Scientists claim to have developed a simple reliable test that can determine whether there is, or was, life on other planets.

More than 400 criminals have been jailed in an “unprecedented" operation targeting the encrypted messaging platform EncroChat.

Deepfakes of Sir Keir Starmer released during the Labour Party conference highlight dangers of technology when it comes to politics. 

Also in this episode:

• Study reveals gingers have been around for 10 million years
• Edinburgh to host supercomputer system that may advance medicine, AI and energy
• Scientists find a sixth basic taste detected by the tongue
• Biggest ever solar storm identified using ancient tree rings
• Why everyone seems to be entering ‘monk mode’

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Future astronauts are likely to be the solar system’s best-dressed moonwalkers - after Prada was awarded a spacesuit design contract.

Nasa’s 2025 lunar Artemis III mission. Alert as giant ozone hole exposed over Antarctic. Nobel prize chemistry winners on ‘helping people & planet’. How doctors are 3D-printing skin grafts. Also in this episode:

• Broadband customers face ‘outrageous’ bill rises 
• Project Kuiper: Amazon’s first satellites to launch
• How Queen ‘assassin’ exposes AI flaws
• Washed-up turtle released into wild

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The Local Government Association’s Future Crime Horizon Scan suggests autonomous vehicles heading to UK roads by 2025 are of “particular concern” for criminal use as remote weapons. Fentanyl crisis: White House targets Chinese chemical firms. How Google Pixel 8 Pro’s thermometer works. ‘Terminator drone’ rigged to fire torpedoes

Also in this episode:

• Early humans’ river route out of Africa 84,000 years ago
• Competition regulator probes £7.5bn cloud market
• First fine for space junk
• Nintendo 3DS & Wii U gameplay to go offline

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Civilians could pay to stay in US space agency’s 3D-printed lunar residence by 2040, after it reached a $60 million agreement with a construction tech company. ChatGPT AI helps teachers and pupils in class. Kew Gardens' Dr Matilda Brown on global plant threats after 35-year cataloguing project.

Also in this episode:

• Robot doctor’s early breast cancer diagnosis
• Bitcoin founder’s cryptic X post
• Can turtle shell DNA survive for 6 million years?
• New giant long-necked ‘titan’ dinosaur species after bones found in Spain
• How to get ‘ring of fire’ solar eclipse best view

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Overheating issue: Should Apple have tested the iPhone 15 more thoroughly? The planet pairs found floating through space. Lightning strike causes huge explosion in Oxfordshire. The planet that just keeps shrinking. In this episode:

• Our Tech Correspondent Simon Hunt discusses Apple's iPhone 15 overheating problem
• Google Pixel 8 & 8 Pro unboxing videos released ahead of official launch
• James Webb telescope makes 'JuMBO' discovery of planet-like objects in Orion
• First-ever space debris fine issued after company fails to 'properly de-orbit satellite'
• Type 2 diabetes diagnosis at age 30 can reduce life expectancy by up to 14 years
• Lightning strike causes huge explosion at Oxfordshire recycling plant
• Crowdfunding site BackerKit set to restrict the use of AI art
• Mercury’s not rising as planet ‘keeps shrinking’

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Actor warns of fake AI dental plan advert. Royal Family's official website targeted in cyber attack. How an ‘avalanche’ of research papers could impact our trust in science. The super rare N64 controller worth £1,000. In this episode:

• University of Exeter’s Mark Hanson on a rise in research papers, the peer review process and trust in science
• Apple’s plans to upgrade the App Store’s search engine
• New computer analysis hints volcanism killed the dinosaurs, not an asteroid
• Why pumpkins in the UK will be much bigger this Halloween
• Tech-tastic U2 Las Vegas Sphere’s first show, captured by our own Dylan Jones
• Rare N64 controller set to sell for around £1000

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Mystery surrounds the death of the black, clearly fox-looking dog hybrid in Brazil, confirmed by DNA testing - insight with Dr Jacqueline Boyd, canine science expert at Nottingham Trent University, who investigated for The Conversation news site. Kids sent 'nearly 5,000 smartphone alerts every day'. Parasitic brain worm alert.

Also in this episode:

• Finally...get ready for those flying taxis
• Simple daily activities ‘lower heart attack risk’
• Seven-mile freefall for record skydive 

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American astronaut Frank Rubio and two Russian cosmonauts are back on terra firma after spending 371 days in space. Zuckerberg’s AI chatbots, latest Meta virtual goggles and VR wall art. British scientists to build ‘world’s most powerful laser’. 

Also in this episode:

• Alien dust alert stops Nasa’s Bennu asteroid sampling
• Social media use ‘link teen binge drinking’
• Thousands of UK wild animals under threat
• Rare 'Dumbo' octopus spotted one mile underwater

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Squid Game fans with strong nerves can pay up to £65-a-time to experience an - almost - real-life version of the hit Netflix show in London as a virtual reality experience. Major report finds tens of thousands of British women are dying from preventable cancers each year. First, its own Wiki, now CIA has custom ChatGPT AI bot. How Nasa plans to tow ISS back to Earth - then crash space superlab.

Also in this episode:

• Junk snacks ‘kill benefits of healthy eating’
• Meta in £149m London office lease buyout amid cuts
• Paleoartist crafts lifelike ancient humans from dig finds
• Oldest Iron Age gold coin hoard dug up in UK

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Researchers at Carnegie Institution’s Geophysical Laboratory and George Mason University say their method of searching for aliens outside the solar system is 90 per cent accurate. Lahaina wildfire: residents return to devastated homes. Musk pose...Tesla’s humanoid robot does yoga. Garlic breath? Natural yogurt can fix that. 

Also in this episode:

• Lego blocks plan to make bricks from recycled bottles
• Set your watch - here’s date humans become extinct
• Greenpeace’s Minecraft game to help save Amazon rainforest
• Rewilding America’s biggest tortoises on media mogul’s ranch

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