Science
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Priceless oil painting ‘ruined’ by repairs
One of the world’s most famous paintings has been carefully restored by experts to look as it would have looked when it was new, 600 years ago. But many experts think it has been spoilt.
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Man survives at -30C thanks to peanut butter
It was a real-life nightmare: a man’s hut in the Alaskan wilderness burnt down, and all his possessions were destroyed. But now, he has been rescued – after three weeks in the freezing snow.
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The koala bear hospital saving fire victims
Hot and dry weather in Australia has made its annual forest fires much worse this year. The country’s favourite animals, koala bears, are being rescued and looked after in special hospitals.
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Why aliens may already be living with us
Helen Sharman, a top scientist and the first British person in space, said last weekend that there are definitely aliens somewhere in the Universe – and they may even already be here now.
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Volcano risk fears rise after fatal eruption
Are deadly volcanos becoming more frequent? An active volcano on New Zealand’s White Island has exploded. Some scientists think this could be the first of many more terrible eruptions.
- Science
- Reading Band 11
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‘Smart skin’ makes virtual touch a reality
Should touch become digital? A new thin, wireless skin could allow us to reach through a computer and touch what is on the other side. Is it wonderful or disturbing?
- Science
- Reading Band 14+
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Miracle fruit stays fresh for a year
Is this the future of food? Scientists have invented a new type of apple that does not brown for 12 whole months. Some people think it is wonderful, but others say it is creepy.
- Science
- Reading Band 5
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Flat-Earth conspiracy spreads around the globe
Is it sinister to believe the Earth is flat? Thousands do. In fact, flat-Earthers have recently held huge meetings in Brazil and Italy. But experts fear this strange belief has a dark side.
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Alarm over microchip injections for UK workers
Is this exciting or a nightmare? Hundreds of workers across the world have been fitted with chips that can store personal data. Some fear a new era of surveillance.
- Science
- Reading Band 14+
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Why driverless cars will be the end of an era
Has your family bought its last car? According to BBC journalist Justin Rowlatt, the answer maybe yes. He argues that electric, self-driving vehicles will soon make owning cars pointless.
- Technology
- Science
- Reading Band 14+
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We have more than five senses, say scientists
Everyone knows that humans have five senses that let us experience the world around us. What if we had even more? Scientists now think that humans have a secret magnetic sense.
- Science
- Reading Band 8
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Plenty of food, but millions are starving
Can we feed everyone? World Food Day is this week. We already make enough for 10 billion people — and, yet, one in nine humans does not have enough food. How did that happen?
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Runner makes history with miracle marathon
Should the record really count? Last week, Eliud Kipchoge became the first person to run a marathon in under two hours, but he had some help from technology.
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Giant pigs as heavy as polar bears
Should breeding giant animals be banned? China is creating “super pigs” to feed its pork-loving masses. Without them, people will go hungry. But surely, the suffering it causes is wrong?
- Science
- Reading Band 8
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Conker trees fight for survival
Can we save our conkers? Trees and forests all over the world are under threat — including the much-loved horse chestnut tree. We must find a way to help save them now.