The latest stories from the Science & Environment section of the BBC News web site.
Hubble re-shoots 1987 star blast
The Hubble space telescope returns to view one of its favourite subjects - a giant stellar explosion first seen from Earth in 1987.
Danish rocketeers postpone launch
A group of Danish rocket enthusiasts trying to launch a dummy 30km into the sky abort the mission when a valve on their rocket freezes up.
Plans for solar 'close encounter'
Nasa is aiming to get closer to the Sun than ever before, with plans to plunge a car-sized unmanned spacecraft into the star's outer atmosphere.
Reading Arabic 'hard for brain'
Israeli scientists believe they have identified why Arabic is particularly hard to learn to read.
Wolves fail to halt aspen decline
The re-introduction of wolves to a US National Park has not helped re-establish quaking aspens, as many researchers had hoped.
Technique to trace persistent CFCs
Ultrafine measurements of atmospheric gases could help scientists track down the last sources of CFCs thought to be slowing the recovery of the ozone layer.
Openness urged on UK's emissions
The government's chief environment scientist calls for more openness in admitting the UK's cuts in greenhouse gas emissions are an illusion.
'Lights out' help migratory birds
A growing number of New York sky-scrapers switch off their lights at night to help reduce the number of migratory birds hitting the buildings.
Ants protect trees from elephants
A species of acacia tree found in Eastern Africa seems to be protected from elephant damage - by the ants that live on it.
Creation was Godless says Hawking
There is no place for God in theories on the creation of the Universe, Professor Stephen Hawking concludes in a new book.
Memristor revolution backed by HP
A potentially revolutionary circuit component, once a laboratory curiosity, is to be mass-produced for the first time.
Old star wallows in 'steam bath'
Europe's Herschel space telescope spies an aging star that has surrounded itself in hot water vapour.
Ancient reef uncovered in Pacific
An ancient reef may provide scientists with clues about what will happen to coral when sea temperatures rise.
Rare Roman lantern found in field
A metal detecting enthusiast finds what is believed to be the only intact Roman lantern made out of bronze ever discovered in Britain.
Clue to ancient Antarctic seaway
Scientists have found evidence for an ancient sea passage linking currently isolated areas of Antarctica.
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