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If an unfamiliar person spends 15 minutes following a dog, it tends to follow them back in a possible sign of friendship

Chatbots vary their answers depending on the exact wording used to prompt them, and now it seems that asking an AI to answer as if it were a Star Trek captain boosts its mathematical ability

An exoplanet called K2-18b has been suggested as a good place to look for alien life, but a new analysis shows it is probably made from gas

Hyaluronic acid's skincare benefits are often attributed to its supposed ability to hold 1000 times its weight in water, which new research has discredited

A large UK study suggests people who had been infected with covid-19 experienced some cognitive decline, but the findings are far from definitive

Researchers have identified 26 chemical compounds responsible for the flavour of oranges, which could help efforts to develop disease-resistant hybrids

Ahead of the total solar eclipse in North America, here is everything you need to know about solar and lunar eclipses

Livestock farming is a major source of carbon emissions and damage to biodiversity, so the advent of gene-edited animals reared for meat that can help address these issues is good news

New research suggests that a greater appreciation of science could bring the same health benefits that religion can provide for believers. David Robson goes looking for awe

Film-maker Ian Cheney built an ark on his parents' land in Maine as a visual metaphor to help him explore the hubris of keeping anything from our modern world – and why we would think even our fragile digital world could last

These photographs show the scale of the work that goes into painting the NASA logo on spacecraft as they are readied for an epic new moon mission

The dramatic increase in mental health issues among children in the US may be down to the way therapy culture has invaded family and school life, argues Abigail Shrier in her new book

We are beginning to see the tip of the iceberg when it comes to threats from chatbots. In a huge election year, how will AI affect upcoming votes, asks Alex Wilkins

Feedback is entranced by researchers' detailed study of cat behaviour during a "feline exposition", which shows the cats were mainly sleeping, resting and looking around

Smell has unrivalled emotional power. As such, the art of olfaction is rightfully being included in a new multisensory performance, says perfumer Mathilde Laurent

The archaeologist's latest book on what bones teach us about Britain's history not only provides the grisly facts, but helps us feel them

An experimental treatment for Alzheimer's disease involving sounds and flickering lights has shown promise in mice and people. Now, research suggests the novel approach ramps up our brain’s waste disposal networks

A new formula for lithium-ion batteries could help electric vehicles drive farther and charge faster even at extreme sub-zero temperatures

Looking after your skin isn't just a vanity project, with growing evidence that damage to the skin can drive ageing, inflammation and even cognitive decline

Placing magnetic particles inside water droplets lets the liquid climb steps, hop over small objects and jump-start chemical reactions