Archived news articles

2012

World's smallest mini mammoth is identified - 09/05/2012

Museum scientists identify a dwarf mammoth in the Mediterranean. Watch the video.
How the pufferfish got its beak - 07/05/2012

The origin of the unusual beak of pufferfishes has been discovered by Museum scientists.
How to ID a modern human - 02/05/2012

One human skull may look a lot like another. Chris Stringer highlights the features that ID Homo sapiens.

Mission to map 10 million species in 50 years - 19/04/2012

Scientists have produced a plan to make mapping all the species on the planet achievable.
Harlequin ladybird causes declines in 7 out of 8 UK species - 14/04/2012

The impact of the invasive beetle is tracked with help from the public.
Could giant feathered dinosaur hint at feathers for T.rex? - 11/04/2012

Other large dinosaurs may have had feathers. Dinosaur expert Paul Barrett gives his view.
Get ready for Animal Inside Out at the Natural History Museum - 03/04/2012

The UK premiere from the team behind Gunther von Hagens’ Body Worlds opens Friday 6 April.

Spirit of Scott team united with rocks from epic expedition - 29/03/2012

Special guests visit the Museum's exhibition, Scott's Last Expedition, 100 years on from Scott's last diary entry.
Wild Planet opens at the Natural History Museum - 23/03/2012

Wild Planet showcases 80 award-winning photos from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year archives.
Did taking refuge from climate change spur human evolution? - 16/03/2012

Models on ice-age plant and animal movements reveal clues to human evolution.
Underwater tropical twilight zone explored with Museum's ROV - 08/03/2012

Follow scientists' research with a remotely-operated vehicle as they send back daily blog posts and videos.
Scientists dig up new branch of amphibian family tree - 02/03/2012

Caecilians are the least well-known of the amphibians, but scientists have identified a new family.

Noble false widow spider marches north in the UK - 22/02/2012

Museum enquiries show that the noble false widow spider is moving north.
Last call for best wildlife photos 2012 - 20/02/2012

Entries for the Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition close on Thursday 23 February.
Animal Record-Breakers at the Natural History Museum at Tring - 11/02/2012

Discover the fastest, strongest and loudest creatures on the planet in this exhibition.
Mighty Martian meteorite lands at Natural History Museum - 08/02/2012

A rare Martian meteorite could help unravel the mysteries of Mars. Watch the video.
A few great plant hunters find most species - 03/02/2012

Just 2% of plant collectors find the majority of new species, new research shows.

Naming new plant species moves online - 31/01/2012

A landmark change has been made in the process of naming new plant species.
First Earth Debate asks Can we put a price on nature? - 25/01/2012

The first debate streams live from the Museum and looks at the issues coming up at Rio+20.
Horseshoe crabs are one of nature’s great survivors - 23/01/2012

They may look like something out of a science fiction movie, but the living horseshoe crab has survived major extinctions.
Royalty opens new Scott exhibition - 20/01/2012

The Princess Royal attended the opening of Scott's Last Expedition, the Natural History Museum's new exhibition.
Could 2012 be the year we find extraterrestrial life? - 18/01/2012

Does the discovery of an Earth-like planet, Kepler-22b, and other planets bring the search for alien life closer?
Scott's South Pole expedition science legacy - 17/01/2012

The remarkable scientific achievements of Scott’s Terra Nova expedition are explored in our new exhibition.
Animals inside out, Captain Scott, 2012 Museum exhibitions - 05/01/2012

From an exploration of the insides of animals to the last expedition of Captain Scott, find out what's new at the Museum this year.