This week's magazine
29 May 2021
Issue 3336
On the cover
Editor's picks
Technology
An unhackable quantum internet comes with tough privacy questions
Health
What coronaviruses in pets can teach us about the future of covid-19
Health
Can’t be bothered? Why some of us are more motivated than others
Technology
Quantum internet: The race is on to build an unhackable online world
Table of contents
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Health
WHO boss wants 10 per cent of every country vaccinated by September
The director-general of the World Health Organization has called for a massive drive to vaccinate at least 10 per cent of every country in the world by September, and 30 per cent by the end of the year
Health
How effective are the different vaccines against covid-19 variants?
Life
Toxic beetle’s genetics reveals how evolution makes new organs
Technology
Tiny self-propelling submarines could help clean up toxic waste
Technology
Ransomware attacks are becoming more common – how do we stop them?
Health
Partial sight restored for man who is blind thanks to optogenetics
Physics
Neutron stars are remarkably smooth thanks to their intense gravity
Humans
Huge spiral found in Indian desert may be largest drawing ever made
Technology
An AI has disproved five mathematical conjectures with no human help
Life
Some bird embryos know to hide from predators even inside their eggs
Technology
This robotic extra thumb can be controlled by moving your toes
Technology
AI can count a meal’s calories based on images from a wearable camera
Environment
The world has missed its target for protecting oceans to save species
Life
Spiders avoid surfaces that have previously been covered with ants
Space
Crewed lunar mission must launch by 2025 to avoid deadly solar storms
Life
Major 2015 wildfires in central Amazon killed a quarter of vegetation
Analysis
Health
Breastfeeding and covid-19 vaccines – will they affect your baby?
Those breastfeeding in the UK have been given the green light to get vaccinated against covid-19, but how might it affect babies, asks Penny Sarchet
Space
More people are going to space, but diversity is still grounded
Environment
Japan wants to use the Olympic games to promote hydrogen to the world
Humans
Alice Roberts: Archaeogenetics will help us solve mysteries of past
Physics
Why there are still huge mysteries in supernova physics
Features
Technology
Quantum internet: The race is on to build an unhackable online world
Great leaps are already being made in creating a super secure quantum internet. It could overturn the role of information in our lives and give us a globe-spanning quantum supercomputer
Health
Can’t be bothered? Why some of us are more motivated than others
Health
What coronaviruses in pets can teach us about the future of covid-19
Culture
Humans
The Menopause Manifesto review: A guide to counteract medical misogyny
Despite the universal nature of menopause for half the planet's population, there is an information vacuum. Gynaecologist Jen Gunter's new book is a great start for tackling it
Humans
Don’t Miss: Amazing animal tales in The Wild podcast’s third series
Space
Project Hail Mary review: Andy Weir conjures a new tale of space peril
Space
Intergalactic review: A promising prison-break drama set in 2143
More
Humans
How to source peat-free compost for your garden
This month, the UK announced that peat-based composts would no longer be sold to home gardeners by 2024. Luckily there are plenty of good alternatives, says Clare Wilson
Twisteddoodles on how science makes you feel special
Tom Gauld: ‘James, could you bring some isopropanol from the store?’
Regulars
Humans
Is a self-portrait a self-portrait if the portraitist has no self?
Feedback is our weekly column of bizarre stories, implausible advertising claims, confusing instructions and more