Environment
The crisis in our oceans shows how quickly climate chaos can strike
Comment
This week's magazine
17 August 2024
Issue 3504
On the cover
Editor's picks
Table of contents
快猫短视频
Environment
The Antarctic鈥檚 polar vortex could be about to split in two
A split in the southern vortex 鈥� not seen since 2002 鈥� could lead to sudden warming of the Antarctic stratosphere and hotter weather in Australia and South America
News
Life
Has the mystery of life鈥檚 ‘handedness’ finally been cracked?
News
Life
Endangered skates saved from extinction by hatching in captivity
News
Humans
Ancient plant artefact reveals humanity’s epic journey to Australia
News
Physics
New spin on quantum theory forces rethink of a fundamental physics law
News
Health
Covid variant JN.1 may have become dominant due to just one mutation
News
Space
A black hole devouring a giant star gives clues to a cosmic mystery
News
Environment
The climate impact of feeding ourselves is getting worse and worse
News
Earth
Record-breaking drill core reaches 1.2 kilometres into Earth’s mantle
News
Physics
Existing quantum devices could be used to disrupt the stock market
News
Environment
The surprising wall pattern that could keep buildings cooler
News
Society
Uncovering recent hidden grave sites in Mexico with satellite data
News
Space
Could Mars become habitable with the help of glitter-like iron rods?
News
Mind
Conspiracy theorists may not really believe their outlandish ideas
News
Health
A common low-calorie sweetener raises the risk of blood clotting
News
Life
Bird deaths from building strikes may be double past estimates
News
Technology
Smartphone flaw allows hackers and governments to map your home
News
Life
A surprisingly wide range of bacteria live inside microwaves
News
Life
Leeches use their whole bodies to entomb and eat ultra-fast worms
News
Environment
Modern fuel-efficient jets can cause more warming than older planes
News
Features
Environment
How climate change has pushed our oceans to the brink of catastrophe
For decades, the oceans have absorbed much of the excess heat caused by greenhouse gases. The latest observations suggest they are reaching their limits, so how worried should we be?
Features
Mind
Why overcoming your cynicism could be key to a healthier, happier life
Features
Health
We are finally improving prostate cancer diagnoses – here’s how
Features
Culture
Life
Top astrobiologist explores the possibilities of alien life
It's time to expect the unexpected, says Natalie Cabrol, one of the world's top astrobiologists and author of an authoritative book on the hunt for life's origins 鈥� and ET
Culture
Life
An engrossing history of teeth shows their complex role in evolution
Culture
Environment
快猫短视频 recommends a moving Antarctica memoir, Breaking the Ice
Culture
Health
A visually rich documentary packs a punch about how we see disease
Culture
More
Technology
Don’t disrespect Alan Turing by reanimating him with AI
Plans to create an interactive AI model of the legendary code breaker Alan Turing are reckless and problematic, says Matthew Sparkes
Comment
Life
If we could talk to whales, what might they say?
Comment
Life
A cheaper alternative to activated charcoal for your terrarium
Regulars
Tom Gauld on how scientists mingle at a drinks party
Regulars
Twisteddoodles: the correct way to load a dishwasher
Regulars
Regulars
Did Natalie always look like a Natalie? A new study investigates
Over 400 years ago, Shakespeare pondered the thorny question of what was in a name. Now, Feedback considers a paper that takes on a similar topic
This Week鈥檚 Letters
Letters
If we could step to the universe鈥檚 furthest point, what would we see?
Last Word
Why do large military planes have wings on the top of the fuselage?
Last Word
This week鈥檚 new questions
Last Word
