Abby Beall

The bombshell results that demand a new theory of the universe Last year, our most detailed map of the universe yet suggested our understanding of dark energy has been wrong for decades. The shock result is reigniting the search for a better cosmic story

Our latest special issue is all about dark energy, the mysterious force driving the universe apart, and how we might have got it wrong.

With input from loads of experts including Adam Riess, @astroroyalscot.bsky.social and many more.

Part one:
www.newscientist.com/article/2515...

In case you missed us I’ve pointed it out: THE WORLD, THE UNIVERSE AND US is playing Latitude this year! @cosmicshambles.com

Incredible reporting by @sparkes.bsky.social. "There is no greater incentive for speedy R&D than Russian soldiers fighting their way towards your city"

How Ukraine became a drone factory and invented the future of war Ukraine has responded to a war it didn’t start by creating an industry it doesn’t want, but could the nation's drone expertise help it rebuild? To learn more, New Scientist gained exclusive access to ...

Ukraine has responded to a war it didn’t start by creating an industry it doesn’t want. I travelled to Kyiv to tour the research labs, factories and military training schools behind the country’s drone defences. The pace and scale of it is incredible.

www.newscientist.com/article/2514...

Jeff Goldblum should make a film about this legendary mathematician Paul Erdős was one of the most prolific mathematicians to ever live, known for showing up at the door of others in the field and declaring they should host and feed him while they do maths together. H...

very on board with @jjaron.bsky.social's campaign for a biopic of Paul Erdős' life starring Jeff Goldblum www.newscientist.com/article/2514...

This is why we called PrEP one of the best ideas of the 21st century - truly a miracle of science www.newscientist.com/article/2510...

In which I mount my argument that effective altruism is one of the worst ideas the century so far…

The world, the universe and us From the evolution of intelligent life, to the mysteries of consciousness; from the threat of the climate crisis to the search for dark matter, The world, the universe and us is your essential weekly ...

The world, the universe and us is LIVE 🚨

@rowhoop.bsky.social, @abbybeall.bsky.social and the team on the 5 worst ideas of the 21st century:

📱 Social media
🪙 Bitcoin
🌳 Carbon off-sets
🙏 Effective altruism
⛽️ Biofuels

podfollow.com/the-world-th...

The 5 worst ideas of the 21st century – and how they went wrong Spotify video

Podcast: the worst ideas* of the 21st century
💥Social media
💥Bitcoin
💥Carbon offsets
💥Effective altruism
💥Alternative fuels
*(in science and tech)
open.spotify.com/episode/0Kbr...

We can rewrite our genetic code: Best ideas of the century Our genomes are filled with errors that were once impossible to correct. But in CRISPR, we finally found an extraordinarily powerful tool for treating genetic disease – and perhaps making better versi...

What's the best idea of the 21st century so far? It's CRISPR, of course! 🧪

Why? It's already making farming less damaging, could save your life and will transform our kid's genomes 🧬

www.newscientist.com/article/2510...

Really excited to share a new story format now live on @newscientist.com for our 21 best ideas of the 21st century special - explore the full issue here www.newscientist.com/article/2511...

Inside the sub-zero lair of the world's most powerful quantum computer Faisal Islam gets rare access to Willow - Google's quantum computer.

This is a shockingly bad piece, doing very little to actually inform readers about the current state of quantum computers. Don't let your economics editor write about cutting-edge science and technology! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Do you hate fad diets, gruelling exercise regimes and unachievable New Year's resolutions? We've found some easy changes you can make to your lifestyle that will still make a big difference to your health. And you'll actually enjoy them.

How to extend and improve your life by getting more creative Growing evidence reveals that creativity is one of the best-kept secrets for boosting your health. From live theatre to a quick crafting break, here’s how to harness the power of art in your everyday ...

"It’s probably the most enjoyable health tip you could be told, but the data supporting it has – to date – remained a bizarrely well-kept secret: engage in the arts."

www.newscientist.com/article/2506...

‘They didn’t de-extinct anything’: can Colossal’s genetically engineered animals ever be the real thing? The bioscience startup has attracted billions in investment – and a flurry of criticism, but founder tells the Guardian plans to bring back the woolly mammoth will not be derailed

Nice to see @newscientist.com stories @mjflepage.bsky.social and I did on Colossal highlighted in this @theguardian.com long read.

Biased take, obviously, but nobody cuts through the hype and explains the facts behind new science claims as well as New Scientist.

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

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?

Next up, seek out the profound emotion of social connection. Whether it's watching a cute video or being moved to tears by live music, @davidarobson.bsky.social has investigated how to get more kama muta into your life, and why you should want to: www.newscientist.com/article/2507...

How to extend and improve your life by getting more creative Growing evidence reveals that creativity is one of the best-kept secrets for boosting your health. From live theatre to a quick crafting break, here’s how to harness the power of art in your everyday ...

Secondly, get more creative! Growing evidence reveals that creativity is one of the best-kept secrets for boosting your health. From live theatre to a quick crafting break, how to harness the power of art in your everyday life: www.newscientist.com/article/2506...

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 of...

The first is to get more rest. We're not talking about sleep, but a state of deep relaxation that comes with profound well-being benefits. And most of us don't get enough of it. More on this by @carolinewilliamsci.bsky.social www.newscientist.com/article/2508...

If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed by the thought of New Year's resolutions, we at @newscientist.com have found some easy, fun and relaxing new habits you can vow to take on instead. And the good news is, they'll have a huge impact on your health.

Christmas Day Yahtzee will never be the same 😁

Science still produced many wonders in 2025 despite being under siege Though there were setbacks on climate change and funding for science this year, there was still plenty of amazing discoveries to marvel at

My end-of-year leader for 2025 is about the need to defend science against the encroaching darkness, not just because it is the best way to make sense of the world, but also because it is an endless source of wonder and whimsy www.newscientist.com/article/mg26...

Let's hope for a better 2026!

Too busy to meditate? Microdosing mindfulness has big health benefits Small bursts of mindfulness practices lasting a minute or less can have unexpected benefits for those with busy lives - here’s how

"Three breaths is all you need to tune into the present moment" - how small bursts of mindfulness practices lasting a minute or less can have unexpected benefits for those with busy lives, by @davidarobson.bsky.social www.newscientist.com/article/2502...

We’ve finally cracked how to make truly random numbers From machine learning to voting, the workings of the world demand randomisation, but true sources of randomness are surprisingly hard to find. Now quantum mechanics has supplied the answer

From machine learning to voting, the workings of the world demand randomisation, but true sources of randomness are surprisingly hard to find. Now quantum mechanics has supplied the answer - by @drmichaelbrooks.bsky.social

www.newscientist.com/article/2494...

The audacious quest to light up the sky with artificial auroras How a Finnish physicist named Karl Lemström once became obsessed with recreating the aurora borealis from scratch – and may have ended up creating something even more intriguing

this is a fascinating story by @grahamlawton.bsky.social about one of the most audacious scientific experiments ever attempted - a young physicist's quest to recreate the northern lights on the top of a mountain in northern Finland www.newscientist.com/article/2497...

What the family drama of interbreeding polar and grizzly bears reveals A hybrid grolar bear saga is unfolding in the Arctic, and the tale of this strange family has much to tell us about nature on our changing planet

our bumper holiday double issue hits the newsstands this weekend, which means our Christmas features are starting to come out! 🎅

here's one of my favourites, about the saga of a family of interbreeding polar and grizzly bears www.newscientist.com/article/2496...

I wrote a new book and here it is, out in the wild! a lovely Christmas present, perhaps, for any 7 to 12 year-olds interested in space or the stars... uk.bookshop.org/p/books/an-a...

I wrote about the ocean quahog, aka the Icelandic cyprine

One point to add about fake AI journalists: the people that will suffer most are young newbie journalists.

I’ve been writing for years and have an extensive footprint: no editor is going to think I’m AI.

But someone new, with few published stories, will necessarily look “less real”.

New Scientist is looking for someone to join our brilliant features team! preferably with expertise in evolution, ecology, human sciences and biology, but applicants with any science specialism are welcome www.dmgmedia.co.uk/careers/jobs...