New Scientist covers the latest developments in science and technology that will impact your world. New Scientist employs and commissions the best writers in their fields from all over the world. Our editorial team provide cutting-edge news, award-winning features and reports, written in concise and clear language that puts discoveries and advances in the context of everyday life today and in the future.
Elsewhere on New Scientist
Brain boost • A “grand unifying theory” of brain disease deserves our cautious respect
New Scientist
Golden state snowed under
Swimming in murky waters • More rivers in England could soon be designated as bathing waters, but granting this status does little to identify or clean up pollution, finds Jason Arunn Murugesu
Missing matter found, but now there’s too much
Deal struck to conserve oceans • Nations have agreed on a framework for protecting marine life in international waters for the first time, reports Madeleine Cuff
AI learns video game far faster by reading the instruction book
“I’m making brain cells play games” • Brett Kagan hopes brains in a dish will help us understand how human memories form and lead to a new kind of artificial intelligence, finds Clare Wilson
Server heat may cut hot water bills • Waste heat from computer servers is being repurposed to heat hot water in homes
Deforestation seems to reduce rainfall across the tropics
Norovirus cases surge in England • This winter has seen an unusually large number of norovirus infections and the outbreaks aren’t over yet. Jason Arunn Murugesu investigates what is going on
Mediterranean diet may ease cognitive issues related to MS
Stray dogs of Chernobyl are genetically distinct from others
ChatGPT tells robots what to do • People with no programming experience could use AI to command robots for them
Influenza viruses may have originated in ancient fish
Satellite streaks threaten Hubble telescope images
Insect thought extinct found in a Walmart
What we learned from NASA’s asteroid-smashing DART mission
Insects shoot drops of urine using an anal catapult
Adding wild fungi to soil could make trees store more carbon
Self-driving car could be ordered to repossess itself
Just 500 extra steps boosts heart health
Climate and health talk cuts meat eating
Dusky tetraka found again after vanishing for decades
Really brief
Whose child is it anyway? • A reform of surrogacy laws in England, Scotland and Wales could have major ramifications as reproductive tech advances, says Teresa Baron
No planet B • Gathering storms Compound and cascading disasters, like back-to-back hurricanes, are becoming more common. Have we crossed the first climate tipping point, asks Graham Lawton
Sunken treasure
Your letters
Up in the air • Claims about birds’ migratory feats were often dismissed, until technology revealed the truth about their incredible journeys, finds Corryn Wetzel
Who created science? • Physicist Carlo Rovelli argues that science owes its origins to ancient philosopher Anaximander. Simon Ings investigates
Don’t miss
Teeming with life • Cities are amazingly biodiverse, but can we help them exist in harmony with nature before it bites back? Richard Lea explores what we need to know
Recharging the brain • A “grand unified theory” of neurodegenerative conditions suggests we may be able to reverse the ravages of brain ageing by retuning or replacing mitochondria, finds David Robson
How to have a younger brain
The unlikely rise of liquid sponges • Creating absorbent liquids seemed impossible. But now they are here and they could be surprisingly useful, says...