Colin | Colin Barras

Don’t wear your iPod in a thunderstorm

Jul 14, 2007 | Technology

New Scientist Image: bscoder Gadget enthusiasts might want to check the weather forecast before...

China is sinner and saint of paper industry

Jul 13, 2007 | Journalism

New Scientist Image: g_kat26 ‘Could do better’ seems a harsh verdict on a country that...

Jellyfish mucus perfect for cosmetics

Jul 10, 2007 | Health, Journalism, Technology

New Scientist Image: Sam Howzit The mucus produced by jellyfish is rich in a compound that is...

Zooplankton move in time to the moon’s tune

Jul 8, 2007 | Animal Behaviour, Evolution, Journalism

How do ocean animals that live below the depth to which moonlight penetrates migrate in phase with the moon? Zooplankton travel up and down the water column despite remaining at or below 800 metres – moonlight penetrates no deeper than 150 metres. Image: lrargerich

Rats influenced by the kindness of strangers

Jul 6, 2007 | Animal Behaviour, Evolution, Journalism, Life

If rats benefit from the kindness of strangers they are more likely to assist an unfamiliar rat in future. In doing so, they provide the first evidence of an unusual form of altruism that appears to violate evolutionary theory. Image: Capt’ Gorgeous