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2NK6HH7 CHINESE SPY BALLOON seen from a US Air Force U-2 above America. Photo: USAF

Technology

The spy balloon saga of 2023 inflated US-China political tensions

One of the year’s most unexpected controversies exploded after a US fighter jet shot down a Chinese balloon that drifted across North America – it also sparked fears over other unidentified flying objects

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A nurse prepares a shot for Jonathan Halter as the German embassy begins its roll out of BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for German expatriates at a Beijing United Family hospital in Beijing, China January 5, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Health

Covid-19 'emergency' ended in 2023 but the virus still lingers

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EVROS, GREECE - AUGUST 31: A firefighters runs as wildfire intensifies in the village of Sidiro and Yannuli in Evros, Greece on August 31, 2023. Efforts to extinguish wildfire continues. (Photo by Ayhan Mehmet/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Environment

Why 2023 was almost certainly the hottest year ever recorded

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Wolf-Rayet stars are known to be efficient dust producers, and the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) on NASA?s James Webb Space Telescope shows this to great effect. Cooler cosmic dust glows at the longer mid-infrared wavelengths, displaying the structure of WR 124?s nebula. The nebula is made of material cast off from the aging star in random ejections, and from dust produced in the ensuing turbulence. This brilliant stage of mass loss precedes the star?s eventual supernova, when nuclear fusion in its core stops and the pressure of gravity causes it to collapse in on itself, and then explode. As MIRI demonstrates here, Webb will help astronomers to explore questions that were previously only left to theory about how much dust stars like this create before exploding in a supernova, and how much of that dust is large enough to survive the blast and go on to serve as building blocks of future stars and planets.

Space

Six of the most amazing space pictures from 2023

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Close up image of a selection of freshly flame grilled burgers in a row on a wooden counter at a London street food market. Each of the burgers has its own label, on which is written the contents of the burger. The burgers are sandwiched between glazed buns, and presented on beds of fresh green lettuce and stuffed with melted cheese and red onion. Horizontal colour image with copy space and beautiful bokeh background.

Health

Cancer in young people is rising and 2023 saw a plan to figure out why

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2PNBXXP Pack of Ozempic, antidiabetic for weight control, taken in a pharmacy in Niesky, April 13, 2023.

Health

Wegovy and Ozempic made 2023 a revolutionary year for weight loss

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GTG9F9 Hot mulled wine and book in woman hands. Relaxing in front of burning fire in the cold winter day.

Chemistry

Can science explain why some drinks and foods are a perfect match?

Regulars

Alastair Reynolds: An exclusive short story for 51��

Society

Alastair Reynolds: An exclusive short story for 51��

Culture

Health

Stretchy electrodes shrink when wet to fit snugly around organs

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How to use 'flavour bridging' to cook a bizarre but tasty holiday meal

Chemistry

How to use 'flavour bridging' to cook a bizarre but tasty holiday meal

51��s have discovered 'flavour bridges' are key to unlikely – but delicious – food combinations. We tested the idea by creating a festive meal like nothing you've tasted before

Features

Technology

The top ten films about artificial intelligence according to an expert

Culture

Space

2023 saw thrilling space missions and new cosmic mysteries

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Comment

The best new science fiction books of December 2023

Culture

Comment

The 13 best new science fiction books of 2023

Culture