This week's magazine
12 October 2024
Issue 3512
On the cover
Editor's picks
Table of contents
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Space
Hera mission set to revisit asteroid after NASA’s redirection test
The European Space Agency is sending a probe to get a closer look at the asteroid Dimorphos, which had its orbit altered by NASA’s DART mission in 2022
Environment
Growing number of Earth’s ‘vital signs’ endangered by climate change
Space
Space may be filled with more antimatter than we can explain
Life
Some fish regrow injured fins and we’re closer to understanding how
Health
MDMA was hyped as a promising treatment for PTSD – what went wrong?
Life
Two injured comb jellies can merge to form one individual
Health
CBD shows promise as pesticide for mosquitoes
Space
Astronauts could one day end up eating asteroids
Health
Stem cell transplant gives hope for treating age-related sight loss
Space
Signals from exotic new stars could hide in gravitational wave data
Life
Ants can be used to make yogurt – and now we know how it works
Environment
Parts of Antarctica are turning green at an ‘astounding’ rate
Health
Exercise supplement creatine could be grown in edible plants
Technology
Drone versus drone combat is bringing a new kind of warfare to Ukraine
Space
Freeze-thaw cycle helps asteroids ferry molecules of life to planets
Environment
Ancient plankton suggests extreme El Niños will become twice as common
Humans
Ancient DNA tells story of toddler who lived in Italy 17,000 years ago
Health
Parkrun events could boost your life satisfaction
Environment
Here’s how coral reefs might survive hotter, more acidic oceans
Features
Mind
Take control of your brain’s master switch to optimise how you think
The discovery that a small blue blob of neurons, the locus coeruleus, controls your mode of thinking suggests ways to increase learning, creativity, focus and alertness
Humans
A cave in France is revealing how the Neanderthals died out
Physics
The physicist who argues that there are no objective laws of physics
Culture
Health
A sharp interrogation of why we retreat from other people’s illnesses
How well do we look after people who are seriously sick? Astonishingly, research is scant – which makes Neil Vickers and Derek Bolton's ambitious new book, Being Ill, very welcome
Space
¿ìè¶ÌÊÓÆµ recommends HowTheLightGetsIn festival in London
Life
Richard Dawkins’s latest crams gorgeous writing in an ill-fitting box
Mind
Bel Powley is fabulous in this wonderful dystopian satire
More
Health
Next-generation technology is a critical mid-step in dementia care
New technologies will radically change the experience of living with and caring for someone with Alzheimer's, says Professor Fiona Carragher, chief policy and research officer at Alzheimer's Society, UK
Technology
Fast forward to the fluffy revolution, when robot pets win our hearts
Space
Now is a great time to see Saturn in all its ringed glory
Tom Gauld: How my day is going
Twisteddoodles: ‘The magic mirror will show your heart’s true desire’
Regulars
Are dog people more resilient than cat people? Apparently so
Feedback uncovers new research into the difference in personality between pet owners, and discovers an apparent strength of spirit in those who plump for canines