Humans transport microbes around their environment. Image: Argonne National Laboratory

By Emma Saville, The Conversation and Penny Orbell, The Conversation

Microbial communities vary greatly between different households but are similar among members of the same household – including pets – according to research published in Science today.

Image: If only neuroscience was that easy. Credit: quixotecr, CC BY-NC-ND

By Matt Wall, Imperial College London

During World War II, residents on the islands in the southern Pacific Ocean saw heavy activity by US planes, bringing in goods and supplies for the soldiers. In many cases, this was the islanders' first exposure to 20th century goods and technology.

By Ian Wright, The Open University

The pressure's on JJ Abrams and the new Star Wars films.Credit: wiredphotostream, CC BY-NC

By Sorcha Ní Fhlainn, Manchester Metropolitan University

Is morality and happiness determined by how you affect the people around you? Credit: Shutterstock

By Peter Bowden, University of Sydney

It is a word we hear from time to time, but few of us know what it means.

We come in peace. redgum, CC BY-NC-SA

By Seth Shostak, SETI Institute