Sign in Subscribe

stephen beech

How human antibodies could help defeat superbugs

How human antibodies could help defeat superbugs

By Stephen Beech Drug-resistant superbugs could be beaten by treating diseases with human antibodies, suggests a new study. The overuse of antibiotics is increasingly leading to the emergence of infectious superbugs — dangerous bacteria that have developed antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and are therefore much harder, if not impossible, to eliminate

Study finds worker wasps keep colony running while others fight for queen

Study finds worker wasps keep colony running while others fight for queen

By Stephen Beech Wasp societies overcome brutal battles to be queen by helpful workers picking up the slack, reveals new research. The loss of a queen wasp triggers a power struggle and social turmoil that can often be violent and chaotic, say scientists. But their findings show that even in

Scientists discover toothless croc ancestor that walked like ostrich

Scientists discover toothless croc ancestor that walked like ostrich

By Stephen Beech A newly discovered crocodile ancestor had a body similar to an ostrich and no teeth. The strange creature — dubbed the "Witch Croc" — shows the "weirdness" of life at the dawn of the dinosaur age around 250 million years ago, say American scientists. The

Would deep freezing humans like in sci-fi actually work?

Would deep freezing humans like in sci-fi actually work?

By Stephen Beech Deep freezing humans before reviving them in the future has a one in four chance of working, according to doctors. But suspended animation — a feature of classic sci-fi films such as "Alien" and "2001: A Space Odyssey" — could have moral implications if

Why listening to music while studying actually helps

Why listening to music while studying actually helps

By Stephen Beech Listening to music while studying can actually aid students' exam revision, according to new research. Playing background rock or classical tunes may help rather than hinder their focus, suggests the study. With exam season in full swing, new research in Australia has shed light on why

Making kids laugh helps their brains be more resilient

Making kids laugh helps their brains be more resilient

By Stephen Beech Making children laugh can help make their brains more resilient and open to learning, according to new research. Laughter builds deep emotional connections and soothes youngsters' nervous systems — making them more resilient and open to new ideas, say scientists. Laughter is the best medicine, according to

Scuba-diving tourists unwittingly destroying coral reefs

Scuba-diving tourists unwittingly destroying coral reefs

By Stephen Beech Scuba-diving tourists are destroying coral reefs they want to conserve, warns a new study. The study reveals how well-intentioned divers are actually contributing to reef damage at tourism hotspots. Australian researchers found that scuba-diving tourism — widely promoted as a "sustainable" way to