The Independent

Grandfather behind the God particle is Nobel contender

01 October 2012 12:00 AM

A self-effacing grandfather who lives in sedate retirement is favourite to win the greatest accolade in science when the secretive Nobel Committee for Physics announces its decision next week.

Toxic secret of a nice smile

30 September 2012 12:00 AM

In babies a gummy smile is prized by all who witness it. In adults it can be the source of anxiety and grief. Now research has revealed that two simple injections into the so-called Elvis Presley muscle can help them smile along with the rest of the world.

This image obtained from NASA, shows a rock outcrop in a photo taken by the Mars Curiosity rover on September 14, 2012. The outcrop, named

Mars rover Curiosity finds evidence of ancient fast-moving streams on surface of red planet

28 September 2012 05:19 PM

Discovery of bedrock and rounded pebbles offer the most convincing evidence yet that there was water on the surface of Mars

'Robot pedalo' planned to probe Saturn's moon

27 September 2012 04:20 PM

Plans to send an interplanetary pedalo to Saturn's largest moon Titan have been unveiled by scientists.

Male DNA found in women's brains

27 September 2012 08:15 AM

Male DNA is commonly found in the brains of women, a study has found.

James R. Flynn: Are we really getting smarter every year?

27 September 2012 12:00 AM

Clint Witchalls asked the Professor Emeritus at the University Otago about this and some of Professor Flynn's more recent research findings

The photograph, dubbed the Extreme Deep Field or XDF, was taken by the Hubble telescope

A long time ago in galaxies far, far away

27 September 2012 12:00 AM

A picture of extreme deep space as it was more than 13 billion years ago has been revealed in photographs taken by the Hubble telescope

Scientists study dementia proteins

26 September 2012 10:46 AM

Scientists are to launch a major study of little-known proteins they believe are a contributing factor to diseases such as dementia and multiple sclerosis.

New 'extreme' Hubble shows deepest view yet of night sky

26 September 2012 09:45 AM

Piecing together 10 years of Hubble Space Telescope images, astronomers yesterday unveiled the deepest view yet of a small sliver of the night sky, revealing a kaleidoscope of galaxies and other celestial objects.

Sternoptyx-Osteichthyes, one of the species encountered by the 'Tara' vessel

Journey to the Antarctic Ocean

26 September 2012 12:00 AM

A 70,000 mile expedition by a tiny research ship gives us a snapshot of life in the depths of the world's seas

Being top dog 'is less stressful'

25 September 2012 12:00 AM

Individuals in powerful leadership roles are less stressed than their minions, a new study shows.

Castration 'adds years to your life'

25 September 2012 12:00 AM

Castration can increase a man's lifespan by up to 20 years, a study of eunuchs has shown.

Scientists hope gene breakthrough could help men with breast cancer

24 September 2012 12:00 AM

Scientists have found a gene which can increase the risk of male breast cancer by 50 per cent, after the world's largest study into the disease.

Logos 'brand' youthful minds

23 September 2012 12:00 AM

Children's brains are found to light up at the sight of fast-food logos

Are flowers a man's best friend?

23 September 2012 12:00 AM

Don't say it with flowers – just make sure there are some blooms nearby. New research suggests one of the best places for a man to woo a woman is outside a florist.

Experience the Heineken Hub

Get free wi-fi and exclusive i content while you enjoy a tasty pint of Heineken at participating pubs.

Fashion Week Networking 2012 Airbnb

FIT Awards Olympic legacy The O2