THE BIGGEST BREAKTHROUGHS OF THE CENTURY

FROM THE EDITOR

COVER: ANDY POTTS THIS PAGE: PAUL WILKINSON/THE ROYAL

IMAGES OF THE CENTURY

THE WORLD IS FULL OF WONDERS, AND HIGH-RESOLUTION CAMERAS LET US SEE THEM IN UNPRECEDENTED DETAIL. CHECK OUT OUR FAVOURITE IMAGES CAPTURED DURING THE FIRST 25 YEARS OF THE 21ST CENTURY

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YOUR OPINIONS ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND OUR MAGAZINE

Human activity is changing Earth’s tilt and rotation

GEOPHYSICS

Poop and vomit reveals how dinosaurs got so big

It wasn’t meat but plant-based diets that helped dinosaurs rise to the top

Your cholesterol level predicts your dementia risk

People with stable levels have a lower risk of neurological conditions, says study

Giant hailstones herald future storms

Study reveals how massive ice balls get bigger… and become lethal

Key weight-loss mystery solved

New research suggests fat cells have a ‘memory’

Abbreviations make your messages seem less sincere

FYI, the common practice can make it look like you’re not fully invested in your correspondence

Star outside our galaxy imaged for first time

Scientists have captured a close-up of WOH G64

Map of 100 million human body cells revealed

BIOLOGY

US Congress is talking about extraterrestrial activity again. Is the truth really out there?

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE HEADLINES

Could your cosmetics be harming your health?

ANALYSIS

How can I change my personality?

Want to become more confident, extroverted or assertive? Science shows that with a few simple changes, you can unlock your best self

HOW CAN I IDENTIFY MY PSYCHOLOGICAL BLIND SPOT?

In the 1950s two American psychologists, Joseph Luft

HOW CAN SOME ANIMALS SMELL FOOD FROM SO FAR AWAY?

Nature’s finest scent trackers owe their incredible sense

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE KILLED BY FRIDGES EACH YEAR?

‘Death by refrigerator’ was a big problem in

THE MARY RIVER TURTLE

Take a look at a Mary River turtle

COULD I BUILD A DEATH RAY IN MY GARDEN?

The legendary heat ray of Archimedes was supposedly

IF I TRAVELLED REALLY FAR BACK IN TIME, WOULD I STILL BE ABLE TO BREATHE?

GETTY IMAGES ILLUSTRATIONS: KYLE SMART, PETE LAWRENCE Breathable

SHOULD I STOP EATING MARGARINE?

Spread the word: there’s no easy answer to

ASTRONOMY FOR BEGINNERS

HOW TO SEE THE EVENING PLANETS WHEN: EARLY-MID JANUARY

WHAT DETERMINES HOW MANY ABS I CAN GET?

Assuming you’re a human being, you have exactly

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST SNOWMAN EVER BUILT?

The world’s tallest snowman is actually a snowwoman.

WHY ARE WIND TURBINES SO BIG?

Back in 1985, a typical wind turbine stood

CROSSWORD

PENCILS AT THE READY!

NOW YOU SEE ME…

New materials are taking stealth technology to the next level

DO THE COGNITIVE SHUFFLE

Trouble sleeping? A lot on your mind? Use this trick and sedate your synapses

10 IDEAS THAT WILL SHAPE THE NEXT 25 YEARS

GETTY IMAGES X4, ALAMY X3, SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

THE WORST IDEAS OF THE 21ST CENTURY (so fan)

NOT ALL IDEAS CAN BE HITS. ALONGSIDE GROUND-BREAKING INNOVATIONS, 21ST-CENTURY SCIENTISTS HAVE HELMED THEIR SHARE OF WILD TECH FLOPS, DUBIOUS THEORIES AND OVERHYPED BREAKTHROUGHS. HERE ARE THE BIGGEST TO FORGET

Medical Research Foundation

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