is making frogs 'sexier', scientists say
Things are heating up at the water’s edge – in more ways than one
The world’s first AI-only social media is seriously weird. The next may be even stranger
Millions of AI agents are chatting and posting on a social media site where humans can only observe. Soon, we won’t understand a word
Why do we still get major snowstorms in a warming world?
A huge US winter storm has reignited confusion about the polar vortex, the jet stream and what climate change really means for winter weather
The world's biggest Schrödinger’s cat just pushed quantum physics to the limit
The team have pushed the boundaries of quantum mechanics beyond what some thought possible. Now they want to go even further
Why sinking cities may now be a bigger climate crisis than rising seas
A hidden force is causing highly populated river deltas to sink. In many cases, the subsidence is happening faster than the sea is rising
How not to raise a narcissist, according to science
Parents naturally want their children to feel special – but showering them with praise can sometimes do more harm than good
Mosquitoes are becoming thirstier for human blood, study suggests
Habitat loss may be pushing mosquitoes towards human hosts with deadly consequences
Climate change has now shrunk US salaries by 12%. And worse is to come
No matter where you live, a new study has found warmer temperatures are picking your pocket
This new drug may have cracked the 'cheat code' for reversing ageing
Scientists are literally turning back the clocks in our cells, with the first drugs about to go to human trials
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?
‘It’s completely out of control’: Scientists warn bird flu could spark a human pandemic in 2026
Bird flu has been rampaging through wildlife and farm animals worldwide. Will it make the long-feared jump to people?
Climate change will soon make Earth's days longer. Here’s what that means for the planet
Two recent studies have shown that global warming is changing things in ways we couldn’t imagine
Swearing could give you a hidden physical edge, study finds
Cursing isn't just when you stub your toe or get road rage. Science says it can boost your physical performance
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
4 key numbers that could reshape the ‘masculinity crisis’ debate
Are gender-equality gains coming at men’s expense, as some claim? The data tells a more complex story
A mysterious glow surrounding the Milky Way could be first evidence of dark matter
The hunt for the Universe’s most enigmatic material may be over
Scientists may have just found a new way to hunt for aliens
A brand new technique is uncovering Earth’s oldest secrets, and could soon be turned to the stars
Why aliens are (probably) too lazy to make first contact
Space is big. Why not kick back, relax, and wait for them to come to you?
