This paper should win a prize for its refusal to make any big claims 22. October 2025 (20:00) Feedback delights in a 2018 paper that takes care to warn us it reveals “nothing like super interesting”, and embarks on a quest to find more examples of disarming honesty(New Scientist)
Serum promotes hair growth by mimicking the effects of skin irritation 22. October 2025 (18:00) Skin irritation, such as through eczema, promotes hair growth in mice, which prompted scientists to create a treatment that works via similar pathways, with no discomfort required(New Scientist)
What 350 different theories of consciousness reveal about reality 22. October 2025 (18:00) There are hundreds of coherent theories attempting to explain the origins of experience. Robert Lawrence Kuhn explores what they reveal about free will, artificial intelligence and life after death(New Scientist)
Colour e-paper screen offers high-res video with low energy use 22. October 2025 (18:00) Future smartphones and other devices could have colour e-paper displays, thanks to a new technique that lets such screens display video while minimising energy usage(New Scientist)
How to nurture infant microbiomes for a lifetime of good mental health 22. October 2025 (13:49) The microbes that take hold in our bodies during early life have long-term effects on our brain health. Helen Thomson investigates how to get kids’ microbiomes off to the best start.(New Scientist)
Antidepressants vary widely in their physical side effects 22. October 2025 (01:30) Antidepressants can be very effective, but they also come with side effects that vary from one drug to the next, supporting the idea of more personalised prescriptions(New Scientist)
Exclusive: Climate scientists expect attempts to dim the sun by 2100 21. October 2025 (21:00) An exclusive New Scientist survey of leading scientists reveals widespread concern that schemes to tweak Earth’s atmosphere could launch within decades in a risky bid to cool the planet(New Scientist)
