Science & technology
Red planet
Wildfires are getting more frequent and more devastating
Climate change is accelerating the blaze
Cryptography
The world needs codes quantum computers can’t break
America’s standards agency thinks it has identified three
Carbon-based artforms
Why a new art gallery in Bangalore is important for Indian science
It aims to make research and tinkering more accessible to the public
Sleeper species
Climate change could reawaken harmful invasive plants
The sooner they can be weeded out, the better
Backprop in the brain
AI scientists are producing new theories of how the brain learns
The challenge for neuroscientists is how to test them
Rays of hope
Exposure to the sun’s UV radiation may be good for you
For now, though, keep the sun cream handy
Terraforming Mars
Engineered dust could help make Mars habitable
Restoring water on Mars may be easier than you think
Soft power
New batteries are stretchable enough to wear against the skin
They take their inspiration from electric eels
Purple patches
Lavender extract makes excellent mosquito-repellent
Scientists have turned it into clothing
Keeping your marbles
How to reduce the risk of developing dementia
A healthy lifestyle can prevent or delay almost half of cases
On your marks
GPT, Claude, Llama? How to tell which AI model is best
Beware model-makers marking their own homework