BBC Science Focus Magazine

With accessible features illustrated with the world’s best photography, BBC Focus Magazine explains the theory behind scientific phenomena and really brings science to life. In every issue you’ll find news of the latest major scientific developments, a lively Q&A section plus exclusive and astonishing photographic reports that range from the breathtaking to the downright odd.

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ON THE BBC THIS MONTH…

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BBC Science Focus Magazine

DISCOVERIES

A GENE NAMED AFTER SONIC THE HEDGEHOG IS ALL THAT SEPARATES SCALES FROM FEATHERS • A recent discovery shows that changes in an unusually named gene can turn a scaly animal into a feathered one

Why ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’?

BREAKTHROUGH STUDY REVEALS SHOW SUPER-MASSIVE DINOSAURS GOT SO BIG • The sauropods were the largest animals to ever walk on Earth. A new study explains how they got that way

YOUR DNA IS TURNING UP IN PLACES YOU LEAST EXPECT IT • A new study reveals human DNA can be retrieved from almost anywhere and be used to identify you

CYBORG FISH SHOWS SCIENTISTS HOW BRAINS HANDLE NAVIGATION • Researchers finally explain how fish learn and remember their environment… despite their reputation for having a bad memory

DARK EARTH: SCIENTISTS UNVEIL A NEW 'SECRET WEAPON' TO COMBAT DEFORESTATION • Ancient soil from the heart of the Amazon could help restore the planet’s depleted rainforests

THIS MACHINE CAN READ YOUR MIND AND TRANSLATE HOW YOU SEE THE WORLD • Neurotechnologists have developed a decoder that can reconstruct what you’re seeing, thinking and imagining… and put it into words

What does this mean for brain privacy?

ALIENS COULD SOON DETECT LIFE ON EARTH, ALL THANKS TO OUR MOBILE PHONE MASTS • Only aliens with more advanced technology than us would be able to 'eavesdrop' on the signals transmitted on Earth. But apparently that’s more likely than you might think

THE FUTURE'S BRIGHT… • As a remedy for all the bad news out there, let us prescribe you a small dose of feel-good science. Each issue, we’ll give you a rundown of the latest breakthroughs that aim to solve humanity’s biggest problems. From virtual reality devices that could help amnesia sufferers to fuels made via photosynthesis, here you’ll find many reasons to feel hopeful about our future…

YEARS TO GO

THE RISE OF E-FUELS • Synthetic fuels could make transport more sustainable… but at a price

SEE INSIDE THE MOSQUITO ARENA BUILT TO TEST HOW THE MALARIASPREADING BUGS HUNT HUMANS • Welcome to what could be the worst campsite ever - where mozzies are guaranteed

WHY SCHRÖDINGER'S CAT IS STILL THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL THOUGHT EXPERIMENT IN SCIENCE • Nearly a century after its formulation, the paradox remains hotly debated among researchers

COULD DELAYING YOUR MENOPAUSE BE BETTER FOR YOUR HEALTH? • The 'change' is a turning point in women’s lives that we still don’t fully understand

THE IDEA THAT WE ONLY USE 10 PER CENT OF OUR BRAINS IS A MYTH THAT NEEDS TO DIE • The myth has been around for over a century and as well as being utter nonsense, it’s also potentially dangerous

REALITY CHECK • THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE HEADLINES

SPACEFLIGHT: SHOULD THE FIRST CREW TO TRAVEL TO MARS BE ALL-FEMALE? • A new study carried out by the European Space Agency suggests that women may be better suited to space travel

ONE MEAL A DAY: COULD IT WORK FOR WEIGHT LOSS? • Is eating just once a day the secret to staying trim or is it just restrictive eating?

INNOVATIONS PREPARE YOURSELF FOR TOMORROW

AI art is everywhere but it can never compete with human...