CONVERSATION

FROM THE E DITOR

COVER: MAGIC TORCH THIS PAGE: IAN BEESLEY/BORN IN

And away we go…

A few hours after the Artemis 1 mission

Streaming spawn

HOKKAIDO, JAPAN

DISCOVERIES

“This is a huge boost for all fusion

NUCLEAR FUSION BREAKTHROUGH BRINGS UNLIMITED CLEAN ENERGY ONE STEP CLOSER

For the first time, the atom-smashing technique has been successfully used to generate more energy than researchers put in

‘HEART ATTACK ON A CHIP’ COULD UNLOCK NEW CARDIAC TREATMENTS

The new device allows researchers to observe changes to heart tissue in real time

GROUND-BREAKING SCREENING TEST CAN CATCH 14 CANCERS IN THE EARLY STAGES

The new test, which measures metabolic sugars found in the blood and urine, could boost cancer survival rates

SNOW TYRES INSPIRED BY POLAR BEAR PAWS COULD PROVIDE BETTER GRIP

Tiny structures on the bears’ paw pads produce the traction that allows them to move freely on ice and snow

COVID: THE CAUSE OF LONG-TERM SMELL LOSS MAY HAVE BEEN FOUND

A similar mechanism could also be responsible for other symptoms of long COVID, such as brain fog, shortness of breath and fatigue

FERMENTED FOODS COULD CONTAIN A CURE FOR BAD BREATH

Probiotic bacteria found in yoghurt, kimchi and sourdough bread have been identified as a temporary remedy for halitosis

STONE WEAPONS MAY LINK THE ICE AGE PEOPLES OF NORTH AMERICA AND NORTHEAST ASIA

The discovery of North America’s oldest-known stone dart tips is shedding new light on ancient societies

BIODIVERSITY

What is the current state of the Earth’s flora and fauna, and what can we do to protect it?

THE FUTURE’S BRIGHT…

As a remedy for all the bad news out there, let us prescribe you a small dose of feel-good science. Each issue, we’ll give you a rundown of the latest breakthroughs that aim to solve humanity’s biggest problems. From reversing optical degeneration to finding fuel in thin air, here you’ll find many reasons to feel hopeful for our future…

HOW YOU COULD HELP PROTECT EARTH FROM AN ASTEROID HIT

An asteroid that recently crashed in Ontario highlights the key role of amateurs in tracking asteroids heading for Earth

NEW YEAR, SAME YOU?

Don’t worry if you’ve broken your New Year’s resolutions already. Try reframing them, and starting again

LANGUAGE LEARNING MODELS ARE REVOLUTIONISING CONVERSATIONAL AI

Chatbots like ChatGPT can engage in increasingly realistic conversations, but there’s still a lot we need to figure out

A SIMULATION WORMHOLE: COULD THIS HELP PHYSICISTS UNITE GRAVITY AND QUANTUM THEORY?

Are physicists nearing the discovery of a holy grail ‘theory of everything’?

PET GRIEF: WHY LOSING A DOG OR CAT IS LIKE LOSING A FAMILY MEMBER

Studies reveal that the bereavement of a pet can be as traumatic as that of a human family member

SCREAMING THERAPY: DOES IT REDUCE STRESS?

The idea that started in the 1970s is once again becoming all the rage, but does it really work?

INNOVATIONS

PREPARE YOURSELF FOR TOMORROW

Amazon Kindle Scribe: a great device with an identity crisis

The Amazon Kindle Scribe is a brilliant e-reader, but by trying to do everything, it isn’t the best at anything,

The five best air fryers

An essential piece of kit for the kitchen, says Emily Peck

Ideas we like…

Our pick of the month’s smartest tech

LOVE HURTS

SLICING, BITING, SLASHING, CANNIBALISING … THESE ARE NOT WORDS WE WOULD NATURALLY ASSOCIATE WITH ROMANCE. BUT THERE IS BEAUTY AND SPLENDOUR TO BE SEEN IN THE SHADIER SIDE OF ANIMAL MATING

3 ISSUES FOR £5

WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE TO BBC SCIENCE FOCUS TODAY*

OBSESSION

Why there are some ideas our brains can’t shake

GOONHILLY: TO INFINITY AND BEYOND

IN NOVEMBER 2022, GOONHILLY MADE HISTORY AS IT TRACKED NASA’S ARTEMIS 1 MISSION TO THE MOON. BUT THAT’S NOT THE END OF THE STORY. THE LITTLE-KNOWN STATION, NESTLED IN THE TOE-TIP OF ENGLAND, IS POISED TO BECOME THE UK’S WINDOW TO THE NEXT ERA OF SPACE EXPLORATION

TRY 3 ISSUES FOR £5 *

3 ISSUES FOR £5! When you subscribe to

Q&A

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED ... WHY DO THE VELOCIRAPTORS

CRISPR THE EXPLAINER

THE GENOME-EDITING TOOL THAT IS CHANGING THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF LIFE ITSELF

CROSSWORD

PENCILS AT THE READY!

SAVE THE WHITE RHINO

The last two northern white rhinos are both female. But science says the species can survive.

Are we ready for first contact?

Could we happily accommodate aliens in our lives, just like in the Star Trek universe?

Medical Research Foundation

medicalresearchfoundation.org.uk/support-us/wills

Stroke Association

stroke.org.uk/legacy

Science Focus

www.sciencefocus.com/newsletter

koa

batterseapowerstation.co.uk

HONDA

honda.co.uk/miimo

Advertisements

WWW.PCSPECIALIST.CO.UK

subscriptions

www.buysubscriptions.com/MUHA23

Advertisements