The left needs its own version of techno-optimism

We live in dark, depressing and – frankly – terrifying times. Will technology push us over the edge or help us exit our many crises?

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome: the infection that killed Betsy Arakawa, Gene Hackman’s wife

Virus that caused death of actor’s wife in Santa Fe is rare but serious illness that can damage major organs of the body

‘It would be seen as political’: why the Royal Society is torn over Elon Musk

Many fellows feel the billionaire has breached its code of conduct, but others say scientific neutrality is at stake

SpaceX’s Starship explodes in second failure for Musk’s Mars program

Back-to-back mishaps indicate big setbacks for program to launch satellites and send humans to the moon and Mars

Elon Musk is a proven danger to good science, but the Royal Society won’t say it. That’s why I resigned

It is vital to act, and I urge colleagues to do so. How can we stand by and laud this man while he undermines scientific integrity? asks academic and author Kit Yates

‘Do I think doctors are going to be out of a job? Not at all’: the ex-radiologist bringing AI to healthcare

Shez Partovi, chief innovation officer at Philips, is excited about the benefits of new technology for patients and clinicians

Elon Musk survives as fellow of Royal Society despite anger among scientists

Questions remain over whether further action will be taken after resignations and calls for the Tesla CEO to be expelled

If the best defence against AI is more AI, this could be tech’s Oppenheimer moment

An unsettling new book advocates a closer relationship between Silicon Valley and the US government to harness artificial intelligence in the name of national security

Mine copper without destroying the planet? London-based project gives scientists hope

Experts hope research can create greener methods of extracting the metal vital for renewable energy revolution and boom in electrical devices

Jeff Bezos takes one small step for feminism and social progress, and one giant leap for self-publicity

The first all-female private flight into space funded by the Amazon tycoon’s Blue Origin company has little to do with female empowerment and a lot to do with PR, writes Sarah Manavis

Scientists create ‘e-Taste’ device that could add flavour to virtual reality experiences

Potential uses for gadget could include online shopping, weight management and sensory testing, say researchers

Mummification: what is it and how can it occur?

Forensic details on the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife suggest mummification has taken place

As menopause wars rage, social media skirmishes erupt over new approaches to hormone therapy – and Sydney is about to be a flashpoint

The So Hot Right Now conference will put the spotlight on dosages advocated by three headline speakers whose claims are disputed by other experts

Are noise-cancelling headphones impairing our hearing skills? Some audiologists are beginning to worry

Some specialists suspect that constantly filtering out background noise may have unintended consequences

Every hour children spend on screens raises chance of myopia, study finds

Experts warn young people should have limited use of devices and spend more time outdoors