06 EYE OPENER
Incredible scientific images
from around the world.10 CONVERSATION
Your le ers, emails, tex t s
and tweets.14 DISCOVERIES
All the month’s biggest
science news. In this issue:
Spitzer’s best images, hope
for the endangered white
rhino, a robot that can spot
brain tumours, a parasite
that makes mice less
anxious, why stress turns
your hair grey, and more.30 REALITY CHECK
The science behind the
headlines. This month,
we ask whether we should
panic about the coronavirus,
question if the late 40s really
are our most miserable
years, and find out how to
limit the impact of wildfires.CONTENTS
38 INNOVATIONS
The latest tech news and
2020’s ho est gadgets as
revealed at CES, the world’s
biggest tech show.65 MICHAEL MOSLEY
Exposure to frightening
heights in virtual reality
can treat real-life phobias.66 ALEKS KROTOSKI
The psychological tricks
behind your favourite
theme parks.81 Q&A
Our experts answer your
questions. This month:
Why do we enjoy watching
other people fight? What
colour is space? Do fish
ever get bored in fish
tanks?90 RADAR
Your guide to upcoming
TV, exhibitions and radio.96 NEXT MONTH
A sneak peek at
what’s coming in next
month’s BBC Science Focus.96 CROSSWORD
Our tricky cryptic
crossword.98 A S C I E N T I S T ’ S
GUIDE TO LIFE
How not to date a
psychopath.REGULARS
36
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44
SPACE, ON EARTH
Preparation is the key to success: testing the
terrestrial analogues here on Earth that will
ready us for life in space.20 30
DISCOVERIES REALITY CHECKHope is kindled for the white
rhino as embryos are ready to
implant into surrogates.We review the outbreak of the
coronavirus in Wuhan, China.
Is it cause for panic?