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Columnist

Tackling topics from the cutting edge of dark matter research to the latest developments in the tech world, explore the incisive opinions of New Scientist's expert columnists.

Space

How a space elevator could make trips to the moon affordable for all

Our Future Chronicles column explores an imagined history of inventions and developments yet to come. We journey to 2055, when a space elevator from the moon’s surface to near-Earth orbit was completed, opening space travel to all

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T85947 Space elevator, illustration

Technology

The forgotten civil engineer with a vision we could all learn from

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Name Wilbur, John

Environment

Putting food waste in the bin felt wrong until I learned where it went

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2AFX2PH aerial view of Allerton Waste Recovery Park, on the A1(M) near Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK
2C6F140 Atoms and their electron clouds , Quantum mechanics and atomic structure

Physics

You can't put a price on the sense of awe particle physics inspires

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2M2WTDW Islands of floating algae. Seaweed Brown Sargassum floating on surface of the water, sun's rays breaking through the thick grass. Underwater shot

Environment

Could seaweed be the ultimate carbon capture solution?

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San Francisco, CA, USA - September 15, 2024: Waymo self driving taxi driving in downtown San Francisco; Shutterstock ID 2517479849; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Technology

How a ride in a friendly Waymo saw me fall for robotaxis

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C8FAG5 York Minster, northern Europe's largest Gothic cathedral, York, Yorkshire, England,UK

Environment

Why we may be getting urban tree planting all wrong

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Simulation of a black hole

Space

What does it mean to “look” at a black hole?

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Portrait of robot dog sitting on wooden floor, 3d rendering

Technology

Fast forward to the fluffy revolution, when robot pets win our hearts

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F6M33H RELEASE DATE: Dec 18, 2007. ORIGINAL MOVIE TITLE: Blade Runner: The Final Cut. STUDIO: World Artists. PLOT: Twenty-five years after the initial release of BLADE RUNNER, director Ridley Scott uses archival footage to re-create his original vision for the sci-fi classic. Based on a story by Philip K. Dick, the film is set in Los Angeles in 2019. Earth has become a polluted and miserable dystopia, and many people have fled to live 'Off World' on other planets. This dreary vision of the future features replicants: lifelike robots built as slaves for human use. When a replicant escapes his owner, a

Society

Why we need to fight back against sexy Asian lady robots

Techno-Orientalism is a strand of futurism that condemns and erases Asian cultural power. We need to eradicate it, says Annalee Newitz

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AYBGY1 GM crops biohazard warning maize

Environment

How genetically modified crops could feed us and help safeguard nature

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Atomic molecule on blackboard; Shutterstock ID 635006972; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Physics

We physicists could learn a lot by stepping beyond our specialisms

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Close up Shot of a Lab-Grown Cultured Vegan Meat Sample Held by the Scientist in Blue Glove. Medical Scientist Working on Plant-Based Beef Substitute for Vegetarians in Modern Food Science Laboratory.; Shutterstock ID 1919496239; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Technology

How Star Trek-style replicators could lead to a food revolution

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US Election AI Deepfake and American media Deepfakes or political deep fake artificial intelligence disinformation as a fake American candidate concept as false news in a 3D illustration style.; Shutterstock ID 2438479109; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Technology

We need transparency from the companies disseminating misinformation

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