Science
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Touchdown! Robot lands safely on Mars
Is there life on Mars? Last week, NASA rover Perseverance touched down on the nearby planet after a journey of over seven months. While on Mars, it will be searching for clues of life.
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The monkey that plays video games with its mind
Should Elon Musk experiment on monkeys? The billionaire inventor has put a chip in a monkey’s brain so it can play video games. He says it is “totally happy”. But some are not so sure.
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‘Bees natural problem solvers’, say experts
Should we be more like bees? New research shows that bees adapt to changes in the environment by finding new plants to make honey. Some say it is another reason to be inspired by the insects.
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Rhinos saved from the brink of extinction
Should we bring back dead animals? The endangered white rhino could soon be saved from extinction after scientists create embryos in a lab. But some say we shouldn’t get in the way of nature.
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The giant claw that catches space junk
Does space really need cleaning up? A new mission plans to use a huge pincer to remove pieces of debris left in space after 50 years of exploration. But some say that it is a waste of time.
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New law on plastic bags spells hope for seas
Should we ban all plastic? The UK is fighting pollution by charging double for plastic bags. Leaders hope it will reduce waste. But some say we should stop making plastic altogether.
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‘Crocodiles are better survivors than humans’
Are they the world’s greatest survivors? Millions of years ago, an asteroid wiped out almost every animal – but not crocodiles. New research suggests their shape is the key to their success.
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Three children who changed the world in 2020
Are you ever too young to make a difference? Three young people have used their different talents to stand up for their rights, care for people and make scientific breakthroughs.
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New vaccine promises a return to normal
Why is the Covid-19 vaccine such a big deal? The UK is the first country to approve a vaccine for widespread use. But the new vaccines also represent a huge step forward for science.
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The woman behind the world-saving vaccine
Should she get a Nobel Prize? Supporters say Professor Sarah Gilbert deserves the award after producing a vaccine for Covid-19. But some think it should be celebrated as a team effort.
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The plan to put giant solar panels in space
Is unlimited electricity a good idea? The UK government might soon build mile-wide solar power stations in space that can beam energy back to Earth. It could mean never-ending, green power.
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NASA plans human base on the Moon
Should the Moon belong to us all? In October, the US Space Agency discovered water there. Many powerful countries are interested in setting up lunar bases – but who should be in charge?
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The toy that could teach pets to talk
Is talking to our pets a good idea? One company has come up with a device that lets dogs learn words. By pressing buttons, the pets can “talk” to their owners about what they want to do.
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Coral crisis for Great Barrier Reef
Can we save the reef before it is too late? The Great Barrier Reef is dying: experts have found that over half of its corals have been lost. To save the rest, they say, we have to act fast.
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Moon mission a new era for space travel
Does space travel bring us hope? Experts working on an historical lunar mission say it helps us stay optimistic during hard times – but some people think we should stick to earthly problems.