Signs of Water Flowing on Mars

Scientists have for the first time confirmed liquid water flowing on the surface of present-day Mars, a finding that will add to speculation that life, if it ever arose there, could persist now.

New species unearthed: Homo naledi

The fossilised bones of 15 bodies from a previously unknown human species have been unearthed from the depths of an underground graveyard, in a discovery scientists say could change the history of mankind.

First evidence of galaxy metamorphosis detected

Many galaxies in the universe have undergone a dramatic transformation from flat discs into spherical shapes over the past 8 billion years or so.  An international team looked at data on some 10,000 of the billions of galaxies in the observable universe today, and then used the Hubble and Herschel telescopes to peer back in time.  They found that 83 per cent of stars formed since the Big Bang about 13.8 billion years ago, were initially grouped in flat, rotating, disc-shaped galaxies, called spirals.  But only 49 per cent of stars that exist in the universe today are located in these disc-shaped galaxies, the remainder are located in spherical-shaped galaxies called elliptical galaxies.

Tropical songbirds raise smaller families

By having smaller clutches than their temperate counterparts, tropical songbirds can feed more food to fewer offspring, enabling their young to grow longer wings before they leave the nest.