The latest UN climate report is out and we’ve blown past 1.5 degrees of warming. We’re now in “overshoot” – an acknowledgement that global temperatures will rise beyond 1.5 degrees, but can theoretically be brought back down again through cooling efforts.

But with the world on track fo r2.8 and even as much as 4.5 degrees of warming by 2100, is the challenge of keeping temperatures at a manageable level politically and technologically feasible?

As scientists argue whether “overshoot” is failure, conditions at Thwaites glacier in Antarctica are also worsening. The so-called “Doomsday” glacier is melting and an integral ice shelf is on the verge of collapse.

Now models show the melting is locked in – and can’t be stopped even if we keep global temperatures down. If it collapses, it could reshape the entire coastline of the world.

To discuss the news, Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet are joined by Madeleine Cuff and Alison George.

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The glymphatic system is the brain’s waste disposal system – responsible for clearing out harmful toxins that build up during the day.

Now a new mouse study has connected reduced glyphatic flow to Alzheimer’s disease. And because this glymphatic system cleans the brain during sleep, it’s thought poor sleep may contribute to this reduction in brain function.

Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet are joined by science writer Michael Marshall, who explains the study in detail, what we know about the effects in humans and the steps we can take to improve our own glymphatic flow.

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We learn how avoiding AI could give our brains a dopamine hit and How to really make a habit stick.

Produced by Emily Bird

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)  is a major system of ocean currents that plays a vital role in Earth’s climate. If it collapses, the consequences could be catastrophic. We could see ice-age level winters in Europe, coupled with scalding hot summers – and impacts on food production around the world. The trouble is it’s already weakening.

That’s why scientists are building an early warning system that’ll warn us of imminent AMOC collapse. But will a warning come soon enough for us to act – and will anyone actually listen?

The team explains how the warning system would work, what happens if the AMOC does collapse and how soon it could happen. Plus they look at new research which suggests the AMOC may not be a classic tipping point – because we may be able to resuscitate it even if it stops.

To discuss this, Penny Sarchet and Rowan Hooper are joined by climate reporters Alec Luhn and Madeleine Cuff. 

Series 3 of Change Your Mind with New Scientist is on its way! But we couldn’t leave you with nothing whilst we put together our next batch of myth-busting interviews with top brain experts. Cat de Lange and Helen Thomson share the very best tips and tricks they’ve picked up in their decades as 91ɫ��Ƭ Journalists.

We learn how protecting your hearing could be the secret to protecting against dementia and how to fight habituation and feel more alive.

Produced by Emily Bird

Jonathan the tortoise was born in the year 1832, on a beach in the Seychelles. 194 years later and Jonathan is still alive, celebrating his birthday. How exactly has he managed to survive for so long?

Jonathan is a giant tortoise and the world’s oldest known land animal. His genome has now been sequenced, revealing intriguing hints about longevity. And it seems the key to a long life is all down to mitochondrial function.

From Greenland Sharks to the enigmatic quahog, this also seems to be the case for Earth’s other longest-lived creatures – one of which survived for 507 years. 

Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet discuss what these animals tell us about the science of healthy aging, whether there are any takeaways for us humans – and they celebrate the amazing life of Jonathan.

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In this special listener Q&A, Cat de Lange and Helen Thomson bring series two of Change Your Mind with New Scientist to a close by answering questions from the inbox. Drawing on neuroscience research, they explore effective studying, stress, memory and the claims surrounding popular brain-health supplements.

Along the way, they consider why the way we take notes might matter, what doodling could be doing for your attention, and whether having a pet can benefit your brain.

Change Your Mind will be back with two shorter episodes of brain-boosting tips, before returning for series three with new expert guests and discoveries.

We want to hear your thoughts, so leave a comment or send your ideas and questions for future episodes to changeyourmind@newscientist.com.

Produced by Emily Bird.

A new species of feathered dinosaur has been discovered – and it looks like a supercharged magpie with teeth. Fossil evidence and an artist’s reconstruction show the dinosaur looks remarkably like a bird – yet it’s not actually an ancestor of modern birds.

Over 100 million years old, Norellraptor barsboldi is named after two famous palaeontologists – one of whom taught palaeontologist Steve Brusatte.

Steve is the author of The Story of Birds and joins the team to discuss this incredible finding, which shows flight may have evolved at least two separate times. He also explains how dinosaurs didn’t go extinct – but still roam among us today.

On the panel are Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet.

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Joining them is Brendon Stubbs, a leading researcher in physical activity and mental health. Together, they look at what science is beginning to reveal about exercise and the brain, whether some kinds of movement might be better than others, and how much you need to do to make a difference. 

Produced by Emily Bird 

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The current El Niño is shaping up to cause catastrophe on a global scale. Global temperatures are being pushed up, unleashing extreme weather which could devastate ecosystems. The heat alone is expected to kill half a million people over the next five months.

Sea-surface temperatures are expected to climb 4°C above average in parts of the Pacific – and it’s becoming clear this is an issue that affects us all. From extreme heat in some places to heavy rainfall in others, many countries are bracing for impact. Combined with the threat of “king tides”, California has even declared a state of emergency.

Despite the sweltering heat we’ve just experienced, forecasters now say 2027 will be the hottest year on record – before it’s even begun. So how can we prepare?

To discuss the threat we’re facing and possible solutions (like geoengineering), Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet are joined by climate journalists Madeleine Cuff and Alec Luhn.

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