This week's magazine
7 October 2023
Issue 3459
On the cover
Editor's picks
Health
Myths about the microbiome abound 鈥 but the truth is more interesting
Space
Why the next solar eclipses are a unique chance to understand the sun
Health
How the microbiome changes our idea of what it means to be human
Health
The best way to care for your microbiome to keep it healthy as you age
Health
How does the microbiome affect diseases like chronic fatigue syndrome?
Health
Where does your gut microbiome really come from – and does it matter?
Health
Can probiotics and supplements really improve your gut microbiome?
Health
How your microbiome is shaped by your friends, family, lovers and pets
Health
How we get high: Unlocking the secrets of the endocannabinoid system
Table of contents
快猫短视频
Life
Beetles raise their young in trash dumps left behind by army ants
Breeding beetles belonging to dozens of species are attracted to the piles of food waste left behind by raiding army ants
Environment
Surge of Russian tankers in the Arctic is raising risk of oil spills
Space
Astronomers alarmed by satellite that outshines all but seven stars
Health
Cannabis use disorder may raise the risk of a heart attack or stroke
Physics
Nobel prize for physics goes to trio who sliced up time with light
Health
Nobel prize for medicine goes to mRNA work behind covid-19 vaccines
Life
We鈥檝e just realised that a tiny West African crocodile can moo
Technology
Waste plastic can be recycled into hydrogen fuel and graphene
Technology
Super-heatproof computer memory survives temperatures over 500掳C
Health
Ultra-processed food isn’t always unhealthy, say UK food officials
Life
Elusive Australian bat sometimes snacks on other bats
Physics
Antimatter definitely doesn’t fall up, physicists confirm
Life
We finally know what makes orange carrots orange
Humans
Ancient baskets and shoes reveal skill of prehistoric weavers
Life
Ancient trilobite stuffed itself with food almost to bursting point
Analysis
Environment
Why China’s clean energy tech will determine our climate future
China is both the world鈥檚 biggest carbon emitter and the largest producer of clean energy tech. Its choices in navigating this paradoxical role may determine the future of the entire planet
Health
Why we urgently need to end the stigma around body weight
Technology
We still don’t really understand what large language models are
Features
Health
Where does your gut microbiome really come from – and does it matter?
We are told our gut microbiomes are set from birth with babies born by C-section missing out, but factors later in life seem to be just as important 聽
Health
Can probiotics and supplements really improve your gut microbiome?
Health
The best way to care for your microbiome to keep it healthy as you age
Health
How the microbiome changes our idea of what it means to be human
Health
How does the microbiome affect diseases like chronic fatigue syndrome?
Health
How your microbiome is shaped by your friends, family, lovers and pets
Space
Why the next solar eclipses are a unique chance to understand the sun
Health
How we get high: Unlocking the secrets of the endocannabinoid system
Culture
Comment
Real Families exhibition: How we redefined families for a new world
Scientific progress has made all sorts of families possible. But as a thought-provoking new exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, UK, shows, it hasn't been a pain-free shift
Comment
快猫短视频 recommends season two of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Comment
Your Face Belongs to Us review: What is happening to public privacy?
Comment
The Creator review: A mishmash of science fiction ideas
More
Regulars
Black hole discovered off Roman Road, Hereford, UK
A reader informs Feedback about the Black Hole Lane near their home, but adds that they have yet to reach the event horizon