This week's magazine
5 March 2022
Issue 3376
On the cover
Editor's picks
Chemistry
Endlessly recyclable materials could fix our plastic waste crisis
Technology
The rise of the molecular machines set to make new wonder materials
Life
Rory Mc Donnell interview: The slug hunter with a strange new weapon
Health
Lose yourself: How transcendent experiences can boost your well-being
Technology
How artificial intelligence can help us figure out how life began
Technology
Artificial leaves: Bionic photosynthesis as good as the real thing
Technology
New ways to suck up methane can buy us vital time in the climate fight
Technology
How to make sustainable batteries that won’t wreck the planet
Technology
Automated chemistry: The machines that can discover new drugs
Table of contents
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Health
Aid agencies warn of humanitarian emergency in Ukraine
Infections, lack of clean water and loss of healthcare are among the dangers facing Ukrainian people, with some hospitals already out of oxygen
Space
Russian sanctions mean ESA’s Mars rover is unlikely to launch in 2022
Technology
Europe rethinks its energy strategy after Russia’s attack on Ukraine
Environment
Climate change causing widespread and irreversible impacts, says IPCC
Technology
El Salvador’s bitcoin gamble draws crypto-tourists but angers locals
Health
Omega-3 supplements could reduce the number of premature births
Life
Slug poo helps mushrooms start new colonies by spreading spores
Life
Tyrannosaurus rex may actually be three separate species
Life
Pet dogs really do grieve the deaths of other dogs they live with
Humans
Largest ever family tree of humanity reveals our species’ history
Environment
Cost of new UK underground nuclear waste facility jumps to £53 billion
Space
We don’t know whose rocket is about to hit the moon – that’s a problem
Life
Antibiotic used on crops might make it harder for bumblebees to forage
Technology
Light yet strong metamaterial inspired by art of paper cutting
Health
Baby boomers are the unhappiest generation in the UK
Space
Wonky black hole hints we don’t understand how cosmic behemoths work
Environment
Thousand edible plants identified as underused source of vitamins
Life
Mountain gorilla inbreeding has distorted their facial features
Health
Cleaning products cause indoor pollution levels similar to a busy road
Health
Brain cells that regulate wakefulness may become overactive with age
Health
Dog owners are half as likely to develop a disability in older age
Analysis
Humans
Would Vladimir Putin really use nuclear weapons in Ukraine?
Russia's invasion of Ukraine hasn't gone to plan and has led to an economic backlash from the West. If Russian president Vladimir Putin feels backed into a corner, there is a real possibility he could use a nuclear weapon in an attempt to show strength, say analysts
Technology
Is Russia winning the disinformation war in Ukraine?
Environment
We need to count every tree on the planet – here’s why
Technology
Web3 is an empty buzzword – but beware, it can still hurt you
Features
Technology
The rise of the molecular machines set to make new wonder materials
Machines made of atoms are being used to sew together new materials molecule by molecule, which could open the floodgates to all manner of innovation
Technology
Artificial leaves: Bionic photosynthesis as good as the real thing
Technology
New ways to suck up methane can buy us vital time in the climate fight
Technology
How to make sustainable batteries that won’t wreck the planet
Chemistry
Endlessly recyclable materials could fix our plastic waste crisis
Technology
How artificial intelligence can help us figure out how life began
Technology
Automated chemistry: The machines that can discover new drugs
Health
Lose yourself: How transcendent experiences can boost your well-being
Life
Rory Mc Donnell interview: The slug hunter with a strange new weapon
Culture
Humans
How to Stay Smart in a Smart World review: Why humans still trump AI
Despite AI's impressive feats at driving cars and playing games, a new book by psychologist Gerd Gigerenzer argues that our brains have plenty to offer that AI will never match
Humans
Bigbug review: A sci-fi comedy about a sexy kind of singularity
Humans
Don’t Miss: ¿ìè¶ÌÊÓÆµ Live, the greatest science show on Earth
Humans
Dying Light 2 review: Avoiding zombies in a game with nods to covid-19
More
Humans
How to grow strawberries and protect them from slugs
Shop-bought strawberries can taste disappointing, but home grown ones are delicious. Here's how to succeed in growing these delicate fruits, says Clare Wilson
Twisteddoodles: When covid-19 research hits saturation point
Tom Gauld reflects on the slippery nature of reality
Regulars
Humans
Can quantum mechanics help a UK council plan when to collect bins?
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