New Scientist Australian Edition 1-Oct-22

Tour Costa Rica: The science of biodiversity Join broadcaster Gaia Vince on an expedition to explore Costa Rica’s fascinating ecosystems, including cloud forests, volcanic zones and marine reserves. Twelve days from 29 November, for £5249. newscientist.com/tours Video Building on the fly Check out drones working together to create 3D-printed cylinder structures made of foam or cement. The experiments are paving the way for a future where swarms of drones could help construct extremely tall or intricate structures. youtube.com/newscientist Newsletter Wild Wild Life News and digital director Penny Sarchet asks what exactly is a species? Why is it so hard to define? And is that a problem or even a good thing? She also brings news from the deep biosphere, which is the largest habitat you’ve never heard of. newscientist.com/sign-up Essential…

Tour Costa Rica: The science of biodiversity Join broadcaster Gaia Vince on an expedition to explore Costa Rica’s fascinating ecosystems, including cloud forests, volcanic zones and marine reserves. Twelve days from 29 November, for £5249. newscientist.com/tours Video Building on the fly Check out drones working together to create 3D-printed cylinder structures made of foam or cement. The experiments are paving the way for a future where swarms of drones could help construct extremely tall or intricate structures. youtube.com/newscientist Newsletter Wild Wild Life News and digital director Penny Sarchet asks what exactly is a species? Why is it so hard to define? And is that a problem or even a good thing? She also brings news from the deep biosphere, which is the largest habitat you’ve never heard of. newscientist.com/sign-up Essential guide The Solar System How does the sun work? Why does the moon matter?…

Dear readers, At New Scientist, we believe that science is the best tool we have for understanding our universe (or, possibly, universes) and all the extraordinary wonders that it (or they) may contain. We also believe that science and technology provide us with the best tools we have for tackling the very real challenges our world now faces. All of this and more will be explored at our big live show at the ExCeL London, starting next week. This year, we have got four main stages: Mind and Body, Our Planet, The Future and The Universe, each offering fascinating talks from some of the world’s top scientists and technologists. On the exhibition floor, there will be numerous activities to try your hand at, exhibits to pore over and chances to meet the scientists,…

Dear readers, At New Scientist, we believe that science is the best tool we have for understanding our universe (or, possibly, universes) and all the extraordinary wonders that it (or they) may contain. We also believe that science and technology provide us with the best tools we have for tackling the very real challenges our world now faces. All of this and more will be explored at our big live show at the ExCeL London, starting next week. This year, we have got four main stages: Mind and Body, Our Planet, The Future and The Universe, each offering fascinating talks from some of the world’s top scientists and technologists. On the exhibition floor, there will be numerous activities to try your hand at, exhibits to pore over and chances to…

THERE can be few things more debilitating than going to bed, after a long and tiring day, and being unable to drift off. The harder you try to fall asleep, the more difficult it becomes – a vicious cycle of unwanted wakefulness that takes a significant toll on the lives of millions. But it doesn’t have to be this way, because a new, more nuanced understanding of insomnia has made it a solvable problem, as we report in our cover story on page 38. Underlying this improved understanding is the recognition that there isn’t one type of insomnia but many – a departure from the standard “one-size-fits-all” approach to the diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems, which is failing. This recent progress on insomnia, built on identifying the different types and…

WORRIES are rising that wildlife could be in the firing line of the new UK Conservative government bid to boost economic growth. The administration’s “minibudget”, unveiled by chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng on 23 September, included plans to set up low-tax investment zones with relaxed planning restrictions in parts of England. Separately, it has also emerged that it is likely to ditch plans under which farmers and landowners in England would be paid for helping preserve and enhance areas for wildlife. This has led to a widespread outcry from environmentalists. “This government has today launched an attack on nature,” the UK’s Royal Society for the Protection of Birds stated on 23 September. “If they carry out their plans, nowhere will be safe.” “Rather than ramp up action to support our environment, this government appears, however, to…