WITH THE INCREASED use of dry rock over live rock, you might hope that marine pests have become a thing of the past. Unfortunately, these little critters – that can cause havoc in a reef tank – still

Whether mutually beneficial or a parasitic nuisance, Nature’s symbiotic relationships are as multifarious as they are marvellous, says John Lewis-Stempel

Elton john’s circle of life offers a majestic vision of existence, spotlighting predator and prey, birth and the hunt. But there’s a visceral chapter of this cycle that was (understandably) edited out

Johnny Drain Adventures in Fermentation From ancient origins to culinary frontiers, an exploration of the microbes that shape the world we live in 320pp. Penguin Life. £20. Tim Spector Ferment The lif

Far from being mere pests, snails are at the heart of a healthy garden ecosystem. Discover the many ways they contribute and how you can work with – not against – them for a thriving plot

When she died in 2024, Spain’s Maria Branyas was the world’s oldest woman. She was 117. Experts believe the secret to her longevity may have been the bacteria living in her gut – her microbiome – and