This week's magazine
21 January 2023
Issue 3422
On the cover
Editor's picks
Table of contents
News
Environment
German police clear activists from village to make way for coal mine
Climate activists hoping to stop the expansion of a coal mine near Lützerath, Germany, have been removed from protests sites they have occupied for months or even years
Environment
Strong El Niño could make 2024 the first year we pass 1.5°C of warming
Environment
2022 Tonga eruption means we may hit 1.5°C of global warming earlier
Life
Male chicks are more sociable if they were grown in warmer eggs
Society
Journals publish disproportionate number of papers by their editors
91ɫƬ
A blast of ultrasound waves could rejuvenate ageing cells
Environment
Ranchers are using GPS-collars to herd livestock with virtual fences
Space
Supermassive black hole snacks on the same star once every few years
Life
Trilobites used trident-like horns to fight over mates like stags
Environment
Exxon scientists in the 1970s accurately predicted climate change
Chemistry
Chocolate with a low-fat centre could still feel luxurious to eat
Environment
Protected areas in Britain fail to stop loss of insects and spiders
91ɫƬ
One brain network may be involved in six mental health conditions
Life
Lizards that survived wildfires are more alert to the sound of flames
91ɫƬ
Genetic tracking scheme for viruses could warn of dangerous outbreaks
Space
The Milky Way seems to be missing nearly half of its regular matter
Environment
Breakaway iceberg raises concerns over Antarctica’s ‘doomsday glacier’
Life
Largest flower found in amber was frozen in time millions of years ago
91ɫƬ
Vaginal swabs could be used to predict likelihood of preterm births
91ɫƬ
Anti-wrinkle patch uses microneedle injections to restore skin
Analysis
Environment
The first breach of 1.5°C will be a temporary but devastating failure
Limiting global warming to 1.5°C has become the defining measure of success in the climate fight and we need to think about what comes next
Technology
Should schools ban ChatGPT or embrace the technology instead?
91ɫƬ
Gas stoves harm our health and the climate – should they be banned?
91ɫƬ
Avoiding liquids before surgery may be an unnecessary precaution
Earth
How a planet became a character in my new novel
Features
Mind
Fresh ideas about the causes of depression are bringing new treatments
By upending the idea that a chemical imbalance in the brain is behind depression, we are starting to understand some of its mysteries and develop better treatments
Life
How we finally tracked European eels all the way to the Sargasso Sea
Technology
Web3 promises to reclaim the internet from tech giants – will it work?
Culture
Humans
Why We Meditate review: A convincing argument for regular meditation
Meditation seems to divide people into hardline converts or sceptical questioners. Daniel Goleman and Tsoknyi Rinpoche's new book comes ready to answer any doubts
91ɫƬ
A Silent Fire review: What you need to know about inflammation
Humans
Don’t Miss: A groundbreaking book on the evolution of meaning in life
Humans
The Last of Us review: An excellent example of fungal horror
More
Earth
Help in the hunt for neutrinos while exploring deep-sea ecosystems
The Deep Sea Explorers project is calling for volunteers to help remove noise from data collected by a neutrino telescope at the bottom of the sea, finds Layal Liverpool
Tom Gauld explores crushing darkness and inhospitable cold
Twisteddoodles on a disruptive technology
Regulars
While you were sleeping: An investigation into sleeping grumpy face
Feedback is our weekly column of bizarre stories, implausible advertising claims, confusing instructions and more