This week's magazine

Table of contents

Leaders

Environment

To confront the climate crisis, we also need a wave of innovation

Cutting emissions remains undeniably important in a warming world, but the role of invention to help avert disaster is also worthy of attention

News

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News

Life

Male wasps use spiky genitals to defend themselves from predators

Male mason wasps have no sting, but they have spines on their genitals that can cause a pricking pain, and these are effective at deterring some frogs from eating them

News

Life

Canada geese return twice as quickly if you try to shoo them away

News

Health

Parasitic DNA makes us age faster - but we're not sure why

News

Health

Sneaking drugs into the brain could treat conditions like Alzheimer's

News

Life

Ichthyosaurs used a barren region of the ocean as an ancient nursery

News

Health

Gout linked to 376 genetic variants in a study of 2.6 million people

News

Space

Mars has enough wind to power bases near the poles all year round

News

Life

Living in trees may have given great apes vocal skills for consonants

News

Physics

It may be possible to traverse a wormhole and then send a signal home

News

Health

Stimulating the brainstem may make cochlear implants more effective

News

Technology

Super-absorbent towel soaks up liquids better than cloth or paper

News

Technology

Watch this golf robot navigate to a ball by itself and sink a putt

News

Life

Glass frogs turn translucent by ‘hiding’ blood in their liver

News

Humans

Mysterious symbols in cave paintings may be earliest form of writing

News

Environment

Winter storms in US set to continue while Europe sees record warmth

News

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Analysis

Environment

COP15: Treaty may unravel over last-minute disputes and vague targets

A landmark biodiversity agreement was hammered out at the COP15 biodiversity summit over objections from some countries, but it may not live up to lofty expectations

News

Health

Science needs to work with the arts to reach all who could benefit

News

Physics

Physicists should take time to ponder the strangest ideas

Comment

Technology

The green tech that could help Iceland become carbon neutral by 2040

News

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Aperture

Life

Dazzling photographs of flocking flamingos

Travel and landscape photographer Raj Mohan has captured these stunning images of flamingos on Pulicat lake in Tamil Nadu, India. The birds occasionally travel there in response to changing conditions

Regulars

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Features

Physics

The crystal growers behind the graphene revolution

Takashi Taniguchi and Kenji Watanabe create high-quality crystals that offer the perfect substrate on which to tailor-make two-dimensional materials with amazing electronic properties. They tell New Scientist how they grow their world-renowned crystals

Features

Environment

The 12 innovations we need to save humanity and the planet

Features

Mind

How to take control of your self-narrative for a better, happier life

Features

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Culture

Humans

Awe review: Neglected feeling of awe could help battle climate change

We pay little attention to the feeling of awe, but, as Dacher Keltner's new book argues, it can make our lives more meaningful – and could even help us engage with huge problems like the climate crisis

Culture

Life

Parasites review: A fascinating tour of supremely successful invaders

Culture

Humans

Don’t Miss: The Last of Us - hit video game becomes a TV show

Culture

Humans

The Terraformers review: What do we owe the animals in our care?

Culture

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More

Space

The stargazing spectacles you need to put in your diary for 2023

Solar and lunar eclipses and stunning views of the planets in the night sky await this year. Here are the key dates to add to your calendar so you don’t miss the fun

Regulars

Puzzle #203: Can you solve the magic square?

Regulars

Tom Gauld on the department of paradoxical geometry

Regulars

Twisteddoodles: New year, new me

Regulars

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Regulars

On whether dogs should, or should not, visit hospitals

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

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Regulars

Letters

Regulars

The last word