Earth We can't rely on science alone to make us better people Our sense of right and wrong is often inadequate for modern challenges. But the combination of rationality and humanity can lead us to more effective morality Opinion
Life Armoured wasps chop off opponents' heads in brutal fig wars Bite first, ask questions later. That seems to be the motto of some parasitic fig wasps, which fight indiscriminately inside tiny fig fruits. They even battle wasps of other species that do not compete with them for mates. Wasps are the main pollinators for the 750 species of fig worldwide, but some non-pollinating fig wasps … 51¶¯Âþ
Life Gene editing: Bring it on Breakthroughs in DNA technology are opening the door to a superhuman future. Genetic engineering pioneer George Church says we have nothing to fear Opinion
Technology Crash test dummies brace for next collision AND you thought your job was tough. These are the unsung heroes of car design, awaiting their violent duties at BMW's Research and Innovation Centre in Munich. They may be slammed into walls or other vehicles, have bones broken, spines compressed or joints ripped apart – but it's all in a day's work. These crash … Regulars
Technology Wonder stuff: Making every material you've never heard of From jet packs to cheap solar panels, the technology of the future needs a new generation of materials. Could they be discovered in a virtual lab? Features
Space Cosmonauts are stars of the Soviet space age show As Russia's most treasured space-age artefacts are unveiled at the Science Museum in London, Mick O'Hare relives the glory days of the race for space CultureLab
Feedback: A crafty trick that makes dinosaur from chick (Image: Paul McDevitt) Feedback is our weekly column of bizarre stories, implausible advertising claims, confusing instructions and more A tail as old as time THE Ig Nobel Prizes have for 25 years honoured achievements that make you laugh, then think; and this year's batch was no exception. Bruno Grossi and four colleagues earned a feather … Regulars