Fire is spreading in the Chernobyl exclusion zone after drone crash 08. May 2026 (17:07) A drone has crashed in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, causing a fire that has spread to 12 square kilometres of land. Dry weather, strong winds and the presence of land mines are complicating efforts to bring the blaze under control(New Scientist)
There’s a been a sudden increase in the rate of sea level rise 08. May 2026 (16:08) Satellite measurements show that in the early 2010s sea level rise suddenly accelerated to a rate of 4.1 millimetres per year, possibly in response to an increase in the rate of global warming(New Scientist)
There has been a sudden increase in the rate of sea level rise 08. May 2026 (16:08) Satellite measurements show that in the early 2010s sea level rise suddenly accelerated to a rate of 4.1 millimetres per year, possibly in response to an increase in the rate of global warming(New Scientist)
Neanderthal 'kneeprint' found next to mysterious stalagmite circle 08. May 2026 (12:11) An impression made in clay around 175,000 years ago could be a kneeprint left by one of the builders of a strange stalagmite circle found deep inside Bruniquel cave in south-west France(New Scientist)
The mathematician who doesn’t exist 08. May 2026 (11:00) A secret society of French mathematicians has been revolutionising the field of mathematics under a pseudonym for nearly a century. Columnist Jacob Aron finds that this mythic collective provided maths a rigorous and useful foundation, and did some real harm along the way(New Scientist)
Hantavirus outbreak will not cause a covid-style pandemic, says WHO 07. May 2026 (18:40) The World Health Organization sought to quell worldwide fears over the hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius and reassure the public that the risk of widespread transmission is low(New Scientist)
Coffee's mood-boosting effects aren't just down to caffeine 07. May 2026 (17:00) A comprehensive study exploring coffee’s physiological effects finds that some of its benefits are down to polyphenols and their influence on gut bacteria(New Scientist)
The best new popular science books of May 2026 07. May 2026 (13:00) A guide to walking, a look at the world’s Google searches and a deep dive into the secrets of our DNA are some of the topics tackled by the popular science books out this month(New Scientist)
