A mysterious excess of gamma rays in the middle of the Milky Way may come from dark matter particles smashing into one another and annihilating
Author: hatman
There’s a simple way we could drastically cut AI energy use
If users chose the most efficient model each time they performed a task with AI, researchers calculate it would slash energy consumption by more than a quarter
Are biofuels a good idea? Only if you’re a farmer or shipping company
The rush to grow more biofuels continues, despite the fact they increase CO2 emissions rather than lower them, raise food prices and devastate nature. It has to stop, says Michael Le Page
Digital ID cards could be a disaster in the UK and beyond
The British government isn’t the only one looking to introduce digital ID cards. There is so much to worry about here, not least the threat of hacks, says Annalee Newitz
School phone bans may actually harm some students’ mental health
The evidence to support phone bans in schools has been inconclusive, and now it seems that the move could harm some students’ mental health in a particular way
Mathematicians have found a hidden ‘reset button’ for undoing rotation
Mathematicians thought that they understood how rotation works, but now a new proof has revealed a surprising twist that makes it possible to reset even a complex sequence of motion
Is it really likely that humans will go extinct in exactly 314 years?
Feedback isn’t entirely convinced by a new piece of research that claims by 2339 “there will be no humans”, even though the authors used three methods to make their calculation
There is a major psychological flaw in how society punishes people
Our experiments have revealed that we’re getting it wrong when it comes to crime and punishment. This is undermining society, say Raihan Alam and Tage Rai
New Scientist recommends Sheri S. Tepper’s science fiction novel Grass
The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week
Del Toro’s Frankenstein is a sumptuous take on a classic parable
With enthralling visuals and intense performances, this version of Mary Shelley’s sci-fi tale reminds us to ask not only if we can create life, but if we can live with our creations, says Davide Abbatescianni