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This week's magazine

21 August 2021

Issue 3348

New Scientist issue 3348 cover
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Editor's picks

E08ERC Sand dune landscape in Arabian desert.

Humans

We need to fully explore the planet to understand our species' origins

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The lost fossil meteorites carrying the secrets of Earth’s past

Earth

The lost fossil meteorites carrying the secrets of Earth’s past

Features
illustration of faces in the desert

Humans

The other cradle of humanity: How Arabia shaped human evolution

Features
Inside the race to scale up CO2 capture technology and hit net zero

Environment

Inside the race to scale up CO2 capture technology and hit net zero

Features

Table of contents

Leaders

E08ERC Sand dune landscape in Arabian desert.

Humans

We need to fully explore the planet to understand our species' origins

THE tale of human origins continues to throw up surprises. For many years, the generally accepted narrative was that our species emerged on the continent of Africa, before spreading to other continents around 60,000 years ago. It is certainly true that our origins lie primarily in Africa. But in this issue, we explore the crucial …

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Chainmail arch supporting weight

Technology

3D-printed chain mail alternates between flexibility and rigidity

The chain mail is strong enough to support a weight A form of 3D-printed chain mail can alternate between being flexible and rigid as needed, meaning it could be used for more comfortable medical supports, strong but flexible military armour or even temporary bridges. Chiara Daraio at the California Institute of Technology and her colleagues …

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Environment

IPCC author Tamsin Edwards: 'Still possible to limit warming to 1.5°C'

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Life

Insect-killing plant found by Australian highway is new to science

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Life

Snakes evolved venom fangs multiple times from wrinkles in their teeth

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Technology

What is a metaverse and why is everyone talking about it?

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Life

Howler monkeys navigate using adaptable mental maps, just like humans

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Space

Mercury has almost no boulders on its surface and we're not sure why

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Technology

Using microwave beams could let quantum computers be small but mighty

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Technology

Snake-like robot could explore Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus

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Humans

Ancient dog faeces show how our canine friends became omnivores

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Health

US wildfire pollution linked to more covid-19 cases and deaths

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Technology

Handheld railgun as powerful as an air rifle to go on sale in the US

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Space

Astronomers may have spotted a new spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy

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Environment

Will the IPCC report help focus politicians' minds on climate change?

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Technology

VPNs could be vulnerable to attacks that send you to fake websites

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Health

Covid-19: Lockdown not enough to stop Australia’s delta variant crisis

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Life

Artificially stripped-back cell is still able to rapidly evolve

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Environment

Ventilation can make schools and offices safe from covid-19 – but how?

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Analysis

Health

Covid-19: Why we can't count on herd immunity for protection

People hand out information outside Marble Arch tube station in London Throughout the covid-19 pandemic there has been constant reference to the tantalising phenomenon that signals the end: herd immunity. This is when enough people are immune to a virus that it can't spread, therefore protecting the whole community, including those who aren't immune. More …

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Space

Why it is so important to protect access to the dark night sky

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Environment

Environmentalist Jonathon Porritt’s big idea to slow global warming

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Aperture

Spiralling school of jack fish image takes photography prize

Life

Spiralling school of jack fish image takes photography prize

THIS stunning selection of images showcases the world's biodiversity to highlight the importance of protecting it. The pictures represent some of the winners and runners-up of this year's BMC Ecology and Evolution photography competition, which invited researchers to submit images that they think encapsulate the diversity of animals and plants. The main image is the …

Regulars

Features

illustration of faces in the desert

Humans

The other cradle of humanity: How Arabia shaped human evolution

New evidence reveals that Arabia was not a mere stopover for ancestral humans leaving Africa, but a lush homeland where they flourished and evolved

Features

Earth

The lost fossil meteorites carrying the secrets of Earth’s past

Features

Environment

Inside the race to scale up CO2 capture technology and hit net zero

Features

Culture

Aerial view of traffic jam in urban city. Top down view from up high. Afternoon day light shot. Congestion and urban life concept.

Humans

Why adding a road can increase traffic and other modelling delights

Book Atlas of Forecasts: Modeling and mapping desirable futures Katy Börner MIT Press MY LEAFY, fairly affluent corner of south London has a congestion problem , and to solve it, there is a plan to close certain roads. You can imagine the furore: the trunk of every kerbside tree sports a protest sign. How can …

Culture

The Fever review: A slow burner that will leave a lasting impact

Culture

Humans

Don't Miss: Are viruses alive? A timely talk at the Royal Institution

Culture

Health

Nine Perfect Strangers review: A gripping wellness retreat drama

Culture

More

Auke Florian Hiemstra onderzoekt vogelnesten

Environment

How to help fight the covid-19 litter pandemic

THE covid-19 pandemic has changed the litter we generate. Increased use of personal protective equipment (PPE) has added to a pandemic of plastic pollution , particularly medical face masks. Now, researchers are investigating how this wave of "covid litter" is affecting wildlife – and they need your help. The Covid Litter project is calling on …

Regulars

Puzzle #127: Can you help a piano judge (after a night on the town)?

Regulars

Tom Gauld: Do you ever feel like we're being observed?

Regulars

Twisteddoodles: When a TV show character does science...

Regulars

Regulars

The walrus that has taken over a gin distillery’s boat

The walrus that has taken over a gin distillery’s boat

Feedback is our weekly column of bizarre stories, implausible advertising claims, confusing instructions and more

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Regulars

Letters

Regulars

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