FROM THE EDITOR

COVER: ANDY POTTS THIS PAGE: BBC, ALAMY, GETTY

THE BEST SCIENCE IMAGES OF 2023

APIECE OF ROCK BROKEN OFF AN ASTEROID HURTLING THROUGH SPACE, THE FIRST FOOTPRINTS OF HUMANS ARRIVING IN NORTH AMERICA AND A GIANT MEATBALL MADE OUT OF WOOLLY MAMMOTH. THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE IMAGES THAT CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF BBC SCIENCE FOCUS EDITORS THIS YEAR, AND NO, THAT LAST ONE WASN’T AMISTAKE. ENJOY OUR SELECTION OF IMAGES THAT HAD US RUBBING OUR EYES IN DISBELIEF IN 2023.

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DISCOVERIES

“Our current theories of planet formation have trouble

BIZARRE GIANT PLANET COULD REWRITE THE RULES OF SOLAR SYSTEMS

A true giant among dwarfs has been discovered, challenging theories about how planets form

YOUR TASTE BUDS COULD BE ENCOURAGING YOU TO BINGE EAT

New insights into the drivers of appetite could lead to better weight-loss treatments

NEW NASA AI TOOL SHOWS HOW CLIMATE CHANGE MIGHT AFFECT YOU

The model could help you make important life decisions as the world transforms

HIDDEN SIGNALS UNDER EARTH’S CRUST COULD HELP US PREDICT FUTURE QUAKES

Scientists say that, with the right forecasting, we could track major earthquakes years in advance

SCIENTISTS FINALLY WORK OUT WHAT CAUSES UNUSUAL ITCHING

And it’s worse than you think

YOU’RE MORE LIKELY TO LOSE WEIGHT IF YOUR DOCTOR IS OPTIMISTIC

When it comes to enrolling people in weight-loss programmes, the doctor’s sales pitch is key

MODELLING COMET IMPACTS COULD HELP US LOCATE LIFE ON OTHER PLANETS

Cosmic snowballs in space may have delivered life-giving molecules to Earth

THE SCIENCE TO WATCH IN 2024

If 2023 is anything to go by, the year to come will witness breakthroughs across every field of science. From cutting-edge advances in artificial intelligence to revolutionary discoveries in health and space exploration, here’s what to expect…

UNDERSTANDING MATTER COULD REVEAL THE REASON WE, AND THE UNIVERSE, EXIST

Many questions remain unanswered when it comes to matter, but the biggest one is: Why is there any matter to begin with?

CLAIMING THE MORAL HIGH GROUND DOESN’T NECESSARILY MAKE YOU GOOD

COMMENT

WE’VE NEVER TAKEN WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE SERIOUSLY. IT’S ABOUT TIME WE DID

How much pain is ‘normal’ for a person to have to endure? For women, that normal is often more than for a man

VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS: A NUMBER OF VOLCA NOES ARE ACTIVE NOW. IS IT A SIGN OF TROUBLE?

With volcanic activity being reported everywhere from Iceland to Italy, should we be concerned that a catastrophic event is looming?

CAT CORONAVIRUS: A NEW VARIANT IS SPREADING IN CYPRUS

ANALYSIS

WOODEN SATELLITES: LIGNOSAT PROJECT MAY REDUCE SPACE JUNK

COMMENT

THE BEST INNOVATIONS OF 2023 PUSHING TECH BOUNDA RIES

The desire to improve things is what drives technological innovation. Here are the game-changing innovations unveiled over the last year that caught our attention for taking improvements to a whole new level

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Q&A

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

THE SPANISH DANCER

Sea cucumbers are relatives of sea urchins and

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED IN THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE?

The patch of sea between Florida, Puerto Rico

I LOVE NOTHING MORE THAN DONNING LYCRA AND HITTING THE ROADS ON MY ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT, PROFESSIONAL-GRADE BIKE. SHOULD I BE SHAVING MY LEGS?

GETTY IMAGES, ALAMY ILLUSTRATIONS: DAN BRIGHT, PETE LAWRENCE

WHY DOES BEING KIND MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD?

It seems obvious to say that being on

IS IT TRUE THAT GORILLAS ARE PERMANENTLY FLATULENT?

Hamsters do it. Horses do it. Humans do

THE GREAT AND LIT TLE DOGS

WHEN: THROUGHOUT JANUARY There are several dogs represented

IF WE EXTRACTED AND USED ALL OF THE FOSSIL FUELS ON EARTH, WOULD THE PLANET BECOME LIGHTER?

Burning a fossil fuel doesn’t get rid of

WHAT IS A FAIRY RING?

Mushroom circles had magical significance in ancient folklore,

WHAT ARE ODD RADIO CIRCLES?

MEERKAT/WIKIPEDIA, ALAMY ILLUSTRATIONS: DAN BRIGHT Odd Radio Circles

HOW CAN EMBRACING BIOPHILIA LEAD TO A RICHER, HAPPIER LIFE?

The term biophilia, meaning ‘love of living things’,

I’VE HAD COVID, PLUS ALL THE VACCINES – HOW LONG WILL MY IMMUNITY LAST?

As COVID-19 case numbers rise during the UK

CROSSWORD

PENCILS AT THE READY!

NEXT ISSUE

DINOSAUR EVOLUTION

COLD SHOCK THERAPY

Could throwing open your windows this winter improve your health by welcoming in the cold, fresh air to blow out pollutants?

WHAT CAUSED THE GREAT SHEEP PANIC?

According to reports, on the evening of 3

HOW TO MASTER YOUR METABOLISM

BOOST YOUR METABOLISM

WHAT'S NEXT?

MARS COLONIES WEIGHT-LOSS PILLS LAB-GROWN BABIES CLIMATE FIXES

IS LIVING ON MARS A BILLIONAIRE’S FANTASY?

A base on the Red Planet might be filled with some annoying housemates, but that doesn’t mean we can’t aspire to setting up a permanent settlement there

COULD A PILL REALLY HELP US LOSE WEIGHT?

Cutting-edge weight-loss treatments might be around the corner. But can they end obesity?

WILL SEX BECOME OBSOLETE?

New technologies could reimagine baby-making as we know it. But will they actually replace tried-and-tested (and enjoyable) methods?

CAN TECH SAVE US FROM CLIMATE CHANGE?

The one thing we need to save us from climate catastrophe is the one thing technology can’t provide — time

WILL WE EVER CURE CANCER?

One of the most pressing medical challenges facing the world’s ageing population is the fight against cancer. But is this a battle that’s winnable – and what technologies are being developed to wage the war?

CAN WE STOP COGNITIVE DECLINE?

More of us are living longer, but although our bodies are enduring better, our brains don’t always show the same resilience. Could science extend our neurological health to keep pace with physical longevity?