How It Works

Unravelling the Mystery of DNA

In 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick discovered that the DNA molecule resembles a double helix, one of science’s most significant revelations. Deoxyribonucleic acid, better known as DNA, is the building block of all cells. DNA not only makes the proteins that … Continued

Venus: Earth’s Sister Planet

Discover just how similar this planet actually is to Earth.    Venus has often been called Earth’s sister planet because of their similarities. Both planets are terrestrial (meaning that they are made up of silicate rocks) and close in size, … Continued

Your Brain Explained

The human brain is the most mysterious – and complex – entity in the known universe. It’s a computer, a thinking machine, a fatty pink organ, and a vast collection of neurons – but how does it actually work? The … Continued

All About Sharks

There’s more to these fascinating and endangered creatures than their one-dimensional portrayal as mindless movie predators. Sharks belong to the group of fish known as elasmobranchii. This means that their skeleton is made of cartilage instead of bone. The earliest sharks appeared … Continued

Drilling for oil offshore

The world produces over 82 million barrels of oil every day, much of it in harsh conditions, miles from shore and safety if an emergency happens. So how is it done? Oil has been around for millions of years, located … Continued

DVD Burning Explained

DVD Burning Explained

Just what happens after you click the burn button? So you’ve got a DVD burner and some software like Nero or Toast and you want to transfer some video you’ve shot to DVD. Ever wondered just how your PC and … Continued

Getting to Grips with Geiger Counters

First developed at the turn of the 20th Century, Geiger Counters still work in much the same way. The Geiger Counter was invented by Hans Geiger and Ernest Rutherford in 1908 to detect alpha particles, one of four main types … Continued

The science of anger.

How does this primal emotion override our normal thought processes?  As far as we know, anger is one of the oldest and most primitive forms of emotion. It is believed to have been hard-wired in our brains many thousands of … Continued

The life cycle of a dragonfly.

Discover how the dragonfly develops underwater and emerges as a magnificent flying predator. As the dragonfly mating season gets into full swing during the summer months, streaks of colour can be seen dashing across the sky. This is just the … Continued

Where does tea come from?

Follow the journey from the field to the teacup.  Tea, the hot beverage enjoyed so much in the UK that it has become as quintessentially British as the Queen, begins its life as juicy young leaves on a bush of … Continued

How does popping candy work?

Discover the science behind this sweet’s sizzling sensation. Popping candy explodes on the tip of your tongue, a sensation either loved or loathed by those with a sweet tooth. The secret to its unique fizz, crackle and pop is actually … Continued

How many cells do you have?

    For more tech news, pick up your copy of issue 99 from all good retailers or from our website now. If you have a tablet or smartphone, you can also download the digital version onto your iOS or … Continued

Orangutans are built for the jungle

  For more tech news, pick up your copy of issue 100 from all good retailers or from our website now. If you have a tablet or smartphone, you can also download the digital version onto your iOS or Android device. … Continued

Exploring Venus

Venus is the second planet from the Sun and orbits it every 224 Earth days. It rotates the opposite way to the other planets. The second brightest natural object in our night sky, it is bright enough to be visible … Continued