New Scientist Magazine - 24 April 2010

THINKING CELLS Our brains just got a trillion times smarter BLINGTRONICS Computing with diamonds, silver and gold TOUCHING TALE How to make virtual worlds feel real liliiii WEEKLY April 24- 30, 2010 3.8 billion years in the making Unique in the known universe And here's what happens next Science and technology news www.NewScientist.com US jobs in science US$5.95 CAN$5.95 No2757 LJ http://www.internetexplorer8.co.uk ... In the time it takes you to watch another incredibly talented pet, Internet ExplorerS has blocked 1000 malware attacks worldwide. '-------�c Done Browse with confidence. Every single day we help to protect more people against cyber threats than any other browser over three million malware attacks blocked daily. In addition, we have blocked more than 125 million phishing sites to date. Powerful protection - it's just one of the reasons Internet Explorer 8 is the most widely used browser in the world. Windows® �_Internet . Explorer8 Download the world's most widely used browser at i nternetexpl orer8.co. U k tJ CONTENTS Volume 206 No 2757 NEWS 3 EDITORIAL Social media foil knee-jerk drug laws 4 UPFRONT The perils of standing on asteroids, New law claims fetuses feel pain 6 THISWEEK COVER STORY 31 All life is here It's been 3.8 billion years in the making ... now what does the future hold? Tracking down the first Darwinian ancestor, Mind gym skills of limited use, Cave dwellings on Mars, The curious link between smell and aging 9 INS IGHT It takes more than barbed wire to secure weapons-grade nuclear material 14 IN BRIEF Algae get sexy. Why acupuncture works, Bubble-blowing black holes 17 TECHNOLOGY Touchscreens touch back, Robots feed on ocean heat. Quantum broadband Cover image SarahJ. Coleman OPINION 22 A platform for science New Scientist consultant Michael Brooks on why he is standing for Parliament in the UK general election 23 One minute with Anil Seth How redness and feeling unreal can help crack consciouness 24 LETTERS Humanity's cradle, Are we zombies? 26 Thinking cel l s Forget molecular minutiae: amazing things emerge when you focus on neurons as a whole, says BrianJ, Ford Bli ngtronics Gold, silver and diamonds will be at the heart of tomorrow's gadgets FEATURES 28 Bl ingtronics (see right) 31 LIFE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE 32 The hot zone Why are the tropics so rich in biodiversity? 36 Paradise regained Conservation can be a frustrating business - which makes this rare success all the more gratifying 38 After the fal l Humans are causing a mass extinction, but we will shape life's recovery too Coming next week Vote of no confidence 42 Mephedrone, fact and fiction Was the UK government right to ban this "legal high"? T h e math proves it - REGULARS fa i r elections a re i m poss i b l e 24 EN IGMA 46 BOOKS & ARTS Reviews The hidden powers of human senses, Neither biology nor upbringing dictate our destiny 56 FEEDBACK Crispy." but where's the seaweed? 57 THE LAST WORD How long is a pencil line? Womb with a view A "picky" uterus boosts the chances of a successful pregnancy PLUS Why whales are left -handed 48 JOBS & CAREERS New York, NY 10010, USA AUSTRALIA Recruitment Advertising TO SUBSCRIBE Syndication 225 Wyman Street, Tower 2, 475 Victoria Avenue, Te1781 7348770 Tel888822 3242 Tribune Media Services Periodicals postage paid at Waltham, M