How It Works UK - Issue 192

In this issue

Conspiracy theories debunked
Arm yourself with logic and science to avoid falling foul of these mistruths.

How magicians perform tricks
We break the spell to reveal the workings behind some of the greatest illusions in history..

The James Webb Space Telescope sees the birth of three ancient galaxies

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope may have detected some of the earliest galaxies in the known universe in the midst of being born.

2 mins

The bizarre evolutionary roots of upside-down baobab trees revealed

The iconic 'upside-down' baobab tree first emerged on the island of Madagascar, new research into its tangled evolutionary history has revealed.

1 min

Heavy metals in Beethoven's hair may explain his deafness

High levels of heavy metals detected in Ludwig van Beethoven's hair reveal that he may have had lead poisoning, possibly contributing to his deafness and other illnesses.

2 mins

Canadian 'super pigs' are likely to invade the northern US

Feral 'super pigs' in Canada could soon trample across the US border.

2 mins

A new study shows crows can count out loud

Crows can count out loud, a startling new study has revealed, and they may even have the same numeracy skills as human toddlers.

2 mins

50,000-year-old Neanderthal bones harbour the oldest known human viruses

Meanderthals who lived 50,000 years ago were infected with three viruses that still affect modern humans today, researchers have discovered.

2 mins

New antivenom invented for black widow spider bites

Scientists have invented a new antivenom for European black widow spider bites that uses human antibodies to mitigate the effects of the arachnid’s painful toxins.

2 mins

Solar power generates enough heat to power a steel furnace

Scientists have used solar power to heat an object to 1,000 degrees Celsius - hot enough to power a steel furnace.

1 min

AMAZING OLYMPIC INNOVATIONS

The 2024 Summer Olympics comes with an array of inspired inventions, from performance-enhancing footwear to Al-powered judges

6 mins

HOW AEROPLANE ESCAPE HATCHES WORK

Discover the engineering that allows an entire commercial aircraft to be evacuated in under two minutes

2 mins

HOW TO OPERATE ON THE BRAIN

The procedures and surgical techniques that tackle problems inside your skull

4 mins

HOW ANIMALS LIVE IN EXTREMES

Surviving in some of the world's harshest environments is tough, but not for these robust species

7 mins

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How It Works UK Magazine Description:

The magazine that feeds minds, Welcome to How It Works, the magazine that explains everything you never knew you wanted to know about the world we live in. Loaded with fully illustrated guides and expert knowledge, and with sections dedicated to science, technology, transportation, space, history and the environment, no subject is too big or small for How It Works to explain.