FROM THE EDITOR

COVER: DANIEL BRIGHT THIS PAGE: BBC X2, PAUL

Textbook landing

HOKKAIDO, JAPAN

Beat the heat

LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER, VIRGINIA, USA

CONVERSATION

YOUR OPINIONS ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND BBC SCIENCE FOCUS

DISCOVERIES

“The first launch of the Artemis 1 SLS

THE UK’S GOONHILLY EARTH STATION HAS STARTED TRACKING THE PATH OF NASA’S ARTEMIS 1

The collaboration is the first of several missions ushering in an exciting new era for UK space science

RECURRING NIGHTMARES CAN BE REDUCED BY SOUND THERAPY

The treatment helped people have more positive dreams

OLDEST HUMAN DNA EVER FOUND IN THE UK REVEALS TWO DISTINCT POPULATIONS MIGRATED HERE FROM EUROPE

The remains of the ancient Britons were discovered in caves in Somerset and North Wales and date back more than 13,500 years

WATCHING OR LISTENING TO BIRDS CAN HELP BOOST MENTAL WELLBEING, EVEN FOR THOSE WITH DEPRESSION

Worldwide study using smartphone app uncovers mood-boosting effect of birds and birdsong

GETTING JUST 10 MINUTES OF VIGOROUS EXERCISE A WEEK CAN HELP YOU LIVE LONGER

Fitness tracker study shows that getting several bursts of intense activity throughout the week can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer

CONTENT MODERATORS PAY A PSYCHOLOGICAL TOLL TO KEEP SOCIAL MEDIA CLEAN

We should be offering more support to the people who help to protect us from distressing online content

HOW COLD WAR PARANOIA LED TO A NEW EXPLOSIVE PROBLEM

The search for secret nuclear tests on the dark side of the Moon led to the discovery of the most violent detonations in the Universe

ROBOT COMPANIONS ARE ON THEIR WAY, BUT DON’T WORRY, THEY WON’T REPLACE HUMANS

Don’t be surprised if robots purchased to provide home security quickly become part of the family

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CHRISTMAS WISHLIST

Okay, so it’s hard to get in the Christmas spirit when energy prices are nearing the point where it might be more efficient just to set the cash on fire, and the economy looks like it’s been shoved down the stairs in some grisly act of mercy. But that doesn’t stop us daydreaming does it? Here’s our wishlist of gifts that have driven us to distraction as we near the festive period

Q&A

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED ... HOW DO WE KNOW

WHY DO LIFT RIDES WITH STRANGERS FEEL SO AWKWARD?

ILLUSTRATION: DANIEL BRIGHT Much of it has to

NATURE’S WEIRDEST CREATURES...

THE PELICAN EEL In 2018, researchers controlling a

HOW DO WE KNOW DINOSAURS ROARED? WERE THERE ANY DINOSAURS THAT MIGHT HAVE CHIRPED LIKE A BIRD?

In films and television documentaries, dinosaurs often roar

WHY DON’T BEES GET STICKY WHEN THEY MAKE HONEY?

Honey, which is made by the eight species

MY IN-LAWS ARE HERE FOR THE HOLIDAYS. WHAT’S THE QUICKEST AND EASIEST WAY TO REDUCE MY STRESS LEVELS?

Any situation where you feel you can’t cope

DEAR DOCTOR...

HEALTH QUESTIONS DEALT WITH BY SCIENCE FOCUS EXPERTS

HOW DOES THE INTERNET ACTUALLY WORK?

GETTY IMAGES ILLUSTRATIONS: DANIEL BRIGHT, PETE LAWRENCE The

HOW TO SEE ORION

WHEN: THROUGHOUT WINTER

HOW DO I MAKE THE ULTIMATE SNOWMAN?

Not all snow is created equal, as anyone

HOW DO METEORITES FROM MARS END UP ON EARTH?

There are several strands of evidence implying that

WHY CAN I RAISE ONE EYEBROW AND NOT THE OTHER?

There isn’t much of a consensus on this.

COULD ANYTHING REALLY MAKE RUDOLPH’S NOSE GLOW RED?

Scientists have already transferred bioluminescent genes from jellyfish

WHY IS MY BRAIN BUZZING AT 3AM BUT COMATOSE AT 3PM?

You’re not alone if you spend much of

WHY DO WE NEVER FORGET HOW TO RIDE A BIKE?

Life experiences and facts are one type of

HOW DO PARROTS SAY HUMAN WORDS WITHOUT LIPS?

My friend’s African Grey parrot speaks so convincingly,

IF WE COLONISE THE MOON, WILL THE COLONISTS EXPERIENCE NIGHT AND DAY?

Yes, anyone living on the Moon will experience

IF YOU PUT ALL THE GERMS (AND BACTERIA) IN THE WORLD ON TOP OF EACH OTHER, WOULD WE BE ABLE TO SEE THEM?

TOM SHEPHERD, BRISTOL

CROSSWORD

PENCILS AT THE READY! GETTY IMAGES ACROSS 1

THE HIDDEN WORLD BEING REVEALED BY MELTING ICE

PLUS 2022 IN IMAGES Take a look back

Could you port your mind into another body?

The Avatar sequel is out this month, in which lead character Jake Sully has left his human body behind...

2022 IN SCIENCE

This year, the news headlines have been dominated by UK politics, the energy crisis and the Ukrainian war. But there have been some fascinating scientific discoveries too. Here’s the proof…

JAMES WEBB’S FIRST YEAR IN SPACE

IN JUST A FEW SHORT MONTHS, THE JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE HAS IMAGED THE UNIVERSE AS NEVER BEFORE. HERE ARE ITS BIGGEST DISCOVERIES SO FAR

Q&A OF THE YEAR

ANSWERED BY BBC SCIENCE FOCUS EXPERTS

IS THERE A PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFIT TO REACHING OUT TO OTHERS AT CHRISTMAS?

THERE ARE SURPRISING PERKS IF YOU EMBRACE THE SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAYS

WHEN WILL WE SEE A CONTRACEPTIVE PILL FOR MEN?

A GROUND-BREAKING STUDY IN MICE CREATED A MALE PILL THAT’S 99-PER-CENT EFFECTIVE

HOW CAN HRT HELP WOMEN?

THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN URGED TO MAKE HRT FREE FOR WOMEN IN ENGLAND

ARE WE DONE WITH NFTS?

MILLIONS, MAYBE BILLIONS, OF DOLLARS WERE THROWN ON THE FUNERAL PYRE OF GIMMICKY DIGITAL ART THIS YEAR

WHAT’S THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE WAY TO COOK THE CHRISTMAS TURKEY?

YES! IT IS STILL POSSIBLE TO ENJOY A SUCCULENT BIRD WHEN YOU’RE WATCHING YOUR ENERGY BILLS

IS IT GOOD FOR MY BRAIN TO AVOID THE NEWS FROM TIME TO TIME?

IT’S EASY TO GET SICK OF THE 24-HOUR NEWS CYCLE OF WAR, CLIMATE CRISES AND ECONOMIC TURMOIL

IS THE METAVERSE THE FUTURE?

DR HAVE ZUCKERBERG AND HIS TECH FRIENDS MISREAD THE ROOM…

ELECTRIC BIKE GUIDE

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BUYING, MAINTAINING AND RIDING AN ELECTRIC ROAD BIKE

CHRISTMAS QUIZ

HOW WELL HAVE YOU BEEN PAYING ATTENTION IN 2022?

DIY SCIENCE AT CHRISTMAS

GOT TIME TO KILL AND KIDS TO KEEP QUIET OVER THE HOLIDAYS? HERE’S SOME FESTIVE ACTIVITIES WITH A LITTLE LEARNING BAKED IN