By Paul RinconScience reporter, BBC News
Scientists have analysed DNA extracted from the remains of a 30,000-year-old European hunter-gatherer.
Studying the DNA of long-dead humans can open up a window into the evolution of our species (Homo sapiens).
But previous studies of this kind have been hampered by scientists’ inability to distinguish between the ancient human DNA [...]
By Mark KinverScience and environment reporter, BBC News
Researchers believe they have identified the source of fatal tumours that threaten to wipe out the wild population of Tasmanian devils.
Writing in Science, an international team of scientists suggest cells that protect nerves are the likely origin of devil facial tumour disease (DFTD).
The disease is a transmissible [...]
Scientists have shown for the first time that "lifeless" prion proteins, devoid of all genetic material, can evolve just like higher forms of life.
The Scripps Research Institute in the US says the prions can change to suit their environment and go on to develop drug resistance.
Prions are associated with 20 different brain diseases in [...]
The head of Russia’s federal space agency has said it will work to divert an asteroid which passes near the Earth in the 2030s.
Anatoly Perminov told the Voice of Russia radio service that the agency’s science council would hold a closed meeting to discuss the issue.
Any eventual plan is likely to be an international [...]
Scientists fighting a cancer that threatens to wipe out Australia’s Tasmanian devils say they have made a breakthrough.
A contagious facial tumour has cut the number of the animals by more than half in 10 years.
But researchers say they have now identified the cell type that prompts the cancer and are developing a test to [...]