New Scientist Space - Cosmology
Mars once had a vast sea the size of the Arctic Ocean
Spacecraft orbiting the Red Planet have helped researchers map out an ancient coastline that surrounded a large ocean billions of years ago
Categories: Astronomy
Sunscreens made from ground-up wood reach an SPF of over 180
Concerns around common sunscreen chemicals have prompted the search for natural alternatives, with lignin from wood being one of the most promising candidates
Categories: Astronomy
Why a tool-using cow could change how we see farm animals
A pet cow has learned to scratch herself with a broom, showing creative problem-solving skills that make it harder to ignore the fact that these animals have minds, says Marta Halina
Categories: Astronomy
New Scientist’s guide to the 21 best ideas of the 21st century
A quarter of a century in, this is our definitive pick of the ideas in science and technology that are already transforming the world
Categories: Astronomy
The 5 worst ideas of the 21st century – and how they went wrong
They offered so much promise, but ultimately turned sour. These are the most disappointing ideas since the turn of the millennium
Categories: Astronomy
Barnacle gloop could improve inflammatory bowel disease treatments
A "living glue" used by barnacles to attach to underwater surfaces could also seal gut wounds caused by inflammatory bowel disease
Categories: Astronomy
Should Europe boycott US tech over Greenland, and is it even possible?
As tensions over Greenland rise, some Europeans are asking whether it is time to disentangle themselves from US tech dominance – but from smartphones to cloud services, rejecting US tech is easier said than done
Categories: Astronomy
Star appears to have vanished in a failed supernova
It is theoretically possible for a particularly massive star to collapse in on itself to form a black hole rather than exploding in a supernova, and we might now have seen the process in action
Categories: Astronomy
The most important second in the entire history of the universe
In the 13.8 billion years that our universe has been around, some moments stand out over others – for the most exciting and impactful one, we have to go back to the very beginning, says cosmology columnist Leah Crane
Categories: Astronomy
Giving astronauts tardigrade toughness will be harder than we hoped
The protein that protects tardigrade DNA from radiation and mutagenic chemicals was thought to be harmless, but can in fact have major downsides
Categories: Astronomy
Volcanoes had lower greenhouse gas emissions in Earth's past
Eruptions from volcanic arcs, found where tectonic plates converge, are one of the major drivers of natural carbon emissions, but a model of Earth’s ancient carbon cycle suggests this is a relatively recent phenomenon
Categories: Astronomy
First treaty to protect the high seas comes into force
A United Nations agreement to protect the open oceans from unsustainable fishing practices has now taken effect, in a huge win for marine conservation
Categories: Astronomy
Meat may play an unexpected role in helping people reach 100
Longevity diets often focus on going plant-based, but a study in China has linked eating meat to a long lifespan, particularly among older people who are underweight
Categories: Astronomy
Amateur mathematicians solve long-standing maths problems with AI
Professional mathematicians have been stunned by the progress amateurs have made in solving long-standing problems with the assistance of AI tools, and say it could lead to a new way of doing mathematics
Categories: Astronomy
How to finally get a grasp on quantum computing
If your New Year’s resolution is to understand quantum computing this year, take a cue from a 9-year-old podcaster talking to some of the biggest minds in the field, says quantum columnist Karmela Padavic-Callaghan
Categories: Astronomy
Cancelling plans may be more socially acceptable than you think
Volunteers consider it relatively unacceptable to cancel social plans – but they are more forgiving if it's someone else cancelling the plans
Categories: Astronomy
Earliest ever supernova sheds light on the first stars
The James Webb Space Telescope has picked up the light from a massive star that exploded about a billion years after the birth of the universe
Categories: Astronomy
A leading use for quantum computers might not need them after all
Understanding a molecule that plays a key role in nitrogen fixing – a chemical process that enables life on Earth – has long been thought of as problem for quantum computers, but now a classical computer may have solved it
Categories: Astronomy
Cheating just three times massively ups the chance of winning at chess
Using a chess computer to advise you on just three moves during a game dramatically increases your chances of winning in a way that is difficult for others to spot
Categories: Astronomy
Lithium-ion batteries could last longer with chemical tweak
It's difficult to form a protective coating that prolongs battery life at the battery's cathode, but there may be a low-cost chemical solution
Categories: Astronomy

