US Marines Corps' M4 assault rifle gets replaced by the new M27 in frontline combat
Almost all Marines in combat positions will get an M27, while other units will continue to use the M4 for now.
Nasa tests tiny Uranium-powered nuclear fission plant designed to sustain future Mars colony
A fission reactor literally splits atoms to generate power and Nasa has completed initial testing in a vacuum environment.
Genetically edited self-destructing GMO crops could stop untweaked organisms from taking over
Offspring of these GMO species literally explode, killing off any unchecked species from growing in the wild.
Can China's space-junk zapping lasers be weaponised to target US satellites?
Space junk is a serious enough issue for spacefaring countries to want to look for unconventional methods to clean it up.
Will this EU ruling mark the beginning of the end of single use plastics?
Single-use plastics that take five seconds to produce but stays on Earth for 500 years will be targeted, says EU diplomat.
How bad are global warming levels? Scientists predict we are unlikely to reach worst case scenarios
It is unlikely that we will achieve a best case scenario, but it also unlikely that the Earth will become too hot to live in.
Russian battleships are being modernised to be equipped with unstoppable hypersonic Zircon missiles
Each ship will receive S-500 ICBM defence systems, Zircon missiles as well as other medium- and short-range weapons, and the upgrading process will cost about $1.7bn.
165 million-year old Moroccan dinosaur tail fossil to raise money for earthquake-hit Mexican schools
At 180 kg and four metre in length, the tail reportedly belonged to a 17 metre long, 22 tonne sauropod of the Atlasaurus imelakei species.
World's largest wildlife reserve in Antarctica 'five times the size of Germany' to protect marine life
A petition to make 1.8 million sq km of Antarctic sea a protected area is gaining steam.
Japan to Russia: We have full control over missile defence systems, not the US
The Aegis Ashore systems will cover all of Japan- one from the northern shores and one from the south east.
Could Cold War era fallout shelters protect you from modern North Korean nukes?
Fallout shelters are seen in many major cities, but in case of a nuclear war, should you or should you not run to them?
What is baby brain? Pregnant women's absent-mindedness is a real phenomenon and can be measured
A study published in the Medical Journal of Australia states that women forgo grey matter in the brain for more important tasks such as child rearing.
Chernobyl is transforming into a massive solar power plant 32 years after deadly nuclear accident
Electricity that will power 2,000 homes will be generated by solar panels just a stone's throw away from the original nuclear plant.
RAF Typhoon jets intercept 2 Russian Blackjack bombers less than 50 miles from UK airspace
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has released a video of the incident showing RAF jets escorting the bombers out of UK airspace.
We may get the first-ever image of a black hole this year
Using eight different telescopes from around the world, including one at the south pole, scientists are working on the first-ever image of a black hole.
How to stop glaciers from melting? Build a giant wall around them, says Princeton scientist
Data given by Princeton glaciologist Michael Wolovick shows that large walls at the mouth of ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica will effectively isolate them from the sea.
FCC launches investigation into Hawaii ballistic missile false alarm incident
The false alarm caused widespread panic in the US state.
People actually hate humblebragging more than regular boasting, Harvard study finds
People who humblebrag often are seen as untrustworthy and less likeable in general, but most people humblebrag some time or the other.
US Navy's flagship amphibious vessel to get latest laser weapon ahead of Rim of the Pacific war games
A laser gun will be shown off by the US Navy in this year's RIMPAC aboard USS Portland.
Nasa and NOAA to announce 2017 global temperature and climate conditions this week — Where to watch
Nasa and NOAA are keepers of the world's temperature data and according to them, they independently produce and record the planet's surface temperatures.
What is Tosochka? Russia working on a powerful next-gen flamethrower on wheels
Russia's next-gen weapons arsenal might also include a large flamethrower.
The Sahara desert was blanketed with snow after rare winter storm – here are spectacular photos from space
Nasa satellite images show the contrast between the desert sand and flaky snow in breathtaking images from space.
'I will pay the fare': Stephen Hawking wants to send climate change deniers to Venus
Greenhouse gasses can wreak havoc in an atmosphere and Venus is an extreme example.
US Navy's next 20 missile-carrying frigates will cost almost a billion dollars per vessel
The new frigates cost almost as much as Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers (DDG-51).
Nasa's X-ray telescopes take you to the centre of the Milky Way in this 360 degree movie
A 360 degree visualisation allows you to experience travel through distant cosmos.
US Navy plans to recover aircraft that crashed into Philippines Sea in deepest salvage operation ever attempted
The C-2A Greyhound took off from Marine Air Station Iwakuni in Japan and was headed to the USS Ronald Reagan in the Philippine Sea on 22 November.
Super-black bird of paradise feathers are so stunningly dark they absorb 99.96% of light - here's why
Black is the sexiest colour for the super-black bird of paradise
2017 was the new warmest year on record discounting El Nino influence
The world is getting warmer each year and humans are to blame.
Bomb Cyclone: Nasa shares stunning images of frozen Chesapeake and Delaware Bay
Nasa's images shared on Instagram offer a bird's eye view of what is happening in some parts of the country.
Watch: Russia's Northern Fleet showcases powerful missiles and firepower in this action-packed video
The year in review video shows shots of warships, missile tests, submarines, torpedoes and fighters.
