Archives

What is artificial blood and why is the UK going to trial it?

Jun 25, 2015 | Health, Journalism

Artificial blood will soon be tested in the UK for the first time. New Scientist takes a look at how – and why – this blood is made. Image: Andrew Mason

Our eye sockets give us a wider field of view than other apes

Jun 25, 2015 | Evolution, Human Origins, Journalism

Among primates, humans are the kings of lateral thinking – and also of lateral vision. It seems that the shape of our eye sockets means we can view more of our world without moving our head than other great apes. Image: Trevor Butcher – Artist

IUCN list shows no new extinctions – but they loom large

Jun 23, 2015 | Conservation, Journalism, Life

Good news or bad? The latest update to the IUCN Red List shows many species are in decline – but no additions to the Extinct category. Even so, evidence is growing that the world is entering another period of mass extinction. Image: Austronesian Expeditions

Can anything live forever?

Jun 22, 2015 | Featured, Journalism, Life

Some species are classed as biologically immortal. They can be killed by a predator, a disease, or a catastrophic change in the environment such as an erupting volcano. But unlike humans, they rarely die simply because they get old. Image: ah zut

DNA study backs Native American claim to Kennewick Man remains

Jun 18, 2015 | Human Origins, Journalism

Kennewick Man, perhaps the most controversial of all North American archaeological finds, has finally had his DNA sequenced. The results suggest he is closely related to Native Americans – and could even be a direct ancestor of some living populations. Image: Mikal Schlosser