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.

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.

GPS 'improves early tsunami alerts'

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Milestone in medical human 'cloning'

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

Nasa's Kepler telescope breaks down

The planet-hunting space telescope, Kepler, has been hobbled by a broken reaction wheel, say scientists at Nasa.

Malaria parasite 'controls mosquito'

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

Barefoot running injury concern

The trend for barefoot running could lead to injuries in some runners, a small study suggests.

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.

Clue to why women live longer

Women live longer than men partly because their immune systems age more slowly, a study suggests.

DNA reveals origin of Minoan culture

Europe's first advanced civilisation had a local origin and was not imported from outside the continent, according to a new study.

Four colossal Sun flares in 48 hours

The Sun has unleashed the most powerful eruption - a solar flare - of 2013 so far.

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.

'Mystery' condition hits sugar crops

Sugar beet farmers are counting the cost of a "mystery" condition resulting in more than 50% of some crops failing.

Tropical trees keep turbines turning

New research suggests that cutting down trees in the rainforest could limit the amount of electricity generated by hydropower.

Mayan pyramid destroyed in Belize

An ancient Mayan temple in Belize has been destroyed by a road-building crew using bulldozers and backhoes to extract gravel for road filler.

Farne Islands 'puffin census' starts

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

Black widow spider found in Aberdeen

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

Can giant eagles spread their wings?

The reintroduction of white-tailed eagles to Britain has been hailed as a conservation success, but will they ever fly beyond Scotland?

VIDEO: Inside the human robot factory

Roboticist Will Jackson of Engineered Arts gives a tour of his robot factory in Cornwall, and talks about recent developments in the industry.