Weekly Newsletter

Like what you see? Subscribe today to gain unlimited access to all our subscriber only content.

Philip Saltonstall

Nuclear fusion reaction releases almost twice the energy put in

The US National Ignition Facility has achieved even higher energy yields since breaking even for the first time in 2022, but a practical fusion reactor is still a long way off. Read more

Ancient Herculaneum scroll piece revealed by AI – here's what it says

A Greek philosopher’s musings on pleasure, contained in ancient papyrus scrolls buried by Mount Vesuvius’s eruption 2000 years ago, have been rediscovered with the help of AI. Read more

Asteroid sampled by NASA may once have been part of an ocean world

A sample from the asteroid Bennu, brought back by the OSIRIS-REx mission, contains hints that it was once part of a planetesimal with conditions favourable for life to emerge. Read more

Dayarathne MC et al. (2020)

Could mysterious marine fungi save us from antibiotic resistance?

DNA sampling is revealing fungi thriving throughout the oceans, from hydrothermal vents to the open seas. They might even help tackle antibiotic resistance and clear up plastic pollution. Read more

The science and side effects behind the semaglutide weight loss drugs

The semaglutide-based medicines can help people who are obese or overweight to quickly lose weight but have also been linked to side effects such as hair loss and possibly suicidal thoughts. Read more

Why fully remote workplaces mean more loneliness – and more sick days

Hybrid working has its benefits, but employees will be happier and more productive with more face-to-face contact, says evolutionary psychologist Robin Dunbar. Read more

This week's free premium article

As a registered user you have free access to this subscriber-only article. Simply log in to your account to start reading.

Bizarre worm lizard not seen for 90 years found by landmine removers

A subspecies of the Somali sharp-snouted worm lizard was found by a landmine clearance team, the first official sighting since 1931. Read more

Get instant access to our coverage of the latest scientific breakthroughs, including physicists’ efforts to find a single framework that describes the whole of reality – particles, forces and all.