Robert Matthews

Breakthrough research by an English geneticist 25 years ago revolutionised the investigation of crimes and the prosecution of the perpetrators, but DNA profiling is not foolproof.

Over the past decade, hundreds of people have been crushed or trampled to death in stampedes that have broken out among the colossal crowds in Mecca.

Today it would hardly pass muster as a child's toy: a wooden telescope whose crude lenses struggle to give an 8x magnification.

Research shows that observing the state of one's gums is a reliable indicator of threatening illnesses in later life.

Two distinguished scientists have just decided to sort out their differences in the classic style of a couple of barflies: by making a wager.

It has been almost 40 years since the first human walked on the surface of the Moon - and for nearly as long conspiracy theorists have called it a hoax.

Researchers have found that cutting down on calories can reduce the risk of age-related diseases.

Under the microscope Two British researchers have bucked the medical establishment by rebooting the human immune system with promising results.

Some scientists use questionable practices when it comes to interpreting their research and proving its validity.

Some cancer experts believe resources would be better used developing prevention and containment strategies.

There are many scientists who narrowly missed the glory of making a major discovery or did not recognise the importance of their findings.

A mysterious humming sound has emerged as a great source of irritation for people in certain parts of the world.

A controversial Israeli physicist may be right in saying existing theories of gravity do not apply at very low thresholds.

Stylometry, a scientific technique to prove authorship by analysing the frequency with which certain words are used, has been applied to Shakespeare but has never and perhaps will never put the debate over the bard to rest.