Subscribe now
Cryptic crossword #62: One way of delivering to scenic rocks (1-7)

Cryptic crossword #62: One way of delivering to scenic rocks (1-7)

22 July 2021

Challenge your brain by solving New Scientist's weekly crosswords on your mobile, tablet or desktop


Why ‘100 billion molecules per serving’ is not as good as it sounds

Why ‘100 billion molecules per serving’ is not as good as it sounds

21 July 2021

The buckyballs that are news to science, plus dog DNA and a win for a horse with a great name, in Feedback’s weekly weird round-up


Human innovation caused the chemicals emergency – and it can solve it

Human innovation caused the chemicals emergency – and it can solve it

21 July 2021

Over the past century, tens of thousands of chemicals have been released into the environment, causing massive problems. It is time to develop cleaner, more sustainable products


What would become of dogs without humans? Here’s how they’d evolve

What would become of dogs without humans? Here’s how they’d evolve

21 July 2021

Dogs have lived with humans for tens of thousands of years. Imagining what would happen to them in a post-human world offers insights into how we can improve dogs’ lives right now


We have just two years to stop deep-sea mining from going ahead

We have just two years to stop deep-sea mining from going ahead

21 July 2021

Deep-sea mining would be an environmental disaster, so we need a global moratorium to halt it in its tracks. Here’s how we go about getting one, says Helen Scales


Amazing image taken with a camera obscura shows photography's origins

Amazing image taken with a camera obscura shows photography's origins

21 July 2021

These flowers were captured by photographer Richard Learoyd using an ancient technique called camera obscura. The image comes from an exhibition called Unearthed: Photography's Roots at Dulwich Picture Gallery in London


This week’s new questions

This week’s new questions

21 July 2021

When animals show their teeth it usually signals aggression, so when did humans start doing it to show mirth or friendship? And how does water become "stale"?


New Scientist Default Image

What are the origins of the yoghurt-making bacteria in milk?

21 July 2021

Bacteria ferment the milk sugar lactose to lactic acid, which sours milk and coagulates milk proteins. What do bacteria ferment in lactose-free milk?


Is there an advantage to insects of their bites making us itch?

Is there an advantage to insects of their bites making us itch?

21 July 2021

Insect bites are often itchy, prompting many of us to scratch. Our readers examine whether this might confer any survival advantage to the bugs


What would happen to our planet if the sun suddenly disappeared?

What would happen to our planet if the sun suddenly disappeared?

21 July 2021

Our readers explore what might happen to Earth if the sun vanished, from dramatic shifts in gravity to the complete loss of light for photosynthesis


Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop