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.

FROM THE EDITOR

ON THE BBC THIS MONTH…

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DISCOVERIES

SPOTTY WINGS MAKE MONARCH BUTTERFLIES MORE AERODYNAMIC • New research shows that the butterflies fly better when they have more spots on their wings

SCIENTISTS HAVE FINALLY SOLVED THE MYSTERY BEHIND THIS OPTICAL ILLUSION • A breakthrough study has discovered how ‘simultaneous contrast’ pictures trick your eyes

THE WORLD'S ULTIMATE SWEARWORD… ACCORDING TO MATHS • Searching for a new curse to use in frustrating situations? This mathematician's code may hold the answer

HIDDEN FUNGI ABSORB OVER A THIRD OF EARTH'S FOSSIL FUEL EMISSIONS • A new study pinpoints a major carbon pool in the filament networks of mycorrhizal fungi found underneath mushrooms

PUPS IN SCRUBS: DOGS COULD MAKE CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS BETTER FOR EVERYONE • Dogs have been bringing their owners comfort at home for centuries. Now, the pooches are branching out to do it hospitals

THE T.REX WAS ACTUALLY A COWARD… SOMETIMES • According to palaeontologists behind Apple TV+'s Prehistoric Planet 2, the Tyrannosaurus rex was more than willing to run from a fight

DAILY MULTIVITAMIN CAN DELAY AGE-RELATED MEMORY LOSS • Study finds that a multivitamin pill a day keeps memory decline at bay

THE FUTURE'S BRIGHT…

YEARS TO GO

THE THREAT OF DAY ZERO • Queues at public water taps could become normal. What can we do to avoid them?

DO YOUR GENES INFLUENCE YOUR TASTE IN FOOD? • How DNA plays a role in shaping your menu choices

JAZZ COULD BE THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING QUANTUM PHYSICS • An improvising soloist can play any note they want next. At the quantum level, electrons have a similar freedom

AI-GENERATED EMAIL MAY BE CONVENIENT, BUT IT COULD KILL OFF ENDANGERED LANGUAGES • Bot-written text is already creeping into common use

REALITY CHECK • THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE HEADLINES

KILLER ASTEROIDS: HOW SAFE ARE WE, REALLY? • A new study suggests we're safe from big impacts, but it's the small ones we have to worry about

OZEMPIC: IS IT MORE THAN JUST A WEIGHT-LOSS PILL? • The diabetes drug is useful in treating obesity, but could also help with a range of other conditions

INNOVATIONS

Apple Vision Pro: a virtual reality expert gives his verdict • David Reid, a professor of AI and spatial computing, explains why Apple is leading the way when it comes to virtual reality

Five of the best hand-held vacuum cleaners • Keep your house clean and tidy with these light and portable vacuum cleaners. The BBC Science Focus team picks its favourites

Ideas we like… • Our pick of the month's smartest tech

IDEAS WE DON'T LIKE…

INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS • The hit TV show The Last of Us imagined an apocalypse caused by a Cordyceps fungus turning humans into zombies. For many insects, real life isn't much different…

HOW TO THINK RATIONALLY ABOUT AI • The entire planet is hooked on the conversation about AI and its sinister future. But, if you ask those in the know (and we have) our future with machines looks entirely different to what the world's CEOs would have us believe. Here's how to stop worrying and, maybe, learn to love AI…

IS AI...