Childbirth for many primate species is even harder than for humans 29. June 2026 (18:00) For decades, we’ve thought that childbirth is uniquely challenging for humans, but it turns out that many other primates find the birth process just as difficult(New Scientist)
Humans sleep the least of all apes – is it the secret to our success? 29. June 2026 (18:00) Sleep is essential, yet humans have evolved to need so little of it. When evolutionary anthropologist David Samson delved into our ancient past to find the reasons why, he discovered surprising ways to get a better night’s rest(New Scientist)
Your menstrual cycle may affect how well vaccines work 29. June 2026 (16:42) Women who were vaccinated against covid-19 in the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle reported having a breakthrough infection sooner than those vaccinated during their follicular phase(New Scientist)
Remote-controlled cockroach swarm can now breathe underwater 29. June 2026 (12:00) Tiny 3D-printed diving suits allow cockroaches to walk underwater for up to 3 hours with no ill effects, which could enable a cyborg insect swarm to explore disaster zones and perhaps even Mars(New Scientist)
I have a 100 per cent chance of getting cancer due to a rare gene 26. June 2026 (17:00) A rare variant of a gene called TP53 means Tracy Hutchinson has an extreme risk of developing cancer anywhere in her body, causing endless anxiety and requiring regular whole-body MRIs and other screening(New Scientist)
Ancient human DNA found on cave art for the first time 26. June 2026 (14:45) DNA from ancient humans has been found on a prehistoric cave painting and on cave walls, demonstrating the potential to one day identify individual artists and resolve the debate over Neanderthals' artistic abilities(New Scientist)
Read an extract from Slow Gods by Claire North 26. June 2026 (11:30) The New Scientist Book Club’s read for July is Claire North’s space opera Slow Gods. In this extract from its second chapter, we learn about the upbringing of its protagonist on the planet Tu-mdo(New Scientist)
Why I started my sci-fi novel with a world-ending supernova 26. June 2026 (11:30) Claire North, whose space opera Slow Gods is the July read for the New Scientist Book Club, discusses how a population might deal with knowledge that their planet will be destroyed in 100 years(New Scientist)
Can video games help us better understand quantum mechanics? 26. June 2026 (11:00) The world of quantum video games is vast – there are hundreds that are either inspired by quantum mechanics or use quantum computers in their development. Columnist Karmela Padavic-Callaghan explores how these could change our understanding of quantum physics, or even help us make better devices(New Scientist)
