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wind farm

The renewables reality: clean energy hasn't risen for 25 years

2 August 2017

Big countries are already cutting back on support for solar and wind. They should be doing the opposite, or else the renewable revolution will falter


drive on left warning sign

Old Scientist: How to make a car chase really boring

2 August 2017

Cars hurt the planet in many ways, but the New Scientist archives for August reveal one that may be news to you. Plus a dull response to criminals’ vehicles


city artwork

Getting on the map: How to fix the problem with addresses

2 August 2017

Addresses aren't just a convenient label to mark where you live, they're a vital technology – and one that needs an upgrade


internet users

Internet giants need to be reined in for the public good

2 August 2017

Self-regulation doesn't work for information monopolies like Facebook. Should we treat them as if they were utility companies to protect ourselves?


brain artwork

Brain box: Multitasking chips that can match the human mind

2 August 2017

An electrical component once thought impossible is delivering machine minds that can think on their own


Waves in water

Quantum gravity detector will use atom clouds to survey for oil

1 August 2017

A commercial device that uses quantum technology to detect subtle differences in gravity, should be able to detect coal, oil or pipes underground


Hacking a US electronic voting booth takes less than 90 minutes

Hacking a US electronic voting booth takes less than 90 minutes

1 August 2017

At security conference DEF CON hackers proved it is possible to manipulate votes on the same voting machines used in US elections in the time it takes to watch a movie


A missile blasts off again the background of green hills

North Korea launches ICBM with potential to reach New York

28 July 2017

An intercontinental ballistic missile launched by North Korea landed in Japanese waters. Experts say the range of such a missile could reach the US east coast


woman blinking while wearing glasses

Smart glasses let you turn off the lights in the blink of an eye

28 July 2017

A pair of glasses that can harness the movement around your eye when you blink could be used to manipulate the world around you


How to turn Facebook into a weaponised AI propaganda machine

How to turn Facebook into a weaponised AI propaganda machine

28 July 2017

We’ve long suspected politicians use your Facebook habits to influence your vote, but there was no proof it could work. Now the first evidence is in


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