Artificial nervous system senses light and learns to catch like humans

A simple artificial nervous system is able to mimic the way humans respond to light and learn to perform basic tasks. The principle could extend to creating more useful robots and prostheses

The US plans to put a nuclear-powered rocket in orbit by 2025

The US is taking steps to put a rocket propelled using nuclear energy into orbit by 2025, paving the way for navigation in space to become much easier

Quantum computers are revealing an unexpected new theory of reality

A powerful new idea about how the laws of physics work could bring breakthroughs on everything from quantum gravity to consciousness, says researcher Chiara Marletto

The frequencies of a vibrating spider web have been made into music

A virtual reality experience converts the vibrations spiders feel on their webs into sound, giving us a sense of how spiders experience the world

Rescue plan for nature: How to fix the biodiversity crisis

We’ve been ravaging the planet’s ecosystems for too long, but crucial decisions this year could be the turning point that help us restore our relationship with nature

Vibrations from a smartphone can help us spot unsafe drinking water

A smartphone’s motion sensor and vibrating ringtone can be used to measure the viscosity of liquids, which can reveal impurities in water, and even test urine to diagnose kidney conditions or pregnancy

Animals with weird neurons may rewrite the story of brain evolution

The neurons of comb jellies are a peculiar shape and use chemicals not found in the brains of other animals – hinting they might have evolved independently of other neurons

Limiting fossil fuel use isn’t enough – we must stop extraction too

To limit climate change and meet even the modest goals of the Paris Agreement, governments need to focus less on reducing demand for fossil fuels and more on cutting the supply

Wasps with no social life may find it harder to recognise others

A species of social wasp can recognise its peers by patterns on their faces, but wasps raised in isolation experience less growth of the brain regions thought to be involved in the skill