Science & Tech News

How happy are you with your life? If the answer is 'very', there's a high chance you're a married, upper class woman who thinks she's attractive. That's according to researchers from York University, who have revealed the key factors that contribute to happiness. While previous research has suggested that money is linked with happiness, the new study indicates that this is not always the case. 'Although income definitely plays a role, it's certainly not the only factor or even the most important one,' the researchers wrote.

Labradors are one of the most popular dog breeds, but they have an insatiable desire for food. Now scientists have shown that many Labradors can't stop eating due to a genetic mutation that 'hard-wires' them for obesity . Around 25 per cent of Labradors face a 'double whammy' of feeling hungry all the time and burning fewer calories due to this genetic quirk, research suggests. Thankfully, there are several things you can do to lower your pet's risk of obesity and ensure they live a long and healthy life. Vets have revealed seven easy tips - including distracting them with toys and walks, avoiding giving them leftovers and taking them on at least one or two walks per day.

A Butlin's in Somerset might not seem like a natural backdrop to groundbreaking scientific discovery. But researchers have now discovered Earth's oldest forest hidden in the sandstone cliffs near the holiday resort. Scientists from the University of Cambridge and University of Cardiff discovered the fossil remains of an ancient forest that once stretched across Devon and Somerset. This fossil forest is believed to date back 390 million years, beating the previous record holder in New York by more than four million years. Lead author Professor Neil Davies from the University of Cambridge, said: 'People sometimes think that British rocks have been looked at enough, but this shows that revisiting them can yield important new discoveries.'

With their friendly and outgoing nature, it comes as no surprise that Labradors are some of the most popular dogs around the world. But Labradors are known to pile on the pounds - and now scientists think they know why. New research suggests that around a quarter of Labradors face a 'double whammy' of feeling hungry all the time and burning fewer calories due to a genetic mutation.

It has been more than 4,000 years since the woolly mammoth last walked the Earth, but these extinct giants might not be gone for good. Researchers have made a major breakthrough that could see woolly mammoths returning to life before 2028. Scientists from Colossal Biosciences have successfully created elephant 'pluripotent' stem cells which can grow into any cell in the body. Dr George Church, co-founder and lead geneticist of Colossal, told MailOnline that the creation of these cells 'opens the door' to the de-extinction of the mammoth. 'It's not a huge extrapolation to think that we'll be able to synthesise on a large scale in the future,' he said.

The Arctic will see its first ice-free period within the decade and in is little as two years, scientists say. Sea ice normally melts and re-freezes each year, but it is getting smaller every year, according to a new study that predicted the Arctic will have multiple ice-free months each year by 2067.

If paying for something that is 99 per cent air doesn't sound like a good deal, then this bag might not be for you. French designer Coperni has made a bag out of NASA's silica aerogel nano-material. This space-age material has been used to capture stardust and insulate the Mars rover, but now it is being used for high fashion. Made of one of the lightest materials known to science, the whole bag only weighs 33 grams, slightly more than six sheets of A4 paper.

They look like a bizarre collection of objects, from an eagle spreading its wings to a spinning top and a Japanese 'shuriken' throwing weapon. But these stunning new images released today show 'planet-forming discs' - swirling rings of gas and dust surrounding young stars in the Milky Way. Their locations several hundreds of light-years from us - or trillions and trillions of miles away - make them appear as tiny pinpricks in the night sky. So scientists used the powerful European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile to show 80 of them in greater detail than ever before. Many appear like perfect circles or 'bowls' with bright light towards the centre, while others look like asymmetrical blobs with no uniformity.

The potentially extraterrestrial fetal mummy still has signs of an umbilical cord, eerie new images show. According to the Spanish ex-public radio host and reporter who obtained the photos, the 'alien' mummy came from Columbia - but he has professed 'caution' on the remains' actual origins until further study is done. The find may keep hope alive for frustrated 'ancient alien' hunters, following a blistering analysis this January by forensic archaeologists who concluded that the other 'alien mummies' presented before Mexico's Congress last summer were man-made

Apple released the 13 and 15-inch screen models of its new M3 MacBook Air. The laptop is twice as fast as previous generations and can be used with two screens while the laptop is closed. It includes AI-compatible apps, better sound systems, and advanced WiFi 6E capabilities.

Photographers have been sharing their stunning Instagram-worthy snaps of the Northern Lights last night. Also known as the aurora borealis, the colourful phenomenon was visible from Cornwall to Scotland - and it could be visible again tonight. The Northern Lights are created by massive explosions on the sun but are usually concentrated around the Earth's magnetic poles. They're most commonly seen over places closer to the Arctic Circle such as Scandinavia and Alaska, so any sighting over the UK is a treat for skygazers. On average, the aurora can be seen in the far north of Scotland every few months , but less often as you travel further south.

There's only eight planets in our solar system, but amazingly there's a just under 300 moons known to orbit around them all. And scientists recently revealed that they'd found two more to add to the list - one around Uranus (bottom right) and two around Neptune. But, amazingly, there are still 'thousands' more moons likely awaiting discovery in our solar system, according to NASA. What's exciting is that moons could be home to alien life, potentially just a few years away from being discovered. But which ones are the most promising candidates? MailOnline's dazzling new graphic reveals more.

When it comes to the ocean's apex predator, the great white shark most likely springs to mind. But there might be a contender for top of the food chain. For the first time, a killer whale has been seen individually killing and consuming a great white shark - and within just two minutes. Orcas are generally known to work together to catch large prey like sea lions, seals, other whales and sharks, too.