New Scientist - News New Scientist - News https://www.newscientist.com/ New Scientist - News https://www.newscientist.com/build/images/ns-logo-scaled.ed2dc11a.png https://www.newscientist.com daily 1 Will there be another pandemic after covid-19 and are we prepared? https://www.newscientist.com/article/2462027-will-there-be-another-pandemic-after-covid-19-and-are-we-prepared/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 01 Jan 2025 18:00:41 +0000 Covid-19 is responsible for the deaths of millions of people around the world, but researchers fear the next global outbreak could be even worse, making it vital that we start preparing for that unknown pathogen now 2462027-will-there-be-another-pandemic-after-covid-19-and-are-we-prepared|2462027 Could 2025 be the year we finally start to understand dark energy? https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435232-300-could-2025-be-the-year-we-finally-start-to-understand-dark-energy/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +0000 A map of 31 million galaxies created by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument will be released next year, and could shed light on the origins of this mysterious force mg26435232-300-could-2025-be-the-year-we-finally-start-to-understand-dark-energy|2460805 People ate lots of foxes and wildcats 10,000 years ago https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461972-people-ate-lots-of-foxes-and-wildcats-10000-years-ago/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 01 Jan 2025 13:00:30 +0000 Foxes and cats weren’t just caught for their pelts, hint cut marks and burns on bones found at a site in Israel 2461972-people-ate-lots-of-foxes-and-wildcats-10000-years-ago|2461972 Flying electric taxis look set to finally take off in 2025 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2459466-flying-electric-taxis-look-set-to-finally-take-off-in-2025/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:00:03 +0000 Electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are on track to start commercial passenger carrying services in 2025, but can they stand out from conventional helicopters? 2459466-flying-electric-taxis-look-set-to-finally-take-off-in-2025|2459466 Blinking may give your brain a micro break during cognitive tasks https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461168-blinking-may-give-your-brain-a-micro-break-during-cognitive-tasks/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Tue, 31 Dec 2024 16:00:54 +0000 When reading a book, we tend to blink over less familiar words, which suggests it may have a cognitive role 2461168-blinking-may-give-your-brain-a-micro-break-during-cognitive-tasks|2461168 Physicists bend atoms in ‘impossible’ experiment https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461681-physicists-bend-atoms-in-impossible-experiment/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Tue, 31 Dec 2024 12:00:40 +0000 Entire atoms have been put through a classic quantum experiment for the first time and the breakthrough could lead to better detectors for picking up the gravitational waves that ripple across the universe 2461681-physicists-bend-atoms-in-impossible-experiment|2461681 Humanoid robots will march into factories and homes in 2025 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435232-600-humanoid-robots-will-march-into-factories-and-homes-in-2025/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +0000 A robotic boom could see thousands of humanoid units entering workplaces and more in 2025, but whether they will have staying power remains to be seen mg26435232-600-humanoid-robots-will-march-into-factories-and-homes-in-2025|2460808 IBM will release the largest ever quantum computer in 2025 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2457325-ibm-will-release-the-largest-ever-quantum-computer-in-2025/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 30 Dec 2024 16:00:24 +0000 Following successful early demonstrations of linking two quantum computing chips, IBM is aiming to break records for the largest quantum computer yet by combining many of them in parallel 2457325-ibm-will-release-the-largest-ever-quantum-computer-in-2025|2457325 Food made without farming will go on sale in the US in 2025 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461346-food-made-without-farming-will-go-on-sale-in-the-us-in-2025/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Tue, 31 Dec 2024 10:00:49 +0000 Several start-ups are preparing to launch new foods made without plants, animals or soil, claiming that their products have a lower environmental impact 2461346-food-made-without-farming-will-go-on-sale-in-the-us-in-2025|2461346 Ozempic and Wegovy have heart health benefits beyond just weight loss https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461613-ozempic-and-wegovy-have-heart-health-benefits-beyond-just-weight-loss/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 30 Dec 2024 08:00:30 +0000 A study in pigs has shown that the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy directly boosts heart health, in addition to the benefits of losing weight 2461613-ozempic-and-wegovy-have-heart-health-benefits-beyond-just-weight-loss|2461613 Ancient checked dress may be Europe's oldest two-colour garment https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461621-ancient-checked-dress-may-be-europes-oldest-two-colour-garment/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 30 Dec 2024 12:00:18 +0000 Textile fragments found in a 2800-year-old grave in the Netherlands were once part of a woven dress with a red and blue checked pattern, molecular analysis has revealed 2461621-ancient-checked-dress-may-be-europes-oldest-two-colour-garment|2461621 Will miners finally start harvesting metals from the seabed in 2025? https://www.newscientist.com/article/2460723-will-miners-finally-start-harvesting-metals-from-the-seabed-in-2025/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 30 Dec 2024 10:00:35 +0000 The international community seems no closer to an agreement on a code for deep-sea mining in international waters and the impasse may lead to countries acting unilaterally 2460723-will-miners-finally-start-harvesting-metals-from-the-seabed-in-2025|2460723 AI-powered avatars can gesture naturally as they speak https://www.newscientist.com/article/2462259-ai-powered-avatars-can-gesture-naturally-as-they-speak/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Fri, 27 Dec 2024 18:00:30 +0000 An AI model that understands the interplay between human body language, speech and emotion enables digital avatars to move more realistically when speaking 2462259-ai-powered-avatars-can-gesture-naturally-as-they-speak|2462259 Snow days set to disappear across much of the US https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461298-snow-days-set-to-disappear-across-much-of-the-us/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Fri, 27 Dec 2024 16:00:02 +0000 By the end of the century, most of the US outside the high mountains may never see deep snow cover the ground, with consequences for water storage as well as for the life on and beneath the snow 2461298-snow-days-set-to-disappear-across-much-of-the-us|2461298 Fights over geoengineering experiments will heat up in 2025 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2460695-fights-over-geoengineering-experiments-will-heat-up-in-2025/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Fri, 27 Dec 2024 15:00:31 +0000 There is growing interest in exploring ways to counteract global warming by intervening in the atmosphere and the oceans, but planned trials are highly controversial 2460695-fights-over-geoengineering-experiments-will-heat-up-in-2025|2460695 Mathematicians found – and fixed – an error in a 60-year-old proof https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461891-mathematicians-found-and-fixed-an-error-in-a-60-year-old-proof/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Thu, 26 Dec 2024 12:00:37 +0000 As part of a project to make mathematics machine-readable, mathematicians have discovered an error in an important proof. Thankfully there was a fix, but the incident highlights the potential for other errors to be lurking in the mathematics literature 2461891-mathematicians-found-and-fixed-an-error-in-a-60-year-old-proof|2461891 Supersonic flight will see a dramatic return in 2025 with new aircraft https://www.newscientist.com/article/2451666-supersonic-flight-will-see-a-dramatic-return-in-2025-with-new-aircraft/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:00:32 +0000 Several prototype aircraft that are intended to bring back commercial supersonic travel have been making big strides in recent years – but it is unknown how well the return of Concorde-like flights will go down with customers 2451666-supersonic-flight-will-see-a-dramatic-return-in-2025-with-new-aircraft|2451666 COP30 host Brazil aims to get 2025 climate talks back on track https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435232-500-cop30-host-brazil-aims-to-get-2025-climate-talks-back-on-track/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +0000 With the next UN climate summit taking place in Belém, Brazil, in 2025, the host nation faces an uphill struggle to encourage more collaboration and ambition from national governments mg26435232-500-cop30-host-brazil-aims-to-get-2025-climate-talks-back-on-track|2460807 Is Google's approach to error-free quantum computers already outdated? https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461315-is-googles-approach-to-error-free-quantum-computers-already-outdated/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Thu, 26 Dec 2024 10:00:33 +0000 The coding that forms the basis of Google’s recent breakthrough in error-correcting quantum computers is facing fierce competition 2461315-is-googles-approach-to-error-free-quantum-computers-already-outdated|2461315 We'll learn about Ozempic's potential for Alzheimer's disease in 2025 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435232-400-well-learn-about-ozempics-potential-for-alzheimers-disease-in-2025/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +0000 Two later-stage trials investigating semaglutide, the drug in Ozempic, for treating Alzheimer's disease are due to complete in 2025, with potentially big results mg26435232-400-well-learn-about-ozempics-potential-for-alzheimers-disease-in-2025|2460806 Why US obesity rates fell for the first time in decades https://www.newscientist.com/article/2462004-why-us-obesity-rates-fell-for-the-first-time-in-decades/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:00:59 +0000 After years of rising obesity rates in the US, the numbers dipped slightly during 2023, though experts disagree about the exact cause 2462004-why-us-obesity-rates-fell-for-the-first-time-in-decades|2462004 We could discover a new element on the periodic table in 2025 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435232-900-we-could-discover-a-new-element-on-the-periodic-table-in-2025/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +0000 Work is under way to produce the first atom of element 120 ever seen on Earth, and the results could be in surprisingly soon mg26435232-900-we-could-discover-a-new-element-on-the-periodic-table-in-2025|2460811 Dolphins may use their teeth to hear underwater https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461513-dolphins-may-use-their-teeth-to-hear-underwater/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 25 Dec 2024 15:00:42 +0000 The teeth of dolphins and other toothed whales are connected to a uniquely thick bundle of nerve fibres, which might play a role in sound detection 2461513-dolphins-may-use-their-teeth-to-hear-underwater|2461513 Disease-resistant pork may go on sale in 2025 thanks to gene editing https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435232-800-disease-resistant-pork-may-go-on-sale-in-2025-thanks-to-gene-editing/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +0000 US regulators are expected to approve a disease-resistant pig breed in 2025, opening the door to wider adoption of gene-edited farm animals and crops mg26435232-800-disease-resistant-pork-may-go-on-sale-in-2025-thanks-to-gene-editing|2460810 These are all of the missions heading to the moon in 2025 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435233-000-these-are-all-of-the-missions-heading-to-the-moon-in-2025/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +0000 From Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander to SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System, around a dozen spacecraft teams have their sights on the moon mg26435233-000-these-are-all-of-the-missions-heading-to-the-moon-in-2025|2460812 Quantum entanglement can be endlessly 'embezzled' from quantum fields https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461485-quantum-entanglement-can-be-endlessly-embezzled-from-quantum-fields/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Tue, 24 Dec 2024 14:00:25 +0000 Some quantum fields that extend throughout all of space-time could be a rich resource of quantum entanglement that can be extracted forever 2461485-quantum-entanglement-can-be-endlessly-embezzled-from-quantum-fields|2461485 Newly identified scorpion species ‘spits’ venom to defend itself https://www.newscientist.com/article/2459777-newly-identified-scorpion-species-spits-venom-to-defend-itself/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:00:24 +0000 A scorpion discovered in South America can spray venom out of its stinger and hit targets up to 35 centimetres away 2459777-newly-identified-scorpion-species-spits-venom-to-defend-itself|2459777 Physicists in 2024 searched the quantum realm for the truth about time https://www.newscientist.com/article/2457513-physicists-in-2024-searched-the-quantum-realm-for-the-truth-about-time/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Tue, 24 Dec 2024 10:00:14 +0000 Two separate theoretical studies published this year argued that time itself is bound up in the odd quantum property of entanglement, but deep mysteries remain 2457513-physicists-in-2024-searched-the-quantum-realm-for-the-truth-about-time|2457513 The most powerful images of the natural world from 2024 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2459680-the-most-powerful-images-of-the-natural-world-from-2024/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:00:27 +0000 A large number of damaging and deadly hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, floods and droughts this year were photographed from land, air and space 2459680-the-most-powerful-images-of-the-natural-world-from-2024|2459680 Monster wildfires are sending more smoke into the stratosphere https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461448-monster-wildfires-are-sending-more-smoke-into-the-stratosphere/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:00:30 +0000 Smoke lofted into the upper atmosphere on towering pyrocumulonimbus clouds can spread around the globe and affect the climate 2461448-monster-wildfires-are-sending-more-smoke-into-the-stratosphere|2461448 Whales may hone their singing skills by practising out of season https://www.newscientist.com/article/2460323-whales-may-hone-their-singing-skills-by-practising-out-of-season/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:00:32 +0000 The songs of male humpback whales seem to become more complex in the months before they look for a mate, suggesting a rehearsal period may be important for good performance 2460323-whales-may-hone-their-singing-skills-by-practising-out-of-season|2460323 Mathematicians spent 2024 unravelling proof almost no one understands https://www.newscientist.com/article/2459118-mathematicians-spent-2024-unravelling-proof-almost-no-one-understands/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:00:19 +0000 The geometric Langlands conjecture poses deep questions for mathematicians, and a 1000-page proof published this year has left them both celebrating and puzzled 2459118-mathematicians-spent-2024-unravelling-proof-almost-no-one-understands|2459118 OpenAI's o3 model aced a test of AI reasoning – but it's still not AGI https://www.newscientist.com/article/2462000-openais-o3-model-aced-a-test-of-ai-reasoning-but-its-still-not-agi/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Fri, 20 Dec 2024 23:10:58 +0000 The latest AI model from OpenAI achieved an “impressive leap in performance” but it still hasn’t demonstrated what experts classify as human-level intelligence 2462000-openais-o3-model-aced-a-test-of-ai-reasoning-but-its-still-not-agi|2462000 Is solar geoengineering research having its moment? https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461498-is-solar-geoengineering-research-having-its-moment/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Fri, 20 Dec 2024 17:00:42 +0000 There is more research than ever focused on reflecting sunlight away from the planet to cool the climate – but there are still far more questions than answers about the effects 2461498-is-solar-geoengineering-research-having-its-moment|2461498 How the US Supreme Court and Trump could stop a TikTok ban https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461713-how-the-us-supreme-court-and-trump-could-stop-a-tiktok-ban/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Fri, 20 Dec 2024 16:25:42 +0000 A US ban on the video-sharing app TikTok is set to take effect in early 2025 – but the country's Supreme Court and President-elect Donald Trump could still change that 2461713-how-the-us-supreme-court-and-trump-could-stop-a-tiktok-ban|2461713 Quantum teleportation can survive through busy internet cables https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461649-quantum-teleportation-can-survive-through-busy-internet-cables/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Fri, 20 Dec 2024 16:00:36 +0000 An experiment showing that quantum and classical communication can be carried out through the same fibre at the same time may open the door to building a quantum internet with existing infrastructure 2461649-quantum-teleportation-can-survive-through-busy-internet-cables|2461649 Will an mRNA vaccine target the norovirus strain behind surging cases? https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461512-will-an-mrna-vaccine-target-the-norovirus-strain-behind-surging-cases/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Fri, 20 Dec 2024 15:00:57 +0000 A new type of norovirus is causing a very high number of cases in countries like England, just as a large trial of an mRNA vaccine is starting up 2461512-will-an-mrna-vaccine-target-the-norovirus-strain-behind-surging-cases|2461512 NASA’s Mars helicopter was grounded in 2024 after surprise success https://www.newscientist.com/article/2452820-nasas-mars-helicopter-was-grounded-in-2024-after-surprise-success/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Fri, 20 Dec 2024 14:00:16 +0000 The Ingenuity autonomous helicopter surpassed all expectations to fly dozens of missions over several years on the Red Planet, only stopping this year when an accident damaged one of its rotors 2452820-nasas-mars-helicopter-was-grounded-in-2024-after-surprise-success|2452820 Hundreds of small websites may shut down due to UK's Online Safety Act https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461213-hundreds-of-small-websites-may-shut-down-due-to-uks-online-safety-act/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Fri, 20 Dec 2024 13:00:55 +0000 Hundreds of community websites run for fans of everything from cycling to Sunderland AFC may be forced to shut down by the UK's Online Safety Act, which is designed to protect children from harmful content 2461213-hundreds-of-small-websites-may-shut-down-due-to-uks-online-safety-act|2461213 Hairy ‘orangutan pitcher plant’ discovered in Borneo https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461865-hairy-orangutan-pitcher-plant-discovered-in-borneo/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Fri, 20 Dec 2024 13:00:20 +0000 A newly described species of giant pitcher plant is one of the biggest ever found, with leaves covered in fur the same colour as orangutans 2461865-hairy-orangutan-pitcher-plant-discovered-in-borneo|2461865 Stonehenge may have been built to unify people of ancient Britain https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461558-stonehenge-may-have-been-built-to-unify-people-of-ancient-britain/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:01:24 +0000 Recent findings show that Stonehenge’s stones came from all over Britain – and this offers clues to the monument’s purpose, say archaeologists 2461558-stonehenge-may-have-been-built-to-unify-people-of-ancient-britain|2461558 AI beats human experts at distinguishing American whiskey from Scotch https://www.newscientist.com/article/2460910-ai-beats-human-experts-at-distinguishing-american-whiskey-from-scotch/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Thu, 19 Dec 2024 16:00:28 +0000 Using descriptions of flavours or chemical data, artificial intelligence can tell apart whiskies from different countries and identify their constituent aromas 2460910-ai-beats-human-experts-at-distinguishing-american-whiskey-from-scotch|2460910 The most inspiring conservation success stories in 2024 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2459464-the-most-inspiring-conservation-success-stories-in-2024/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:00:27 +0000 Endangered skates and kingfishers were brought back from the brink this year and scientists found a way to protect frogs from deadly infections 2459464-the-most-inspiring-conservation-success-stories-in-2024|2459464 Genetic tweak to three key crops massively boosts their growth https://www.newscientist.com/article/2460964-genetic-tweak-to-three-key-crops-massively-boosts-their-growth/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Thu, 19 Dec 2024 13:00:34 +0000 A simple change to maize, sorghum and sugarcane that allows them to take advantage of rising CO2 levels can boost their growth by around a fifth 2460964-genetic-tweak-to-three-key-crops-massively-boosts-their-growth|2460964 Is AI finally ready to replace your doctor? https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461549-is-ai-finally-ready-to-replace-your-doctor/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Thu, 19 Dec 2024 12:05:02 +0000 Advances in artificial intelligence mean that machines can now perform certain diagnostic tasks with far better accuracy than human doctors - but the picture is more complicated than you might think 2461549-is-ai-finally-ready-to-replace-your-doctor|2461549 How to make the biggest splash in a pool, according to science https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461030-how-to-make-the-biggest-splash-in-a-pool-according-to-science/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Thu, 19 Dec 2024 11:00:03 +0000 Analysing footage of what happens when people jump into water, and using a robot to mimic them, has revealed how do the perfect dive-bomb using a Maori technique called the Manu 2461030-how-to-make-the-biggest-splash-in-a-pool-according-to-science|2461030 The best space images from 2024 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2456158-the-best-space-images-from-2024/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:00:39 +0000 This year has delivered some awe-inspiring imagery of space, from the James Webb Space Telescope’s stunning shots of faraway stars and galaxies to images of the skies taken from here on planet Earth 2456158-the-best-space-images-from-2024|2456158 Swarms of tiny robots coordinate to achieve ant-like feats of strength https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461218-swarms-of-tiny-robots-coordinate-to-achieve-ant-like-feats-of-strength/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 18 Dec 2024 16:00:58 +0000 Small robots directed by magnetic fields can cooperatively lift heavy objects, form floating rafts and push through clogs. They may one day deliver drugs within the human body 2461218-swarms-of-tiny-robots-coordinate-to-achieve-ant-like-feats-of-strength|2461218 Ultra-thin diamond wafers for electronics made using sticky tape https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461415-ultra-thin-diamond-wafers-for-electronics-made-using-sticky-tape/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 18 Dec 2024 16:00:16 +0000 Electronics made using diamond-based chips would have many advantages, but have been hard to make – a new technique involving sticky tape could change that 2461415-ultra-thin-diamond-wafers-for-electronics-made-using-sticky-tape|2461415 Ancient hominin Lucy was a lousy runner, simulations show https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461156-ancient-hominin-lucy-was-a-lousy-runner-simulations-show/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 18 Dec 2024 16:00:09 +0000 Researchers have tried to work out how fast Australopithecus afarensis could run by creating a 3D digital robot of the ancient hominin 2461156-ancient-hominin-lucy-was-a-lousy-runner-simulations-show|2461156 Are quantum computers now advanced enough to need operating systems? https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461015-are-quantum-computers-now-advanced-enough-to-need-operating-systems/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 18 Dec 2024 15:00:48 +0000 Quantum computing hardware has been progressing rapidly in recent years – and quantum software is following 2461015-are-quantum-computers-now-advanced-enough-to-need-operating-systems|2461015 The Anthropocene was officially spurned in 2024, but the idea lives on https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435210-800-the-anthropocene-was-officially-spurned-in-2024-but-the-idea-lives-on/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 11 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +0000 Geologists surprisingly declined to formally declare a new epoch, but proponents of the Anthropocene will continue to highlight humanity’s impact on the planet mg26435210-800-the-anthropocene-was-officially-spurned-in-2024-but-the-idea-lives-on|2459247 Elon Musk's brain-implant firm Neuralink did its first tests in 2024 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435210-500-elon-musks-brain-implant-firm-neuralink-did-its-first-tests-in-2024/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 11 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +0000 Neuralink’s first two human trials grabbed headlines this year, but it still isn’t clear how the firm’s technology compares with other brain-computer interfaces mg26435210-500-elon-musks-brain-implant-firm-neuralink-did-its-first-tests-in-2024|2459244 2024 saw the first living people to receive pig kidney transplants https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435210-900-2024-saw-the-first-living-people-to-receive-pig-kidney-transplants/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 11 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +0000 Three people in the US received a genetically modified pig kidney in 2024, marking another step towards animal-to-human organ transplants becoming routine mg26435210-900-2024-saw-the-first-living-people-to-receive-pig-kidney-transplants|2459248 'Artificial tongue' can detect chemical makeup of alcoholic drinks https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461058-artificial-tongue-can-detect-chemical-makeup-of-alcoholic-drinks/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Tue, 17 Dec 2024 16:00:58 +0000 Biological nanopore technology revolutionised DNA sequencing – now it has been adapted for analysing alcoholic drinks, providing a quick test for quality and safety 2461058-artificial-tongue-can-detect-chemical-makeup-of-alcoholic-drinks|2461058 Unified approach could improve nature, climate and health all at once https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461105-unified-approach-could-improve-nature-climate-and-health-all-at-once/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Tue, 17 Dec 2024 15:19:29 +0000 The biodiversity, climate, health, water and food crises need to be addressed together rather than regarded as separate issues, urges a major report 2461105-unified-approach-could-improve-nature-climate-and-health-all-at-once|2461105 Earth had a temporary mini-moon that was a chunk of the real moon https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461106-earth-had-a-temporary-mini-moon-that-was-a-chunk-of-the-real-moon/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Tue, 17 Dec 2024 15:00:04 +0000 An asteroid orbiting near our planet that temporarily became our second moon seems to have come from the actual moon, hinting that a hidden population of lunar rocks is drifting in space 2461106-earth-had-a-temporary-mini-moon-that-was-a-chunk-of-the-real-moon|2461106 The most encouraging climate solutions and green technologies of 2024 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2459219-the-most-encouraging-climate-solutions-and-green-technologies-of-2024/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:00:04 +0000 Renewable energy continued to grow in 2024, and there were other hopeful developments in technologies aiming to reverse the rise in greenhouse gas emissions 2459219-the-most-encouraging-climate-solutions-and-green-technologies-of-2024|2459219 Plastic chemicals linked to hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide https://www.newscientist.com/article/2460960-plastic-chemicals-linked-to-hundreds-of-thousands-of-deaths-worldwide/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:00:27 +0000 A review of chemical exposures across 38 countries finds common plastic products are linked to millions of cases of heart disease and thousands of strokes 2460960-plastic-chemicals-linked-to-hundreds-of-thousands-of-deaths-worldwide|2460960 UK plans to favour AI firms over creators with a new copyright regime https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461038-uk-plans-to-favour-ai-firms-over-creators-with-a-new-copyright-regime/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Tue, 17 Dec 2024 11:38:57 +0000 One of the biggest uncertainties in the ongoing AI revolution is whether these systems can legally be trained on copyrighted data. Now, the UK says it plans to clarify the matter with a change to the law 2461038-uk-plans-to-favour-ai-firms-over-creators-with-a-new-copyright-regime|2461038 Earliest known sabre-toothed predator hunted 270 million years ago https://www.newscientist.com/article/2461006-earliest-known-sabre-toothed-predator-hunted-270-million-years-ago/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Tue, 17 Dec 2024 10:00:11 +0000 The fossilised remains of an ancient carnivore provide intriguing hints about how early relatives of mammals began regulating their own body temperature 2461006-earliest-known-sabre-toothed-predator-hunted-270-million-years-ago|2461006 The best and weirdest photos of robots from 2024 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2457179-the-best-and-weirdest-photos-of-robots-from-2024/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Tue, 17 Dec 2024 09:00:34 +0000 A long-envisioned futuristic world of humanoid robots doing all the work has yet to arrive, but these startling images reveal some of the surprising ways that advanced robotics is becoming more ubiquitous in people's lives 2457179-the-best-and-weirdest-photos-of-robots-from-2024|2457179 Is social media fuelling a rise in eating disorders? https://www.newscientist.com/article/2459298-is-social-media-fuelling-a-rise-in-eating-disorders/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Tue, 17 Dec 2024 07:00:33 +0000 Eating disorders have increased - and many are pointing the finger at sites like Instagram and TikTok 2459298-is-social-media-fuelling-a-rise-in-eating-disorders|2459298 Liquid metal particles can self-assemble into electronics https://www.newscientist.com/article/2459969-liquid-metal-particles-can-self-assemble-into-electronics/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 16 Dec 2024 17:00:11 +0000 A cheap method for forming the tiny components of chips, such as transistors and diodes, harnesses simple fluid physics to make the electronics self-assembling 2459969-liquid-metal-particles-can-self-assemble-into-electronics|2459969 Saturn’s rings may be far older than we thought https://www.newscientist.com/article/2460906-saturns-rings-may-be-far-older-than-we-thought/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:00:37 +0000 The age of the rings that encircle Saturn is under dispute thanks to calculations that show they could have been formed billions – rather than millions – of years ago 2460906-saturns-rings-may-be-far-older-than-we-thought|2460906 A festival of stunning animal pictures from 2024 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2458891-a-festival-of-stunning-animal-pictures-from-2024/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 11 Dec 2024 18:00:07 +0000 The past 12 months have seen animals of all shapes, sizes and colours strut their stuff – here are just a few of the best pictures from the year 2458891-a-festival-of-stunning-animal-pictures-from-2024|2458891 Eight healthy habits could slow the ageing of your brain https://www.newscientist.com/article/2460650-eight-healthy-habits-could-slow-the-ageing-of-your-brain/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Fri, 13 Dec 2024 13:55:28 +0000 From not smoking to maintaining a healthy weight, there are many healthy habits that could help keep your brain young 2460650-eight-healthy-habits-could-slow-the-ageing-of-your-brain|2460650 From Tesla to Trump, Elon Musk had a very busy 2024 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2458834-from-tesla-to-trump-elon-musk-had-a-very-busy-2024/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 16 Dec 2024 09:00:02 +0000 The past 12 months have been packed for the world’s wealthiest person as he has juggled Tesla, X, Neuralink, SpaceX and relations with Donald Trump – has it been a success? 2458834-from-tesla-to-trump-elon-musk-had-a-very-busy-2024|2458834 ‘Vampire’ hedgehog among 234 new species identified in Asia https://www.newscientist.com/article/2460697-vampire-hedgehog-among-234-new-species-identified-in-asia/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 16 Dec 2024 00:01:13 +0000 The Greater Mekong region of Asia hosts a wealth of rare and unstudied species – 173 new species of plants, 26 reptiles, 17 amphibians, 15 fish and three mammals were described last year. Here are six of them 2460697-vampire-hedgehog-among-234-new-species-identified-in-asia|2460697 Butchered bones tell of shocking massacre in prehistoric Britain https://www.newscientist.com/article/2460619-butchered-bones-tell-of-shocking-massacre-in-prehistoric-britain/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 16 Dec 2024 00:01:21 +0000 At least 37 men, women and children were brutally murdered in the largest massacre known in Bronze Age Britain, possibly in a performance of ritualistic violence 2460619-butchered-bones-tell-of-shocking-massacre-in-prehistoric-britain|2460619 Are vast amounts of hydrogen fuel hidden below Earth's surface? https://www.newscientist.com/article/2460755-are-vast-amounts-of-hydrogen-fuel-hidden-below-earths-surface/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Fri, 13 Dec 2024 19:00:11 +0000 Geologists estimate Earth contains several trillion tonnes of natural hydrogen that could be used as a clean fuel, but a global search for large reserves hasn’t delivered so far 2460755-are-vast-amounts-of-hydrogen-fuel-hidden-below-earths-surface|2460755 Mpox became a global health emergency for the second time in 2024 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2459809-mpox-became-a-global-health-emergency-for-the-second-time-in-2024/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Fri, 13 Dec 2024 15:00:42 +0000 Surging mpox cases in East, West and Central Africa prompted the World Health Organization to once again make the infection a global health emergency 2459809-mpox-became-a-global-health-emergency-for-the-second-time-in-2024|2459809 Magic mushrooms found in Africa are a species new to science https://www.newscientist.com/article/2460465-magic-mushrooms-found-in-africa-are-a-species-new-to-science/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Thu, 12 Dec 2024 17:03:05 +0000 A fungus named Psilocybe ochraceocentrata is the closest relative of a widely cultivated psychedelic mushroom, giving clues to their evolutionary origins 2460465-magic-mushrooms-found-in-africa-are-a-species-new-to-science|2460465 Why AI must learn to admit ignorance and say 'I don't know' https://www.newscientist.com/article/2457739-why-ai-must-learn-to-admit-ignorance-and-say-i-dont-know/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Fri, 13 Dec 2024 11:00:11 +0000 The ability to admit ignorance could be a sign of truly intelligent AI, and a new quiz of unsolved or perhaps even unsolvable questions aims to put this idea to the test 2457739-why-ai-must-learn-to-admit-ignorance-and-say-i-dont-know|2457739 Dazzling auroras lit up the skies in 2024 and we may see more in 2025 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435210-700-dazzling-auroras-lit-up-the-skies-in-2024-and-we-may-see-more-in-2025/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 11 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +0000 The northern lights, or aurora borealis, came strangely far south this year and there may be more of the same while the sun is experiencing a solar maximum mg26435210-700-dazzling-auroras-lit-up-the-skies-in-2024-and-we-may-see-more-in-2025|2459246 Over 70 per cent of students in US survey use AI for school work https://www.newscientist.com/article/2460254-over-70-per-cent-of-students-in-us-survey-use-ai-for-school-work/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Fri, 13 Dec 2024 08:00:28 +0000 Many children in the US seem to be using a chatbot to help them with their work, despite the risks of errors and often in defiance of school rules 2460254-over-70-per-cent-of-students-in-us-survey-use-ai-for-school-work|2460254 The US Navy wants to use quantum computers for war games and much more https://www.newscientist.com/article/2460443-the-us-navy-wants-to-use-quantum-computers-for-war-games-and-much-more/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Thu, 12 Dec 2024 21:00:47 +0000 The US Navy has many tasks it wants quantum devices to tackle, from setting maintenance schedules to enabling nearly unhackable communication 2460443-the-us-navy-wants-to-use-quantum-computers-for-war-games-and-much-more|2460443 The sun may spit out giant solar flares more often than we thought https://www.newscientist.com/article/2460512-the-sun-may-spit-out-giant-solar-flares-more-often-than-we-thought/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Thu, 12 Dec 2024 19:00:15 +0000 A survey of more than 56,000 sun-like stars reveals that “superflares” that are linked to bursts of radiation which play havoc with electronics on Earth may happen every 100 to 200 years and we may be overdue one 2460512-the-sun-may-spit-out-giant-solar-flares-more-often-than-we-thought|2460512 Ancient genomes reveal when modern humans and Neanderthals interbred https://www.newscientist.com/article/2460489-ancient-genomes-reveal-when-modern-humans-and-neanderthals-interbred/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Thu, 12 Dec 2024 19:00:11 +0000 The oldest genomes ever recovered from modern humans have helped pin down when and how the momentous mingling of two hominins played out 2460489-ancient-genomes-reveal-when-modern-humans-and-neanderthals-interbred|2460489 What are the mystery drones flying over the US? https://www.newscientist.com/article/2460438-what-are-the-mystery-drones-flying-over-the-us/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Thu, 12 Dec 2024 18:26:59 +0000 Large drones have been spotted flying over the US for weeks, and state and federal officials say they still have no idea who is behind the flights 2460438-what-are-the-mystery-drones-flying-over-the-us|2460438 The shine began to wear off AI in 2024 as advances slowed down https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435210-600-the-shine-began-to-wear-off-ai-in-2024-as-advances-slowed-down/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 11 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +0000 AI made incredible progress in 2023, but with a less-impressive pace of development this year, it may be that existing techniques are reaching their limits mg26435210-600-the-shine-began-to-wear-off-ai-in-2024-as-advances-slowed-down|2459245 Global forecast for 2025 sees temperatures falling back below 1.5°C https://www.newscientist.com/article/2460379-global-forecast-for-2025-sees-temperatures-falling-back-below-1-5c/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Thu, 12 Dec 2024 00:01:35 +0000 La Niña conditions are expected to lead to a slightly cooler average global surface temperature in 2025, though it does not mean the planet as a whole has stopped warming 2460379-global-forecast-for-2025-sees-temperatures-falling-back-below-1-5c|2460379 Climate chaos accelerated in 2024 as we hit 1.5°C for the first time https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435210-100-climate-chaos-accelerated-in-2024-as-we-hit-1-5c-for-the-first-time/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 11 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +0000 2024 was another year of record-breaking heat and extreme weather, including devastating floods, storms and wildfires across the globe mg26435210-100-climate-chaos-accelerated-in-2024-as-we-hit-1-5c-for-the-first-time|2459240 Bowel cancer is rising in younger people around the world https://www.newscientist.com/article/2459984-bowel-cancer-is-rising-in-younger-people-around-the-world/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 11 Dec 2024 23:30:11 +0000 More and more people under 50 have been diagnosed with bowel cancer in different parts of the world over the past few decades 2459984-bowel-cancer-is-rising-in-younger-people-around-the-world|2459984 Parker Solar Probe will soon go deeper into the sun than ever before https://www.newscientist.com/article/2460412-parker-solar-probe-will-soon-go-deeper-into-the-sun-than-ever-before/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 11 Dec 2024 21:22:03 +0000 On 24 December, the Parker Solar Probe will be the closest human-made object ever to a star, taking unprecedented measurements of the sun 2460412-parker-solar-probe-will-soon-go-deeper-into-the-sun-than-ever-before|2460412 Another record has been set for the most entangled logical qubits https://www.newscientist.com/article/2459987-another-record-has-been-set-for-the-most-entangled-logical-qubits/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 11 Dec 2024 20:55:11 +0000 Just a few months after the previous record was set, a start-up called Quantinuum has announced that it has entangled the largest number of logical qubits – this will be key to quantum computers that can correct their own errors 2459987-another-record-has-been-set-for-the-most-entangled-logical-qubits|2459987 Earth may have had its water delivered by a vast cloud of vapour https://www.newscientist.com/article/2460173-earth-may-have-had-its-water-delivered-by-a-vast-cloud-of-vapour/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 11 Dec 2024 16:16:45 +0000 Rather than getting its water from impacts, our planet may have drawn in water vapour after the sun boiled it off early icy asteroids 2460173-earth-may-have-had-its-water-delivered-by-a-vast-cloud-of-vapour|2460173 Liquid metal unlocks a way to make artificial blood vessels https://www.newscientist.com/article/2459445-liquid-metal-unlocks-a-way-to-make-artificial-blood-vessels/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 11 Dec 2024 16:00:43 +0000 The unusual properties of gallium have helped scientists to create delicate moulds that can be used to grow cultures of human cells resembling tiny blood vessels 2459445-liquid-metal-unlocks-a-way-to-make-artificial-blood-vessels|2459445 Pre-eclampsia could be treated with mRNA technology https://www.newscientist.com/article/2460080-pre-eclampsia-could-be-treated-with-mrna-technology/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 11 Dec 2024 16:00:12 +0000 Hope for a much-needed treatment for the common pregnancy complication pre-eclampsia has been raised by a successful test of an mRNA therapy in mice 2460080-pre-eclampsia-could-be-treated-with-mrna-technology|2460080 Space was for sale in 2024 as private missions led by Elon Musk boomed https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435210-300-space-was-for-sale-in-2024-as-private-missions-led-by-elon-musk-boomed/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 11 Dec 2024 14:00:00 +0000 From the first private moon landing to the first civilian spacewalk, Elon Musk’s SpaceX helped drive a big year for private space flight mg26435210-300-space-was-for-sale-in-2024-as-private-missions-led-by-elon-musk-boomed|2459242 Dogs pull harder on the leash when they wear a harness than a collar https://www.newscientist.com/article/2459747-dogs-pull-harder-on-the-leash-when-they-wear-a-harness-than-a-collar/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 11 Dec 2024 10:12:45 +0000 Dog harnesses are sometimes claimed to reduce pulling forces on the leash, but an experiment found they have the opposite effect 2459747-dogs-pull-harder-on-the-leash-when-they-wear-a-harness-than-a-collar|2459747 Bird flu suddenly got serious in 2024, infecting dozens of people https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435210-400-bird-flu-suddenly-got-serious-in-2024-infecting-dozens-of-people/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Wed, 11 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000 People in multiple US states tested positive for bird flu this year, raising concerns about the pandemic potential of the virus mg26435210-400-bird-flu-suddenly-got-serious-in-2024-infecting-dozens-of-people|2459243 Energy-hungry AI is already harming health – and it's getting worse https://www.newscientist.com/article/2459657-energy-hungry-ai-is-already-harming-health-and-its-getting-worse/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Tue, 10 Dec 2024 22:40:34 +0000 The electricity required to support AI could contribute to approximately 600,000 asthma cases and create a $20 billion public health burden by 2030 2459657-energy-hungry-ai-is-already-harming-health-and-its-getting-worse|2459657 Arctic tundra is now a source – not a sink – of carbon emissions https://www.newscientist.com/article/2459972-arctic-tundra-is-now-a-source-not-a-sink-of-carbon-emissions/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Tue, 10 Dec 2024 21:20:57 +0000 For millennia, Arctic ecosystems have stored more carbon dioxide than they release, but that has shifted as warming temperatures have boosted wildfires and melted permafrost in the north 2459972-arctic-tundra-is-now-a-source-not-a-sink-of-carbon-emissions|2459972 Game-changing archaeology from the past 5 years – and what’s to come https://www.newscientist.com/article/2459645-game-changing-archaeology-from-the-past-5-years-and-whats-to-come/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Tue, 10 Dec 2024 14:00:47 +0000 Leading archaeologists share the biggest recent advances in our understanding of human evolution, and their hopes for the exciting finds the next five years may have in store 2459645-game-changing-archaeology-from-the-past-5-years-and-whats-to-come|2459645 Extreme heat may rapidly sap the ocean’s ability to absorb CO2 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2459408-extreme-heat-may-rapidly-sap-the-oceans-ability-to-absorb-co2/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Tue, 10 Dec 2024 16:00:39 +0000 The ocean carbon sink – which removes about a quarter of our emissions from the atmosphere each year – was much weaker than expected in 2023 2459408-extreme-heat-may-rapidly-sap-the-oceans-ability-to-absorb-co2|2459408 Is Google's new Willow quantum computer really such a big deal? https://www.newscientist.com/article/2459318-is-googles-new-willow-quantum-computer-really-such-a-big-deal/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Mon, 09 Dec 2024 16:00:44 +0000 Google has unveiled a new quantum computer called Willow that excels at a benchmarking problem, but it still isn't clear whether these machines can serve a practical purpose 2459318-is-googles-new-willow-quantum-computer-really-such-a-big-deal|2459318 Ultracold atoms measure gravity with surprising precision https://www.newscientist.com/article/2459418-ultracold-atoms-measure-gravity-with-surprising-precision/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Tue, 10 Dec 2024 16:44:13 +0000 Atoms cooled to near absolute zero let researchers make a measurement of gravity 20 per cent more precise than the standard quantum limit usually allows 2459418-ultracold-atoms-measure-gravity-with-surprising-precision|2459418 Screwworm: Why is this flesh-eating parasite making a comeback? https://www.newscientist.com/article/2459206-screwworm-why-is-this-flesh-eating-parasite-making-a-comeback/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Fri, 06 Dec 2024 18:00:47 +0000 A resurgence of the screwworm parasite in Central America could have a devastating impact on livestock farming, and poses a threat to humans and wildlife too 2459206-screwworm-why-is-this-flesh-eating-parasite-making-a-comeback|2459206 What is Disease X and do we need to worry about it? https://www.newscientist.com/article/2413011-what-is-disease-x-and-do-we-need-to-worry-about-it/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=news Thu, 04 Apr 2024 17:10:38 +0100 The term “Disease X” means a new infection, or an existing pathogen that has mutated to become more dangerous, with the potential to cause a global pandemic 2413011-what-is-disease-x-and-do-we-need-to-worry-about-it|2413011