Has the answer to life's origins been hiding in our cells all along? | New Scientist

In every cell of your body, there are mysterious speckles. You need a microscope to see them, but if you peer closely, you will see lots of tiny dots: some sitting still, some moving around as if swept along in invisible currents.

This strange material can become strong or fall apart in seconds

A tightly compressed bundle of office staples can behave in a surprising way. Even though it is made of many separate pieces, the tangled mass can be difficult to pull apart and can act almost like a single solid object.

Oxford physicists just made Schrödinger’s cat even stranger

Researchers at the University of Oxford have created a new type of quantum superposition, a phenomenon often associated with the famous Schrödinger's cat thought experiment. Unlike previous versions, these newly demonstrated states are built from highly nonclassical quantum components. The achievement could help advance quantum computing beyond traditional binary systems, improve sensing technologies, and provide new insights into the foundations of quantum physics.

Scientists crack a decades-old CO2 problem and triple fuel production

Converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into methanol is widely viewed as a promising way to recycle carbon resources. However, scientists have long faced a difficult challenge when trying to improve the process.

A dying star could create a new universe instead of a black hole

Massive stars produce light and heat through nuclear fusion, a process that releases enormous amounts of energy from their cores. Eventually, however, the largest stars run out of fuel. Once that happens, the outward pressure generated by radiation is no longer strong enough to resist gravity. The star begins collapsing under its own weight, theoretically continuing until all of its mass is compressed into a single point known as a singularity.

Alien planet spins revealed a hidden clue to how worlds form

Astronomers have long suspected that a planet's mass and its rotation speed are linked. In our own Solar System, Jupiter and Saturn provide striking examples. Despite their enormous size, both complete a full rotation in about 10 hours and account for a large share of the Solar System's total rotational energy.

Dark energy survives major challenge as universe keeps accelerating

Astronomers say a recent challenge to one of the most important discoveries in modern cosmology has been resolved, with new research confirming that the universe is still expanding at an accelerating rate.

Liminal review: Brian Eno and Beatie Wolfe discuss their new spacebound album, Liminal | New Scientist

Liminal
Brian Eno and Beatie Wolfe, Verve Records

Quantum 2.0 review: An ambitious look at quantum physics is fun - but overdoes it a little | New Scientist

Physics of light and magnetism rewritten after almost two centuries | New Scientist

Physics

An experiment 180 years ago first demonstrated a connection between light and electromagnetism – but the link is deeper than we thought

19 November 2025