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Tackling topics from the cutting edge of dark matter research to the latest developments in the tech world, explore the incisive opinions of New Scientist's expert columnists.
2KEHETN The Twitter and Mastodon app logos are seen in this photo illustration in Warsaw, Poland on 12 November, 2022. Mastodon is a decentralized, open-sourc

Technology

How I found a new home online at Mastodon, after giving up on Twitter

More like a village than a city, Mastodon has less cruelty and bad-faith debates than Twitter, in my experience Could it be a social media platform to trust, asks Annalee Newitz

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2GAXKAF aerial view of a beautiful Vjosa river, near Earcove, Nemercka mountains, Gjirokastra district, albania

Environment

Europe's first Wild River National Park is great, except for one thing

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2H8TP9E JODIE FOSTER in CONTACT (1997), directed by ROBERT ZEMECKIS. Credit: WARNER BROTHERS / Album

Space

Why space scientists need science fiction

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2P3HAAK AI technology Robot. ChatGPT, AI-powered chatbot, language processing and machine learning to provide users intelligent conversation. Generative AI

Technology

Why we need to be wary of anthropomorphising chatbots

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White chatbot robot leading robots group on dark bluish reddish background leadership chatbot concept 3D rendering; Shutterstock ID 1707821734; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Technology

Is the chatbotpocalypse looming? Some people would like us to think so

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TOPSHOT - An aerial photo taken on February 14, 2023 shows flooding caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in Awatoto, near the city of Napier. - New Zealand declared a national state of emergency on February 14 as Cyclone Gabrielle swept away roads, inundated homes and left more than 100,000 people without power. - New Zealand OUT (Photo by AFP) / New Zealand OUT (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Environment

Do back-to-back disasters show first climate tipping point is upon us?

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Mathematics equation on quantum mechanic book, selective focus; Shutterstock ID 2181615439; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Physics

Why uncertainty is part of science - especially quantum mechanics

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Furrows row pattern in a plowed field prepared for planting crops in spring. Growing wheat crop in springtime. Horizontal view in perspective with cloud and blue sky background.; Shutterstock ID 423151204; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Humans

Was the shift to farming really the worst mistake in human history?

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DDYEX8 Inside a New York telephone exchange, USA, early 1930s. Artist: Unknown

Technology

A message for today from last century's vast telephone exchanges

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Beautiful autumn scene of Hintersee lake. Colorful morning view of Bavarian Alps on the Austrian border, Germany, Europe. Beauty of nature concept background.; Shutterstock ID 747646759; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Environment

The push to grant legal rights to nature is gaining momentum

The movement to give trees, rivers and ecosystems the legal right to exist, thrive and regenerate has been bubbling under for decades, but it has just scored a very welcome win, says Graham Lawton

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Physics

Why the most important topic in physics could be statistical mechanics

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Technology

Medical AIs are advancing - when will they be in a clinic near you?

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Earth

How a planet became a character in my new novel

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Environment

The worst-case climate scenarios are no longer plausible today

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