SCIENCE

On 3 November 1957, straight dog Laika became the first dog to ever orbit the Earth aboard Sputnik 2, and the first living being to ever do so.

A galaxy of this kind has never been confirmed so early in the universe's history, according to astronomers.

Animal evolution is being influenced by the urban environment in ways which could have potentially harmful consequences for humans.

The week's best news and sports photos, from Rohingya refugee crisis and Kenya elections, to Halloween and Day of the Dead celebrations.

Farmers in the UK have been asked to "soil their underwear" in a drive to improve animal husbandry across the UK.

Nasa and NOAA have found that the hole over the Antarctic ozone layer is at its smallest since 1988, but it is caused by climate and not by reduced depletion.

Although the asteroids are located a mere 160 million miles from Earth, they still appear in photos of distance galaxies at much farther distances.

Enceladus, Saturn's sixth largest moon, is one of the places in the solar system that could potentially harbour life as it holds liquid water, says Nasa.

Award-winning photographer and zoologist Axel Gomille pays homage to the subcontinent's overwhelmingly spectacular natural heritage in his book Wild India.

The 35-year-old royal's speech followed recent efforts by the UK government to end the trade in ivory in the country.

Richard Branson now has as many as four companies dedicated to different areas of space.

Poachers shot dead the mother and the calf who were roaming in the Pilanesberg Park. Park rangers were unable to save the unborn rhino.

The findings broaden our understanding of animal psychology and how different species can communicate.

An isolated population of orangutans living on the Indonesian island of Sumatra has been designated as a new species.

These are the stories of the scientists featured in the Lego Women of Nasa set: Nancy Grace Roman, Margaret Hamilton, Sally Ride and Mae Jemison.

Some volcanoes could provide the same amount of power as several million solar panels, or 500 wind turbines.

A local man filmed footage of a British snake catcher wrestling with a Burmese python that was believed to have eaten a cat.

If lakes are not "disinfected" by the sun's UV rays, it could lead to an increase in waterborne pathogens, finds a study.

The Great Pyramid is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that is still intact and is the largest structure of its kind ever built.

The Argentine settlement, built in the tenth century, was based on decentralised networks and power sharing, according to archaeologists.

Bardarbunga volcano has been struck by four earthquakes recently, indicating it is "preparing for eruption" and could blast a huge ash cloud across Europe.

New research shines a light on the evolution of turn-taking – a behaviour that forms the basis of a range of social interactions, including communication and language.

Sci-fi fans may believe aliens from outer space will resemble little green men or large monstrous creatures – but new research suggests they may be more like us than we realise.

The world's population is set to reach 10 billion by 2050 but how long will this trend continue and is it sustainable?

Nasa has estimated the impact of atmospheric rivers on global climate, including rain, floods and droughts.

The asteroid impact is believed to have caused rapid and extreme climate change, devastating the Earth's plant life and marine biosphere.

Camera technology has grown rapidly over the last decade and Nasa intends to make full use of it by equipping its next rover with high-quality imaging gear.

Researchers estimate that the fearsome predator had a wingspan of up to 36 feet and may have stood as tall as a giraffe.

London, Manchester and Glasgow all have lower air quality lower than the minimum set by the World Health Organisation.