Science
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Meet the most distant object ever explored
Is the mission our greatest achievement in space? On New Year’s Day, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft visited Ultima Thule, a mysterious icy world around four billion miles from Earth.
- Science
- Reading Band 14+
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Meet the asteroid that could one day hit Earth
Could we stop an asteroid impact? NASA has sent a probe to a large, ancient asteroid called Bennu. It may hit Earth in around 150 years. Some people think we should try to stop it now.
- Science
- Reading Band 11
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The incredible story of triplets split at birth
Does nature or nurture decide who we are? Three triplets were separated at birth and raised by very different families. Years later, the identical strangers met for the first time.
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New vegan burgers look and taste like meat
Should we stop eating meat? Tesco has launched a new meat-free burger that looks, tastes and sizzles just like the real thing. Scientists say that not eating meat helps the environment.
- Science
- Reading Band 8
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Alien-hunting telescope runs out of fuel
Do aliens exist? The Kepler telescope has finally retired after discovering thousands of alien worlds, but we still cannot find life outside of Earth. Are we really alone?
- Science
- Reading Band 8
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Moon or Mars? Choosing humanity’s new home
Would you rather live on Mars or the Moon? Many scientists dream that one day in the future humans will leave Earth and set up colonies in space. Where should we go?
- Science
- Reading Band 8
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Make Pluto a planet again, say scientists
Is Pluto a planet? This debate has been raging for 12 years. Back in 2006, astronomers downgraded Pluto’s status to a “dwarf planet”. Now, a team of scientists wants to take it back.
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One-fifth of meat contains unspecified DNA
Do we care too much about what’s in our food? Last year, more than one in five product tests found meat from an animal not on the label.
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Exposed: how toxic air reduces intelligence
How can we solve the air pollution crisis? A study has linked pollution to “huge” reductions in test scores. Worldwide, dirty air also leads to millions of early deaths every year.
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Lift off! Historic probe hurtles towards Sun
Is NASA’s latest mission a waste of money? America’s space agency has sent a probe into space to investigate our nearest star. Scientists say that the Parker Probe will “touch the Sun”.
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Scientists find world’s oldest colour — pink!
Should pink be a girl’s colour? While investigating 1.1 billion-year-old rocks, scientists discovered the oldest naturally occurring colour ever found. It was a bright, vivid pink.
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RIP Koko, the gorilla who became almost human
Was it right to experiment on Koko? The superstar gorilla shot to fame after learning sign language. She had a unique life, but some think that she should have been left alone.
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The British mammals facing total wipe out
How can we save our mammals? From bats to rats, a dozen British species face extinction, according to new research. Unsurprisingly, many of the causes have to do with humans.
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Scientists ‘transplant’ memories into snails
Would you want a memory transplant? This may sound like science fiction, but scientists claim to have carried it out on snails. They hope that their research will benefit humans, too.
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Eureka! Scientists create plastic-eating mutant
Do the biggest changes happen by accident? While investigating an enzyme that breaks down plastic, scientists mistakenly made it better. It could “help with society’s growing waste problem”.