New Scientist Space - Cosmology
Ancient people took wallabies to Indonesian islands in canoes
Humans established a wild population of brown forest wallabies in the Raja Ampat Islands thousands of years ago for their meat and fur in one of the earliest known species translocations
Categories: Astronomy
Mice with two fathers have their own offspring for the first time
We're a step closer to two men being able to have genetic children of their own after the creation of fertile mice by putting two sperm cells in an empty egg
Categories: Astronomy
Vera Rubin Observatory has already found thousands of new asteroids
In just 10 hours of observing the night sky, the powerful new telescope detected more than 2000 new asteroids, including a few that will pass near Earth
Categories: Astronomy
Orcas scrub each other clean with bits of kelp
Drone footage has captured killer whales breaking off stalks of kelp and rubbing the pieces on other orcas, a rare case of tool use in marine animals
Categories: Astronomy
How quantum superposition forces us to confront what is truly real
What are quantum particles doing before we measure them? Getting to grips with this century-old debate takes us to the heart of whether there is an objective reality
Categories: Astronomy
Stellar flares may hamper search for life in promising star system
Astronomers have been trying to detect atmospheres on planets orbiting TRAPPIST-1, but bursts of radiation from the star make this challenging
Categories: Astronomy
The deep lessons quasiparticles teach us about the nature of reality
We have discovered legions of strange particles that seem to only have a ghostly existence inside materials. Even so, they are the basis of much modern technology - so are they actually real?
Categories: Astronomy
How symbiosis made Earth what it is – and why it’s key to our future
Two life forms living together helped spark the evolution of all complex life. By learning to appreciate this process more fully, we might be able to harness it to heal our planet too
Categories: Astronomy
Why physicists think geometry is the path to a theory of everything
From four-dimensional hexagons to the mind-bending amplituhedron, geometrical shapes are wilder than we learn at school - and they are a crucial tool for understanding reality
Categories: Astronomy
How the science of friendships can help make yours better
From acquaintances to besties, our relationships fall on a wide continuum. Research into the ingredients for meaningful and lasting connections can help you strengthen them
Categories: Astronomy
Why geoengineering is no longer a complete taboo for scientists
Geoengineering comes in many forms and the risks and potential benefits vary widely. But many researchers now feel it’s time to investigate this controversial idea
Categories: Astronomy
Ancient humans only evolved language once, but why?
There’s an argument rumbling about why our ancestors evolved language. And surprisingly, one of the possible explanations has nothing to do with communication
Categories: Astronomy
Why are the physical constants of the universe so perfect for life?
Conditions in our little pocket of the universe seem to be just right for life - and the much-debated anthropic principle forces us to wonder why
Categories: Astronomy
How metaphysics probes hidden assumptions to make sense of reality
All of us hold metaphysical beliefs, whether we realise it or not. Learning to question them is spurring progress on some of the hardest questions in physics
Categories: Astronomy
Why you should assume that even the simplest animals are conscious
There is mounting evidence that even surprisingly simple animals, like invertebrates, have a level of consciousness - but not in the way you might think
Categories: Astronomy
What is a mindset and can you cultivate a better one?
Concepts like the “growth mindset” are much misunderstood. But learn to cultivate certain beliefs about your future potential, and evidence suggests it really can foster success and bring health benefits
Categories: Astronomy
At last, we are discovering what quantum computers will be useful for
Quantum computers have been hyped as machines that can solve almost any problem. Yet it is becoming clearer that their near-term utility will be narrower
Categories: Astronomy
Why is it seemingly impossible to stop phone thieves?
The huge market for stolen smartphones means that thieves will continue to snatch them, but is there anything we can do to put a stop to this crime wave?
Categories: Astronomy
Stunning first images show the power of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory
A powerful new telescope in Chile is set to transform astronomy, and its first pictures of stellar nurseries and galaxies have just been unveiled
Categories: Astronomy
Nightmares linked to faster biological ageing and early death
Scary dreams disrupt our sleep and elevate our levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which may have serious consequences for our health over time
Categories: Astronomy
