Iconic Films

Link between gene and epilepsy found

Anglo-American team identifies mutated gene that causes epilepsy and mental retardation in women only

Sexist culture drives women out of science

Study finds time warp of 1970s sexist attitudes is driving women in their late thirties from careers in science and technology

Scientist team creates first GM human embryo

News of the development in the US comes days before MPs debate legislation that would allow use similar techniques in the UK

Catholic church slated on eve of embyro vote

Fertility watchdog accuses Catholic Church of using 'fatal' dogma to oppose all forms of research and most IVF treatment

Hawking in hunt for hidden talent

Professor Stephen Hawking, 66, is launching a search for Africa’s answer to Einstein, backed by entrepreneurs to the tune of £75m

Nasa life-hunter closes in on Mars

Nasa’s Mars Phoenix lander has travelled 420m miles and now has just 2m miles before it reaches the Martian north pole

Video: Iraqi army parades dead fighters

Forget science and religion, this is about ethics

The argument about research on the human embryo is not just a faith issue, but an ethical one, which asks how we define the essence of a human being ...

Robot boat takes on Atlantic challenge

Unmanned sailing craft carries the hopes of scientists as a potential vehicle for research in dangerous and far-off waters

Rusty surgeons put cancer patients at risk

Complex procedures should be performed only by those who do the greatest number of operations, leading consultant warns

A third of Africa malaria drugs ineffective

Widespread counterfeiting of medicines to blame for hundreds of thousands of lives being put at risk, research indicates

The science of keeping a torch alight

To keep the Olympic torch burning at the summit of Everest, Chinese engineers have had to overcome two main challenges

Rabid bat discovered in Surrey

The Health Protection Agency is carrying out a full investigation after a bat was found with the deadly virus in a Surrey park

Spinach and the secret of Popeye's muscles

Scientists find that a steroid contained in spinach enchances protein production in the muscles of mice

Duck-billed platypus is dismissed as daffy

Analysis of the DNA code of the duck-billed platypus shows that it is a unique mixture of mammal, reptile and bird