Editor's note

Depending on which study you look at, research suggests that e-cigarettes are both good for your health because they stop you smoking cigarettes, or bad – or at the very least potential harms are yet unclear. So what’s the truth? Should smokers be using them to help kick the tobacco habit? Or do they pose a risk in themselves? Sarah Mitchell, Martin Clift and Shareen Doak explain the latest.

The evidence that there could be life on Mars after all seems to be getting stronger every day. Now, a surprising new study shows that briny water below the planet’s surface can contain molecular oxygen – meaning it could support microbial life or even simple animals like sponges. Andrew Coates writes about what it all means for space exploration.

Theresa May’s former aide Nick Timothy suggested that the UK prime minister needed to “discover her inner Boudica”. Surely that’s a terrible idea, says Martha Vandrei. While the ancient British queen’s fighting spirit has long been summoned by politicians, her battle ended in bloody slaughter at the hands of the Romans and is a warning to all those tempted to become embroiled in party in-fighting while their country’s future hangs precariously in the balance.

Ruth Dawson

Wales Editor

Top stories

Bad habit? Leszek Glasner/Shutterstock

E-cigarettes are good or bad depending on the study – so what’s the truth?

Sarah Mitchell, Swansea University; Martin Clift, Swansea University; Shareen Doak, Swansea University

E-cigarettes have proved a useful tool to stop many smoking, but they may have their own health problems too.

Mars seen by the Viking orbiter. NASA/JPL/USGS

Sponges from Mars? Study suggests water on the red planet could support life

Andrew Coates, UCL

There's enough dissolved oxygen in the salty lake below Mars' surface to support simple lifeforms such as sponges. Here's what that means for space exploration.

An ancient Theresa May? Shutterstock

Theresa May has been told to ‘find her inner Boudica’ – here’s why that’s a terrible idea

Martha Vandrei, University of Exeter

Her stand against the European invaders really didn't have a happy ending.

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