Science and nature facts, news and stories

If all goes to plan, OSIRIS-REx should return to Earth with a record-breaking amount of material from an asteroid dating back to the birth of our solar system.

Though the Portland plesiosaur made headlines in the 1960s, it has never been formally described.

New research on the 450-million-year-old Eriptychius suggests it could be a ‘missing link’ in the evolution of the vertebrate skull.

Rising temperatures and habitat loss could spell an uncertain future for bumblebees in Europe.

Rising temperatures and habitat loss could spell an uncertain future for bumblebees in Europe.

Red imported fire ants are one of the world’s most damaging invasive species.

The breeding failure of four emperor penguin colonies is a sign of things to come, researchers have warned.

If the worst case predictions of climate change come to pass, rainforests could be at serious risk.

Here’s a glimpse at some mesmerising images from this year's upcoming exhibition.

Jose Fragozo’s image The Disappearing Giraffe captures the contrast between the natural world and human infrastructure.

Who gets water when there's not enough for everyone? Morgan Heim's image captures the moment of relief as groundwater gushes from a ditch in the parched Klamath Basin.

Why are elusive spectacled bears roaming Quito's city limits?

If you know what you’re looking at, little bits of bone can add up to something big. 

Discover a treasure trove of fossils just off Britain’s south coast.

All it takes is a bit of practice and plenty of patience.

Explore our collections and discover some of the many specimens you won't see on a regular visit to the Museum. 

If you know what you’re looking at, little bits of bone can add up to something big. 

If all goes to plan, OSIRIS-REx should return to Earth with a record-breaking amount of material from an asteroid dating back to the birth of our solar system.

Though the Portland plesiosaur made headlines in the 1960s, it has never been formally described.

New research on the 450-million-year-old Eriptychius suggests it could be a ‘missing link’ in the evolution of the vertebrate skull.

Find out if you're an above-average insect spotter.

Rising temperatures and habitat loss could spell an uncertain future for bumblebees in Europe.

Red imported fire ants are one of the world’s most damaging invasive species.

A species of bacteria that lived 407 million years ago would have flourished among early land plants.

When we live alongside nature, we end up happier, healthier and even wealthier. We might even end up rewilding ourselves. 

Only four confirmed specimens are known to science.

A marine predator living over 500 million years ago might bridge the gap between insects and their ancient relatives.

The group may have evolved tens of millions of years later than originally thought.

Almost 99% of all human ancestors may have been wiped out around 930,000 years ago, a new paper has claimed.

Here’s a glimpse at some mesmerising images from this year's upcoming exhibition.

Sharing the honour with Professor Sir Christopher Whitty the pair were given the award in recognition for their work during the pandemic. 

The breeding failure of four emperor penguin colonies is a sign of things to come, researchers have warned.

A new study demonstrates the extraordinary ability of whales to develop new ways of feeding.

If the worst case predictions of climate change come to pass, rainforests could be at serious risk.

Sea urchins can be found in every ocean on Earth. They’ve been around for 450 million years - but are they now at risk?

Whiskers may have been crucial to allow seals to adopt a life in water.

The new species, named Venetoraptor gassenae, suggests that the lagerpetids were more diverse than previously realised.

Bivalves have been touted as a food of the future – but wild populations might not last that long.

Scientists are warning that we simply know too little about the deep sea. 

Elephants and their relatives evolved in a previously unappreciated way.