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Going back in genes

A new analysis of the genes common to bacteria and archaea offers strong evidence that the earliest cells on Earth lived deep in hydrothermal vents, explains William F Martin

The biosecurity front line

War of the Worms

Parasitic worms blight the lives of billions of people worldwide. Stefano Colombo looks at the challenges of vaccinating against them

Interview: Natasha de Vere

Ecologist and conservationist Dr Natasha de Vere talks to Tom Ireland about DNA barcoding every species of native flowering plant in the UK, and the crisis facing plant-pollinating insects around the world

Water worlds

Xaali O'Reilly-Berkeley looks at how bromeliads' water-collecting cavities can create entire ecosystems in miniature

Focus On: Environmental DNA

The analysis of traces of DNA in soil and water has been described as a game-changer for conservation and ecology