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This week's magazine

17 August 2024

Issue 3504

New Scientist issue 3504 cover
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Editor's picks

Sunset Sky. sea sunset. beautiful sunset; Shutterstock ID 621988769; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Environment

The crisis in our oceans shows how quickly climate chaos can strike

Comment
CT1EWH PROSTATIC CARCINOMA, SONOGRAPHY

Health

We are finally improving prostate cancer diagnoses - here's how

Features
Wave

Environment

How climate change has pushed our oceans to the brink of catastrophe

Features
Why overcoming your cynicism could be key to a healthier, happier life

Mind

Why overcoming your cynicism could be key to a healthier, happier life

Features

Table of contents

Leaders

Sunset Sky. sea sunset. beautiful sunset; Shutterstock ID 621988769; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Environment

The crisis in our oceans shows how quickly climate chaos can strike

A rapid rise in global sea temperatures is causing havoc across the world. It is a compelling reminder that the impacts of climate change will arrive in sudden, catastrophic bursts

Comment

News

A man standing in modern apartment and using a smart phone

Technology

Smartphone flaw allows hackers and governments to map your home

A newly identified smartphone vulnerability can reveal the floor plans of where you are and what you are doing - and it is possible that companies or intelligence agencies are already making use of it

News

Mind

Conspiracy theorists may not really believe their outlandish ideas

News

Life

Bird deaths from building strikes may be double past estimates

News

Environment

Modern fuel-efficient jets can cause more warming than older planes

News

Life

Leeches use their whole bodies to entomb and eat ultra-fast worms

News

Life

A surprisingly wide range of bacteria live inside microwaves

News

Space

Could Mars become habitable with the help of glitter-like iron rods?

News

Health

A common low-calorie sweetener raises the risk of blood clotting

News

Society

Uncovering recent hidden grave sites in Mexico with satellite data

News

Physics

Existing quantum devices could be used to disrupt the stock market

News

Environment

The Antarctic’s polar vortex could be about to split in two

News

Earth

Record-breaking drill core reaches 1.2 kilometres into Earth's mantle

News

Environment

The surprising wall pattern that could keep buildings cooler

News

Space

A black hole devouring a giant star gives clues to a cosmic mystery

News

Health

Covid variant JN.1 may have become dominant due to just one mutation

News

Life

Has the mystery of life’s 'handedness' finally been cracked?

News

Physics

New spin on quantum theory forces rethink of a fundamental physics law

News

Life

Endangered skates saved from extinction by hatching in captivity

News

Environment

The climate impact of feeding ourselves is getting worse and worse

News

Humans

Ancient plant artefact reveals humanity's epic journey to Australia

News

Aperture

In the village of Tshabula, villagers search for cobalt and copper in the waste tailings dumped by the lorries of the Chinese company Commus, which extracts minerals from one of the town's largest open-cast mines.

Earth

Dramatic images show the dark side of cobalt mining boom

Pascal Maitre's photos from the Democratic Republic of Congo detail the problems arising as demand for cobalt grows

Regulars

Features

Wave

Environment

How climate change has pushed our oceans to the brink of catastrophe

For decades, the oceans have absorbed much of the excess heat caused by greenhouse gases. The latest observations suggest they are reaching their limits, so how worried should we be?

Features

Mind

Why overcoming your cynicism could be key to a healthier, happier life

Features

Health

We are finally improving prostate cancer diagnoses - here's how

Features

Culture

2DE140D Rover on Mars

Life

Top astrobiologist explores the possibilities of alien life

It's time to expect the unexpected, says Natalie Cabrol, one of the world's top astrobiologists and author of an authoritative book on the hunt for life's origins – and ET

Culture

Life

An engrossing history of teeth shows their complex role in evolution

Culture

Environment

New Scientist recommends a moving Antarctica memoir, Breaking the Ice

Culture

Health

A visually rich documentary packs a punch about how we see disease

Culture

More

Don't disrespect Alan Turing by reanimating him with AI

Technology

Don't disrespect Alan Turing by reanimating him with AI

Plans to create an interactive AI model of the legendary code breaker Alan Turing are reckless and problematic, says Matthew Sparkes

Comment

Life

If we could talk to whales, what might they say?

Comment

Life

A cheaper alternative to activated charcoal for your terrarium

Regulars

Tom Gauld on how scientists mingle at a drinks party

Regulars

Twisteddoodles: the correct way to load a dishwasher

Regulars

BrainTwister #33: Number triangles

Regulars

Regulars

Did Natalie always look like a Natalie? A new study investigates

Did Natalie always look like a Natalie? A new study investigates

Over 400 years ago, Shakespeare pondered the thorny question of what was in a name. Now, Feedback considers a paper that takes on a similar topic

Regulars

Regulars

Letters

Regulars

The last word

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