New Scientist Space - Cosmology
Spreading rock dust on farms boosts crop yields and captures CO2
We already have evidence that rock dust can remove carbon dioxide from the air – now there are signs that spreading the dust on farm fields also enhances crop growth
Categories: Astronomy
NASA’s Artemis astronauts will try to grow plants on the moon
Three experiments have been selected to fly to the moon alongside NASA’s Artemis III astronauts, all designed to help with future long-term stays on the moon and eventually Mars
Categories: Astronomy
This robot predicts when you're going to smile – and smiles back
An AI-powered robot named Emo watches people’s facial expressions and tries to match them, in an effort to make robots more relatable
Categories: Astronomy
Antibody therapy makes the immune systems of old mice young again
A novel antibody therapy makes the immune system of old mice appear younger, allowing the animals to better fend off infections and reduce inflammation
Categories: Astronomy
We've glimpsed something that behaves like a particle of gravity
Gravitons, the particles thought to carry gravity, have never been seen in space – but something very similar has been detected in a semiconductor
Categories: Astronomy
Is every species necessary or can we let some die out?
There are thousands of species at risk of extinction, and we can’t save them all – how do conservationists think about which ones to focus on?
Categories: Astronomy
How mastering the art of being alone can boost your mental health
We are finally getting to grips with why solitude is so important. Here's how to use your alone time to get the biggest boost to your health and relationships
Categories: Astronomy
Implantable battery is charged up by the body's oxygen supply
Many medical implants run on batteries that need to be recharged, but what if you could do so just by breathing?
Categories: Astronomy
Eclipse 2024: When is it and where can I see it?
North America will have a total solar eclipse on 8 April – here is where, when and how to view it safely
Categories: Astronomy
New view of our galaxy's black hole reveals a swirling magnetic field
The black hole at the centre of our galaxy, known as Sagittarius A*, has been captured in polarised light to reveal its magnetic field
Categories: Astronomy
Most accurate clock ever can tick for 40 billion years without error
The record for the most accurate clock has been broken in an experiment with strontium atoms almost as cold as absolute zero, and it is twice as accurate as any predecessor
Categories: Astronomy
AI chatbots are improving at an even faster rate than computer chips
The large language models behind AI chatbots are developing so rapidly that after eight months, a model only needs half the computing power to hit the same benchmark score - which is much faster than the rate at which computer chips improve
Categories: Astronomy
Horses used in therapy often avoid people if they are given a choice
Horses show signs of stress if people touch them while they are tethered, but they appear much less anxious if they are able to walk away
Categories: Astronomy
Some bamboo toilet paper contains only tiny amounts of bamboo
Toilet paper made from bamboo is supposed to be more eco-friendly than traditional paper made from virgin wood pulp. But new tests suggest some products contain as little as 3 per cent bamboo
Categories: Astronomy
Not getting enough sleep may make you feel years older
Insufficient sleep seems to result in people feeling older than they are, with a higher "subjective age" previously being linked to depression
Categories: Astronomy
Unexploded bombs from the second world war are getting more dangerous
An explosive found inside many bombs and shells used during the first and second world wars is becoming more likely to explode in response to impacts
Categories: Astronomy
Bird flu detected in US dairy cows – here’s what you need to know
The US Department of Agriculture has detected bird flu in dairy cows from Texas and Kansas – the first time the virus has been found in cattle
Categories: Astronomy
How to make an eclipse viewer
Some basic equipment can help you safely enjoy the eclipse on 8 April – here's how to easily make what you need
Categories: Astronomy
Flavour-predicting AI can tell brewers how to make beer taste better
An AI model trained on chemical and perceptual data on 250 Belgian beers can predict the flavour profile of a brew – and how to make it tastier
Categories: Astronomy
The physicist searching for quantum gravity in gravitational rainbows
Claudia de Rham thinks that gravitons, hypothetical particles thought to carry gravity, have mass. If she’s right, we can expect to see “rainbows” in ripples in space-time
Categories: Astronomy