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This week's magazine

28 August 2021

Issue 3349

New Scientist issue 3349 cover
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On the cover

Features
This is what makes the quantum world so strange and confusing
Quantum Darwinism: Can evolutionary theory explain objective reality?
What putting big things in quantum states can tell us about reality
From photosynthesis to navigation, life may exploit quantum effects
Why it might be impossible to build a practical quantum computer
Beyond quantum physics: The search for a more fundamental theory
Connecting with nature is good, but can apps help us do it better?
Can quantum effects in the brain explain consciousness?
Is quantum theory really as random as it seems?
Do we distil reality from the quantum fog or does it exist without us?
Why is it so difficult to find a viable quantum theory of gravity?
News
Giant coral is the widest ever found in the Great Barrier Reef
Investigation of Nazi uranium could help stop modern nuclear smuggling
It really is difficult to get fit after giving birth, study reveals
Sneaky US Navy feedback device could stop people being able to speak
Thieving honeybees offer a glimpse of flowers’ evolutionary origins
Covid passes: How are they used, are they ethical and do they work?
Analysis
Wildfires give a window into our planet's future
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Editor's picks

2E8WY68 Quantum particle, quantum mechanics . 3d illustration

Quantum theory continues to challenge our conception of reality

News
Quantum Physics. Atom nuclear model on energetic background, 3D illustration; Shutterstock ID 682727230; purchase_order: PHOTO; job: 25 August online; client: NS; other:

Physics

Beyond quantum physics: The search for a more fundamental theory

Features
Why it might be impossible to build a practical quantum computer

Physics

Why it might be impossible to build a practical quantum computer

Features
KRJ9F0 Quantum-Gravity-Photon-Race

Physics

Why is it so difficult to find a viable quantum theory of gravity?

Features
Can quantum effects in the brain explain consciousness?

Physics

Can quantum effects in the brain explain consciousness?

Features
Coloured transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of chloroplasts from the yellow portion of a yellow/green variegated Coleus blumei plant. Chloroplasts are the sites of photosynthesis, the process that synthesises carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water using sunlight. The structure of a variegated chloroplast is slightly different from that of a normal green chloroplast. The granal stacks, formed from parallel thylakoids (membranes, bright lines), that contain the chlorophyll pigments are less ordered in the variegated chloroplast. The pigments themselves are also slightly different. Magnification: x14,300 when printed at 10cm wide.

Physics

From photosynthesis to navigation, life may exploit quantum effects

Features
Connecting with nature is good, but can apps help us do it better?

ÎçŇą¸ŁŔű1000ĽŻşĎ

Connecting with nature is good, but can apps help us do it better?

Features
Is quantum theory really as random as it seems?

Physics

Is quantum theory really as random as it seems?

Features
What putting big things in quantum states can tell us about reality

Physics

What putting big things in quantum states can tell us about reality

Features
R42MA6 Advance of Quantum Wave

Physics

Quantum Darwinism: Can evolutionary theory explain objective reality?

Features
Do we distil reality from the quantum fog or does it exist without us?

Physics

Do we distil reality from the quantum fog or does it exist without us?

Features
This is what makes the quantum world so strange and confusing

Physics

This is what makes the quantum world so strange and confusing

Features

Table of contents

Leaders

2E8WY68 Quantum particle, quantum mechanics . 3d illustration

Quantum theory continues to challenge our conception of reality

IT IS one of those delicious ironies of history that Albert Einstein received the 1921 Nobel prize in physics not for general relativity , the theory of gravity for which he is now justly most famed, but largely for his contribution to a theory that he spent much of his later career trying to disown. …

News

News

Solar panels in space

Space

Solar panels in space could help power the UK by 2039, claims report

Space-based solar power is being considered as a green energy source Solar power beamed from satellites could provide the UK with a continuous supply of green energy as soon as 2039, according to a report commissioned by the government's space agency. The idea of space-based solar power dates back to a 1941 short story by …

News

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Tiny human brain grown in lab has eye-like structures that 'see' light

News

Life

Male chimps with more friends are more likely to have offspring

News

Technology

Diabetes implant is restocked by swallowing magnetic insulin capsules

News

Life

Male woodpeckers that share mates with brothers live longer lives

News

Life

Birds get angry when their favourite snacks are swapped in magic trick

News

Physics

Huge lasers make conditions at the cusp of ignition for nuclear fusion

News

Life

Bat pups babble like human babies do in order to practice vocalising

News

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Two covid-19 vaccines are 15 per cent less effective against delta

News

Environment

2021's extraordinary wildfires have released a record amount of CO2

News

Life

Giant coral is the widest ever found in the Great Barrier Reef

News

Physics

Investigation of Nazi uranium could help stop modern nuclear smuggling

News

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Delivering mRNA inside a human protein could help treat many diseases

News

Technology

Apple's child abuse detection software may be vulnerable to attack

News

Space

Astronomers have just found more than half a million new asteroids

News

Life

Rattlesnakes use auditory illusion to make us think they are nearby

News

Technology

US-built biometrics equipment is falling into the hands of the Taliban

News

Life

Ants use soil physics to excavate metre-long tunnels that last decades

News

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It really is difficult to get fit after giving birth, study reveals

News

Technology

Sneaky US Navy feedback device could stop people being able to speak

News

Life

Thieving honeybees offer a glimpse of flowers’ evolutionary origins

News

Humans

Extinction Rebellion begins fortnight of climate protests in London

News

Covid passes: How are they used, are they ethical and do they work?

News

Analysis

Mandatory Credit: Photo by CHINE NOUVELLE/SIPA/Shutterstock (12324544h) (210817) - KABUL, Aug. 17, 2021 (Xinhua) - Taliban fighters are seen on a military vehicle in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Aug. 17, 2021. Normality has returned to Kabul, capital of Afghanistan as the Taliban on Tuesday urged the government employees to return to work, two days after the group took control of the capital. Declaring a general amnesty, the Taliban urged all to start routine life with confidence. It also urged women to join its government. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted that the situation in Kabul was completely under control and law and order returned to the city. Afghanistan Kabul Taliban Situation - 17 Aug 2021

Technology

Afghan people face an impossible choice over their digital footprint

Taliban fighters in Kabul The swift progress of the Taliban in Afghanistan has been truly shocking. It feels like only days ago that US president Joe Biden was explaining how a Taliban take over wasn’t inevitable and the Pentagon was talking about how the fall of the capital, Kabul, could take up to 90 days …

News

Earth

Wildfires give a window into our planet's future

News

Aperture

AHF347_004_S1 The team behind the

Technology

NASA tests a new heat shield featuring Spiderweave

Photographer Patrick Viruel/NASA THIS spectacle captured at NASA's Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, California, could have important ramifications for future space missions . The material in the photo might one day allow vehicles to safely enter the atmospheres of other planets without burning up, as well as free up more room inside spacecraft . …

Regulars

Features

This is what makes the quantum world so strange and confusing

Physics

This is what makes the quantum world so strange and confusing

Particles in many places at once, spooky influences and cats that are dead and alive at the same time – these are the phenomena that earned quantum theory its reputation for weirdness

Features

Physics

Quantum Darwinism: Can evolutionary theory explain objective reality?

Features

Physics

What putting big things in quantum states can tell us about reality

Features

Physics

From photosynthesis to navigation, life may exploit quantum effects

Features

Physics

Why it might be impossible to build a practical quantum computer

Features

Physics

Beyond quantum physics: The search for a more fundamental theory

Features

ÎçŇą¸ŁŔű1000ĽŻşĎ

Connecting with nature is good, but can apps help us do it better?

Features

Physics

Can quantum effects in the brain explain consciousness?

Features

Physics

Is quantum theory really as random as it seems?

Features

Physics

Do we distil reality from the quantum fog or does it exist without us?

Features

Physics

Why is it so difficult to find a viable quantum theory of gravity?

Features

Culture

Inventive Podcast reviewed: Packed with barrier-breaking engineers

Humans

Inventive Podcast reviewed: Packed with barrier-breaking engineers

Podcast Inventive Podcast Overtone Productions PICTURE an engineer and you may well imagine a white, university-educated man in a hard hat with a roll of blueprints under his arm. The Inventive Podcast aims to flip these conceptions by highlighting inspirational and influential engineers who don't fit this constricted, outdated mould. Host Trevor Cox, an acoustic …

Culture

Humans

Star Trek Lower Decks review: Season 2 is a triumph

Culture

Humans

Don't Miss: Netflix follows the all-civilian crew of a SpaceX mission

Culture

Humans

The Forgotten City review: It's fun being stuck in a Roman time-loop

Culture

More

Soccer ball Flat icon illustration isolated on white background; Shutterstock ID 1665351253; purchase_order: PHOTO; job: 28 August issue; client: NS; other:

Puzzle #128: Who won yesterday’s football tournament?

#128 Tournament headache Four hungover footballing mathematicians groaned in unison. "Anyone remember who won yesterday's tournament between our four teams?" asked Ranko, the Red Star Belgradient goalkeeper. Ignacio, the Integer Milan striker, raised his hand feebly. "I remember that we each played each other once. Three points for a win. One for a draw. And …

Regulars

How to make delicious jam according to science

Regulars

Tom Gauld's highlights of the physicists versus wizards summer games

Regulars

Twisteddoodles: 'What should we use to make science more fun?'

Regulars

Regulars

Could we grow endangered plants on other planets? No

Humans

Could we grow endangered plants on other planets? No

Feedback is our weekly column of bizarre stories, implausible advertising claims, confusing instructions and more

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