This week's magazine

Table of contents

Leaders

Technology

Why we need to slow down the AI chatbot revolution

Rushing the release of AI chatbots for search is a risky experiment fuelled by greed.

News

---

News

Technology

Stuffed dead birds made into drones could spy on animals or humans

Flapping-wing drones camouflaged with the bodies of taxidermy birds could help study flocks of wild birds or enable military spy missions, but they’re not yet the most efficient flyers

News

Physics

Strange water wave can bounce a droplet thousands of times

News

Health

Gene-edited wheat reduces levels of cancer risk chemical when cooked

News

Humans

Early risers may have inherited faster body clocks from Neanderthals

News

Technology

Fully autonomous F-16 fighter jet takes part in simulated dogfights

News

Life

Rise in urban beekeeping may be crowding out native bee species

News

Space

Dark energy may have been hiding in the cores of black holes all along

News

Life

Prawn larvae conceal their eyes with reflectors to hide from predators

News

Environment

Green home designs put to the test in giant climate-controlled chamber

News

Health

Covid-19 pandemic tied to antibiotic resistance in pneumonia bacterium

News

Life

Spine of early crawling fish was becoming more like a land animal's

News

Health

Why chocolate cravings strike a week or two before a menstrual period

News

Health

Third person 'cured' of HIV after receiving stem cell cancer treatment

News

Technology

AI spots Mesopotamian archaeological sites in satellite images

News

Environment

How can you tell if a river in the UK is healthy?

News

Health

Your skin microbiome may influence the wrinkles you develop with age

News

---

Analysis

Humans

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

The notion that our ancestors’ shift from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to farming was disastrous for our health is well established, but a new study should prompt a rethink, says Michael Marshall

Comment

Technology

How AI chatbots in search engines will completely change the internet

News

Technology

Governments should use speculative fiction tools to predict the future

News

---

Aperture

Environment

Cool photographs capture new geopolitics of the melting Arctic

As global warming accelerates, the Arctic is changing fast. Gregor Sailer captures this deep shift in his photographs of military stations and ice monitoring kit, part of his exhibition called The Polar Silk Road

Regulars

---

Features

Life

How climate change is forcing animals that mate for life to break up

Many animals enter into long monogamous relationships to raise offspring, but we know they can break up – and new research suggests global warming is sometimes to blame

Features

Health

The amazing ways electricity in your body shapes you and your health

Features

Physics

The CERN particle accelerator that will breathe new life into physics

Features

---

Culture

Mind

Travellers to Unimaginable Lands review: The true toll of dementia

In a wise and challenging book, Dasha Kiper focuses on the forgotten people caring for those living with dementia

Culture

Life

Elderflora review: A history of ancient trees is excellent in parts

Culture

Humans

Next Exit film review: New tale of the afterlife takes a wrong turn

Culture

Humans

Don't Miss: Explore wildfire's power at Science Gallery London

Culture

---

More

Puzzle #210: Can you work out if I will make it to my train on time?

#210 Action station Set by Mary Ellis I have a train to catch! I was planning to drive or cycle to the station, but, to my dismay, I realise that my car has a flat battery and my bike has a puncture. I look at the clock and realise that, based on past experience, if …

Regulars

Humans

How to use the science of fat to make delicious, confit food

Regulars

Tom Gauld on how to upgrade your presentations

Regulars

Twisteddoodles on spy balloons

Regulars

---

Regulars

In need of a buzzy new cosmetic? You could always brew one up

Feedback learns that coffee beans can be used for much more than just a delicious drink, before diving headfirst into the abyss of infinite lunacy.

Regulars

Regulars

Letters

Regulars

The last word