Charles Townes, laser inventor and space science pioneer, dies at 99
Townes also did major work in experimental astrophysics which paved the way for telescopes that look for alien civilizations.
Isis audio message extends deadline until sunset for prisoner swap
Islamic militants threaten to kill Japanese journalist Kenji Goto and Jordanian pilot unless Iraqi female prisoner is released.
Ancient human fossil points to mysterious new primitive species that inhabited Asia
Fossil analysis suggests many lineages of hominins coexisted in Asia before arrival of modern humans.
Rock pores were the crucibles of early life on Earth suggests study
Using tiny glass capillary tubes, LMU scientists were able to show how rock pores sustained formation and reproduction of nuclei acids.
Easter Island civilisation collapse: Have the Rapa Nui been wrongly blamed?
Native civilisation were not the perpetrators of environmental degradation, new study suggests.
Stomach hormone found to increase sex drive in mice
If ghrelin has the same effect on humans, it could play a vital role in treating sexually abused victims.
Tiny source of 'entangled photons' promises ultrafast computing, communication
The small and efficient ring resonator provides a constant supply of entangled photons, crucial to ultrafast computing.
Bio-engineering: Self-assembling strong, long protein fibres developed
Tissue engineering can benefit from the fibres that can withstand radiation and high temperatures.
Ayurveda's healing powers: Top research institutions conducting mega study on traditional Indian medicine
The study aims at giving scientific credence to the healing powers of Ayurveda.
India: Three die taking 'daring' selfie in front of speeding train
Incident happened in Mathura, near capital New Delhi.
Gigantic ring system 200 times larger than Saturn's around massive planet eclipsing parent star
The ring system contains 30 rings with each spanning millions of kilometres in diameter.
Rosetta data details the frozen world of a comet for the first time
The data has laid bare detailed information about the two-three km wide comet 67P.
Extending telomeres reverses ageing in human skin cells, finds study
By extending the telomere length by 10%, the point of death or halt of cell division is put off.
Arctic ice cap thins by 50 metres in two years, flows at tremendous speeds
Satellite images show the remote ice cap has lost one sixth its thickness since 2012.
Exotic molecules seen for the first time to fit into one another following simple math rule
Following a simple geometric series the size of the molecules progresses mathematically.
Great Barrier Reef could see coral cover go below tipping point due to warming
Long-terms consequences of ocean warming can lead to unprecedented loss of corals in the reef.
Lab recreates super-Earth and giant planet formations in laser experiments
Silica crystals withstand high temperatures and pressures indicating rocky planets have deep oceans of molten rock.
Ebola vaccine trials to begin in Liberia within weeks
GlaxoSmithKline, NewLink Genetics and Merck involved in year-long trials.
Rhino poaching in 2014: With 100 killed every month, South Africa records worst year
Kruger National Park severely hit with poaching of 827 rhinos.
Safety lock on genomically modified organisms prevents their escape from the lab
Artificially re-coded E coli has been locked away safely using synthetic amino acids in its assembly.
Ebola animal to human transmission linked to population density and habitat degradation
With high population density and low vegetation cover, risks of transmission believed to be high.
India: Elephant kills couple trekking in Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala
Elephant 'provoked' by flash of camera while couple was trying to click picture of herd.
US and Cuba clash over immigration policy at high-level talks
While US says it will continue to grant asylum to Cubans, Cuba calls it 'reprehensible'.
Ebola: Great apes 'need a vaccine too' as virus has wiped out a third of their numbers in past outbreaks
Ebola constitutes bigger threat to gorillas and chimps with higher mortality rates and close contacts.
Isis Japanese hostages: Time running out for Kenji Goto and Haruna Yukawa
With barely a day left, options for Japanese government are limited in trying to save the hostages
Galactic dust gathered from ocean floors suggests 'recent' massive supernova near Earth
Lower than expected levels of plutonium in interstellar dust from ocean floor calls for new supernova theory.
Climate change: India to focus on green energy and efficiency instead of emission reductions
Bullish on cutting emissions, the fourth largest emitter of carbon dioxide announced plans to green its energy, with a major thrust on solar power.
Greenland ice sheet melting faster with rising temperatures
Research shows the need to act sooner than later to check ice melt in Greenland.
Carbon storage underground may not be effective, large part of gas likely to escape with fatal consequences
Theoretical model shows that most of the carbon dioxide stored underground remains in a form that can escape.
India: Tiger headcount shows almost 30% rise in numbers over three years
The tiger survey counted 2,226 tigers in the main reserves in the country.
