Science
Benedict Cumberbatchâs nature show is stunning, if a little cloying
The actor urges us to work with nature, not against it, in new documentary How to Live on Earth. Let's hope it can make a real difference, says Alec Luhn
Scientists thought they knew how this 70-year-old leukemia drug worked
A 70-year-old leukemia drug is still revealing new secrets. Researchers found that removing a protein called NUDT5 protected cells from the drug, even though simply blocking the protein had little effect. The unexpected result points to a hidden cellular role that could help explain why people respo
Aging muscles may be losing strength for a reason scientists missed
A newly identified breakdown in communication between nerves and muscles could help explain why people lose strength as they age. Researchers were able to improve muscle strength in an animal model by targeting a key protein, raising hopes that some age-related weakness could eventually be treated.
Science
Elephants use medicinal plants to treat themselves, researchers find
African elephants use dozens of different medicinal plants to treat themselves and their families when they are sick, research reveals.
âWe just need to go backâ â Uranusâ moon Ariel may have hidden a 100-mile-deep ocean
Ariel, one of Uranusâ moons, may once have contained a subsurface ocean more than 100 miles deep beneath its fractured icy shell. The finding, combined with similar evidence from Miranda, suggests the distant Uranian system could harbor multiple hidden ocean worlds.
Science
When and how to see the Harvest Moon in 2026
September's full Moon will rise on Saturday 26 September. The best viewing conditions currently look to be across southern and eastern parts of the UK.
Science
Could Comet 3I/ATLAS teach us about life beyond Earth? Scientists say the story's not over yet.
No evidence has been found linking 3I/ATLAS to aliens. But the interstellar object, just the third of its kind to be found, shows that life's molecular precursors are abundant in the Milky Way.
Science
Japan switches on its first full-stack room-temperature quantum computer â and scientists plan to scale it up to 10,000 qubits
Japan's new quantum system, Shunkai, uses "optical tweezers" to trap and rearrange atoms, and will be available to researchers working on quantum error correction.
Science
Blood tests find high level of cancer-causing forever chemical in residents near factory
People living near a major chemical factory in Lancashire are told they could be at risk of serious health conditions.
ADHD and autism diagnoses have surged. A massive study may help explain why
A large Danish study found that children diagnosed with ADHD or autism today more closely resemble their peers in the general population than those diagnosed 10 years ago. The shift suggests that rising diagnosis rates may partly reflect broader identification and changing diagnostic patterns, rathe
Science
Waste sector crisis could see rubbish piling up on streets, experts warn
There are warnings over a combination of significantly reduced landfill space and a breakdown of Glasgow's main incinerator.
Health
NHS staff investigated over access to dead teenager's medical records
Oliver McGowan, who died in 2016, may have had his medical records accessed inappropriately after his death by NHS staff in Bristol.
China's Xi Jinping meets Trump for high-stakes summit
Xi Jinping has arrived in Washington for a three-day state visit and was met by Donald Trump in a rare planeside welcome. As President Xi touched down, the US treasury secretary announced that a bilateral trade truce has been extended. Also, the US-backed group, known as the Board of Peace, has pre
Science
Are baby girls more sociable? Super El NiĂąo, meningitis outbreak explained â podcast
Madeleine Finlay sits down with her co-host and Guardian science editor, Ian Sample, to discuss three science stories from the week, including a study that offers a clue in the age-old debate about whether sex differences are present from birth or a product of socialisation. Also on the agenda is th
More REM sleep linked to lower risk of 83 diseases
A large study tracking more than 95,000 people suggests that how you sleep may be linked to your risk of developing dozens of diseases. People who spent more time in REM sleep had lower risks of 83 conditions, including dementia, heart failure, and Parkinsonâs disease, while more deep sleep was asso
GLP-1 weight loss and diabetes drugs linked to nutritional deficiencies in nearly 1 in 6 children
Children taking GLP-1 medications (such as Victoza, Saxenda, Trulicity, and Ozempic) for weight loss, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes may face an overlooked risk: nutritional deficiencies. A new study found that nearly 1 in 6 young patients developed a diagnosed deficiency within a year of starting
NIH details $170 million biomedical research reproducibility effort
Agency director announces literature search tool, other plans to improve reliability of science findings
Little-known arm of immune system could be key to better vaccines, cancer therapies
The CD1 system responds to lipids, not proteins, driving reactions to bee stings, bacteria, and possibly poison ivy
Bumblebees donât mind a little plastic in their honeypots
Nature, Published online: 24 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02988-2Insects show off their adaptability by incorporating unfamiliar construction materials to build honey-storage vessels.
Youthful fans of YouTube sports videos stick to the sofa
Nature, Published online: 24 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02989-1University students who are highly motivated to watch sports online do not report higher participation in exercise.