'Knitted' satellite launching to monitor Earth's surface with radar 09. January 2026 (14:00) A standard industrial knitting machine has been modified to produce fabrics from tungsten wire coated in gold, which are used to form the dish on the CarbSAR satellite(New Scientist)
Tree bark microbiome has important overlooked role in climate 08. January 2026 (20:00) Tree bark has a total surface area similar to all of the land area on Earth. It is home to a wide range of microbial species unknown to science, and they can either take up or emit gases that have a warming effect on the climate(New Scientist)
Some quantum computers might need more power than supercomputers 08. January 2026 (18:00) 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(New Scientist)
City-sized iceberg has turned into a giant swimming pool 08. January 2026 (16:00) 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(New Scientist)
Red tattoo ink causes man to lose all his hair and stop sweating 08. January 2026 (14:00) 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(New Scientist)
Weight regain seems to occur within 2 years of stopping obesity drugs 08. January 2026 (00:30) 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(New Scientist)
Hunting with poison arrows may have begun 60,000 years ago in Africa 07. January 2026 (20:00) A collection of arrow points excavated in South Africa has provided the oldest direct evidence of hunters deploying plant-based poisons on their weapons, a practice that has continued into modern times in some traditional cultures(New Scientist)
The best new science-fiction shows of 2026 07. January 2026 (19:00) 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(New Scientist)
