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Quick crossword #129: Trailing vine also called Chinese arrowroot (5)

23 March 2023

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


Tom Gauld: A cockroach speaks out

Tom Gauld: A cockroach speaks out

22 March 2023

Tom Gauld's weekly cartoon


Twisteddoodles: Schrodinger in the age of the internet

Twisteddoodles: Schrodinger in the age of the internet

22 March 2023

This week's cartoon from Twisteddoodles


The omen of the necrobotic spider

The omen of the necrobotic spider

22 March 2023

Feedback learns more about the "deepening of necrocapitalism", sniffs around how a changing climate affects nose shape and puts out a call for trivial superpowers


R3MJ5Y Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) juvenile, Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal, Atlantic Ocean

This week’s new questions

22 March 2023

Why do no other aquatic animals grow to a huge size like whales do? And could harvesting solar and wind energy change the planet and become harmful?


Neon portal in the foggy forest, magical evening; Shutterstock ID 2116865828; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

How could I reach other dimensions in the multiverse? (part 2)

22 March 2023

To reach other universes, one reader suggests a tweak to Douglas Adams’s Infinite Improbability Drive


Handsome man lying in bed and warm blanket and stretching and yawning. Sleepy guy has laptop on the top and holding cup with hot tea or coffee in right hand; Shutterstock ID 622519436; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Is it possible to yawn without closing your eyes? If not, why?

22 March 2023

According to our readers, open-eyed yawning is possible and there might be good evolutionary reasons why


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Is it better for a roll of toilet paper to roll towards you or away?

22 March 2023

Our readers have strong preferences for the direction of toilet paper unrolling depending on hygiene, whether they own a cat or if they have broken their arm


Puzzle #214: Can you help me work out the code to my burglar alarm?

Puzzle #214: Can you help me work out the code to my burglar alarm?

22 March 2023

Can you solve this week’s arithmetical puzzle, Seven up? Plus the answer to puzzle #213


W6PMTY Preserved Lemons

Why preserving your lemons in salt will make them even tastier

22 March 2023

The flavour of fresh lemon is delicious, but this citrus fruit becomes even more wonderful when it is preserved in salt, says Sam Wong


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