Another quantum computer reached quantum advantage – does it matter? 22. August 2025 (14:00) A quantum computer that uses particles of light took about two dozen microseconds to complete a calculation that may take trillions of trillions of trillions of years on the world’s best supercomputers(New Scientist)
We could get most metals for clean energy without opening new mines 21. August 2025 (21:00) An analysis of active US mines finds they already collect virtually all of the minerals the country needs for batteries, solar panels and wind turbines – but these critical minerals mostly go to waste(New Scientist)
The colour of your car has a big impact on urban heat 21. August 2025 (21:00) Dark-coloured cars can make a measurable difference on nearby air temperature, and in cities of millions the effect can add up and noticeably increase how hot it feels(New Scientist)
How to tackle environmental issues when the world can't agree 21. August 2025 (19:26) The failure to agree a global treaty on plastic pollution highlights how the UN’s requirement for unanimity holds back environmental policy, but there are better ways to make progress(New Scientist)
There might be a 'Planet Y' hiding in the outer solar system 21. August 2025 (16:22) Astronomers have picked up evidence of an Earth-sized world, distinct from the previously hypothesised Planet Nine and Planet X, that might be warping the orbits of objects beyond Neptune(New Scientist)
Our brain doesn't actually reorganise itself after an amputation 21. August 2025 (12:00) Previous research in macaques suggests that part of the brain reorganises itself when a limb is removed, but now a study in people has turned that idea on its head(New Scientist)
Ceres may have been habitable at just half a billion years old 20. August 2025 (21:00) A billion or so years into its evolution, the icy dwarf planet Ceres may have had the right conditions to sustain life, which indicates the solar system may be more habitable than we thought(New Scientist)
