Science

Unlocking violent crime through epigenetics

Violent people are often the product of violent surroundings. But genetics can play a role, too. Traumatic experience can be passed down from generation to generation — and manifest itself in violent outbreaks.  

Fly me to the moon

China unveils plans to launch man-made moon

China has made public its plans to launch an 'artificial moon' by 2020. It's hoped the light source will replace streetlamps and lower exorbitant electricity costs in the country's rural areas.  

BepiColombo spacecraft launch

A long mission to Mercury begins

BepiColombo is set to begin its long journey to one of the least studied of Earth's seven neighboring planets. It is hoped the probe will offer insights into how our solar system was formed.  

Democracy in danger

Elections are easy to manipulate

Manipulated elections undermine confidence in democracy. Yet digital electoral systems are frighteningly vulnerable to attacks. The solution is surprisingly simple.  

Open source pharma

How to stop the rot in drug discovery

There's something rotten in the state of pharma — greed, secrecy, inefficiency — it's all there. And there's no easy fix. But moves toward a more caring, sharing industry through "open source pharma" may be a start.  

After the Soyuz failure

Are astronauts stuck on the ISS? A few questions and answers

The only rocket that takes humans to space has been grounded. Until "spring." That has all sorts of consequences for the astronauts on the space station.