Read an extract from Annie Bot by Sierra Greer 02. January 2026 (09:45) In this extract from the award-winning science fiction novel Annie Bot, the January read for the New Scientist Book Club, we are introduced to Sierra Greer's protagonist, a sex robot called Annie(New Scientist)
Chess can be made fairer by rearranging the pieces 01. January 2026 (20:00) 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(New Scientist)
The 3 things you should do this New Year to foster a positive mindset 01. January 2026 (10:00) Olivia Remes, a mental health researcher at the University of Cambridge, says these are the three things everyone should do this New Year to cultivate a more positive mindset(New Scientist)
Could 2026 be the year we start using quantum computers for chemistry? 31. December 2025 (18:00) Understanding the chemical properties of a molecule is an inherently quantum problem, making quantum computers a good tool for the job – and we may start seeing this take off in 2026(New Scientist)
Three supermassive black holes have been spotted merging into one 31. December 2025 (13:00) Astronomers have found a system of three supermassive black holes, all actively feeding, that appear to be combining into a single system – a rare event that will help elucidate the physics of complex mergers(New Scientist)
The duo kite-skiing 4000 kilometres across Antarctica for science 31. December 2025 (09:00) 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(New Scientist)
Controversial satellites launching in 2026 will reflect light to Earth 30. December 2025 (19:00) Reflect Orbital plans to launch thousands of reflective mirrors to produce "sunlight on demand", but researchers are sceptical about whether the reflected light will be enough to generate electricity(New Scientist)
