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This week's magazine

22 October 2022

Issue 3409

New Scientist issue 3409 cover
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Editor's picks

Berlin monument

Environment

Can Europe cut its electricity consumption enough to avoid blackouts?

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https://ccfe.ukaea.uk/resources/#gallery JET tokamak

Technology

Despite decades of hype, there is now real hope of progress in fusion

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How to improve your digital diet for greater well-being

Mind

How to improve your digital diet for greater well-being

Features
Artists concept view of the interior of the ITER reaction vessel. Nuclear fusion involves creating a plasma of superheated gas to temperatures of more than 200 million degrees C, conditions hot enough to force deuterium and tritium atoms to fuse together and release energy. Fusion takes place inside a 'Tokamak' torus within a giant magnetic field, the only way to contain the heat generated. The ITER reactor is designed to produce 500 MW, 10 times more energy than it consumes. Nuclear fusion is the joining (fusing) of light elements to form heavier elements, which releases large amounts of energy. It is hoped that fusion will be a clean, renewable energy source for the future. Nuclear fusion is the joining (fusing) of light elements to form heavier elements, which releases large amounts of energy. It is hoped that fusion will be a clean, renewable energy source for the future.

Physics

Can a slew of nuclear fusion start-ups deliver unlimited clean energy?

Features
LELYSTAD, NETHERLANDS - APRIL 08: The remains of a deer are seen in the Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve on April 08, 2018 in Lelystad, Netherlands. Thousands of animals died during this winter due to overpopulation and a shortage of food. Animal activists feed the horses, deer and cattle by throwing hay over the fences despite a ban by the local authorities. Emotions are running high as many of the animals face starvation with Oostvaardersplassen's feeding policy for large grazers being heavily criticised. (Photo by Pierre Crom/Getty Images)

Environment

The surprising role death plays in the stability of ecosystems

Features

Table of contents

Leaders

https://ccfe.ukaea.uk/resources/#gallery JET tokamak

Technology

Despite decades of hype, there is now real hope of progress in fusion

It may have a history of over-optimistic predictions, but research into generating power using a fusion reactor is finally making notable advances

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The boot-like exoskeleton tested

Technology

Exoskeleton boots learn how you walk to help improve your gait

The ability to fine-tune a robotic exoskeleton boot while you are walking around could make such devices more affordable and practical

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Life

51¶¯Âþs finally realised female robins sing just as well as males

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Life

Erect-crested penguins always reject their first egg and lay another

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Humans

12,000 genetic variants affect height in people with European ancestry

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Space

Black holes wobbling three times a second have proved Einstein right

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Health

Gel made from okra stops bleeding in damaged hearts

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Environment

Nord Stream leak may have been largest methane emission ever recorded

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Life

Human neurons transplanted into a rat's brain influence its behaviour

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Life

Wildlife populations are declining on a 'devastating' scale, says WWF

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Space

Jet from neutron stars seems to travel seven times the speed of light

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Physics

Physicists made the most precise measurement ever of a single particle

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Life

Black widow spiders remember their prey if it is stolen

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Health

UK isn't prepared for the next pandemic, says ex-vaccine chief

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Technology

Mind-reading AI works out what you are thinking from brain scans

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Life

World's heaviest bony fish weighs in at a whopping 2744 kilograms

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Health

Transplanted livers can keep working for a total of over 100 years

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Life

European empires had a lasting impact on plant biodiversity worldwide

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Health

Menstrual cycle lengths vary between people of different ethnicities

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Humans

Neanderthal family life revealed by ancient DNA from Siberian cave

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Health

Covid jab rates vary in England in children of different ethnicities

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Environment

UK prepares for worst bird flu outbreak on record this winter

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Analysis

Pumpkin field at sunset; Shutterstock ID 510085957; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Life

The surprising evolutionary history of pumpkins and squashes

Shops are stocking up on pumpkins for Halloween. While I haven't always been a fan of squashes, I've been charmed by how such unlikely fruits came to spread worldwide, says Penny Sarchet

Comment

Environment

Can Europe cut its electricity consumption enough to avoid blackouts?

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Life

The world is full of living gold, which is more valuable than riches

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Aperture

Slime mold (Lamproderma)

Life

Dazzling photographs reveal the world on a microscopic scale

From a close-up of a 1-millimetre-wide coral polyp to a shot of a tiger beetle clasping a fly, these photos are some of the top entries in the Nikon Small World 2022 Photomicrography competition

Regulars

Features

Artists concept view of the interior of the ITER reaction vessel. Nuclear fusion involves creating a plasma of superheated gas to temperatures of more than 200 million degrees C, conditions hot enough to force deuterium and tritium atoms to fuse together and release energy. Fusion takes place inside a 'Tokamak' torus within a giant magnetic field, the only way to contain the heat generated. The ITER reactor is designed to produce 500 MW, 10 times more energy than it consumes. Nuclear fusion is the joining (fusing) of light elements to form heavier elements, which releases large amounts of energy. It is hoped that fusion will be a clean, renewable energy source for the future. Nuclear fusion is the joining (fusing) of light elements to form heavier elements, which releases large amounts of energy. It is hoped that fusion will be a clean, renewable energy source for the future.

Physics

Can a slew of nuclear fusion start-ups deliver unlimited clean energy?

We have been trying to harness the reaction that powers the stars for decades, and now private firms are promising commercial fusion within a decade. Is there any reason to believe them this time?

Features

Mind

How to improve your digital diet for greater well-being

Features

Environment

The surprising role death plays in the stability of ecosystems

Features

Culture

The Climate Book review: An essential guide to a better world

Environment

The Climate Book review: An essential guide to a better world

Greta Thunberg has enticed over 100 experts to write about the climate crisis. No one else could have created this incredible resource

Culture

Humans

The Mountain in the Sea review: A remarkable study of consciousness

Culture

Humans

Don't Miss: The Peripheral, a series based on William Gibson's novel

Culture

More

New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Puzzle #190: Can you find a tennis score that is also a square number?

Can you solve this week’s arithmetical puzzle, All square? Plus the answer to puzzle #189

Regulars

Tom Gauld on the arrival of the new and improved version 2.0

Regulars

Twisteddoodles on graphs gone bad

Regulars

Environment

Study your local pond to help track algal growth around the world

Regulars

Regulars

Cats' paw pads help paratroopers always land (safely) on their feet

Cats' paw pads help paratroopers always land (safely) on their feet

Feedback investigates new research that attempts to replace the soles of paratroopers' shoes with something more closely resembling the paw of a cat, while also looking into some startling inventions intended to thwart hijackers

Regulars

Regulars

Letters

Regulars

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