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This week's magazine

28 March 2020

Issue 3275

New Scientist issue 3275 cover
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On the cover

Features
How a new twist on quantum theory could solve its biggest mystery
How to fight infection by turning back your immune system's clock
News
We may have started keeping lapdogs as pets 2000 years ago
World’s highest mammal discovered at the top of a Mars-like volcano
Penguins call out as they hunt under water but we’re not sure why
Tiny meteorite found in Antarctica came from an unknown asteroid
You could be spreading the coronavirus without realising you’ve got it
We haven’t identified any new drugs for severe covid-19 cases yet
Can you catch the coronavirus twice? We don’t know yet
Analysis
UK's scientific advice on coronavirus is a cause for concern
Why US society is so vulnerable to the coronavirus pandemic
Regulars
The science of pastry: Master a shortcrust and make a rhubarb tart
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Editor's picks

Why US society is so vulnerable to the coronavirus pandemic

Health

Why US society is so vulnerable to the coronavirus pandemic

News
There are constructive steps we can all take to fight the coronavirus

Health

There are constructive steps we can all take to fight the coronavirus

News
A new wave of apps say they can improve your friendships – can they?

Humans

A new wave of apps say they can improve your friendships – can they?

Features
How to fight infection by turning back your immune system's clock

Humans

How to fight infection by turning back your immune system's clock

Features
How a new twist on quantum theory could solve its biggest mystery

Physics

How a new twist on quantum theory could solve its biggest mystery

Features

Table of contents

Leaders

There are constructive steps we can all take to fight the coronavirus

Health

There are constructive steps we can all take to fight the coronavirus

The new coronavirus is upending our lives, but simple actions can slow its spread, help our neighbours, foster a sense of togetherness and rejuvenate our immune systems

News

News

Deep brain stimulation

Health

Brain implant detects and turns down symptoms of Parkinson’s disease

Deep brain stimulation works by placing wires into the skull, but can cause side effects People with Parkinson’s disease are getting brain implants that can automatically detect and reduce harmful nerve cell activity, to test if the technique could reduce movement difficulties. The device is a step up from a conventional brain implant because it …

News

Space

Strange lines on Venus may be folded stacks of lava eroded by wind

News

Technology

Fish scales turned into flexible and biodegradable electronic displays

News

Life

We may have started keeping lapdogs as pets 2000 years ago

News

Health

Our guts may sense sugar and low-calorie sweeteners differently

News

Health

Brain ultrasound scanner could speed diagnosis of head injuries

News

Environment

Just opening a plastic bottle can release thousands of microplastics

News

Environment

Fish used for sushi now carry 283 times more parasites than in 1980s

News

Space

Bombing asteroid Ryugu reveals it is a spritely 9 million years old

News

Health

Genetically modified neurons could help us connect to implants

News

Life

World’s highest mammal discovered at the top of a Mars-like volcano

News

Life

Penguins call out as they hunt under water but we’re not sure why

News

Humans

DNA analysis reveals just how intertwined ancient human lineages are

News

Space

Tiny meteorite found in Antarctica came from an unknown asteroid

News

Health

You could be spreading the coronavirus without realising you’ve got it

News

Health

We haven’t identified any new drugs for severe covid-19 cases yet

News

World in lockdown as coronavirus cases soar

News

Health

Can you catch the coronavirus twice? We don’t know yet

News

Analysis

Even the 'best science' doesn’t have the final word on covid-19

Health

Even the 'best science' doesn’t have the final word on covid-19

Chief medical officer Chris Whitty, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chief scientific officer Patrick Vallance at a press conference “Take nobody's word for it.” That is how the motto of the UK's Royal Society – Nullius in verba – is usually interpreted. It’s a warning against listening to arguments made purely from authority. Only …

News

Health

UK's scientific advice on coronavirus is a cause for concern

News

Health

Why US society is so vulnerable to the coronavirus pandemic

News

Space

We still don't understand a basic fact about the universe

News

Aperture

Newly discovered species found deep in the ocean contains microplastic

Life

Newly discovered species found deep in the ocean contains microplastic

Photo BBDO/Weston/Jamieson THE beautiful, interlocking, armoured plates of this amphipod are meant to keep it safe from predators and other threats . But they can't protect it from plastic pollution, which is how this creature got its name. Eurythenes plasticus is a newly described shrimp-like species found between 6 and 7 kilometres down in the …

Regulars

Features

How a new twist on quantum theory could solve its biggest mystery

Physics

How a new twist on quantum theory could solve its biggest mystery

The "wave function collapse" transforms vague clouds of quantum possibilities into the physical reality we know – but no one knows how. New experiments are finally revealing reality in the making

Features

Humans

A new wave of apps say they can improve your friendships – can they?

Features

Humans

How to fight infection by turning back your immune system's clock

Features

Culture

A demon from Doom

Technology

Doom Eternal review: A welcome adrenaline-inducing distraction

A demon from Doom Eternal Doom Eternal induces a physiological response in me when I play – a fantastic adrenaline rush that is a welcome distraction from these dark times. The game is the second in a modern-day refresh for the long-running Doom series, which sees players blast away demons with an arsenal of absurd …

Culture

Life

The evolutionary mystery of flying may finally be cracked by genetics

Culture

Physics

Jim Al-Khalili's The World According to Physics is a thrilling ride

Culture

Humans

Don’t Miss: Interactive thriller, spring journey and human futures

Culture

More

The science of pastry: Master a shortcrust and make a rhubarb tart

Humans

The science of pastry: Master a shortcrust and make a rhubarb tart

Many people feel intimidated by the prospect of making pastry, says Sam Wong, but a little understanding can go a long way to successfully making this beautiful rhubarb tart

Regulars

New Scientist puzzle #52: Bus change

Regulars

Technology

Death researcher on pandemics and our fascination with dying

Regulars

Humans

A 50-year-old brief history of universities

Regulars

Tom Gauld ask will you take the red pill, blue pill or maybe another?

Regulars

Twisteddoodles finds covid-19 is the only thing on our minds

Regulars

Regulars

New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Feedback's top tips for self-isolation

Feedback is our weekly column of bizarre stories, implausible advertising claims, confusing instructions and more

Regulars

Regulars

Letters

Regulars

The last word

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