World’s first trial of stem cell therapy in the womb
Starting in January, 20-week-old fetuses with brittle bone disease will be given transplants of stem cells in the first clinical trial of its kind
Echoless light could help send signals through walls and skin
A new method of making packets of light that don't echo inside optical fibres could be used to improve everything from medical imaging to laser comms
China has had a telescope on the moon for the past two years
The robotic telescope, mounted on the Chang'e 3 lander, is the first of its kind and provides unique views of the night sky that aren't possible from Earth
Top exoplanet hunter keeps job despite serial sexual harassment
Astronomer Geoff Marcy of the University of California, Berkeley, has been found to have violated his institution's sexual harassment policy during a series of incidents
Bacterial genes that turn mercury lethal mapped across world
Some bacteria turn mercury into a neurotoxin called methylmercury that accumulates in the food we eat. Now we know where those bacteria are found
Placebo effect works in video games too
Gamers have more fun when they're told artificial intelligence is calling the shots – even when it's a lie
Inside China’s plan to give every citizen a character score
New Scientist looks at China's Social Credit System - a monumental rating scheme for all based on online shopping, social media activity, even job performance
Birth month affects risk of developing dementia later in life
People in Germany born in winter have a 7 per cent lower dementia risk than those born in summer – which may be the result of variable factors like air quality
Squirrel monkeys teach themselves to eat and drink from a cup
Tool use seemed so rare in squirrel monkeys that they were considered incapable of such feats, now they've been seen carrying food and water in containers
Global coral bleaching event: What you need to know
The world's coral reefs are in the midst of a mass die off – a "white death" spanning the globe. New Scientist looks at why understanding what's happening is essential
