Alexandra Thompson

Exploring PMS is a great idea, but The Period Brain can be simplistic Premenstrual syndrome and its symptoms is neglected by science, so Sarah Hill's new book is welcome. But it needs more on genetics, not just lifestyle changes, says Alexandra Thompson

PMS can be debilitating; it needs more research and less stigma. But The Period Brain book doesn't contribute much www.newscientist.com/article/mg26...

How Taylor Swift is helping botany gain celebrity status Feedback is delighted to learn that researchers have discovered what Taylor Swift is accidentally doing to rescue the science of plants from mid-ness. Just take a look at her videos – sorry, botany te...

The volume of references from Swift's archive is truly enchanting www.newscientist.com/article/mg26... I'm not Ready For It, but I Can See You @michael-marshall.bsky.social

YouTube video by New Scientist Scientists Just Mapped Mammalian Brain Activity for the First Time

A bit late to post this but I loved delving into the research on the potential neuroscientific origins of that feeling we call intuition, and only partly because the study involved mice driving a Lego steering wheel www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZta...

New Scientist recommends one-person play Every Brilliant Thing The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week

If you live in London, run - don't walk - to the sensational Every Brilliant Thing at sohoplace www.newscientist.com/article/mg26...

YouTube video by New Scientist Scientists Discovered a 100,000-Year-Old Organism

I like to imagine travelling back in time to tell Medieval folk that we can now manipulate the brain's electrical activity by implanting permanent electrodes. I'd probably be burned at the stake. Luckily, today I can discuss it on the NS podcast www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEpI...

American climate journalist Alec Luhn missing on Norwegian glacier A search is underway for award-winning climate journalist Alec Luhn, a Wisconsin native, who is missing on a Norwegian glacier.

Climate journalist and New Scientist contributor Alec Luhn has gone missing on a Norwegian glacier. His family is asking that anyone hiking in the region share any information with local authorities. www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news...

YouTube video by New Scientist Is Ozempic the new anti-ageing drug?

We now have good-quality evidence that Ozempic (semaglutide) really does slow - or reverse! - biological ageing. *puts in a macro dose order as I approach 21 (ahem) www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmEj...

YouTube video by New Scientist Famous psychology trick works on octopuses too

Octopuses fall for the rubber arm illusion just like us! They really are amazing creatures, but obviously I have to insert a little sprinkling of health nuggets everywhere I go www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q8B...

YouTube video by New Scientist How mitochondria are linked to sleep (and Ozzy Osbourne)

Mitochondria are...(think back to your GCSEs)...the energy powerhouses of cells! But what if they play a cruical role in sleep...? My latest on the pod: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4yd...

I could just post the pod link, but it seems a shame to deny the world the wrinkling of my forehead when I talk

10 Tips To Host Your Own Taylor Swift Eras Tour Party At Home — Smartblend If you can’t go to the Taylor Swift Eras tour or you simply cant wait, then why not bring the tour home? Here are the 10 top tips to host the most epic Taylor Swift Eras party from the comfort of your...

Yes. www.smartblend.co.uk/blog/how-to-...

Scientists have created cyborg tadpoles with implants that monitor their neural activity from the earliest embryonic stage 🤯 The critters could be a new window into neuroscience. Watch the below video to see me and my forehead spot explain more.

Get ready to live forever

Dark chocolate is rich in flavanols. Does that make it a health food? Antioxidants like cocoa flavanols may benefit heart health, brain ageing and the microbiome. Columnist Alexandra Thompson investigates whether it’s time to rethink chocolate

In my latest column, I explore whether dark chocolate deserves its health halo. Spoiler: it's tantalisingly inconclusive, despite what the supermodels say www.newscientist.com/article/2481...

A dramatic rethink of Parkinson’s offers new hope for treatment Mounting evidence suggests there might be two separate types of the world’s fastest-growing neurological condition. Can this fresh understanding lead to much-needed new treatments?

Slowly easing myself off X cause you know....Musk....to get started here's a recent piece I'm particularly proud of www.newscientist.com/article/mg26... all about how Parkinson's may have two subtypes with different symptoms, manifestations and - hopefully one day - treatments