science
King Richard III's oral microbiome hints he had severe gum disease
The skeleton of King Richard III, which was found beneath a car park more than a decade ago, has well-preserved teeth, allowing scientists to sequence his oral microbiome Source link
Hannah Ritchie's new book on net zero is a breath of fresh air
Clearing the Air answers all your burning questions about the net-zero transition, with optimistic, data-led insights designed to address misinformation about climate change, says Madeleine Cuff Source link
Learning to play nice with other people
How did cooperation emerge in a cut-throat world? There are clues in the prisoner’s dilemma experiment, says Peter Rowlett Source link
Selfish sperm see older fathers pass on more disease-causing mutations
Older men are more likely to pass on disease-causing mutations to their children because of the faster growth of mutant cells in the testes with age Source link
One of Earth’s most vital carbon sinks is faltering. Can we save it?
For decades, forest, grasslands and other land ecosystems have collectively absorbed up to a third of the carbon dioxide we emit each year - but this climate buffer may be collapsing far sooner than anyone expected Source link
General relativity might save some planets from death
Some habitable worlds orbiting dead stars could be kept alive for aeons thanks to a quirk of Einstein’s theory of gravity Source link
Would a ban on genetic engineering of wildlife hamper conservation?
Some conservation groups are calling for an effective ban on genetic modification, but others say these technologies are crucial for preserving biodiversity Source link
20 bird species can understand each other’s anti-cuckoo call
Several species of birds from different continents use and understand similar alarm calls when they see an invader that might lay an egg in their nest – this shared call hints at the origin of language Source link
Our verdict on ‘The Dispossessed’: A tricky but rewarding novel
The New Scientist Book Club has just finished reading Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Dispossessed. Most of our members enjoyed it, even if the sheer volume of ideas in the book made it a challenging read Source link
Prepare to enjoy four spectacular supermoons in a row
If you are a fan of the moon, then the next four months will give you something special to watch out for, says Abigail Beall Source link