science
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Three genes could explain why some people are obese but healthy, say scientistsBeing overweight is a risk factor for diabetes and other diseases; genes could explain why 15-20% of obese people seem to suffer no health consequences
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Pregnant women's stem cells could treat osteoporosis, say scientistsStem cell infusions could treat babies affected with rare bone conditions, as well as older people – and even astronauts who lose bone mass in orbit -
Genetic breakthrough allows treatment of devastating disorder in childrenA devastating condition which robs children of the ability to control their limbs has now been identified, making treatment possible for the first time -
Prostate cancer laser treatment could be a gamechanger for menA drug that can kill cancerous cells without the side-effects of radical surgery is causing massive excitement for good reason
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Wildlife Conservation Society's favourite pictures of 2016Rodrigues fruit bats and Amur tigers are among the species supported by WCS
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Delicious death: tis the season for toxic Christmas treatsPoison isn’t confined to Agatha Christie TV specials: many Christmas favourites harbour deadly secrets
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Blind NHS patients to be fitted with pioneering bionic eyeLife-changing technology could become commonplace as first 10 people receive Argus II retina implant to restore sight
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Ice-melting temperatures forecast for Arctic midwinterTemperatures in parts of the Arctic are expected to rise above 0C for the second winter in a row
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key issues
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SpaceSpaceJuno probe's Jupiter mission update - Science Weekly podcastWhat has Juno revealed since it dropped into Jupiter’s orbit earlier this year? And how is the probe holding up against the solar system’s largest gas giant?
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BiologyBiologyMate selection by our female ape ancestorsLetters: A species in which female choice did not underpin mate selection, as it does in practically all animal species, would deteriorate rapidly
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Medical researchMedical researchBlind NHS patients to be fitted with pioneering bionic eyeLife-changing technology could become commonplace as first 10 people receive Argus II retina implant to restore sight
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PsychologyPsychologyThe 12 key science moments of 2016Leading scientists pick the most significant discoveries and developments of the year
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PhysicsPhysicsStar met spectacular fate: death by supermassive black holeScientists believe star suffered rare fate of passing too close to supermassive black hole, releasing flash of light half a trillion times brighter than the sun
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Henry Heimlich obituaryThoracic surgeon whose Heimlich manoeuvre has saved tens of thousands of people from choking to death
in depth
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Farmers making space for wild flowersPlantwatch A small number of farmers, shocked by the devastating effects of modern herbicides and fertilisers, are turning their farms into havens for wild flowers
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opinion
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United states of denial: forces behind Trump have run Australia's climate policy for yearsFor more than a decade, Australia has been held back by climate science denial and an antipathy towards environmentalism
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Martin Rowson on Brexit's ever lengthier gestation – cartoonA baby with DNA from three people is now likely to be born well before the UK leaves the EU after the fertility regulator agreed to license the controversial therapy
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pictures & video
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John Glenn, former astronaut and US senator – video obituaryFormer astronaut and US senator John Glenn has died aged 95 in Ohio on Thursday
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John Glenn – a life in picturesThe first American to orbit the Earth, US former astronaut and senator John Glenn has died aged 95
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Meteor brightens night sky in Siberia – videoVideos shared by Russians on social media show a meteor turning dark night into day in parts of Siberia on Tuesday
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Zoology news: November’s animal antics from around the globe – in picturesA collection of zoological wonders from November 2016, featuring mobbing hyenas, speeding bats and crab power
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Monkey business: taxidermy of endangered primates – in picturesMore than 60 spectacular specimens of monkeys, apes, lemurs, lorises and bushbabies will go on show at the National Museum of Scotland from 9 December. The taxidermy was specially commissioned for the exhibition and is the first to show primates behaving as if they were in the wild
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Unmanned Russian cargo rocket crashes after takeoff – videoThe spacecraft was heading to the International Space Station when it disintegrated 190km up in the atmosphere over Siberia on Thursday due to an unspecified malfunction, the Russian space agency said
Pregnancy causes long-term changes to brain structure, says study