New Scientist: A compass that doesn’t need a magnetic needle? That might sound impossible, but the ancient Chinese worked out how to make one 4500 years ago. An ingenious combination of gears and wheels ensures that a “pointing chariot” features a needle that always points in the same direction. New Scientist includes a how-to video and links to a step-by-step guide, parts list, and kit.
The finding that the Saturnian moon may host layers of icy slush instead of a global ocean could change how planetary scientists think about other icy moons as well.
Modeling the shapes of tree branches, neurons, and blood vessels is a thorny problem, but researchers have just discovered that much of the math has already been done.
January 29, 2026 12:52 PM
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