This week's magazine

Table of contents

Leaders

Health

We must revisit the covid-19 pandemic to prepare for future outbreaks

It is tempting to lock memories of the height of covid-19 away but looking back is vital for preparing properly for the next pandemic

Comment

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News

Health

Will there be another pandemic after covid-19 and are we prepared?

Covid-19 is responsible for the deaths of millions of people around the world, but researchers fear the next global outbreak could be even worse, making it vital that we start preparing for that unknown pathogen now

News

Health

Five years on, have we learned the lessons of covid-19?

News

Health

The big unanswered questions about the covid-19 coronavirus

News

Health

Everything we know about long covid - including how to reduce the risk

News

Health

Covid-19 led to a new era of vaccines that could transform medicine

News

Health

The key events during the covid-19 pandemic

News

Health

5 graphs that show how the world suddenly changed when covid-19 hit

News

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Aperture

Health

Visualising a virus: How our covers captured an unfolding crisis

In the first two years of the covid-19 pandemic, numerous New Scientist covers were dedicated to the global emergency caused by the virus. Together, they tell a story of resilience and scientific achievement

Regulars

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Features

Mind

Why becoming the right kind of optimist can transform your health

Some kinds of optimism get us into trouble, but others help us prosper. Luckily, a few tricks can help you become the right kind of positive thinker and reap the rewards

Features

Humans

How DNA in dirt is reshaping our understanding of Stone Age humans

Features

Physics

Can we use quantum computers to test a radical consciousness theory?

Features

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Culture

Comment

The best sci-fi TV shows of all time, according to New Scientist

We asked our writers to pick their favourite science fiction television series. Here are the results, from Battlestar Galactica to Futurama

Culture

Comment

The best science fiction TV shows to look forward in 2025

Culture

Comment

The best science fiction movies to look forward to in 2025

Culture

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More

Health

How the covid-19 pandemic distorted our experience of time

Many of us experienced time differently in the pandemic. Learning why can help us, say Ruth Ogden and Patricia Kingori

Comment

Environment

There's a new way to make everyday products without using fossil fuels

Comment

Mathematics

This mathematical trick lets you work out the weekday of any date

Regulars

BrainTwister #54: New year, new numbers

Regulars

Tom Gauld on the best look for space

Regulars

Twisteddoodles on unusual scientific acronyms

Regulars

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Regulars

A New Year’s resolution nightmare and strange lights in the night sky

The truth is out there – about all those broken promises to better yourself and the odd case of the US politician and the UFOs that never were

Regulars

Regulars

Letters

Regulars

The last word