Robots to the rescue
For people with autism, a chat in a cafe could be a confusing and overwhelming experience. You might be distracted by the multiple conversations taking place and the loud sounds of the coffee machine. You might not understand the non-verbal cues of the waitress or the expression on her face.
Harnessing the power of video games to teach children empathy
Violent video games have long been blamed for increased aggression and decreased empathy in the teenagers who play them – but thankfully the news is not all bad.
Unsung heroes fighting for a better world
It was 5.30pm on a weeknight, cold and getting dark. Normally I would be preparing dinner while sipping a glass of wine, waiting for my husband to come home before settling down in a warm, cosy armchair for the evening. But I had committed to going out.
Innovators look to “accidental crops” as a nutritious, environmentally friendly and free food source
Philip Stark was on a long run in the hills above Berkeley, California, when he started thinking differently about the wild green plants around him.
Researchers listen to their guts and go for glory
Inspired by acoustic sensing technology devised to pick up the munching sounds of termites, scientists have created a belt to record the internal gut rumblings that would normally cause embarrassment at dinner parties.
Secrets to staying young
Much like enjoying a vintage wine – something soft and rounded on the palette, warm, rich in flavour and mellow – our ideal of ageing is that it should be full of opportunities to relax, reflect and reap the rewards after a lifetime of hard work and family commitments.
The Serengeti isn’t wilderness. It’s the product of livestock farming
Thousands of years of livestock dung have stimulated fertile and ecologically diverse wildlife hotspots in Africa
When it comes to collective effort, laziness pays off
Humans have much to learn from ants, it seems. Researchers have now discovered from their behaviour how a busy work flow can be optimised – and surprisingly it’s not by everyone working harder.
How your outlook can affect exam performance
High school can be stressful as school work and expectations mount – particularly when exams are looming. But students who believe intelligence can be developed may weather anxiety better than those who think it is a fixed trait, according to US research.
Weeds growing in poor city areas more nutritious than store-bought produce
Despite the odds, nature does her best to nurture us. Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, have reported finding nutritious wild greens growing abundantly in poor urban areas of San Francisco
Dateless and dreaming: the science of seeking romance online
People searching for love using a popular online dating website tend to target potential mates who are more desirable than they are
Can crab shells and trees replace plastic?
An eco-friendly material made from crab shells and trees could replace plastic food packaging, according to US researchers.
Please pass the salt – just hold the processed food
While trekking through Europe in his twenties, my husband dutifully visited elderly Italian relatives and immediately sat down to a sumptuous garden-grown, home-cooked meal. His ‘nonno’ asked him to pass the salt.
