Tiny algae can photosynthesise and grow in the dark beneath Arctic ice

Microscopic marine algae can use even the smallest amount of reflected light to grow in near darkness during winter under the Arctic sea ice

16h

Magnetic microbots can hook up brain cells to make a neural network

Tiny robots that can transport individual neurons and connect them to form active neural circuits could help us study brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease

16h

Radiation exposure on the moon is nearly three times that on the ISS

Astronauts on the moon would face 2.6 times more radiation exposure than those aboard the International Space Station, which could make long-term missions riskier than thought

16h

Covid-19 news: Infection rate in England rises to one in 500 people

The latest coronavirus news updated every day including coronavirus cases, the latest news, features and interviews from New Scientist and essential information about the covid-19 pandemic

18h

Rapid evolution due to extreme climate events could lead to extinction

Extreme events can skew evolution in a way that helps drives small, vulnerable populations to extinction, and global warming is making such events more common

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When did the coronavirus really reach the US and Europe?

While there may have been a few cases outside Wuhan as early as December, it appears the virus did not become widespread until months later

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Coronavirus lockdown changed how birds sing in San Francisco

The uniquely quiet circumstances of the covid-19 restrictions in San Francisco saw birds respond by lowering their pitch, singing sexier songs and making their songs clearer

1d

Carbon ribbons a few atoms wide could help make powerful computers

Researchers have developed tiny wires made entirely of carbon, a key advance on the path to developing carbon computers and smartphones

1d

Covid-19 news: Test and trace app goes live across England and Wales

The latest coronavirus news updated every day including coronavirus cases, the latest news, features and interviews from New Scientist and essential information about the covid-19 pandemic

1d

New species of tiny ‘fairy shrimp’ found in the world’s hottest desert

Tiny shrimp have been found living in Iran’s Lut desert, which has reached temperatures above 80°C. These shrimp have eggs that lay dormant for years when water is scarce

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