Life You bet – an intellectual wager can focus our attention Gambling and science don't seem to mesh, but a playful bet can focus attention on the detail and force us to hone our arguments News
Earth Map of the underworld may let us play plate tectonics in reverse Where do the plates go? The road to hell may be paved with good intentions, but at least there’s now a map to get you there. The map is the first to show the whereabouts of almost 100 massive remnants of what were once tectonic plates, but which long ago sank into the bowels of … News
Technology Would a North Korean space nuke really lay waste to the US? Warnings that North Korea could detonate a nuclear bomb in orbit to knock out US electrical infrastructure are far-fetched, says arms expert Jeffrey Lewis News
Life Wary blenny fish pokes its head out from a Caribbean reef A BLENNY fish pokes its head out of a coral reef off the Caribbean island of St Lucia. Blennies aren't known for their looks. They tend to be small, dull-coloured and slimy – hence their name, which means "mucus" in Greek. Most of the 800 known blenny species live in warm, shallow waters. They slither … Regulars
Life Why be conscious: The improbable origins of our unique mind If we ask what consciousness is for, and why it evolved, we may get closer to understanding the nature of our own minds as well as those of other animals Features
Technology Will technology help or hinder access to famous art? From van Gogh's Sunflowers to murals by Mark Rothko, everyone wants to see the originals of famous artworks. What role does technology have to play? Culture
Feedback: What links Jeeps, emcees and the tiger in your tank? Feedback is our weekly column of bizarre stories, implausible advertising claims, confusing instructions and more Regulars