This week's magazine
11 February 2023
Issue 3425
On the cover
Editor's picks
Table of contents
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Life
Three nautilus species new to science have been found in the Pacific
The distinct branching patterns and stripes on the shells of three kinds of nautiluses have been used to identify them as separate species
Life
Should we be worried about bird flu spreading to mammals?
Technology
Suspected Chinese ‘spy balloon’ shot down by US fighter jet over sea
Environment
US megadrought has led to more air pollution from power plants
Technology
AI image generators that create close copies could be a legal headache
Health
Millions of coronavirus mutations offer a new insight into evolution
Technology
Diving drone can switch between flying and swimming
Health
Human neurons implanted into a rat’s brain respond to flashing lights
Life
Smart dairy farms are using AI scanners to monitor cows’ health
Health
Genes for Gaucher disease may have protected Jewish people against TB
Health
Sperm-sorting device aims to find healthy samples to boost IVF success
Space
Wormholes could magnify light by a factor of 100,000
Technology
US military plan to create huge autonomous drone swarms sparks concern
Mind
Mild brain damage may affect memory more than severe injuries
Space
Sunquakes may be caused by weird beams of electrons from solar flares
Technology
Google AI generates musical backing tracks to accompany singers
Humans
Neanderthals hunted enormous elephants that fed 100 people for a month
Physics
Entirely new type of ice made using extremely cold steel balls
Health
Antidepressants mostly can’t treat chronic pain, despite wide use
Humans
Ancient Egyptians used exotic oils from distant lands to make mummies
Life
Putting solar panels in grazing fields is good for sheep
Humans
Vikings brought horses and dogs to England, cremated bones confirm
Health
Hearing noise and moving our body helps us gauge the passing of time
Environment
Doubling trees in European cities could prevent thousands of deaths
Analysis
Health
How understanding a form of broken heart syndrome could save lives
Better recognition and understanding of a lesser-known form of broken heart syndrome, takotsubo syndrome, could be key to protection from sudden cardiac death, says Sian Harding
Environment
The push to grant legal rights to nature is gaining momentum
Features
Environment
The truth behind how to reduce your energy use and still live well
In theory, it’s possible to live well while using energy at a rate of just 2000 watts – a quarter of the average for people in the US. Our environment reporter took on the challenge. Here’s what he discovered
Mind
The evolutionary origin of paranoia and why it is becoming more common
Physics
The hunt for dark matter: The universe’s mysterious gravitational glue
Culture
Health
The Complete Guide to Memory review: How we remember and how we forget
How does our memory really work? Richard Restak's guide delves deep to explain the complexities, offering new clues to strengthening our minds and maybe even warding off the damage caused by Alzheimer's
Humans
Don’t Miss: Marvel’s Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Space
The First City on Mars review: How to make life on Mars a reality
Humans
Marvel’s Midnight Suns review: Meet your heroes in new strategy game
More
Life
How a log pile in your garden can be a haven for wildlife
Make your garden more enticing for wildlife with a few log piles, says Clare Wilson, and you may glimpse some stunning beetles
Tom Gauld: Gavin failed the archaeological statistics course
Twisteddoodles: Being a scientist often involves disappointment
Regulars
When is a bear’s face not a bear’s face? When it is a Mars bear
Feedback compares the smiling bear discernable in a NASA photo of the surface of Mars to seeing Jesus on a piece of toast, while also pondering the dangers of romance with someone who is "gross"