New Scientist Space - Space Headlines
Stunning image reveals the intricate structure of supersonic plasma
A simulation-generated image reveals how charge distributions and gas densities vary in the plasma that floats across our universe
Categories: Astronomy
Small fern species has a genome 50 times larger than that of humans
A small fern found only on a few Pacific islands has more than 100 metres of DNA in every single cell, more than any other organism that we know of
Categories: Astronomy
Starliner launch: When is Boeing testing its crewed space capsule?
Boeing's Starliner capsule had a helium leak in one of its thrusters, but it is still scheduled to launch on 1 June for its first crewed flight to the International Space Station
Categories: Astronomy
Bioelectronic patch uses living bacteria to treat psoriasis in mice
One of the first bioelectronic devices to combine living bacteria with sensors has successfully improved healthy skin regeneration in mice with psoriasis
Categories: Astronomy
China is about to land on the far side of the moon with Chang'e 6
Landing on the far side of the moon is rarely attempted, due to difficulties communicating with Earth, but China is about to try. If successful, its Chang'e 6 mission will then bring lunar samples back home
Categories: Astronomy
Cleaner ship emissions may warm the planet far faster than expected
A 2020 rule that slashed air pollution from ships may have boosted global temperatures sooner than thought, helping to explain why 2023 was so hot
Categories: Astronomy
Chicks link shapes with 'bouba' and 'kiki' sounds just like humans
Humans from many cultures tend to associate the nonsense words “bouba” and “kiki” with different shapes – and now it seems that 3-day-old chicks have the same inclinations
Categories: Astronomy
Our writers pick their favourite science fiction books of all time
We asked New Scientist staff to pick their favourite science fiction books. Here are the results, ranging from 19th-century classics to modern day offerings, and from Octavia E. Butler to Iain M. Banks
Categories: Astronomy
'Unluckiest star' may be trapped in deadly dance with a black hole
A star in a distant galaxy appears to have been almost torn apart in a close shave with a supermassive black hole, not once but twice – and astronomers hope to see it happen again
Categories: Astronomy
Smartphone use can actually help teenagers boost their mood
A survey of 253 US teens has found that, on average, their mood lifted after using their smartphones
Categories: Astronomy
Babies group together their squeals and growls to prepare for speech
Babies seem to cluster together their squeals and growling noises, rather than making them sporadically, which suggests they are part of their preparation for talking
Categories: Astronomy
The Monty Hall problem shows how tricky judging the odds can be
Calculating probabilities can be complicated, as this classic "what's behind the doors" problem shows, says Peter Rowlett
Categories: Astronomy
Relax with Aqua, a colourful board game about building coral reefs
Scrap screens for a while and enjoy the real feel of Aqua, a board game where colourful tiles grow into ecosystems. It's mostly relaxing – apart from the fiendish scoring system, says Jacob Aron
Categories: Astronomy
New Scientist recommends Ice Cold: An exhibition of hip-hop jewelry
The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week
Categories: Astronomy
How the weird and powerful pull of black holes made me a physicist
When I heard Stephen Hawking extol the mysteries of black holes, I knew theoretical physics was what I wanted to do. There is still so much to learn about these strange regions, says Chanda Prescod-Weinstein
Categories: Astronomy
The dangers of amorous ostriches when starting an ostrich farm
Feedback wonders if previous research into 'courtship behaviours of ostriches' in the UK will be taken into account by the owner of a new ostrich farm in New Hampshire
Categories: Astronomy
Why we can't afford to ignore the world's smallest freshwater bodies
Ponds have long been neglected by science, but we can't overlook these diverse and important nature hotspots any more, say Jeremy Biggs and Penny Williams
Categories: Astronomy
Ray Kurzweil and other experts clash over AI’s future in new books
To understand the power – and limitations – of artificial intelligence, we need information, not hype. Alex Wilkins explores what four new books, from Ray Kurzweil, Nick Bostrom, Neil Lawrence and Shannon Vallor, offer
Categories: Astronomy
Don't be fooled by El Niño's end – net zero is more urgent than ever
The El Niño climate pattern has contributed to a year of record-breaking temperatures. We must bend the curve of carbon emissions before the next one arrives
Categories: Astronomy
Risk of bird flu outbreak in cows causing pandemic is less than feared
Cow udders have lots of bird-like flu virus receptors but no human-like ones, a study has found, meaning there’s no reason for the virus to evolve to become better at infecting people
Categories: Astronomy