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In this week’s issue: What if the idea of the autism spectrum is completely wrong?
Grab a copy in shops now or download our app for digital editions. newscientist.com/issue/3577/
Grab a copy in shops now or download our app for digital editions. newscientist.com/issue/3577/
The US government is approving the drug leucovorin to address rising rates of autism, despite limited evidence that it works. This year, results from the largest trial yet should give more insight into its potential
2026 will shed light on whether a little-known drug helps with autism
The US government is approving the drug leucovorin to address rising rates of autism, despite limited evidence that it works. This year, results from the largest trial yet should give more insight into its potential
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:24 PM
The US government is approving the drug leucovorin to address rising rates of autism, despite limited evidence that it works. This year, results from the largest trial yet should give more insight into its potential
A man’s severe reaction to a tattoo, which made all his hair fall out and destroyed his sweat glands, has reignited concerns about the immune effects of some tattoo inks
Red tattoo ink causes man to lose all his hair and stop sweating
A man’s severe reaction to a tattoo, which made all his hair fall out and destroyed his sweat glands, has reignited concerns about the immune effects of some tattoo inks
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:38 PM
A man’s severe reaction to a tattoo, which made all his hair fall out and destroyed his sweat glands, has reignited concerns about the immune effects of some tattoo inks
A woman's body has been found to consist of varying proportions of male and female cells because of an extremely rare form of chimerism
Murder victim discovered to have two sets of DNA due to rare condition
A woman's body has been found to consist of varying proportions of male and female cells because of an extremely rare form of chimerism
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:11 PM
A woman's body has been found to consist of varying proportions of male and female cells because of an extremely rare form of chimerism
A preliminary analysis suggests that industrially useful quantum computers designs come with a broad spectrum of energy footprints, including some larger than the most powerful existing supercomputers
Some quantum computers might need more power than supercomputers
A preliminary analysis suggests that industrially useful quantum computers designs come with a broad spectrum of energy footprints, including some larger than the most powerful existing supercomputers
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 7:31 PM
A preliminary analysis suggests that industrially useful quantum computers designs come with a broad spectrum of energy footprints, including some larger than the most powerful existing supercomputers
In 1892, astronomer Edward Emerson Barnard thought he saw a bright star near Venus, but then it vanished. We may now know why
Star that seemed to vanish more than 130 years ago is found again
In 1892, astronomer Edward Emerson Barnard thought he saw a bright star near Venus, but then it vanished. We may now know why
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:59 PM
In 1892, astronomer Edward Emerson Barnard thought he saw a bright star near Venus, but then it vanished. We may now know why
Satellite photos show meltwater on the surface of iceberg A23a collecting in an unusual way, which may be a sign that the huge berg is about to break apart
City-sized iceberg has turned into a giant swimming pool
Satellite photos show meltwater on the surface of iceberg A23a collecting in an unusual way, which may be a sign that the huge berg is about to break apart
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Satellite photos show meltwater on the surface of iceberg A23a collecting in an unusual way, which may be a sign that the huge berg is about to break apart
It has been claimed that because most of our DNA is active, it must be important, but now human-plant hybrid cells have been used to show this activity is mostly random noise
Human-plant hybrid cells reveal truth about dark DNA in our genome
It has been claimed that because most of our DNA is active, it must be important, but now human-plant hybrid cells have been used to show this activity is mostly random noise
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:07 PM
It has been claimed that because most of our DNA is active, it must be important, but now human-plant hybrid cells have been used to show this activity is mostly random noise
An explorer and a glaciologist are kite-skiing across Antarctica with a ground-penetrating radar to gather data that will help understand the past and future of the ice sheet
The duo kite-skiing 4000 kilometres across Antarctica for science
An explorer and a glaciologist are kite-skiing across Antarctica with a ground-penetrating radar to gather data that will help understand the past and future of the ice sheet
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:39 PM
An explorer and a glaciologist are kite-skiing across Antarctica with a ground-penetrating radar to gather data that will help understand the past and future of the ice sheet
We are going to be getting a lot of exciting new information about galaxies in 2026, says Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, who can't wait to see what it can tell us
I'm calling it – 2026 is going to be the year of the galaxy
We are going to be getting a lot of exciting new information about galaxies in 2026, says Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, who can't wait to see what it can tell us
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:24 PM
We are going to be getting a lot of exciting new information about galaxies in 2026, says Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, who can't wait to see what it can tell us
The Prudhoe ice dome disappeared during a warm period 7000 years ago. Global warming could cause similar temperatures by 2100, showing the Greenland ice sheet’s vulnerability
Northern Greenland ice dome melted before and could melt again
The Prudhoe ice dome disappeared during a warm period 7000 years ago. Global warming could cause similar temperatures by 2100, showing the Greenland ice sheet’s vulnerability
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:48 PM
The Prudhoe ice dome disappeared during a warm period 7000 years ago. Global warming could cause similar temperatures by 2100, showing the Greenland ice sheet’s vulnerability
Big hitter Peter F. Hamilton has a new sci-fi novel out this month – and Booker winner George Saunders ventures into speculative fiction with his latest book, Vigil
The best new science fiction books of January 2026
Big hitter Peter F. Hamilton has a new sci-fi novel out this month – and Booker winner George Saunders ventures into speculative fiction with his latest book, Vigil
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Big hitter Peter F. Hamilton has a new sci-fi novel out this month – and Booker winner George Saunders ventures into speculative fiction with his latest book, Vigil
Reposted by New Scientist
You may be familiar with the mood-boost that comes with exercise - now a major review confirms that even light physical activity, like walking, can ease depression symptoms as effectively as talking therapies or antidepressants.
www.newscientist.com/article/2510...
www.newscientist.com/article/2510...
Exercise may relieve depression as effectively as antidepressants
A comprehensive review confirms the benefits of exercise for treating depression, even if the exact reasons remain unclear
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:18 PM
You may be familiar with the mood-boost that comes with exercise - now a major review confirms that even light physical activity, like walking, can ease depression symptoms as effectively as talking therapies or antidepressants.
www.newscientist.com/article/2510...
www.newscientist.com/article/2510...
Reposted by New Scientist
People who stop taking obesity drugs tend to regain the weight they've lost within 1.7 years, emphasising how obesity is a chronic condition that requires long-term treatment.
www.newscientist.com/article/2510...
www.newscientist.com/article/2510...
Weight regain seems to occur within 2 years of stopping obesity drugs
Drugs like Ozempic have transformed how we treat obesity, but a review of almost 40 studies shows it doesn't take long for people to regain weight if they come off them
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:14 PM
People who stop taking obesity drugs tend to regain the weight they've lost within 1.7 years, emphasising how obesity is a chronic condition that requires long-term treatment.
www.newscientist.com/article/2510...
www.newscientist.com/article/2510...
A soldier returned from the Sahara desert in 1916 with a wild story about a meteorite that dwarfed all others. Over 100 years of hunting yielded nothing – but now twin brothers think they have solved the puzzle
The century-long hunt for the gigantic meteorite that vanished
A soldier returned from the Sahara desert in 1916 with a wild story about a meteorite that dwarfed all others. Over 100 years of hunting yielded nothing – but now twin brothers think they have solved the puzzle
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:05 PM
A soldier returned from the Sahara desert in 1916 with a wild story about a meteorite that dwarfed all others. Over 100 years of hunting yielded nothing – but now twin brothers think they have solved the puzzle
Astronomers were puzzled by a black hole around 50 million times the mass of the sun with no stars, spotted by the James Webb Space Telescope – now simulations suggest it could be a primordial black hole, something we have never seen before
Gargantuan black hole may be a remnant from the dawn of the universe
Astronomers were puzzled by a black hole around 50 million times the mass of the sun with no stars, spotted by the James Webb Space Telescope – now simulations suggest it could be a primordial black hole, something we have never seen before
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Astronomers were puzzled by a black hole around 50 million times the mass of the sun with no stars, spotted by the James Webb Space Telescope – now simulations suggest it could be a primordial black hole, something we have never seen before
There is a state of relaxation that few of us spend much time in, but which comes with profound well-being benefits. With healthier ageing, reduced risk of disease and feeling more energised all on offer, here's how to get there
Low on energy? A new understanding of rest could help revitalise you
There is a state of relaxation that few of us spend much time in, but which comes with profound well-being benefits. With healthier ageing, reduced risk of disease and feeling more energised all on offer, here's how to get there
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:03 PM
There is a state of relaxation that few of us spend much time in, but which comes with profound well-being benefits. With healthier ageing, reduced risk of disease and feeling more energised all on offer, here's how to get there
The warm and fuzzy emotion of kama muta underlies vital feel-good experiences like social connection and feeling part of something bigger. But are you getting enough of it?
The emotion you never knew you had, and how to feel more of it
The warm and fuzzy emotion of kama muta underlies vital feel-good experiences like social connection and feeling part of something bigger. But are you getting enough of it?
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:30 PM
The warm and fuzzy emotion of kama muta underlies vital feel-good experiences like social connection and feeling part of something bigger. But are you getting enough of it?
There is a growing trend to see our relationship with nature as a spiritual thing. This is a mistake, argues Richard Smyth
Why connecting with nature shouldn't mean disconnecting from science
There is a growing trend to see our relationship with nature as a spiritual thing. This is a mistake, argues Richard Smyth
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:09 PM
There is a growing trend to see our relationship with nature as a spiritual thing. This is a mistake, argues Richard Smyth
AI models such as ChatGPT and Gemini fail to give adequate advice for 60 per cent of queries relating to women’s health in a test created by medical professionals
AI chatbots miss urgent issues in queries about women's health
AI models such as ChatGPT and Gemini fail to give adequate advice for 60 per cent of queries relating to women’s health in a test created by medical professionals
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:51 AM
AI models such as ChatGPT and Gemini fail to give adequate advice for 60 per cent of queries relating to women’s health in a test created by medical professionals
Chess960 involves shuffling the pieces at the back of the board, and an analysis suggests doing so can increase the complexity of the game to favour white, black or neither player
Chess can be made fairer by rearranging the pieces
Chess960 involves shuffling the pieces at the back of the board, and an analysis suggests doing so can increase the complexity of the game to favour white, black or neither player
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:04 AM
Chess960 involves shuffling the pieces at the back of the board, and an analysis suggests doing so can increase the complexity of the game to favour white, black or neither player
From Fallout and Gen Z Star Trek to the classic Neuromancer, you will be glued to the TV this year, says TV columnist Bethan Ackerley
The best new science-fiction shows of 2026
From Fallout and Gen Z Star Trek to the classic Neuromancer, you will be glued to the TV this year, says TV columnist Bethan Ackerley
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:46 AM
From Fallout and Gen Z Star Trek to the classic Neuromancer, you will be glued to the TV this year, says TV columnist Bethan Ackerley
An analysis of ongoing trials suggests that mRNA cancer vaccines have the potential to deliver health benefits worth $75 billion each year in the US alone
Benefits of mRNA cancer vaccines could exceed $75 billion in US alone
An analysis of ongoing trials suggests that mRNA cancer vaccines have the potential to deliver health benefits worth $75 billion each year in the US alone
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:13 AM
An analysis of ongoing trials suggests that mRNA cancer vaccines have the potential to deliver health benefits worth $75 billion each year in the US alone
In this week’s issue: What if the idea of the autism spectrum is completely wrong?
Grab a copy in shops now or download our app for digital editions. newscientist.com/issue/3577/
Grab a copy in shops now or download our app for digital editions. newscientist.com/issue/3577/
January 8, 2026 at 9:56 AM
In this week’s issue: What if the idea of the autism spectrum is completely wrong?
Grab a copy in shops now or download our app for digital editions. newscientist.com/issue/3577/
Grab a copy in shops now or download our app for digital editions. newscientist.com/issue/3577/
The ideas presented in George Lakoff and Srini Narayanan's The Neural Mind are fascinating, but the writing is far less compelling
Can a new book crack one of neuroscience's hardest problems? Not quite
The ideas presented in George Lakoff and Srini Narayanan's The Neural Mind are fascinating, but the writing is far less compelling
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:45 AM
The ideas presented in George Lakoff and Srini Narayanan's The Neural Mind are fascinating, but the writing is far less compelling
Mathematician Katie Steckles explains just why the proliferation of snowflake decorations this time of year is deeply annoying
Why we all need a little festive pedantry when it comes to snowflakes
Mathematician Katie Steckles explains just why the proliferation of snowflake decorations this time of year is deeply annoying
www.newscientist.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:07 AM
Mathematician Katie Steckles explains just why the proliferation of snowflake decorations this time of year is deeply annoying