Science and Nature news
BBC News
The debate about whether the NHS should use magic mushrooms to treat depression
Many clinical trials to test the use of psychedelic medicines for conditions such as depression have been underway since 2022 - with surprising results
Controversial post-Brexit farm subsidy scheme 'landmark moment for Wales'
The post-Brexit subsidy scheme for farmers begins, almost a decade after the vote to leave the EU.
Intriguing finds could solve mystery of women in medieval cemetery
There is growing evidence that the women were part of an early female religious community.
Great white sharks face extinction in Mediterranean, say researchers
Overfishing and illegal fishing are contributing to the loss of sharks, including great whites.
Why 2026 looks bright for Northern Light sightings
With the Sun still in an active phase there could be more spectacular Northern light displays in the year ahead.
Blue Origin astronaut reveals depression after 'tsunami of harassment'
Blue Origin's all-female crew, which included scientist Amanda Nguyen, was launched into space in April.
Mayor says too many families are 'working poor'
Tracy Brabin talks to Radio Leeds about the Budget, COP30 and taxing tourists.
There was no clear commitment to phase out fossil fuels
COP30: Five key takeaways from a deeply divisive climate summit
What did we learn from a climate summit that ended in a deal with no new mention of fossil fuels?
We're still behind on our global warming targets after the big summit in Brazil.
UN climate talks fail to secure new fossil fuel promises
Nearly 200 countries attended COP30, which aimed to commit the world to take more action on climate change.
'This is our future,' climate adviser warns as 2025 to break heat records
The Met Office says that 2025 is likely to be the UK's hottest year since records began.
'Year of octopus' declared after warmer seas lead to record UK numbers
The Wildlife Trusts say its is 'flabbergasted' by the sighting of the highest number of octopuses since 1950
Hen cages and pig farrowing crates face ban
The government says its animal welfare strategy will bring "the biggest reforms in a generation".
Government rolls back nature protections to boost housing
Critics say government changes to a flagship biodiversity policy could stall nature recovery.
Spain's commitment to renewable energy may be in doubt
The current government is politically weakened and the opposition wants more use of fossil fuels.
Cats became our companions much later than you think
In true feline style, cats took their time in deciding when and where to join us on the sofa.
Brazil's Amazon rainforest at risk as key protection under threat
Brazilian farmers want to end a ban on planting soya on cleared land, which critics say would spur deforestation.
Landmark deal to cut global shipping emissions in tatters after US pressure
President Trump intervened in the talks calling the deal a "green scam".
Australia's rainforests are releasing more carbon than they absorb, warn scientists
Australia's rainforests are the first in the world to make the "concerning" switch, say scientists.
Pictured: Winning entries for Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025
South African photographer Wim van den Heever takes the main prize for his shot
Red Tractor ad banned for misleading environmental claims
The Advertising Standards Authority upheld a complaint by environment charity River Action.
Foul skies, fading light: How air pollution is stealing India's sunshine
India’s sunshine hours have fallen over the past 30 years due to clouds, aerosols and local weather.
Floods trap people in cars in Spain's Catalonia region
The highest red alert is declared in one coastal province, as residents are urged to stay indoors.
Green turtle bounces back from brink in conservation 'win'
Once endangered due to hunting, it is making a strong recovery thanks to global conservation efforts.
'How growing a sunflower helped me fight anorexia'
'Green social prescribing' schemes are being used by NHS doctors to improve patients' mental health.
Naked mole rats' DNA could hold key to long life
The bald, subterranean rats are the world's longest-lived rodent.
Physics Nobel awarded to three scientists for work on quantum computing
The announcement was made by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm.
The before and after images showing glaciers vanishing before our eyes
They are melting like never seen before, changing landscapes around the world beyond recognition.
Environment prize nominees 'heroes of our time', says William
Fifteen projects are shortlisted for a chance of winning the top £1m prizes at next month's environmental awards ceremony in Rio de Janeiro.
Dame Jane Goodall revolutionised our understanding of our closest primate cousins
The conservationist, who died aged 91 on Wednesday, challenged how we relate to the natural world.
SpaceX pulls off Starship rocket launch in much-needed comeback
The Starship rocket is critical to the company's hopes of one day carrying people to the Moon and Mars.
Jim Lovell, Apollo 13 astronaut, dies aged 97
The commander of Apollo 13 famously rescued his men from near certain death in space.
Nasa Apollo missions: Stories of the last Moon men
Of the 24 Nasa astronauts who travelled to the Moon in the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s, just five remain.
Nasa to put nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030 - US media
The reactor would provide power for humans on the Moon but there are questions about feasibility.
Soviet-era spacecraft 'likely' to have re-entered Earth's atmosphere
The spacecraft, which launched in 1972 on a mission to Venus, circled Earth for over five decades.
The truth about life on other planets - and what it means for humans
Could discoveries of alien life ever change the human psyche in how we view ourselves and each other?
Astronauts Butch and Suni finally back on Earth
Dolphins circled their capsule after it landed off the coast of Florida.
Why scientists are counting tiny marine creatures, from Space
Differences in seawater colour could reveal how tiny Antarctic creatures are faring in a warming world.
Asteroid contains building blocks of life, say scientists
Bennu contains minerals and thousands of organic molecules, including the chemical components that make up DNA.
SpaceX Starship test fails after Texas launch
Officials at Elon Musk's company said the upper stage was lost, minutes after it launched.
Rocket launch challenges Elon Musk's space dominance
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's space company blasts its first rocket into orbit in a challenge to Elon Musk.
Future of space travel: Could robots really replace human astronauts?
Advances in technology raise questions about the need to send people to space - and the risks and cost
New study on moons of Uranus raises chance of life
The planet Uranus and its five biggest moons may not be the sterile worlds scientists have long thought.
Record year for wind and solar electricity in Great Britain in 2025
Wind, solar and other renewables hit a new high last year but the government is still some way off its clean power target.
Controversial post-Brexit farm subsidy scheme 'landmark moment for Wales'
The post-Brexit subsidy scheme for farmers begins, almost a decade after the vote to leave the EU.
BBC taken to secret location in Welsh mountains to find rare plant
BBC Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt travels to Eryri - also known as Snowdonia - to find a rare plant.
'This is our future,' climate adviser warns as 2025 to break heat records
The Met Office says that 2025 is likely to be the UK's hottest year since records began.
'Year of octopus' declared after warmer seas lead to record UK numbers
The Wildlife Trusts say its is 'flabbergasted' by the sighting of the highest number of octopuses since 1950
'New reservoirs will help address water shortage'
Water company says it needs two new reservoirs and a recycling plant to cope with demand in Suffolk.
Spain to open network of climate shelters
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says the shelters will be in public buildings across the country.
Intriguing finds could solve mystery of women in medieval cemetery
There is growing evidence that the women were part of an early female religious community.
UK company sends factory with 1,000C furnace into space
A factory in space has been switched on and has reached temperatures of about 1,000C.
Bats are seeking sanctuary in churches - but they're making an unholy mess
A new study estimates that about half of all churches in England have bats living in them.
'It's harder to be a parent than a space shuttle commander', trailblazing Nasa pilot tells BBC
The BBC speaks to astronaut Eileen Collins, the first woman to pilot and command a Nasa spacecraft.
From Hollywood to horticulture: Cate Blanchett on a mission to save seeds
The Hollywood actor teams up with Kew’s Millenium Seed Bank as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.
The debate about whether the NHS should use magic mushrooms to treat depression
Many clinical trials to test the use of psychedelic medicines for conditions such as depression have been underway since 2022 - with surprising results
COP30: Trump and many leaders are skipping it, so does the summit still have a point?
The US president is notably absent from these UN climate talks, as are other world leaders, all of which prompts questions about the purpose of COP today.
Britain's energy bills problem - and why firms are paid huge sums to stop producing power
Could the government's radical plan to change the way the UK distributes electricity really bring down bills - or just lead to a postcode lottery?
These robots can clean, exercise - and care for you in old age. Would you trust them to?
It sounds like something from a sci-fi film - but some scientists believe this clever new tech could help alleviate strains on the UK care system
Ratmageddon: Why rats are overrunning our cities
Rats are multiplying at speed in urban areas. So, what's really behind the boom - and is it now unstoppable?
From what came before the big bang to why snowflakes are six sided.
A weekly show exploring science, its mysteries, and the debates it sparks.
President Trump continues to shake up science. We look at the impact it’s already having.
New evidence shows that early neanderthals made fire 350 thousand years before we thought.
Source: BBC News