Scientists have finally recovered stem cells from cloned human embryos, a longstanding goal that could lead to new treatments for such illnesses as Parkinson's disease and diabetes.

Many left-wing thinkers believe we have no "agency" or ability to make conscious choices, writes Deborah Hill Cone. Until we can work this one out we are not going to make much progress with rewiring criminals.

Scientists have uncovered what, for some couples, may be an uncomfortable truth: all people of European descent are related.

Some stroke victims may eventually recover lost hand function thanks to smart new computer system designed to fool the brain.

It is one of the most unusual evolutionary ideas yet proposed: humans are amphibious apes who lost their fur.

The temporary hearing loss from an outing at a noisy nightclub may not indicate damage to our ears as traditionally thought, new research shows.

Melanoma experts from New Zealand and around the world will meet in Wellington tomorrow to discuss latest research and plans to reduce incidence and impact of the cancer.

US President Barack Obama has proposed an effort to map the brain's activity in unprecedented detail, as a step toward finding better ways to treat such conditions as Alzheimer's, autism, stroke and traumatic brain injuries.

The belief that nervous shock can cause you to go grey overnight (medically termed canities subita) is one of those tales that could nearly be true.

The Government's chief pharmaceutical officer, Keith Ridge, said although the control mechanism for prescribing antibiotics had been strengthened in hospitals.

Scientists appear a step closer to conquering the Aids virus after doctors in the United States confirmed they had cured an infant born with HIV for the first time.

The discovery of inaccurate volume markings on baby bottles could save several infants from the serious side effects of having over-concentrated formula, says Plunket.

The scientist who has given a "sixth sense" to laboratory animals has promised an even bigger revolution in the research field he has pioneered.

Lower Hutt mum Sarah Mahy says the Canterbury University study might clarify for her how concerned she should be about her children's speech.

A Herald editorial has made a case for Labour's new housing policy and the intensification of terraced houses and apartment units in Auckland it will lead to.

Acclimatising to heat is a tough gig. Since 1970, central Australian regions have warmed 1.2C and as the world continues to get warmer.

Just about everyone has some point in their life checked their resting pulse rate. Self-trackers go further, using apps and other devices to find out as much as possible about their bodies.

Children's tantrums, hoarding and skin picking - psychiatrists will soon be looking at these and more in a new light when their official what's what of mental disorders gets a makeover in May.

A chemical additive to soften bottle-fed babies' stools - emulating those of breast-fed infants - is being considered by Food Standards.

Paying it forward - a popular expression for extending generosity to others after someone has been generous to you.

As soon as she took a bite of the fish caught and prepared for her by some Fijian locals, Amanda Austrin knew something was wrong.