New Scientist

In this week’s issue: Solving the fundamental mystery of how reality is glued together, plug-in solar pros and cons and the weird physics of plant-based milks. Grab a copy in shops now or download our app for digital editions. newscientist.com/issue/3590/

Feedback is delighted by the discovery of a very specific scientific sculpture park in China – and wonders if readers can top it #Echobox=1776004335" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newscientist.com/article/252214…

John Pendry is known for creating an invisibility cloak. Twenty years on, he has used the same principles to fashion an even more powerful kind of metamaterial that can teach us about the wild frontiers of physics #Echobox=1776004334" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newscientist.com/article/251999…

The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week #Echobox=1775996690" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newscientist.com/article/252223…

The third right arm of male octopuses has a specialised role in mating, and the creatures take extra care to avoid damaging it or losing it to a predator #Echobox=1775981306" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newscientist.com/article/252174…

Iodine deficiency is on the rise among people in the UK, the US and Australia. A century ago this led to drops in IQ, height and thyroid health – and the modern fancy salt fad may be leading to a resurgence, says columnist Alice Klein. #Echobox=1775974001" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newscientist.com/article/252009…

A collection of stories set in George R. R. Martin’s Wild Cards universe and a novel from The Expanse author James S. A. Corey are among the science-fiction books we’re looking forward to this month #Echobox=1775989104" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newscientist.com/article/252163…

In a shift that is reshaping entire ecosystems, the open oceans are letting less light in. We don't fully understand the consequences yet, but there is still hope, says oceanographer Tim Smyth #Echobox=1775993158" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newscientist.com/article/251961…

A new book from photographer Jon McCormack collects his shots of patterns in nature from around the world, from flamingoes to icebergs #Echobox=1775970468" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newscientist.com/article/252199…

A galaxy spotted by the James Webb Space Telescope, known as Hebe, that existed just 400 million years after the big bang appears to contain extremely pure and young stars #Echobox=1775963188" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newscientist.com/article/252192…

Physicists have shown how time can effectively be reversed for some quantum systems, which would allow for new ways to harvest energy #Echobox=1775950499" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newscientist.com/article/252240…

Amplifying the brain's waste disposal system seems to clear a substance that drives migraines, relieving some of the pain associated with the condition #Echobox=1775956568" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newscientist.com/article/252215…

Some cats will suddenly refuse to touch brands of cat food that they have eaten for years. Changing the way the food smells might solve the problem #Echobox=1775959152" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newscientist.com/article/252278…

Tiny fossils hidden inside solid rock offer a glimpse of ocean life before the second most severe mass extinction. The ancient plankton show that life was thriving just before the Late Ordovician extinction 445 million years ago. #Echobox=1775950501" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newscientist.com/article/252273…

Cornish sea salt crystals, pink Himalayan rock salt, smoked salt flakes – the use of gourmet salts is on the rise. But columnist Alice Klein finds it may be leading to a resurgence in iodine deficiency, with harmful consequences #Echobox=1775831572-3" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newscientist.com/article/252009…

No matter where you get your food from, a good chunk of your diet is ultimately reliant on fossil fuels. We already need to change this to tackle climate change, but the Iran war and resulting oil shortage is showing the urgent need to rethink food #Echobox=1775950500" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newscientist.com/article/252161…

The muon collider was once dismissed as impossible, but is now gaining steam as the successor to the Large Hadron Collider. If built, it could offer a new window to reality #Echobox=1775950501" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newscientist.com/article/251902…

Measurements by buoys at four latitudes in the western Atlantic provide the strongest evidence yet that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation is weakening #Echobox=1775955263" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newscientist.com/article/252246…

Ducks with corkscrew penises, fish changing sex – what do we really know about sex and reproduction on Earth? Less than we think, reveals a mind-boggling new book. Elle Hunt explores #Echobox=1775953574" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newscientist.com/article/252137…

Working in secret for more than two years, a group of mathematicians has set out to resolve of the longest and most bitter battles in modern mathematics #Echobox=1775943608" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newscientist.com/article/252268…

Plug-in solar panels are a cheaper, simpler alternative to professionally installed panels. But can they really reduce energy bills and are they safe? Matthew Sparkes investigates #Echobox=1775940863" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newscientist.com/article/252074…