Cascading earthquakes: why central Italy is being shaken by so much seismic activity

Jan 19, 2017 12:54 pm UTC| Nature

Another series of strong earthquakes has struck central Italy, with schools and the metro evacuated in Rome. At least four earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 5 have followed in a few hours, with their epicentres...

How can we predict the hottest year on record when weather forecasts are so uncertain?

Jan 19, 2017 12:32 pm UTC| Nature

NASA and NOAA jointly reported that 2016 was the warmest year on record. Thats no surprise, as the first six months of the year were all exceptionally warm. Yet the news is significant for what it says about global...

Only 25 Hainan gibbons remain – what next for the worlds rarest primate?

Jan 19, 2017 06:43 am UTC| Nature

Most of the worlds primate species are threatened with extinction, according to a disturbing new study. But the threat is more urgent and critical for some species than others. Of all 504 primate species, the rarest and...

Climate Change Series

Don't fall into the trap of restarting last decade's 'climate wars'

Jan 18, 2017 16:03 pm UTC| Insights & Views Nature

In the run-up to Donald Trumps inauguration, many climate experts are expressing concern that his views and those of his senior appointees are at odds with mainstream climate science. Theyre grimly preparing to re-enter...

Using electricity, not molecules, to switch cells on and off

Jan 18, 2017 13:21 pm UTC| Science Nature

Microelectronics has transformed our lives. Cellphones, earbuds, pacemakers, defibrillators all these and more rely on microelectronics very small electronic designs and components. Microelectronics has changed the way we...

It's time to wake up to the devastating impact flying has on the environment

Jan 11, 2017 17:24 pm UTC| Insights & Views Nature

Ready to get over your post-festive comedown by booking an escape to the sun? For many of you, that will involve flying. And while Im sorry to put a downer on your holiday plans, there are several problems with this from a...

Why Zimbabwe's use of elephants to pay off old debt to China is problematic

Jan 09, 2017 05:07 am UTC| Insights & Views Nature

A bizarre story has recently come out of Zimbabwe. Grace Mugabe, the politically powerful wife of the ageing president Robert Mugabe, has came up with a plan to settle a debt to China with 35 young elephants, eight lions,...