Why drug overdose deaths have suddenly plummeted in the US 12. March 2026 (17:00) Fentanyl-related overdose deaths fell by nearly 30 per cent in the space of a year in the US, which could represent a significant turning point in the country's opioid addiction crisis(New Scientist)
Rumours of a Firefly reboot abound, but should the Serenity fly again? 12. March 2026 (12:15) Star Nathan Fillion is stoking rumours that cult western-in-space television series Firefly could be rebooted. Emily H. Wilson realises she is being toyed with – but is still praying for its return(New Scientist)
Undisclosed ads on TikTok skirt ban on profiling minors 12. March 2026 (11:15) Teenagers are being bombarded with highly targeted commercial content on TikTok, despite an EU law that prohibits profiling minors for advertising(New Scientist)
A miniature magnet rivals behemoths in strength for the first time 11. March 2026 (19:00) Strong magnets tend to be large and power-hungry, but a new design has produced a powerful magnet that fits in the palm of your hand, making it more practical and affordable(New Scientist)
King penguins are thriving in a warmer climate, but it may not last 11. March 2026 (19:00) Longer summers are allowing more king penguin chicks to bulk up and survive the winter, but the penguins' main fishing area is shifting further away as temperatures rise(New Scientist)
Maggie Aderin's dream: To walk by the footprints of Neil Armstrong 11. March 2026 (19:00) Space scientist Maggie Aderin talks telescopes, neurodiversity and being underestimated with Rowan Hooper on the New Scientist podcast, as her memoir Starchild comes out(New Scientist)
A glimpse into the rare earth riches of Greenland 11. March 2026 (19:00) Photographer Jonas Kako travelled to Greenland to explore how mining for the rare earth elements and minerals that are vital for new green technologies is impacting locals(New Scientist)
Why are we so obsessed with protein? A new book looks for answers 11. March 2026 (19:00) Samantha King and Gavin Weedon's new book Protein digs deep into the nutrient's role in our health. But can it tell you how much you should be eating? Alexandra Thompson explores(New Scientist)
Why a Peruvian mountain is becoming an 'impossible' particle detector 11. March 2026 (17:00) Deep canyons in the Andes are the perfect location to catch the most energetic particles in the universe. Carlos Argüelles-Delgado reveals how these intergalactic envoys could help prove the quantum nature of gravity(New Scientist)
