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Challenge your brain with our weekly puzzles, explore how readers respond to scientific questions, enjoy our pick of the best science, health and technology photography and laugh along with Feedback, our sideways look at the world of science.

Tom Gauld on getting things to work - or not

Tom Gauld's weekly cartoon

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Tom Gauld on getting things to work - or not

Twisteddoodles on (another) new method for teaching mathematics

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Twisteddoodles on (another) new method for teaching mathematics

Life

See nature in close-up in these stunning photographs

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What: This photo shows a spiny toad amplexus, with a female in the middle of several males. When: The photo was taken in May 2024. Where: The image was taken in the Pyr??n??es Atlantiques, France. How it was taken: The photo was taken at night, when hundreds of toads are crossing the roads to reach their egg-laying grounds. It's common to see such clusters of toads at this time of year. How it was post-processed: I made some basic adjustments to the brightness and contrast, as well as highlighting the individuals and applying a slight vignetting, while taking care not to distort the original photo.
BrainTwister #45: Square differences

BrainTwister #45: Square differences

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whale jumping out of water in iceland; Shutterstock ID 745407220; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Last Word

This week’s new questions

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Network of mesh lines forming brains of different sizes in dark background with red and yellow glowing particles. 3D illustration of the concept of artificial intelligence, ideas and creativity; Shutterstock ID 2417477169; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Last Word

If human brains could be made larger, how much smarter could we be?

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An unusual method for avoiding a gap in your résumé

An unusual method for avoiding a gap in your résumé

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Young red-haired woman sitting in a cafe with friend and talking about something.

Mind

How can I help a friend who is relentlessly negative about life?

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A radar-equipped speed camera monitors the traffic on a road, flashing a yellow light when it catches a car exceeding the speed limit, and using technology to identify the vehicle and enforce the law.; Shutterstock ID 2392738707; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Last Word

How fast am I moving and in which direction? Part 2

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Tom Gauld on a workplace mix-up

Tom Gauld on a workplace mix-up

Tom Gauld's weekly cartoon

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Twisteddoodles on what to do with a bad result

Twisteddoodles on what to do with a bad result

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Two friends exercising outdoors in a park on a sunny day. They are jumping with jumping rope.

Health

The science of exercise: Which activity burns the most calories?

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Endurance THE DISCOVERY OF SHACKLETON'S LEGENDARY SHIP By John Shears and Nico Vincent

Earth

Striking image shows well-preserved wreck of Shackleton’s doomed ship

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BrainTwister #44: Dice and cards

BrainTwister #44: Dice and cards

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