Recent analyses of the human genome reveal a huge number of rare—and therefore probably fairly new—mutations.

Richard Dawkins's review of The Social Conquest of Earth, by Edward O Wilson (WW Norton, £18.99, May)

One of the first creatures to step on land could not have walked on four legs, 3D computer models show.

Cells linked to empathy and consciousness in primates may offer clues to human self-awareness

Researchers have encoded a form of rewritable memory into DNA.

Live Slow, Die Old
Ancient bacteria living in deep-sea sediments are alive—but with metabolisms so slow that it’s hard to tell.

Richard Dawkins's review of The Social Conquest of Earth, by Edward O Wilson (WW Norton, £18.99, May)

[Journalists] seem to feel let down when they discover that the real people aren't anything like the way they so relentlessly portray us; as if, since they've gone to the trouble of inventing extravagant caricatures of us, we should at least have the decency to live up to them in real life.
Also in Polish

Whatever else the Bible might be – and it really is a great work of literature – it is not a moral book and young people need to learn that important fact because they are very frequently told the opposite.

Even if you are unaccustomed to living by reason, if you are one of those, perhaps, who actively distrust reason, why not give it a try? Cast aside the prejudices of upbringing and habit, and come along anyway. (Also translated into Polish)

Following a week of attacks, the evolutionary biologist responds to his critics – and argues Britain must not make policy by following “Census Christians” who can’t name the first book of the New Testament.