New issue: Rethinking hypnosis

New issue: Rethinking hypnosis

For decades, Hollywood has mined hypnotism as a cinematic trope, often portraying it through a lens of mystery, manipulation and mind control that reinforces enduring stereotypes far removed from its real-world practice. But scientists, too, have been looking into hypnotism for over a century now, and the more we learn about it, the more we’re finding it has potential for pain relief, both mental and physical. The thing is, that potential depends largely upon your ability to be hypnotised. In this issue, award-winning science writer David Robson sees if he can fall under hypnotism’s spell and, if so, how it could make doing his work a little easier.

Holly Spanner

Published: May 13, 2025 at 7:00 am
The cover of issue 419 of BBC Science Focus magazine

Astroforensics

When the inevitable happens and an astronaut is killed in space, astroforensics teams will be called in to find the killer. But how do you investigate a murder when your crime scene lacks gravity?

Yo-yo diets

The reason diets fail so often might be because our fat cells have a memory. And when the weight you lose always seems to find its way back, it can result in a 'yo-yo diet' cycle. Here's what you can do to keep the weight off.

Bizarre galaxies

Six red dots spotted by the James Webb Space Telescope are causing all sorts of problems for astrophysicists. These deep-space dots were so unusual, they threatened to break our understanding of the cosmos.

Fungi

New research appears to suggest that fungi are capable of demonstrating intelligence... but does that mean they're conscious? Some experts think they are, others are not so sure. Here's what we know.

Plus

  • "Natural" cosmetics: Why the once-celebrated ‘natural’ cosmetics might be worse for the planet than lab-grown alternatives.
  • Dark oxygen: Deep-sea researchers think ‘dark oxygen’ is being produced on the seabed. Deep-sea miners think otherwise... and it's becoming a hotly debated topic.
  • Q&A: Your questions answered! This month: Will suspended animation ever exist? Does the deep sea have seasons? Why is Mars such a weird shape? Is AI giving us false memories? Can tumours grow their own organs? Can you avoid getting ‘Ozempic face’? Have we ever intercepted anything from aliens? And more...

Issue 419 on sale Tuesday 13 May 2025

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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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