New issue: The Hunger Game

Hunger is a hugely complex system. For one thing, the ‘system’ isn’t actually hunger, but appetite, which encompasses hunger, fullness and reward, all of which are mediated by different parts of the brain. To complicate things further, our guts and our brains need to speak to one another, but it turns out they don’t speak the same language. Then there's what’s going on outside our bodies: the world concocts all manner of treats designed to bend our brains to their will, and there's marketing conceived to seduce and trick us when we’re at our weakest. Professor Giles Yeo takes a deep dive into the role that genetics play in the struggle to get rid of unwanted fat.

Holly Spanner

Published: June 11, 2024 at 7:00 am
Issue 406 of BBC Science Focus is on sale from 11 June 2024 in all good retailers

Gravitons

It's one of the four fundamental forces, but what is gravity made of? Even though we don't (yet) have a quantum theory of gravity, that hasn't dissuaded scientists from hunting these elusive particles.

Rogue waves

‘Rogue waves’ capable of sinking ships are raging across our oceans... and scientists don’t know why. But there are calls for greater monitoring to help build prediction models for these deadly waves. Here's what we know about these mysterious, seemingly random, phenomena.

Glowing caves

Contrary to popular belief, radioactive material doesn’t actually glow (looking at you, uranium rod in The Simpsons intro). But a team of nuclear forensics experts are working on a device to make it do just that. BBC Science Focus News Editor, Noa Leach, meets the scientists behind the innovative device.

How the Universe will end

With a colossal supercollider, scientists hope to find a hidden instability built into the fabric of existence... an instability that could destroy everything. So will it be freeze, crunch, rip or slurp? Here's how cosmologists are addressing one of the biggest questions of all; what will happen at the absolute end of all things.

Plus

  • Master your motivation: Why are some of us procrastinators while others are dynamic, go-getters? It’s all down to our brains. By understanding the science behind motivation, you may find you can achieve more - and we've put together a simple, step-by-step guide to allow you to do just that.
  • Emission-free aviation: After a long wait, the world's first zero-emission aeroplanes are finally taxiing to reality. But are these battery-powered aircraft really the solution we need?
  • How to slow time: In today's modern world of phone notifications, emails, endless meetings and caffeine pit-stops, it can feel like your days blend together in one big blur. But, if we bend our perception of time, we can feel like we have more of it.

Issue 406 on sale 11 June 2024

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Holly Spanner

Staff Writer, BBC Science Focus

Holly is the Staff Writer for BBC Science Focus and looks after the popular Q&A section. She holds an MSc (distinction) in Geoscience (Space and Climate Physics) from UCL, and specialises in astronomy and earth sciences. Before joining Our Media, she worked as a geoenvironmental consultant and engineer, informing on ground risk and remediation in the north of England, while hunting for exoplanets in her spare time. Alongside this, she was regional editor of a popular theatre website for nine years, and has a solid background in curating and developing content for the digital space. Holly is also an artist and illustrator, and regular contributor to the craft website, Gathered. She has previously worked with the RSPB, English Heritage, Disney, Pilot and Brother, as well as on BBC Good Food magazine, Home Style magazine, and Papercraft inspirations magazine. She enjoys photography and has a sustained interest in antiques.
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