New Scientist Space - Cosmology
Ancient DNA reveals make-up of Roman Empire’s favourite sauce
Bones found at the site of an ancient fish-processing plant were used to genetically identify the species that went into a fish sauce, often known as garum, eaten throughout the Roman Empire
Categories: Astronomy
Breaking the laws of thermal radiation could make better solar cells
It is possible to make a material absorb more radiation than it has to re-emit, violating the laws of physics in a way that could make energy-harvesting devices more efficient
Categories: Astronomy
A crucial methane-tracking satellite has died in orbit
Operators lost contact with the MethaneSAT satellite on 20 June, a significant blow to efforts to track – and stop – methane emissions
Categories: Astronomy
Where does time actually come from?
The arrow of time can teach us more about how the universe began – and how it will end, says quantum columnist Karmela Padavic-Callaghan
Categories: Astronomy
Solving the 250-year-old puzzle of how static electricity works
You may think you know static electricity, but its true nature has long eluded scientists. We’ve now made a huge leap towards finally figuring it out
Categories: Astronomy
A Neanderthal-shaped skull may explain why some people get headaches
People with Chiari malformations have a skull shape similar to Neanderthals, suggesting that the condition may be caused by DNA inherited from archaic humans
Categories: Astronomy
Shrinking Antarctic sea ice is warming the ocean faster than expected
Antarctic sea ice extent has fallen dramatically in recent years – the effects include accelerated ocean warming, faster loss of inland ice sheets and severe impacts on wildlife
Categories: Astronomy
Protocells self-assembling on micrometeorites hint at origins of life
Micrometeorites are thought to shower down on planets throughout the universe, so the discovery that they help protocells form could tell us something about the chances of life elsewhere
Categories: Astronomy
The best new science fiction books of July 2025
From Austin Taylor to Nadia Afifi, there is lots to look forward to in the sci-fi out this month - including a novel which might be our culture editor Alison Flood's pick of the year so far
Categories: Astronomy
Polycystic ovary syndrome may be passed on via chemical tags on DNA
Eggs and embryos from people with polycystic ovary syndrome have altered patterns of so-called epigenetic tags, which could explain how the condition is inherited
Categories: Astronomy
Typos and slang spur AI to discourage seeking medical care
AI models change their medical recommendations when people ask them questions that include colourful language, typos, odd formatting and even gender-neutral pronouns
Categories: Astronomy
Orcas are bringing humans gifts – what does it mean?
Researchers have documented orcas seemingly gifting rays, seals and fish to scientists and divers, which could suggest they have theory of mind and engage in altruism – even across species
Categories: Astronomy
What does it mean when an orca wants to share its lunch with you?
Researchers have documented orcas seemingly gifting rays, seals and fish to scientists and divers, which could suggest they have theory of mind and engage in altruism – even across species
Categories: Astronomy
Single antiviral shot could offer better protection than flu vaccines
A long-lasting formulation of an antiviral drug greatly reduced people’s risk of a symptomatic flu infection in a trial, and should even be effective against new strains
Categories: Astronomy
The remarkable tale of how humans nearly didn’t conquer the world
Over tens of thousands of years, waves of Homo sapiens set out across Europe and Asia, only for their societies and cultures to mysteriously vanish. At last, ancient DNA is revealing why
Categories: Astronomy
Altered gut microbiome linked to fertility issues in people with PCOS
People with PCOS who struggle to conceive tend to have lower levels of a gut microbe that has been linked to endometrial function
Categories: Astronomy
X-ray boosting fabric could make mammograms less painful
A flexible fabric called X-Wear could replace some parts of medical scanners, which would make taking X-rays and CT scans far more comfortable and convenient
Categories: Astronomy
Mathematicians create a tetrahedron that always lands on the same side
With the help of powerful computers, researchers discovered a four-sided shape that naturally rests on one side, and built a real-life version from carbon fibre and tungsten
Categories: Astronomy
The bold plan to save a vital ocean current with giant parachutes
Large sea anchors could be used to drag water under a bold plan to keep the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation moving – but some experts are sceptical
Categories: Astronomy
Our verdict on The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley: A thumbs up
Culture editor Alison Flood rounds up the New Scientist Book Club's take on our latest read, a time-travelling romance
Categories: Astronomy