Ant abilities could aid robot design

A study showing how ants tunnel their way through confined spaces could aid the design of search and rescue robots, say scientists.

Vaccine developed for farm disease

A vaccine to protect sheep and cattle from a livestock virus spread by midges has been approved by government vets.

EU bathing water 2012 data released

The latest data on EU bathing water quality is released, showing that 93% of more than 22,000 sampled locations meet the minimum standards.

Rover drills second rock sample

Nasa's Curiosity rover drills a second sample of Martian rock to deliver to its onboard laboratories for analysis in the coming days.

Irish potato famine pest identified

Scientists have used plant samples collected in the 19th Century to identify the pathogen that caused the Irish potato famine.

UK astronaut given station date

UK astronaut Tim Peake is to fly to the International Space Station, launching on a Soyuz rocket in November or December 2015.

Tree health policy to 'stop spread'

Strengthening biosecurity at UK borders and a plant health risk register would help protect the nation's trees from pests and diseases, a report concludes.

Warming extremes 'not as likely'

Global temperature rises will be slower in the coming decades say researchers but the long term picture is consistent.

Deep sea 'gold rush' moves closer

The prospect of a deep sea "gold rush" opening a controversial new frontier for mining on the ocean floor has moved a step closer.

GPS 'improves early tsunami alerts'

GPS data could provide faster and more accurate early warning systems for tsunamis, a German team of scientists suggest.

Expert issues UK tree threat warning

A tree expert says the biggest threat facing UK trees is likely to come from a disease currently unknown to science.

The Ice Age giants of North America

Scientists get their hands dirty as they attempt to unravel the mystery of giant Ice Age beasts like the sabretooth cat.

Flightless penguin puzzle 'solved'

The underwater prowess of the penguin may have cost the bird its ability to fly, scientists believe.

First crane egg in 400 years laid

A nesting crane lays the first egg laid by that breed of bird in southern Britain in more than 400 years.

Nasa buys into 'quantum' computer

A $15m computer that uses "quantum physics" effects to boost its speed is to be installed at a Nasa facility.

Space life 'too good not to share'

Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield says he could not resist sharing his life in space on social media, in his first public appearance since landing.

Milestone in medical human 'cloning'

Human cloning is used to produce early embryos, marking a "significant step" for medicine, say US scientists.

Neutrinos spark 'new astronomy era'

Researchers spot particles called neutrinos coming from outside our Solar System for the first time, a find that could spark a new era in astronomy.

Ancient water found in Canadian mine

Scientists say 1.5-billion-year-old water drilled from rock in a North American mine is the most ancient yet found on Earth.

UK company withdraws death row drug

A UK-based firm says it has stopped selling a drug to Arkansas because the US state had planned to use it to execute prisoners on death row.

Alien invaders wage 'biological war'

An Asian insect is destroying native species around the world by unleashing a lethal biological cocktail.

Late arrival for rare butterflies

The UK's spring butterflies are being welcomed by enthusiasts, but weeks later than they usually arrive.

Most distinct species mapped

For the first time scientists have developed a map that shows the world's unique and endangered species.

Fresh protests over Kunming plant

Protesters take to the streets of Kunming in China for the second time this month over plans for a chemical plant.

UK claims fish dumping ban success

The UK says it has agreed new laws with the European Union which include banning the dumping of unwanted fish, such as mackerel and herring.

Tigers 'lacking variety' in mates

India's tigers face extinction due to a collapse in the variety of their mating partners, say Cardiff University researchers.

'Best estimate' of melting ice caps

Experts have come up with their most accurate estimate yet for the impact of melting ice sheets and glaciers on sea level.

Farne Islands 'puffin census' starts

A three-month long study to determine the puffin population on the Farne Islands in Northumberland gets under way.

Malaria parasite 'controls mosquito'

Mosquitoes carrying the malaria parasite are more attracted to human body odour than uninfected insects, scientists report.

Black widow spider found in Aberdeen

A black widow spider is found in Aberdeen in a shipment from America.