New Scientist - Current Issue Articles

1. Our bumper science quiz of the year 2024
   From a fish with a tiny brain to the world’s oldest cheese, we have reported on plenty of strange and unusual science discoveries this year. Challenge yourself and see what you can remember in this fiendish set of questions from our quizmaster Bethan Ackerley
2. Is this the world’s toughest word search? We dare you to try it
   We challenge you to find the scientific terms in this monster of a puzzle – and we’re not even telling you exactly what they are
3. Twisteddoodles on clearing up a winter mystery
   This week's cartoon from Twisteddoodles
4. A festival of stunning animal pictures from 2024
   The past 12 months have seen animals of all shapes, sizes and colours strut their stuff – here are just a few of the best pictures from the year
5. Bioluminescent Christmas tree glows with festive cheer
   When exposed to air, an eerie green light is emitted by these neatly arranged chunks of hybrid living material, created by impregnating balsa wood with fungus
6. High-tech archaeology shows we aren't the first to endure hard times
   The discovery of ancient cities in Asia and the Americas point to earlier bouts of social and climatic upheavals. The good news is that humanity survived, says Annalee Newitz
7. Abracadabra: An exclusive sci-fi short story for New Scientist
   The award-winning science fiction and fantasy author Nnedi Okorafor journeys to the near future in this unsettling short story
8. Puzzles #50-52: Can you crack these festive mathematical puzzles?
   Maths and colouring? Get out your pens to solve our bumper Christmas BrainTwister, along with more holiday puzzles and the answer to puzzle #49
9. Climate chaos accelerated in 2024 as we hit 1.5°C for the first time
   2024 was another year of record-breaking heat and extreme weather, including devastating floods, storms and wildfires across the globe
10. Missile detectors and a Santa tracker? It's a festive mystery
    Feedback, feeling somewhat Grinch-like, digs into the knotty history of NORAD Tracks Santa, in which the North American Aerospace Defense Command shows its cuddly side