IRRELIGIOUS MINDS Why atheists don't need God BUGGING THE BUGS Tapping 'into the secret language of bacteria OUCH FACTOR A brain scan to measure pain • USSS.9S CANSS.95 No27S0 o 9 > Science and technology news www.N ewScientist.com Opportunities in marine science Looking for Teachers & Researchers? Recruit for qualified academics with the New Scientist Faculty Feature in the March 13, 2010 issue. I I We were recently seeking candidates for a Tenure-Track __ Assistant Professor position in Metabolism and Diabetes. We posted the position on NewScientistJobs.com and have been pleasantly surprised by the response. We were able to make contact with people that we never would have otherwise found. I am pleased to say that we look set to fi II the position with a great candidate. Chris Chambreau, University of Utah 11 Reservations must be received by March 3, 2010. Email
[email protected] Call 781.734.8770 Fax 720.356.9217 NewScientist Jobs CO NTE NTS Volume 205 No 2750 NEWS 3 4 EDITORIAL Effective interrogation UPFRONT Climategate goes to Parliament. Iceberg threatens world's weather, Chile quake COVER STORY 28 Touching the multiverse will leave volcanic legacy 6 THIS WEEK At last there's a The brain scan that feels your pain, Shaped way to find out moulds tell stem cells what to be, Why alien if it exists worlds are like a toaster, Brain imaging goes chemical. Dino-eating snake caught red-jawed 14 IN BRIEF Mind-controlled prosthetics without brain surgery, The downside of happiness, Flipping Earth's protective shield 17 TECHNOLOGY Cover image Eoi n Ryan Wave powers grand designs, Blooming green fuel cells, Bone echoes drive body-based computing OPINION As bad as torture 22 A third nuclear option Fission and fusion power each have thei r problems, but there is another way, argueJulian Hunt and Graham O'Connell 23 One minute with... Ginny Barbour, on why we The mental should shun tobacco industry research scars of coercive 24 LETTERS Darwin evolves, Aliens can't hear us interrogation 26 Anatomy of atheism Religion is the norm for most humans, so what makes some reject it ask Lois Lee and Stephen Bullivant FEATURES 2B Touching the multiverse (see right) 32 Trouble in paradise Time is running out to eradicate the killers wreaking havoc on an island wildlife haven 36 Bugging your bugs Why it will pay to turn the tables on the microbes that eavesdrop on your body's every move 40 As bad as torture (see right) REGULARS Coming next week 24 ENIGMA Accidental origins 44 BOOKS & ARTS Review A travelogue with a difference follows Evolution is even more scientific endeavour to Earth's bleakest locations random than we thought 45 Gallery A modern take on the art of the diorama 56 FEEDBACK Less fat than", what? 57 THE LAST WORD Honey for theflies The writing's on the egg A treasure trove of 60,OOO-year-old 46 JOBS & CAREERS ostrich eggs resets the clock for early PLUS When em pathy goes into ove rd rive symbolic writing AUSTRALIA RecruitmentAdvertising TO SUBSCRIBE Syndication Tel 781734 8770 Tel 888 822 3242 Tribune Media Services New York, NY 10010, Tower 2, 475 Victoria Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451