Record-breaking chip sidesteps Moore’s law by growing upwards 17. October 2025 (12:00) A new chip design includes 41 vertical layers of semiconductor and insulator materials, which allow it to outrun the limits of miniaturisation(New Scientist)
There's a simple way we could drastically cut AI energy use 16. October 2025 (19:00) If users chose the most efficient model each time they performed a task with AI, researchers calculate it would slash energy consumption by more than a quarter(New Scientist)
Are biofuels a good idea? Only if you're a farmer or shipping company 16. October 2025 (17:00) The rush to grow more biofuels continues, despite the fact they increase CO2 emissions rather than lower them, raise food prices and devastate nature. It has to stop, says Michael Le Page(New Scientist)
School phone bans may actually harm some students' mental health 16. October 2025 (15:00) The evidence to support phone bans in schools has been inconclusive, and now it seems that the move could harm some students' mental health in a particular way(New Scientist)
Mathematicians have found a hidden 'reset button' for undoing rotation 16. October 2025 (13:00) Mathematicians thought that they understood how rotation works, but now a new proof has revealed a surprising twist that makes it possible to reset even a complex sequence of motion(New Scientist)
Why the next generation of mRNA vaccines is set to be even better 15. October 2025 (21:00) Scientists are designing mRNA vaccines to produce virus-like nanoparticles, which should lead to a more robust immune response with even fewer side effects than either of these immunisation approaches on their own(New Scientist)
Ancient lead exposure may have influenced how our brains evolved 15. October 2025 (21:00) Lead poisoning isn't just a modern phenomenon: fossil teeth show signs that it affected ancient hominids, and Homo sapiens may have coped better than our close relatives(New Scientist)
Del Toro's Frankenstein is a sumptuous take on a classic parable 15. October 2025 (20:00) With enthralling visuals and intense performances, this version of Mary Shelley's sci-fi tale reminds us to ask not only if we can create life, but if we can live with our creations, says Davide Abbatescianni(New Scientist)
