Iridescent beetle shimmers for 49 million years
It's rare to see a fossil this vibrant – most have long ago faded to grey. Now researchers are reverse-engineering the process
Gaia's comeback: How life shapes the weather
The world would be warming even faster if forests weren't calling in the clouds. Could it be that Gaia is not so helpless after all, asks Stephen Battersby
World's only freshwater porpoise on brink of extinction
The conservation status of the Yangtze finless porpoise has been upgraded to the IUCN Red List's highest risk level: critically endangered
Citizen scientist: Out of the lab and onto the streets
With a bit of spare time, community labs and the power of the internet, anyone can do science on their own terms, says Kat Austen
Printed drones to hunt down drug-running boats
A 3D-printed UAV called 2Seas is designed to fly lengthy surveillance missions for coastguards in the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium and France
Europe's carbon tax is down but not out
Critics argue that Europe's carbon tax is dead in the water: not so, says David Strahan. The project will stay alive as long as politics doesn't smother it
Quantum mechanics enables 'impossible' space chemistry
Quantum chemistry explains the presence of a molecule that shouldn't exist in space – and suggests that a slew of complex organics could be made there
Tohoku megaquake shows big tremors make volcanoes sink
The Japanese earthquake of 2011 and the 2010 Chilean quake both made nearby volcanoes lose centimetres in height, although precisely how remains unclear
Dramatic new treatment push to conquer HIV
Treating patients much earlier will save many more lives and prevent the spread of HIV, squeezing the virus out of circulation, say experts
Windows aims to open up 3D printing to the masses
The software giant's move could help bring 3D printing into the mainstream, but don't expect Star Trek-style replicators just yet
If you would like to reuse any content from New Scientist, either in print or online, please contact the syndication department first for permission. New Scientist does not own rights to photos, but there are a variety of licensing options available for use of articles and graphics we own the copyright to.
Have your say
Only subscribers may leave comments on this article. Please log in.
Only personal subscribers may leave comments on this article
All comments should respect the New Scientist House Rules. If you think a particular comment breaks these rules then please use the "Report" link in that comment to report it to us.
If you are having a technical problem posting a comment, please contact technical support.
