New Scientist
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The best place to find out what’s new in science – and why it matters.
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In this week’s issue: Your BMI can't tell you much about your health – here's what can, teaching molecules to think is revealing what a 'mind' is, and the weird rules of temperature in the quantum realm.
Grab a copy in shops now or download our app for digital editions. newscientist.com/issue/3582/
Grab a copy in shops now or download our app for digital editions. newscientist.com/issue/3582/
Biologists have long thought that speaking to nature’s economic value would persuade boardrooms it was worth saving. It hasn’t worked – so what, if anything, will?
Putting a price tag on nature failed. Can radical tactics save it?
Biologists have long thought that speaking to nature’s economic value would persuade boardrooms it was worth saving. It hasn’t worked – so what, if anything, will?
www.newscientist.com
February 14, 2026 at 2:36 AM
Biologists have long thought that speaking to nature’s economic value would persuade boardrooms it was worth saving. It hasn’t worked – so what, if anything, will?
Ants rely on scent to recognise their comrades, and when they are exposed to common air pollutants, other members of their colony react as if they are enemies
Ants attack their nest-mates because pollution changes their smell
Ants rely on scent to recognise their comrades, and when they are exposed to common air pollutants, other members of their colony react as if they are enemies
www.newscientist.com
February 14, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Ants rely on scent to recognise their comrades, and when they are exposed to common air pollutants, other members of their colony react as if they are enemies
Networks of molecules in our body behave as though they have goals and desires. Understanding this phenomenon could solve the origins of life and mind in one fell swoop
How teaching molecules to think is revealing what a 'mind' really is
Networks of molecules in our body behave as though they have goals and desires. Understanding this phenomenon could solve the origins of life and mind in one fell swoop
www.newscientist.com
February 14, 2026 at 1:48 AM
Networks of molecules in our body behave as though they have goals and desires. Understanding this phenomenon could solve the origins of life and mind in one fell swoop
The planets around a nearby star seem to be in the wrong order, hinting that they formed through a different mechanism than the familiar one by which most systems grow
Weird inside-out planet system may have formed one world at a time
The planets around a nearby star seem to be in the wrong order, hinting that they formed through a different mechanism than the familiar one by which most systems grow
www.newscientist.com
February 14, 2026 at 1:25 AM
The planets around a nearby star seem to be in the wrong order, hinting that they formed through a different mechanism than the familiar one by which most systems grow
The Chincha Kingdom was transporting seabird excrement from islands to valleys as early as the 13th century, and this powerful fertiliser may have been key to its economic success
Ancient Peruvian civilisation grew mighty by harvesting guano
The Chincha Kingdom was transporting seabird excrement from islands to valleys as early as the 13th century, and this powerful fertiliser may have been key to its economic success
www.newscientist.com
February 14, 2026 at 1:03 AM
The Chincha Kingdom was transporting seabird excrement from islands to valleys as early as the 13th century, and this powerful fertiliser may have been key to its economic success
Five dietary patterns that involve eating lots of plants have been linked with living up to three years longer, even among people who are genetically predisposed to have a shorter life
These 5 diets could add years to your life even if you have bad genes
Five dietary patterns that involve eating lots of plants have been linked with living up to three years longer, even among people who are genetically predisposed to have a shorter life
www.newscientist.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Five dietary patterns that involve eating lots of plants have been linked with living up to three years longer, even among people who are genetically predisposed to have a shorter life
About 4600 years ago, the population of Britain was replaced by a people who brought Bell Beaker pottery with them. Now, ancient DNA has uncovered the murky story of where these people came from
The surprising origins of Britain's Bronze Age immigrants revealed
About 4600 years ago, the population of Britain was replaced by a people who brought Bell Beaker pottery with them. Now, ancient DNA has uncovered the murky story of where these people came from
www.newscientist.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:02 PM
About 4600 years ago, the population of Britain was replaced by a people who brought Bell Beaker pottery with them. Now, ancient DNA has uncovered the murky story of where these people came from
Simulations suggest that two enormous masses of hot rock have been involved in generating Earth’s magnetic field and giving it an irregular shape
Huge hot blobs inside Earth may have made its magnetic field wonky
Simulations suggest that two enormous masses of hot rock have been involved in generating Earth’s magnetic field and giving it an irregular shape
www.newscientist.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Simulations suggest that two enormous masses of hot rock have been involved in generating Earth’s magnetic field and giving it an irregular shape
Finding rhinoviruses, which cause the common cold, in preserved medical specimens and analysing their RNA genome could let us trace the evolution of human illness
World’s oldest cold virus found in 18th-century woman's lungs
Finding rhinoviruses, which cause the common cold, in preserved medical specimens and analysing their RNA genome could let us trace the evolution of human illness
www.newscientist.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Finding rhinoviruses, which cause the common cold, in preserved medical specimens and analysing their RNA genome could let us trace the evolution of human illness
As Elon Musk and Pete Hegseth talk about wanting to make Star Trek real, long-time fan Chanda Prescod-Weinstein says they've misconstrued the heart of the story
Why Elon Musk has misunderstood the point of Star Trek
As Elon Musk and Pete Hegseth talk about wanting to make Star Trek real, long-time fan Chanda Prescod-Weinstein says they've misconstrued the heart of the story
www.newscientist.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:49 PM
As Elon Musk and Pete Hegseth talk about wanting to make Star Trek real, long-time fan Chanda Prescod-Weinstein says they've misconstrued the heart of the story
An antibody that has the power to neutralise any influenza strain could be widely administered in the form of a nasal spray if a flu pandemic emerges
Nasal spray could prevent infections from any flu strain
An antibody that has the power to neutralise any influenza strain could be widely administered in the form of a nasal spray if a flu pandemic emerges
www.newscientist.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:13 PM
An antibody that has the power to neutralise any influenza strain could be widely administered in the form of a nasal spray if a flu pandemic emerges
Scientists may have stumbled across a network of vessels in the brain that helps clear out waste fluid – a discovery that could "represent a paradigm shift in our understanding of all neurodegenerative diseases"
Accidental discovery hints at mystery structures within our brain
Scientists may have stumbled across a network of vessels in the brain that helps clear out waste fluid – a discovery that could "represent a paradigm shift in our understanding of all neurodegenerative diseases"
www.newscientist.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Scientists may have stumbled across a network of vessels in the brain that helps clear out waste fluid – a discovery that could "represent a paradigm shift in our understanding of all neurodegenerative diseases"
While snakes and ladders is purely a game of chance, there is a way to add some strategy, says mathematician Peter Rowlett
Bored of snakes and ladders? Some maths can help bring back the fun
While snakes and ladders is purely a game of chance, there is a way to add some strategy, says mathematician Peter Rowlett
www.newscientist.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM
While snakes and ladders is purely a game of chance, there is a way to add some strategy, says mathematician Peter Rowlett
Can a single particle have a temperature? It may seem impossible with our standard understanding of temperature, but columnist Jacklin Kwan finds that it’s not exactly ruled out in the quantum realm
The weird rules of temperature get even stranger in the quantum realm
Can a single particle have a temperature? It may seem impossible with our standard understanding of temperature, but columnist Jacklin Kwan finds that it’s not exactly ruled out in the quantum realm
www.newscientist.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Can a single particle have a temperature? It may seem impossible with our standard understanding of temperature, but columnist Jacklin Kwan finds that it’s not exactly ruled out in the quantum realm
Two-year-olds raised in vegan or vegetarian households don't necessarily have restricted growth, according to a study of 1.2 million children
Vegan toddlers can grow at the same rate as omnivores
Two-year-olds raised in vegan or vegetarian households don't necessarily have restricted growth, according to a study of 1.2 million children
www.newscientist.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Two-year-olds raised in vegan or vegetarian households don't necessarily have restricted growth, according to a study of 1.2 million children
Reposted by New Scientist
Scientists claim to have stumbled across a hidden network of vessels in the brain, a discovery that could transform our understanding of neurodegenerative conditions - but further research is needed to confirm the findings.
www.newscientist.com/article/2515...
www.newscientist.com/article/2515...
Accidental discovery hints at mystery structures within our brain
Scientists may have stumbled across a network of vessels in the brain that helps clear out waste fluid – a discovery that could "represent a paradigm shift in our understanding of all neurodegenerativ...
www.newscientist.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Scientists claim to have stumbled across a hidden network of vessels in the brain, a discovery that could transform our understanding of neurodegenerative conditions - but further research is needed to confirm the findings.
www.newscientist.com/article/2515...
www.newscientist.com/article/2515...
Immune cells in the brain that go rogue contribute to the death of neurons, so getting rid of them may slow the progression of neurodegenerative conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
CAR T-cell therapy may slow neurodegenerative conditions like ALS
Immune cells in the brain that go rogue contribute to the death of neurons, so getting rid of them may slow the progression of neurodegenerative conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
www.newscientist.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Immune cells in the brain that go rogue contribute to the death of neurons, so getting rid of them may slow the progression of neurodegenerative conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Reposted by New Scientist
🌅Ancient humans crossing oceans
🧠Brain training reduces dementia 🔭Special guest Maggie Aderin!🌌
open.spotify.com/episode/1v6f... @pennysarchet.bsky.social @michael-marshall.bsky.social @alexthompo.bsky.social
🧠Brain training reduces dementia 🔭Special guest Maggie Aderin!🌌
open.spotify.com/episode/1v6f... @pennysarchet.bsky.social @michael-marshall.bsky.social @alexthompo.bsky.social
February 13, 2026 at 3:53 PM
🌅Ancient humans crossing oceans
🧠Brain training reduces dementia 🔭Special guest Maggie Aderin!🌌
open.spotify.com/episode/1v6f... @pennysarchet.bsky.social @michael-marshall.bsky.social @alexthompo.bsky.social
🧠Brain training reduces dementia 🔭Special guest Maggie Aderin!🌌
open.spotify.com/episode/1v6f... @pennysarchet.bsky.social @michael-marshall.bsky.social @alexthompo.bsky.social
Nearly 40 years after Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time, Sarah Alam Malik's epic exploration of the cosmos reflects a changed landscape around science in the 21st century, finds Alison Flood
A new 'brief history' of the universe paints a wide picture
Nearly 40 years after Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time, Sarah Alam Malik's epic exploration of the cosmos reflects a changed landscape around science in the 21st century, finds Alison Flood
www.newscientist.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Nearly 40 years after Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time, Sarah Alam Malik's epic exploration of the cosmos reflects a changed landscape around science in the 21st century, finds Alison Flood
An otherworldly coral, a very cute moth and an intricately beautiful mushroom are among the winners in the prize this year
Five stunning images from the Close-up Photographer of the Year awards
An otherworldly coral, a very cute moth and an intricately beautiful mushroom are among the winners in the prize this year
www.newscientist.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:42 PM
An otherworldly coral, a very cute moth and an intricately beautiful mushroom are among the winners in the prize this year
The first people to reach the Kitsissut Islands off the north-west coast of Greenland were Indigenous peoples, who crossed over 50 kilometres of treacherous water
Seafarers were visiting remote Arctic islands over 4000 years ago
The first people to reach the Kitsissut Islands off the north-west coast of Greenland were Indigenous peoples, who crossed over 50 kilometres of treacherous water
www.newscientist.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:46 PM
The first people to reach the Kitsissut Islands off the north-west coast of Greenland were Indigenous peoples, who crossed over 50 kilometres of treacherous water
It's hard not to despair about the state of the world today, but here are five reasons to be a little bit hopeful, says Fred Pearce
Why I'm still an environmental optimist – despite it all
It's hard not to despair about the state of the world today, but here are five reasons to be a little bit hopeful, says Fred Pearce
www.newscientist.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:55 PM
It's hard not to despair about the state of the world today, but here are five reasons to be a little bit hopeful, says Fred Pearce
The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week
New Scientist recommends Hamnet, and its look at our links with nature
The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week
www.newscientist.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:31 PM
The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week
A growing body of psychological research shows that the best relationships – romantic or otherwise – come with a feeling of personal growth. Columnist David Robson explores the evidence-backed ways to broaden our horizons and connect more deeply with our loves, our friends and ourselves
Why self-expansion is the key to long-lasting love and friendship
A growing body of psychological research shows that the best relationships – romantic or otherwise – come with a feeling of personal growth. Columnist David Robson explores the evidence-backed ways to broaden our horizons and connect more deeply with our loves, our friends and ourselves
www.newscientist.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:11 PM
A growing body of psychological research shows that the best relationships – romantic or otherwise – come with a feeling of personal growth. Columnist David Robson explores the evidence-backed ways to broaden our horizons and connect more deeply with our loves, our friends and ourselves
When we exercise more, our bodies may compensate by using less energy for other things – especially if we eat less too
Why exercise isn't much help if you are trying to lose weight
When we exercise more, our bodies may compensate by using less energy for other things – especially if we eat less too
www.newscientist.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:55 AM
When we exercise more, our bodies may compensate by using less energy for other things – especially if we eat less too