Life Zoologger: Spinster queens become commoners Zoologger is our weekly column highlighting extraordinary animals – and occasionally other organisms – from around the world 51¶¯Âþ
Earth Brave new sea worlds to redefine society Aqua towns: above a certain size, they could enjoy real autonomy "It's very important that we be perceived as undertaking activities that are for the benefit of humankind, as opposed to skirting the law" Floating cities could become a reality if "seasteaders" like George Petrie have their way. The naval architect tells Jon White why … Opinion
Technology Playing PC games on TV opens up new world of gaming A new PC interface for TV screens is set to change gaming – and could herald future smart TVs with the power of modern PCs 51¶¯Âþ
Capturing the finest light show on the planet VIKING berserkers were said to have taken hallucinogenic mushrooms to help whip themselves into a frenzy before battle. They certainly wouldn't have needed them to see trippy light patterns in the sky. In Earth's polar regions – such as here, in Nordland county, Norway – natural light shows occur when charged particles from space surge … Regulars
Earth Can geoengineering avert climate chaos? From sunshades to algal blooms, there are plenty of ideas for cooling the planet. But are there hidden dangers? Features
Humans Is love just chemical trickery? In The Chemistry Between Us , neuroscientist Larry Young and journalist Brian Alexander examine the neurobiological roots of love THERE is a reason most of us sigh into our drinks when Cole Porter croons, "What is this thing called love?" We understand his befuddlement all too well. (And let's face it: if a man about … CultureLab
Where are all the black women in science? As a child, Erika Dommond wrote letters to Oprah Winfrey, telling the TV icon about school and asking if Oprah would adopt her. When she graduated this year with a mathematics degree from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, the oldest historically black college for women in the US, her idol gave the commencement address. "Epic … Careers
Feedback: Those very expensive platinum particles Those very expensive platinum particles SHARING Feedback's puzzlement over La Prairie face cream and its claim to contain "magnetically charged particles of platinum" (23 June) , Ash Choudry wrote to the company owning up to "struggling a little to understand how the particles can have a magnetic charge". He further confessed that "I don't understand … Regulars