Science
Fermat's Last Theorem: still a must-read about a 350-year maths secret
Simon Singh's exploration of mathematical proof – in particular Pierre de Fermat's last theorem – remains an a...
If a bird flu pandemic starts, we may have an mRNA vaccine ready
A final-stage trial has started of an mRNA vaccine against the bird flu strain infecting many animals – and oc...
Titan’s strange plains may be explained by unusual weather
Most of Titan’s surface is oddly flat and smooth, and it may be because it is coated by as much as a metre of...
Game theory explains why the US's goals in Iran keep changing
The ongoing conflict around the Strait of Hormuz has become a situation in game theory known as a war of attri...
How we discovered the speed limit of arithmetic – and broke it
Some seemingly simple sequences of multiplication and addition grow so quickly that they question the very fou...
A whole new way to prevent death from sepsis shows promise
Filtering a protein that may cause sepsis out from the blood has shown promising signs for improving survival
Can we ‘vaccinate’ ourselves against stress?
A traditional vaccine primes the immune system to build better defences. Researchers think we can do something...
Why the right kind of stress is crucial for your health and happiness
Stress is linked to many of our biggest killers, but a growing body of research suggests that certain types ca...
Can you determine your personalised stress score?
“I’m stressed” is a phrase that many of us use, but now there are ways to shed light on how stressed you actua...
Parrot uses his broken beak to become a dominant male
An injured kea with just half a beak has used what's left as a weapon that gives him dominance over a captive...
The biggest threat to Chernobyl is no longer radiation
Forty years after the world’s biggest nuclear disaster, the safety of Chernobyl hangs in the balance – though...
We might finally know how to use quantum computers to boost AI
Pushing against years of scepticism, an analysis suggests quantum computers may offer real advantages for runn...
Hospital-acquired pneumonia reduced by daily toothbrushing
Most hospital patients don't brush their teeth regularly, but doing so could cut their risk of developing pneu...
Werner Herzog searches for ghost elephants in stunning new documentary
A film about the quest for “ghost elephants” is as much about not knowing and asking the right questions as ab...
Electric vehicle owners could earn thousands by supporting power grid
Electric vehicles could store renewable energy when there is excess supply and give it back to the grid when d...
New Scientist recommends Jamie Bartlett's insightful How to Talk to AI
The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week
Why is it so hard to change your mind?
Changing your opinion can be difficult, and it’s sometimes even seen as a flaw. But research shows being open-...
The rise, the fall and the rebound of cyclic cosmology
Cyclic cosmology, or the big bounce, is the idea that the universe will eventually crunch back together and th...