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/
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 12, 2026 at 1:35 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
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 12, 2026 at 1:04 PM
While snakes and ladders is purely a game of chance, there is a way to add some strategy, says mathematician Peter Rowlett
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 12, 2026 at 12:42 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
An experiment with superconducting qubits opens the door to determining whether quantum devices could be less energetically costly if they are powered by quantum batteries
Fast-charging quantum battery built inside a quantum computer
An experiment with superconducting qubits opens the door to determining whether quantum devices could be less energetically costly if they are powered by quantum batteries
www.newscientist.com
February 12, 2026 at 12:14 PM
An experiment with superconducting qubits opens the door to determining whether quantum devices could be less energetically costly if they are powered by quantum batteries
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 12, 2026 at 11:35 AM
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
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 12, 2026 at 11:06 AM
When we exercise more, our bodies may compensate by using less energy for other things – especially if we eat less too
A fleet of wind-propelled robot boats could act as a sensor network covering a wide area and relay acoustic signals to a submarine
Royal Navy returns to wind power with trial of robotic sailboats
A fleet of wind-propelled robot boats could act as a sensor network covering a wide area and relay acoustic signals to a submarine
www.newscientist.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:43 AM
A fleet of wind-propelled robot boats could act as a sensor network covering a wide area and relay acoustic signals to a submarine
The late photographer's work depicting some of the world's coldest places is collected in his new book Genesis
Sebastião Salgado's stunning shots of the world's icy regions
The late photographer's work depicting some of the world's coldest places is collected in his new book Genesis
www.newscientist.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:05 AM
The late photographer's work depicting some of the world's coldest places is collected in his new book Genesis
People classed as “overweight” according to BMI can be perfectly healthy. But there are better measures of fat, and physicians are finally using them
Your BMI can't tell you much about your health – here's what can
People classed as “overweight” according to BMI can be perfectly healthy. But there are better measures of fat, and physicians are finally using them
www.newscientist.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:40 AM
People classed as “overweight” according to BMI can be perfectly healthy. But there are better measures of fat, and physicians are finally using them
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/
February 12, 2026 at 9:34 AM
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/
Feedback is always on the lookout for better ways to measure things, and was delighted to learn how the weight of ice is quantified in Austin, Texas
'Roughly 109.5 golden retrievers': a new way to measure ice
Feedback is always on the lookout for better ways to measure things, and was delighted to learn how the weight of ice is quantified in Austin, Texas
www.newscientist.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:03 AM
Feedback is always on the lookout for better ways to measure things, and was delighted to learn how the weight of ice is quantified in Austin, Texas
Your organs are constantly talking to each other in ways we’re only beginning to understand. Tapping into these communication networks is opening up radical new ways to boost health
The secret signals our organs send to repair tissues and slow ageing
Your organs are constantly talking to each other in ways we’re only beginning to understand. Tapping into these communication networks is opening up radical new ways to boost health
www.newscientist.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:35 AM
Your organs are constantly talking to each other in ways we’re only beginning to understand. Tapping into these communication networks is opening up radical new ways to boost health
We are told we need cynical strategies to "play" the dating game, but the science says this is totally wrong. David Robson enjoys an evidence-based takedown from psychologist Paul Eastwick
What to read this week: Bonded by Evolution by Paul Eastwick
We are told we need cynical strategies to "play" the dating game, but the science says this is totally wrong. David Robson enjoys an evidence-based takedown from psychologist Paul Eastwick
www.newscientist.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:08 AM
We are told we need cynical strategies to "play" the dating game, but the science says this is totally wrong. David Robson enjoys an evidence-based takedown from psychologist Paul Eastwick
Once considered an oddity of quantum physics, time crystals could be a good building block for accurate clocks and sensors, according to new calculations
Time crystals could be used to build accurate quantum clocks
Once considered an oddity of quantum physics, time crystals could be a good building block for accurate clocks and sensors, according to new calculations
www.newscientist.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:52 AM
Once considered an oddity of quantum physics, time crystals could be a good building block for accurate clocks and sensors, according to new calculations
Some think the rise of C-sections means that one day all births will require serious medical intervention. But a surprising new understanding of the pelvis suggests a different story
Why is childbirth so hard for humans – and is it getting even harder?
Some think the rise of C-sections means that one day all births will require serious medical intervention. But a surprising new understanding of the pelvis suggests a different story
www.newscientist.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:24 AM
Some think the rise of C-sections means that one day all births will require serious medical intervention. But a surprising new understanding of the pelvis suggests a different story
The psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT seemed to induce similar patterns of brain activity in a lama - a revered spiritual teacher in Tibetan Buddhism - as meditation, advancing our understanding of the drug's neurological effects
Psychedelic causes similar brain state to meditation
The psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT seemed to induce similar patterns of brain activity in a lama - a revered spiritual teacher in Tibetan Buddhism - as meditation, advancing our understanding of the drug's neurological effects
www.newscientist.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:53 AM
The psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT seemed to induce similar patterns of brain activity in a lama - a revered spiritual teacher in Tibetan Buddhism - as meditation, advancing our understanding of the drug's neurological effects
We pick the sci-fi novels we’re most looking forward to reading this month, from a new Brandon Sanderson to the latest from Makana Yamamoto
The best new science fiction books of February 2026
We pick the sci-fi novels we’re most looking forward to reading this month, from a new Brandon Sanderson to the latest from Makana Yamamoto
www.newscientist.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:36 AM
We pick the sci-fi novels we’re most looking forward to reading this month, from a new Brandon Sanderson to the latest from Makana Yamamoto
The lines worn into an engraved limestone object from the Netherlands are consistent with the idea that it was a Roman game board, according to an AI analysis
Is this carved rock an ancient Roman board game?
The lines worn into an engraved limestone object from the Netherlands are consistent with the idea that it was a Roman game board, according to an AI analysis
www.newscientist.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:51 AM
The lines worn into an engraved limestone object from the Netherlands are consistent with the idea that it was a Roman game board, according to an AI analysis
Electric vehicle batteries are typically retired once they reach about 80 per cent of their original capacity, but they could be repurposed in electricity grids to balance out slumps in renewable generation
Old EV batteries could meet most of China's energy storage needs
Electric vehicle batteries are typically retired once they reach about 80 per cent of their original capacity, but they could be repurposed in electricity grids to balance out slumps in renewable generation
www.newscientist.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:34 AM
Electric vehicle batteries are typically retired once they reach about 80 per cent of their original capacity, but they could be repurposed in electricity grids to balance out slumps in renewable generation
Scientists have captured remarkable footage of the young of a mouse-sized marsupial, called a fat-tailed dunnart, making their way to their mother’s pouch soon after being born
Newborn marsupials seen crawling to mother's pouch for the first time
Scientists have captured remarkable footage of the young of a mouse-sized marsupial, called a fat-tailed dunnart, making their way to their mother’s pouch soon after being born
www.newscientist.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:10 AM
Scientists have captured remarkable footage of the young of a mouse-sized marsupial, called a fat-tailed dunnart, making their way to their mother’s pouch soon after being born
People classed as “overweight” according to BMI can be perfectly healthy. But there are better measures of fat, and physicians are finally using them
Your BMI can't tell you much about your health – here's what can
People classed as “overweight” according to BMI can be perfectly healthy. But there are better measures of fat, and physicians are finally using them
www.newscientist.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:40 AM
People classed as “overweight” according to BMI can be perfectly healthy. But there are better measures of fat, and physicians are finally using them
Building the human story based on a few artefacts is tricky – particularly for wooden tools that don’t preserve well, or cave art that we don’t have the technology to date. Columnist Michael Marshall explores how we determine what came first in the timeline of our species
Which humans first made tools or art – and how do we know?
Building the human story based on a few artefacts is tricky – particularly for wooden tools that don’t preserve well, or cave art that we don’t have the technology to date. Columnist Michael Marshall explores how we determine what came first in the timeline of our species
www.newscientist.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:29 AM
Building the human story based on a few artefacts is tricky – particularly for wooden tools that don’t preserve well, or cave art that we don’t have the technology to date. Columnist Michael Marshall explores how we determine what came first in the timeline of our species
In his lyrical book Frostlines, Neil Shea argues that we are more connected to the Arctic than we might think, says Elle Hunt
Unexpectedly moving book makes the case for the Arctic
In his lyrical book Frostlines, Neil Shea argues that we are more connected to the Arctic than we might think, says Elle Hunt
www.newscientist.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:13 AM
In his lyrical book Frostlines, Neil Shea argues that we are more connected to the Arctic than we might think, says Elle Hunt
Susan Wise Bauer's The Great Shadow investigates the effects of illness on individual lives and collective beliefs. It's a mixed bag, says Peter Hoskin
Fascinating but flawed book explores how sickness shapes our lives
Susan Wise Bauer's The Great Shadow investigates the effects of illness on individual lives and collective beliefs. It's a mixed bag, says Peter Hoskin
www.newscientist.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:43 AM
Susan Wise Bauer's The Great Shadow investigates the effects of illness on individual lives and collective beliefs. It's a mixed bag, says Peter Hoskin
Many researchers thought that earthquakes in the Himalayas recur at regular intervals – but an analysis of sediment cores has shown they are largely random, and the region has seen far more than we previously realised
Nepal and Northern India are not overdue for a huge earthquake
Many researchers thought that earthquakes in the Himalayas recur at regular intervals – but an analysis of sediment cores has shown they are largely random, and the region has seen far more than we previously realised
www.newscientist.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Many researchers thought that earthquakes in the Himalayas recur at regular intervals – but an analysis of sediment cores has shown they are largely random, and the region has seen far more than we previously realised