Physics
Even in our digital world, materials still matter
Comment
This week's magazine
13 September 2025
Issue 3560
On the cover
Editor's picks
Table of contents
快猫短视频
Space
Blood moon lunar eclipse wows the world
This incredible composite photo shows how the moon's colour changed as it traversed Earth's shadow during an eclipse earlier this week
News
Mind
First map of mammal brain activity may have shown intuition in action
News
Technology
Quantum router could speed up quantum computers
News
Space
Possible galaxy spotted by JWST could be the earliest we’ve ever seen
News
Chemistry
Sun-powered device extracts lithium without wrecking the environment
News
Health
A single dose of LSD seems to reduce anxiety
News
Life
Queen ant makes males of another species for daughters to mate with
News
Health
Smartphone scrolling on the toilet could increase risk of haemorrhoids
News
Environment
We may have 10 times less carbon storage capacity than we thought
News
Health
A modified hot glue gun can mend broken bones
News
Physics
We could spot a new type of black hole thanks to a mirror-wobbling AI
News
Life
Plant-based dog foods provide almost all the nutrients pets need
News
Health
Hepatitis B vaccine linked with a lower risk of developing diabetes
News
Life
Baby pterosaurs could fly right after hatching 鈥� but crashed in storms
News
Environment
Can we finally recycle all of the metal in scrap cars?
News
Technology
Liquid crystal lenses could make better bifocal glasses
News
Health
Just 1 minute of vigorous exercise a day could add years to your life
News
Technology
3D-printing could make it easier to make large quantum computers
News
Life
Early penguins may have used dagger-like beaks to skewer prey
News
Health
Rapamycin may extend lifespans by protecting against DNA damage
News
Features
Physics
We鈥檝e glimpsed the secret quantum landscape inside all matter
A strange kind of geometry governs how particles move inside matter. Now, for the first time, physicists have uncovered its full shape 鈥� and it could transform how we design materials
Features
Health
Can a strange new treatment finally relieve chronic sinus infections?
Features
Environment
Is Earth鈥檚 climate in a state of ‘termination shock’?
Features
Culture
Health
Tim Spector’s guide to fermentation is meticulous and persuasive
We know fermented foods do us good, but the ZOE founder's new book still surprises with fascinating facts - and avoids feeling like an ad for his gut supplements, says Helen Thomson
Culture
Health
Matt Richtel grapples with how modern life is warping adolescence
Culture
Mind
快猫短视频 recommends podcast Where the Wild Thoughts Are
Culture
Space
Alien: Earth adds surprisingly good TV dimension to veteran sci-fi
Culture
More
Health
Why your nose could be the perfect window into your mental state
Diagnosing mental health conditions like anxiety and depression can be difficult, but it turns out that your nose could help doctors understand when you are feeling the strain, says Gillian Forrester
Comment
Environment
Exciting new research shows ways to defuse the “green backlash”
Comment
Life
How to pick the right fertiliser for all your different plants
Regulars
Tom Gauld on the hazards of resetting your password
Regulars
Twisteddoodles goes to the dogs
Regulars
Regulars
Comment
Telling incoming aliens from space rocks鈥� on a scale of 1 to 10!
Feedback is mystified by a new way to assess interstellar visitors and the risks they pose, be they lumps of ice or alien craft. Just pray they don鈥檛 top out on the Loeb Scale
This Week鈥檚 Letters
Letters
Are slow spinning “space ports” to create artificial gravity feasible?
Last Word
Does a petrol lawnmower emit more carbon than the grass captures?
Last Word
This week鈥檚 new questions
Last Word
