Technology We should embrace our ability to harness plant genes A spray that kills crop pests by switching off genes without changing them offers the chance to reach a consensus on genetic modification. It must not be squandered News
Technology Computer vision algorithms pick out petty crime in CCTV footage Caught in the act? P-REACT can pick up suspicious behaviour Petty criminals had better watch out. A computer vision system has been developed that detects suspicious behaviour in CCTV footage as it happens. The system can then alert CCTV operators to intervene, and save the footage in case it is needed for evidence. Researchers involved … News
Health Battle to see all data behind drug trial tragedy must go on A year after a volunteer died during a test of an experimental painkiller, full details remain beyond wider scrutiny. That must change, says James Randerson News
Life Carbon cascade reveals fresh look to the element of life CARBON is the building block of life as we know it, but this image reveals that the element is also a universe unto itself. Artist Charles Lindsay created this magnified image by suspending carbon in water and manipulating it using electricity, vibration, temperature changes and infrared light – a process he calls "a hybrid between … Regulars
Health Dishing the dirt: How clean does your home really need to be? Cleanliness is next to godliness – or perhaps not. New Scientist looks at the evidence around hygiene to find out if there is a sweet spot Features
Earth Down with data! Sagas are more likely to save Earth Forget cold environmental facts. A new book, The Myth Gap, argues that stirring tales of redemption, atonement and renewal should spur us to action Culture
Crossword #2 Crossword No2 Across 9 The closest star to Earth, other than the sun (7,8) 10 In anatomy, the inner part of, say, the kidney or adrenal gland (7) 12 Bernhard ___ (1826–66), German mathematician noted for a hypothesis in number theory (7) 13 Theropod dinosaur of the late Cretaceous (9) 14 Organic compound derived from … Regulars
Feedback: Put a hex on cheap wine to make it taste good Feedback is our weekly column of bizarre stories, implausible advertising claims, confusing instructions and more Regulars