This week's magazine
6 February 2016
Issue 3059
On the cover
Editor's picks
Humans
How humans evolved language, and who said what first
Environment
I want to bring dying languages back from the brink
Health
The flavour factory: Hijacking our senses to tailor tastes
Humans
Our future language? English rulz OK, txtspk and mind-reading
Space
Galactic GPS: How dead stars will guide us in deep space
Health
Happy talk: How your language shapes your brain and personality
Table of contents
Leaders
Physics
Does Germany’s nuclear waste headache warrant a global fix?
Germany is not the only nation struggling with nuclear power's toxic legacy, so international collaboration could be the best route to a solution
Technology
As internet giants brush up against regulation, who鈥檚 using who?
快猫短视频
Health
Obama’s billion-dollar ‘moonshot’ aims to double cancer progress
The US president is kicking off an ambitious plan to fight cancer, which scientists believe is likely to focus on harnessing the power of big data 聽
Humans
Did Facebook help Cruz beat Trump in crucial Iowa vote?
Environment
Hidden population of up to 200 lions found in remote Ethiopia
Humans
60 Seconds
Environment
Floods in Europe will cause five times more damage by 2050
Technology
Planned surveillance bill could damage UK tech sector, warn MPs
Earth
Decades-long heatwaves may hit Europe as climate change bites
Health
7 ways the war on Zika mosquitoes could be won
Humans
Asian stone tools hint humans left Africa earlier than thought
Earth
Radioactive waste dogs Germany despite abandoning nuclear power
Space
Milky Way’s central bar stirs in stars like a candy floss mixer
Health
Tiny doses of opioid could be first fast anti-suicide drug
Life
Speargun-toting superbugs end up shooting each other
Physics
Nano coating lets you mould and slice liquid just like Play-Doh
Health
Boost C-section babies by giving them vaginal bacteria
Health
Our body adapts to intense exercise to burn fewer calories
Environment
Honeybees know it鈥檚 going to rain, so work more before it starts
Environment
Octopuses resolve conflicts with many-armed body language
Environment
Europe’s song birds perfect their tunes when wintering in Africa
Physics
Number of ways to arrange 128 balls exceeds atoms in universe
Physics
Ancient maps of Jupiter’s path show Babylonians’ advanced maths
Earth
Record-breaking double star may be cannibalising itself
Technology
Next billion people online will get odd versions of the internet
Technology
One Per Cent
Humans
Virtual auditoriums help nervous speakers boost their skills
Health
NHS to use drones to help chemical, bio and nuke response teams
Environment
All you need to know about whale strandings in the UK and Europe
Opinion
Environment
Realising slavery’s environmental impact will hasten its end
Aside from its obvious injustice, slavery also has a disproportionate effect on the climate. Recognising this could add new impetus to end it, says Kevin Bales
Earth
Doomsday Clock: The retro metaphor that’s still relevant today
Earth
Why do people believe Earth is flat in the 21st century?
Features
Humans
How humans evolved language, and who said what first
We are the only living ape with complex language, but why? What were the first words, and who spoke them? And did Neanderthals converse too?
Environment
I want to bring dying languages back from the brink
Health
Happy talk: How your language shapes your brain and personality
Humans
Our future language? English rulz OK, txtspk and mind-reading
Space
Galactic GPS: How dead stars will guide us in deep space
Health
The flavour factory: Hijacking our senses to tailor tastes
Culture
Environment
Meathooked: How eating meat became a global obsession
It鈥檚 one of the world鈥檚 biggest businesses, yet it harms the planet and our health. Why do we love meat so much?
Earth
Competition results: Winning words to describe the Anthropocene
Space
How Do You Find an Exoplanet? An insider account gives top tips
Regulars
Feedback: a doggy guide to the depth of snowdrifts
Plus meteorology鈥檚 strange fascination with canine units, a drainspout for the multiverse, things we鈥檇 rather not know, and more