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Quick crossword #117: Archaic name for tungsten (7)

22 September 2022

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


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Luck may influence us more than nurture, so let's give parents a break

21 September 2022

Emerging research suggests that, alongside genes and environment, much of who we become is down to chance occurrences in the developing brain. Does that mean parents are off the hook?


illustrating the accelerating expansion of the universe

This week’s new questions

21 September 2022

If the universe originated at the big bang 13 billion years ago, how can there be stars that are 30 billion light years away? And why do our knuckles make a popping sound when cracked?


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What stops us from processing weeds into tasty and edible food? Part 2

21 September 2022

Another reader takes issue with the distinction between weeds and food


Young african man sitting at airport lounge and sleeping, waiting for flight at airport departure area.

Is jet lag worse if you travel east rather than west?

21 September 2022

Our readers, including a pilot, explain why direction of travel does impact jet lag - and offer tips to overcome it


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Could a word on ball of string be deciphered if the ball unravelled?

21 September 2022

Deciphering a word written on a ball of string that then unravelled depends on the randomness of the rolling process, says one New Scientist reader. But why not try it for yourself at home?


Puzzle #186: Can you crack the safe’s code?

Puzzle #186: Can you crack the safe’s code?

21 September 2022

Can you solve this week’s arithmetical puzzle, Neural network? Plus the answer to puzzle #185


Model of an electric motor

Show children how to make a simple electric motor with a magnet

21 September 2022

Using just a magnet, a battery, a nail and a piece of copper wire, this is the simplest electric motor you can make, says Alom Shaha, but it is utterly delightful and children will love it


Iceberg

Two provocative new novels inject some fantasy into the sci-fi outlook

21 September 2022

Ling Ma's Bliss Montage and Christopher Priest's Expect Me Tomorrow use fantasy to address real issues. Will this perspective energise people to do something about the future, asks Sally Adee


Don't Miss: Galwad, a multimedia climate-responsibility experience

Don't Miss: Galwad, a multimedia climate-responsibility experience

21 September 2022

New Scientist's weekly round-up of the best books, films, TV series, games and more that you shouldn't miss


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