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The salvage crew at work

HESSEN, GERMANY

A river of toxic cloud

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Cannabis up close

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YOUR OPINIONS ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND THE MAGAZINE

Major volcanic eruptions detected on Moon’s far side

Volcanoes erupted here far more recently, and for longer, than we thought

Volcanic eruptions led to the reign of the dinosaurs

Long-term lava flows caused Earth to cool rapidly, eradicating the dinosaurs’ rival species

Simple balance test could reveal your biological age

Standing on one leg is more than just an awkward yoga pose

Giant rats could prevent poaching

The rodents may be used to sniff out illegal wildlife traders

Two gigantic ancient cities uncovered by drones

Without the airborne devices, scientists say the cities would’ve taken decades to map out

This simple exercise hack could shrink your risk of cognitive decline by 13%

Just one weekly workout could help protect your brain

Science reveals the best way to hold a frisbee

You’ve probably been doing it all wrong, says new study

Tobacco changed our ancestors’ bones

A new archaeological discovery could also unlock secrets of present-day crime scenes

Chlorine could save the corals

Swimming pool treatment could be a much-needed lifeline for reefs

An embryo in a different light

The incredibly detailed molecular hologram of a mouse’s early development signals huge steps for prenatal testing

20 24 IN SCIENCE

From the development of new vaccines to hitting climate tipping points, there were as many reasons to celebrate as there were to commiserate this year. But what about the stories that tickled, shocked and completely flummoxed us? Here are our favourites from the last 12 months

SPACE IN 2024

Humans have yet to return to the Moon, but 2024 saw a number of significant firsts in space research. Here’s a look back at the developments that occurred beyond Earth’s atmosphere

Ignore the bad rep. Bats are one of our biggest allies

COMMENT

The hidden psychology of know-it-alls and why they think they know everything

“You don’t want to do it like that. You want to do it like this…”

If nuclear energy is back on the agenda, we need a better plan for the waste

COMMENT

REALITY CHECK

REVIEW Is infidelity on the rise?

Your kitchenware could be making you ill. Here’s what to do about it

Harmful chemicals and microplastics might not be the extra ingredients you want in your meals

TECH TRENDS THAT MADE AND RUINED 2024

2024 was a big year for tech. While we bettered humanity through tools, gadgets and high-tech advancement, just as many innovations left us fretting for the future

Is travelling faster than the speed of light possible?

THE BIG QUESTION

WHAT ARE THE BEST-PRESERVED ICE AGE ANIMALS?

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

DO WE KNOW WHAT THE CORES OF STARS LOOK LIKE?

Star interiors vary according to their mass and

DO ANIMALS DREAM WHEN THEY HIBERNATE?

The short answer is no, animals don’t dream

THE STREAKED TENREC

NATURE’S WEIRDEST CREATURES

HOW MANY FATHERS ARE UNKNOWINGLY RAISING CHILDREN THAT AREN'T THEIRS?

Basic biological reality means birth mothers can be certain

ARE HANGOVERS HEREDITARY?

Not everyone experiences terrible hangovers. But for those

WHAT ACTUALLY CAUSES DEPRESSION IN THE BRAIN?

GETTY IMAGES ILLUSTRATIONS: PETE LAWRENCE, JOE WALDRON The most

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES I'LL BE HIT BY A FALLING SATELLITE?

Effectively zero. Although the number of satellites in orbit

ASTRONOMY FOR BEGINNERS

HOW TO SEE THE DAYLIGHT MOON OCCULT MARS

COULD WE REALLY BUILD A SPACE ELEVATOR?

A normal traction elevator uses a cable to

WHAT IS MEXICO'S ZONE OF SILENCE?

Deep in the Chihuahuan Desert in northern Mexico lies

WHICH GENERATION IS THE MOST HYPERSENSITIVE?

The answer to this question depends on who

WHY DO POLAR BEARS HAVE BLACK SKIN?

Polar bears are recognised as the apex predators

WHAT EXACTLY DO WATER FILTERS FILTER OUT?

NICKY, NORFOLK

CROSSWORD

PENCILS AT THE READY!

A DEVICE TO TREAT DEPRESSION

BETTER LIVING THROUGH SCIENCE

Could your memory be hacked?

Research suggests that your recollections aren’t just worryingly fallible, they’re also surprisingly malleable. So could someone plant a false memory in your mind?

LINES IN THE SAND

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS HELPING ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNLOCK EARTH’S OLDEST SECRETS

IS STRESS MAKING ME FAT?

Recent studies have found a strong link between rising stress levels and expanding waistlines… And modern life isn’t helping

DE-STRESS YOUR LIFE

Want to lower your cortisol levels? Just a few simple tweaks can help you to calm (and potentially slim) down

NUCLEAR TIME

The world’s first nuclear clock could go beyond just keeping ultraprecise time. It might teach us about the forces that hold the Universe together