Editor's note

Following the weekend missile strikes aimed at destroying key parts of Syria’s chemical weapons programme, tensions in the region are higher than ever. What do the US, France and Britain hope will follow their action? What will Russia’s next step be? And who else is in the mix? This is war of many sides, and everyone’s priorities are in direct competition. A group of experts on the key players involved in Syria consider who wants what and why. For ongoing coverage of events in Syria, click here.

Genetic mutation sounds inherently scary, but it’s responsible for the whole of evolution – and it may lead to far fewer harmful effects than once thought. Jess Buxton explains new research that shows only 1% of mutations in E.coli are actually lethal, and outlines how this finding could benefit medical research.

Andrew Naughtie

International Editor

Top stories

EPA/Youssef Badawi

Syria: who's involved, and what do they want?

Scott Lucas, University of Birmingham; Alpaslan Ozerdem, Coventry University; Balsam Mustafa, University of Birmingham; Beverley Milton-Edwards, Queen's University Belfast; Cengiz Gunes, The Open University; Edward Wastnidge, The Open University; Moritz Pieper, University of Salford; Natasha Ezrow, University of Essex; Simon J Smith, Staffordshire University

The Syrian conflict is a war of many sides. Here's a rundown of the key players.

Vchal / www.shutterstock.com

Harmful genetic mutations may be less common than we thought

Jess Buxton, Kingston University

New research shows just 1% of E. coli bacteria's genetic mutations are lethal.

TESS will soon be our eye in the sky. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

NASA launches satellite 'TESS' in hunt for exoplanets

Coel Hellier, Keele University

How long before we find a planet just like our own?

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