Warm, wet weather spanning several decades helped one of history's most fearsome tyrants to conquer most of Asia and Eastern Europe.

Oxygen-deprived babies born with brain damage could make miraculous recoveries thanks to research that aims to help prevent the injury spreading.

The brains of patients with Parkinson's disease who had deep brain stimulation treatment produced new stem cells, according to new research.

Ears and noses could be grown in a laboratory and transplanted into humans using a technique developed by British scientists.

Genes play a large part in determining the sexual orientation of men, scientists have shown in largest investigation conducted into the subject.

Most couples will testify that their sex life plummets on the birth of a new baby, with new mothers often worrying that they are no longer attractive

The human brain has adapted to react to emoticons in the same way we would to expressions on real human faces, new research suggests.

"Bionic man is not far away". That's the assessment of World Anti-Doping Agency director-general David Howman as his organisation.

Kiwi scientists who helped to pinpoint the 'microchip' in our brain that can control fertility are now working on the next crucial piece in the puzzle - how to influence it.

An Auckland scientist has invented molecules that can attach themselves to any surface in a few minutes and modify every type of cell or virus.

Massey University researchers are painstakingly unravelling DNA sequences in the hope of gaining valuable insight into the causes of cancer.

It's a frightening figure - 11 per cent of early deaths in NZ are due to poor nutrition and obesity. So what can be done to reverse the trend?

The lines of thousands of love poems and songs may have to be rewritten, according to Professor Alain Carpentier.

Unpleasant memories can be wiped out by electric shock therapy used to treat psychiatric patients, a study has shown.

So, rich fulla, enjoy your throbbing car, but also be aware that not being a dickhead takes constant, painstaking, vigilant effort, writes Deborah Hill Cone. Also: don't drive through zebra crossings.

Sociologist Lisa Wade says white heterosexual men have fewer friends than any other demographic, despite their yearning for closer platonic connections with other men.

Genes are a bigger influence on exam results than teachers, schools or the family, new British research has shown.

A new study has confirmed that men and women's brains are wired in completely different ways, as if they were species from different planets.

The oldest known stone javelins have been discovered in Africa, predating humans by 80,000 years.

Auckland biotechnology firm Living Cell Technologies has got the green light to continue human trials of its regenerative cell therapy for Parkinson's disease.

A gene linked to obesity which makes ice cream and sugary foods tastier for girls has been discovered by scientists.

Apart from the serious threats they pose to personal and community health, resistant infections also carry a large economic impost, says Kevin McCracken.

DNA extracted from the arm bone of a child who died in southern Siberia about 24,000 years ago has shed light on the origins of the first people to colonise the Americas.

Kiwi scientists are combining leading cancer drug therapy research with cutting-edge computer modelling to create a simple system that could speed up the development of treatment agents.

Everyone procrastinates. I became somewhat distracted by completely irrelevant websites while preparing this article, for instance, writes Reichelt.

It's been one of the mildest flu seasons in 20 years, but the young, elderly and Pacific Island and Maori people are still at serious risk from the flu.

Picture a car you can drive for as long as you like without ever having to fill it up or plug it in.

Scientists say they have made a breakthrough on possible treatments for diabetes and pancreatic problems.

Scientists studying North Island robins, bowel bacteria and condensed matter physics are among the winners of prestigious research fellowships announced this morning.