Books & Arts

Just over 30 years after HIV/AIDS was first recognized, three accounts of its ravages intrigue Robin Weiss.

Peter Diamandis is the founder of the non-profit X Prize Foundation, which aims to kick-start research and development to solve humanity's biggest challenges. On the publication this week of his book Abundance, co-authored with journalist Steven Kotler, he explains how technological and social progress will enable us to provide enough food, water and energy for all.

Culture is both a product and a driver of human evolution, finds Peter Richerson.

John Vidal is gripped by a book that reveals how natural riches can impoverish nations.

Next month in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, artist Richard Pell opens the Center for PostNatural History — a museum of bioengineered organisms. He talks about the joys and pitfalls involved in collecting genetically modified maize, mosquitoes and zebrafish.

A biography of alchemist John Dee sidesteps his impact on science, suggests Philip Ball.

Brian Switek winds his way through prehistory at Utah's rehoused museum of natural history.

The past decade has seen a revolution in our perception of primates' social brains, says Christian Keysers.

In the week of the Dickens bicentennial, Alice Jenkins explores the literary giant's conflicted take on science.

Cognitive psychologist Gary Marcus researches language acquisition and the evolution of the brain at New York University. On the release of his latest book, Guitar Zero — a personal yet scientific investigation of how people become musical — he explains how a love of music and a computer game helped him to overcome a lack of rhythm and learn to play the guitar.

Christof Koch tours the idea that the essence of the mind lies in the links between neurons.

A tale of multiverses, cosmic inflation and dark energy grips Caleb Scharf.

This year's crop of research-related films moves away from 'mad genius' mode, finds Jascha Hoffman.

Martin Rees applauds a biography of the physicist who kickstarted the Pugwash Conferences for arms control.

The golden era of US vaccine research holds beneficial lessons for today, finds John Grabenstein.

Pedro Ferreira explores Alan Lightman's latest novel — a magical-reality take on the origins of the Universe.