This week's magazine
4 June 2022
Issue 3389
On the cover
Editor's picks
Table of contents
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Technology
Mini nuclear power stations may produce more waste than large ones
Small modular nuclear reactors may produce higher volumes and greater complexity of radioactive waste because they are naturally less efficient, researchers find
Humans
An ancient Roman who died in Pompeii has had their genome sequenced
Technology
Synthetic membrane could lead to self-replicating artificial cells
Space
One in every 50 planets may have been stolen from other stars
Space
‘Zombie’ pulsar is spinning slower than should be physically possible
Health
3D-printed tourniquets could save lives in conflict zones
Health
Brain cancer immunotherapy in mice more effective with drug coating
Chemistry
Adding tomato pigment to solar panels increases their efficiency
Society
UK visa for top talent excludes graduates of African universities
Space
NASA awards $2 million to advance rainbow-coloured solar sail project
Technology
Driverless cars could force other road users to drive more efficiently
Space
Bricks made of dust from the moon and Mars could make space buildings
Life
Ecological toll of Japan’s switch to farming revealed by 1850s maps
Health
Gene-replacement therapy is helping children overcome fatal diseases
Health
Firearm suicides are rising in the US despite declining globally
Technology
A quantum computer could catch its own errors on any calculation
Space
Betelgeuse star dimming puzzle solved by chance with weather satellite
Health
7 things to do to avoid dementia even if you have high genetic risk
Life
Ancient Romans may have triggered decline of the world’s rarest seals
Technology
Robot that climbs through gut without losing grip could deliver drugs
Chemistry
Zapping scrap plastic from cars can turn it into recyclable graphene
Physics
Teleportation trick shows promise for a future quantum internet
Analysis
Technology
Will AI text-to-image generators put illustrators out of a job?
Imagen, from Google, is the latest example of an AI seemingly able to produce high-quality images from a text prompt – but they aren't quite ready to replace human illustrators
Space
How lessons learned from space exploration could feed the world
Life
Botanical gardens have a rich history, and still provide benefits now
Features
Environment
Fast fashion is ruining the planet – here’s how to make it sustainable
The fashion industry, which has become one of the most damaging to the planet, is having a moment of reckoning. But which changes make a difference, and which ones just come out in the wash?
Environment
Sustainable fashion: How to cut the environmental cost of your clothes
Mind
Can you take the trip out of psychedelics and still treat depression?
Culture
Humans
Doctor Who: Worlds of Wonder review: The science behind the show
A mind-expanding new exhibition in Liverpool, UK, sets out to explore how science has influenced the making of Doctor Who
Humans
Ritual review: A gripping guide to rites and customs around the world
Humans
Don’t Miss: Jurassic World Dominion, a climactic clash with dinosaurs
Humans
The Red Arrow review: A compelling read about depression and physics
Humans
Meet the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs in this engaging history
More
Humans
Do your own experiment to see if your teabags really are compostable
If you make your own compost at home, you can participate in a citizen science project that investigates whether products are as biodegradable as they claim
Tom Gauld looks into the Journal of Palm Tree Studies
Twisteddoodles on a campaign to stop using fossil fuels
Regulars
Humans
When the scientific publishing industry goes rogue
Feedback is our weekly column of bizarre stories, implausible advertising claims, confusing instructions and more