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We commonly think that sperm determines the sex of a child, depending on whether it carries an X or Y chromosome, but a study now suggests that a woman's age is also a factor

Over multiple generations, small nematode worms began preferring microplastic-contaminated food over cleaner options, which could have consequences for ecosystem health

Grazing livestock and farming over the past 4000 years have rapidly accelerated the rate of soil loss in the Alps, jeopardising the ecosystem and putting the mountains at risk of further erosion

Instead of the big bang, some physicists have suggested that our universe may have come from a big bounce following another universe contracting – but quantum theory could rule this out

Obesity could exist in many forms, which may benefit from different treatments and prevention strategies

With the world on the cusp of passing 1.5°C of warming, scientists are turning their attention to defining a new limit for temperature rises – but not everyone agrees that we should

Small, compact galaxies seen in the early universe have puzzled astronomers – finding these unusual objects closer to home could provide hints about how they form

A rush to build more energy infrastructure is driven in part by inflated estimates of US data centre growth. That means households and small businesses could face higher electricity bills – even if AI demand falters

A wave of anti-vaccine sentiment has spurred measles outbreaks around the world, and could lead to outbreaks of other preventable illnesses

Google’s Android Earthquake Alerts program is a globe-spanning earthquake early-warning system that uses billions of phone sensors to detect seismic shaking and alert those at risk

Researchers have genetically engineered gut microbes to absorb compounds that contribute to kidney stones – and to thrive in the competitive gut microbiome

The UK's Online Safety Act is intended to stop children from accessing pornography online, but its potential implications are much wider reaching

A comparison of cut marks on bones reveals that Neanderthal groups living fairly close to each other had their own distinct ways of butchering animals

Eight children have been born in the UK using genetic material from three people, which appears to have prevented them from developing serious genetic conditions

Eight children who were at risk of serious genetic conditions have hit all of their developmental milestones after donor mitochondria was used during their IVF conception

The Wild Ones follows three experts out to capture video of species including the Gobi bear and the Javan rhinoceros. It is a heartwarming call to action

The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week

From a silhouetted space station to glowing comet tails and swirling stars, this year's ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year contest inspires us to see the cosmos in a new light

Lara Lewington's Hacking Humanity looks at the fabulous technology that is changing healthcare. But where is the critical analysis?

Scientists have discovered a new type of sedimentary rock made of debris from slag heaps, formed in the geological blink of an eye. Could this be good news, asks Graham Lawton