SCIENCE POLICY
Introducing our new blog: The S Word Politicians often seem reluctant to engage with science. In fact, many prefer to avoid mentioning it at all. That results in policies that fly in the face of scientific evidence. We hope to persuade politicians that the 鈥淪 word鈥� belongs firmly at the heart of the political debate, and we鈥檝e started a new blog that will highlight efforts to make politicians pay attention to science.
TECH
Lightweight surveillance copter See a 30-gram helicopter that carries simple sensors and is designed to fly in flocks that share data between craft. The flocks explore indoor environments
COMPETITION
Endless forms most beautiful The last sentence of Darwin鈥檚 On the Origin of Species is among the best-ever last lines. We鈥檙e looking for the most creative ways you can incorporate that into a new work of art 鈥� written, drawn or even sung. Submit your entries here by 21 December
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CLIMATE CHANGE
Arctic鈥檚 final warning The effects of global warming are clear in the Arctic. See the evidence in words and pictures
INTERVIEW
Belle de Jour: On science and prostitution The scientist and former call girl Brooke Magnanti told her agent, 鈥淚f New Scientist asks for an interview, I鈥檒l do it.鈥� We asked
WEB
Answer engine makes a comeback Wolfram Alpha, a site able to answer factual questions in plain English, launched to great fanfare in May but has declined in popularity. New plans to let other sites build on the service鈥檚 impressive smarts could genuinely reshape what the web can offer
