Why self-expansion is the key to long-lasting love and friendship 13. February 2026 (09:00) A growing body of psychological research shows that the best relationships – romantic or otherwise – come with a feeling of personal growth. Columnist David Robson explores the evidence-backed ways to broaden our horizons and connect more deeply with our loves, our friends and ourselves(New Scientist)
Weird inside-out planet system may have formed one world at a time 12. February 2026 (20:00) The planets around a nearby star seem to be in the wrong order, hinting that they formed through a different mechanism than the familiar one by which most systems grow(New Scientist)
Nepal and Northern India are not overdue for a huge earthquake 11. February 2026 (21:35) Many researchers thought that earthquakes in the Himalayas recur at regular intervals – but an analysis of sediment cores has shown they are largely random, and the region has seen far more than we previously realised(New Scientist)
Ancient Peruvian civilisation grew mighty by harvesting guano 11. February 2026 (20:00) The Chincha Kingdom was transporting seabird excrement from islands to valleys as early as the 13th century, and this powerful fertiliser may have been key to its economic success(New Scientist)
What to read this week: Bonded by Evolution by Paul Eastwick 11. February 2026 (19:00) We are told we need cynical strategies to "play" the dating game, but the science says this is totally wrong. David Robson enjoys an evidence-based takedown from psychologist Paul Eastwick(New Scientist)
'Roughly 109.5 golden retrievers': a new way to measure ice 11. February 2026 (19:00) Feedback is always on the lookout for better ways to measure things, and was delighted to learn how the weight of ice is quantified in Austin, Texas(New Scientist)
