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