Quantum theory continues to challenge our conception of reality
News
This week's magazine
28 August 2021
Issue 3349
On the cover
Editor's picks
Physics
Beyond quantum physics: The search for a more fundamental theory
Features
Physics
Why it might be impossible to build a practical quantum computer
Features
Physics
Why is it so difficult to find a viable quantum theory of gravity?
Features
Physics
Can quantum effects in the brain explain consciousness?
Features
Physics
From photosynthesis to navigation, life may exploit quantum effects
Features
Health
Connecting with nature is good, but can apps help us do it better?
Features
Physics
Is quantum theory really as random as it seems?
Features
Physics
What putting big things in quantum states can tell us about reality
Features
Physics
Quantum Darwinism: Can evolutionary theory explain objective reality?
Features
Physics
Do we distil reality from the quantum fog or does it exist without us?
Features
Physics
This is what makes the quantum world so strange and confusing
Features
Table of contents
快猫短视频
Humans
Extinction Rebellion begins fortnight of climate protests in London
The protest group Extinction Rebellion is campaigning for government action on climate change in the wake of this month's IPCC report
News
Life
Ants use soil physics to excavate metre-long tunnels that last decades
News
Physics
Investigation of Nazi uranium could help stop modern nuclear smuggling
News
Technology
Apple’s child abuse detection software may be vulnerable to attack
News
Technology
US-built biometrics equipment is falling into the hands of the Taliban
News
Health
It really is difficult to get fit after giving birth, study reveals
News
Space
Astronomers have just found more than half a million new asteroids
News
Technology
Sneaky US Navy feedback device could stop people being able to speak
News
Life
Bat pups babble like human babies do in order to practice vocalising
News
Covid passes: How are they used, are they ethical and do they work?
News
Life
Thieving honeybees offer a glimpse of flowers鈥� evolutionary origins
News
Physics
Huge lasers make conditions at the cusp of ignition for nuclear fusion
News
Life
Giant coral is the widest ever found in the Great Barrier Reef
News
Health
Two covid-19 vaccines are 15 per cent less effective against delta
News
Health
Delivering mRNA inside a human protein could help treat many diseases
News
Space
Solar panels in space could help power the UK by 2039, claims report
News
Environment
2021’s extraordinary wildfires have released a record amount of CO2
News
Health
Diabetes implant is restocked by swallowing magnetic insulin capsules
News
Life
Male woodpeckers that share mates with brothers live longer lives
News
Life
Male chimps with more friends are more likely to have offspring
News
Life
Rattlesnakes use auditory illusion to make us think they are nearby
News
Life
Birds get angry when their favourite snacks are swapped in magic trick
News
Health
Tiny human brain grown in lab has eye-like structures that ‘see’ light
News
Analysis
Technology
Afghan people face an impossible choice over their digital footprint
The Taliban's rise to power has left many people in Afghanistan looking to delete their digital footprint, but there are few resources available and keeping it intact may be key to fleeing the country, writes Nighat Dad
News
Earth
Wildfires give a window into our planet’s future
News
Features
Physics
Do we distil reality from the quantum fog or does it exist without us?
Quantum objects exist as clouds of possibilities, only manifesting as something definite when we look at them. The implication is that we make reality 鈥� but objectivity may yet be rescued
Features
Physics
This is what makes the quantum world so strange and confusing
Features
Physics
Can quantum effects in the brain explain consciousness?
Features
Physics
Is quantum theory really as random as it seems?
Features
Physics
Quantum Darwinism: Can evolutionary theory explain objective reality?
Features
Physics
What putting big things in quantum states can tell us about reality
Features
Physics
From photosynthesis to navigation, life may exploit quantum effects
Features
Physics
Why it might be impossible to build a practical quantum computer
Features
Physics
Why is it so difficult to find a viable quantum theory of gravity?
Features
Physics
Beyond quantum physics: The search for a more fundamental theory
Features
Health
Connecting with nature is good, but can apps help us do it better?
Features
Culture
Humans
Inventive Podcast reviewed: Packed with barrier-breaking engineers
Engineering has a diversity problem. A new podcast hopes to make the field appealing to all by celebrating a wide range of engineers, finds Gege Li
Culture
Humans
Star Trek Lower Decks review: Season 2 is a triumph
Culture
Humans
Don’t Miss: Netflix follows the all-civilian crew of a SpaceX mission
Culture
Humans
The Forgotten City review: It’s fun being stuck in a Roman time-loop
Culture
More
How to make delicious jam according to science
We all love home-made jam, but getting it right means grappling with the chemistry of pectin, says Sam Wong
Regulars
Twisteddoodles: ‘What should we use to make science more fun?’
Regulars
Tom Gauld’s highlights of the physicists versus wizards summer games
Regulars
Regulars
Humans
Could we grow endangered plants on other planets? No
Feedback is our weekly column of bizarre stories, implausible advertising claims, confusing instructions and more
This Week鈥檚 Letters
Letters
How does a photon know to travel at the speed of light?
Last Word
Why do humans show their teeth to signal friendship or mirth?
Last Word
This week鈥檚 new questions
Last Word
