Scientists develop 'deceptive' robots based on squirrel behaviour

Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have created robots capable of deceptive behaviour based on distraction techniques observed in squirrels. 

Artificial brain 'Spaun' passes IQ tests

Researchers at the University of Waterloo, Canada, have built the world’s most sophisticated artificial brain to date. 

Native Americans more 'European' than thought

A genetic analysis has shown that Northern European people are a mixture of two very different ancestral populations - and one of these populations is related to Native Americans.

Majority of human diversity occurred in 'recent' times

A study published in Nature this week, has found that the majority of human genetic variation occurred in the past 5000 to 10,000 years, relatively recently in evolutionary terms. 

Musicians' brainwaves synchronize during playing

When people make music together their brain activity synchronizes - even when they aren't playing the same notes.

Grand Canyon formed during age of dinosaurs

The Grand Canyon is dramatic enough today - but imagine it with roaming dinosaurs. It now appears that it's been around for 70 million years, a good 65 million longer than believed.

Bigger wasn't always better for plant-eating dinosaurs

The reason herbivore dinosaurs got so big was their environment, not their diet, researchers say.

Cracking wheat genome could help feed the world

By cracking the genetic code of wheat, scientists may have made a big step toward securing global food supplies.

Poop used to track ancient human activity

University of Massachusetts Amherst geoscientists have used a biomarker from human feces to establish the first human presence, the arrival of grazing animals and human population dynamics in the Arctic Circle.

DNA study confirms existence of Bigfoot. Really?

Bigfoot is not only real, it's the product of breeding between human females and an unknown hominid, and should be given human rights - if a Texas DNA researcher is to be believed.

Ancient microbes tough it out in Antarctic lake

Scientists have discovered a group of microorganisms capable surviving one of the toughest environments on our planet: ancient bacteria living under 65 feet of ice at the bottom of a brine-filled lake in Antarctica. 

Model may explain origin of life

It's always been a bit of a mystery as to how life began on a molecular level. Theories tend to involve a network of molecules that have the ability to work together to jumpstart and speed up their own replication.

These Star Trek classrooms are TNG

Researchers at Durham University have concluded that multi-touch, multi-user desks successfully boost student skills in mathematics.

Island ‘undiscovered’ by scientists

An island that was present on international maps and Google Earth has been found not to exist by scientists aboard an Australian Marine National Facility research vessel in the Coral Sea off the North-eastern tip of Australia. 

Dogs learn language differently from humans

While many dog-owners may marvel at their pet’s human-like ability to understand new words; research by scientists at the University of Lincoln, UK, suggests that dogs learn words in a fundamentally different way to us. 

Team traces evolution from feathered dinosaurs into birds

The first wings on feathered dinosaurs were pretty useless, new research shows, meaning they'd have found it hard to take off and fly at low speeds.

Cloaking technique could protect ships from waves

Mechanical engineers say they've found a way of adapting invisibility cloaking techniques to protect oil rigs and ships from rough waves.

Is the universe built like the internet?

The universe may be structured a lot like the human brain and even the internet, and similar laws may govern its growth.

Apes get mid-life crises too

They don't buy a sports car or get Botox - but it appears that chimpanzees and orangutans can experience a mid-life crisis just as humans do.

What made Einstein's brain cleverer than yours

Scientists have examined newly-discovered photographs of Albert Einstein's brain, and discovered several unusual features that they say may help explain his genius.