New Scientist - Home

1. Crystal-based cooling could make fridges more sustainable
   A new type of crystal that absorbs heat when released from extreme pressure could lead to climate-friendly refrigerators and air conditioners
2. Delicate robot hands know just how hard to squeeze
   A robotic hand uses fingertip sensors and AI to determine how firmly to grip before closing in on an object, overcoming a persistent problem for prosthetics
3. AI chatbots fail to diagnose patients by talking with them
   Although popular AI models score highly on medical exams, their accuracy drops significantly when making a diagnosis based on a conversation with a simulated patient
4. Will there be another pandemic after covid-19 and are we prepared?
   Covid-19 is responsible for the deaths of millions of people around the world, but researchers fear the next global outbreak could be even worse, making it vital that we start preparing for that unknown pathogen now
5. Everything we know about long covid - including how to reduce the risk
   Some people have been living with long covid for five years, but we are still just starting to learn about its exact causes and how best to treat the condition
6. There's a new way to make everyday products without using fossil fuels
   Everyday household products are made almost entirely from newly extracted fossilised carbon. But 'defossilisation' is an exciting alternative, finds Graham Lawton
7. Visualising a virus: How our covers captured an unfolding crisis
   In the first two years of the covid-19 pandemic, numerous New Scientist covers were dedicated to the global emergency caused by the virus. Together, they tell a story of resilience and scientific achievement
8. We must revisit the covid-19 pandemic to prepare for future outbreaks
   It is tempting to lock memories of the height of covid-19 away but looking back is vital for preparing properly for the next pandemic
9. The best science fiction TV shows to look forward in 2025
   From Doctor Who and Severance to Apple Cider Vinegar, there are plenty of great sci-fi and science-inflected TV shows coming up this year, says Bethan Ackerley
10. People ate lots of foxes and wildcats 10,000 years ago
    Foxes and cats weren’t just caught for their pelts, hint cut marks and burns on bones found at a site in Israel