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Stay informed with commentary and opinion pieces on the latest issues in science, technology, health and the environment, written by expert 91av journalists and world-leading researchers and thinkers.

PPW5E4 The Nose art installation in St. Lorenz, Austria

Health

How we could achieve dog-level sense of smell – and what it would mean

Our Future Chronicles column explores an imagined history of inventions yet to come – this time how, by the mid-21st century, many people were opting for a "nose job" that would supercharge their sense of smell. Rowan Hooper is our guide.

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Concept art of nature freedom motivation spiritual soul mind dream success brain and hope , conceptual idea artwork, surreal painting man with happiness of landscape nature in a door, illustration; Shutterstock ID 2076399217; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Mind

Understanding conscious experience isn’t beyond the realm of science

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High quality 3D rendered image, perfectly usable for topics related to big data, global networks, international flight routes or the spread of a pandemic / computer virus. Textures courtesy of NASA: https://visibleearth.nasa.gov/images/55167/earths-city-lights, https://visibleearth.nasa.gov/images/73934/topography

Technology

How Moore’s law led us to a flawed vision of the future

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Colorectal cancer cells. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of cancer cells from the human colon (large intestine). Cancer of the colon is also known as colorectal cancer. Symptoms include rectal bleeding and abdominal pain. Treatment is with surgery to remove the affected area. Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers in the Western world. Magnification: x 3000 when printed 10 centimetres wide.

Health

Health scares for a new generation must be tackled with solid science

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Environment

We need a global environmental court – and we need it now

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Physics

Why exactly is the quantum world so weird?

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Technology

Why humanoid robots are missing the point

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Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) perched on Bempton cliffs. Yorkshire, UK. Cute bird portrait in spring.; Shutterstock ID 2162124261; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Environment

A spat over sand eels threatens puffins and other iconic seabirds

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2FMXX1B USA. Jeff Goldblum in a scene from (C)Universal Pictures film: Jurassic Park (1993). Plot: A pragmatic paleontologist visiting an almost complete theme park is tasked with protecting a couple of kids after a power failure causes the park's cloned dinosaurs to run loose. Director: Steven Spielberg Ref: LMK110-J7096-110521 Supplied by LMKMEDIA. Editorial Only. Landmark Media is not the copyright owner of these Film or TV stills but provides a service only for recognised Media outlets. pictures@lmkmedia.com

Life

How to think about the most contentious ideas in science

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Physics

How does astronomy fit into astrophysics – and does it matter?

We need to think more carefully about how we categorise the universe, says Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

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Technology

Why I’m deeply sceptical about comparisons between humans and machines

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Life

The 7 most consequential moments in the history of everything

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Technology

How the future rise of AI lawyers could force Big Oil to pay up

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Technology

Dating apps should fix their problems before saddling us with new ones

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