New Scientist

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

Power down • The 2000-watt challenge is a valuable guide to using less energy without suffering

New Scientist

Spiral-shelled trio • Three nautilus species new to science have been found near islands in the South Pacific, reports Jake Buehler

Can bird flu spread among mammals? • Bird flu infections have been recorded in animals such as foxes and mink, but it is unclear if the virus can go from one mammal to another, reports Madeleine Cuff

US megadrought has led to more air pollution from power plants

Suspected Chinese spy balloon shot down by US jet

The trouble with image generators • Artificial intelligences’ ability to produce close copies of the images used to train them could be significant when it comes to settling copyright infringement lawsuits, finds Alex Wilkins

Coronavirus mutations offer a new insight into evolution

Diving drone can switch between flying and swimming

Smart dairy farms are using AI scanners to monitor cows’ health

Human neurons integrated into rats’ brain

Sperm-sorter aims to find best samples to boost IVF success

Genetic condition may help prevent TB infection

The US wants huge drone swarms • Project for coordinating hordes of drones that fly, crawl or swim is raising concerns

Wormholes could magnify light by a factor of 100,000

Amnesia may be worse with milder brain damage

Sunquakes may be caused by high-energy electron beams

Hunting enormous elephants gave Neanderthals a month-long feast

Google AI creates backing tracks for singers

Antidepressants rarely ease pain • Despite widespread use, the evidence suggests most antidepressants are poor painkillers

New type of ice is a strange white powder

Ancient Egyptians used exotic resins to make mummies

Putting solar panels in grazing fields is good for sheep

Viking invaders brought animals

Sound and motion aid time perception

More trees can cool cities and cut death toll in heatwaves

Really brief

Too many broken hearts • Understanding a lesser-known form of broken heart syndrome could be key to protection from sudden cardiac death, says Sian Harding

No Planet B • Natural justice The movement to grant legal rights to nature to exist, thrive and regenerate has been bubbling under for decades, but it has just scored a big win, says Graham Lawton

Hot shot

Your letters

The art of remembering • If you want to strengthen your mind, a new compendium exploring the mechanics of memory may be the place to start, finds Alex Wilkins

Real life on Mars • Living on Mars will take enormous work, but an urban planner is already on the case, discovers Chris Stokel-Walker

Don’t miss

The games column • Meet your heroes In Marvel’s Midnight Suns, you are in charge of a team of superheroes who fight villains but also hang out. Who wouldn’t want to go fishing with Spider-Man or play video games with Wolverine, asks Jacob Aron

The 2000-watt challenge • In theory, you can live a good life on a fraction of the energy you currently use. James Dinneen takes up the challenge

What’s watt?

Emission critical

Six ways to use less energy

Paranoid, me? • Psychologists are forging a new understanding of why we are susceptible to...