Could we have visitors from another galaxy?

I’ve got something for everyone in this week’s round-up of New Scientist’s best stories, from green tech to medical advances to alien life.

The Milky Way could contain thousands of stars from another galaxy

This story really appeals to the sci-fi fan in me. Stars from Andromeda, our nearest galaxy, could be travelling fast enough to escape their home and make their way over to our galaxy, the Milky Way. Researchers have now calculated that there could be thousands of these stars in the Milky Way. What’s more, they could have brought planets with them – which would be quite the intergalactic trip!

Solar-powered fuel cell recycles plastic waste and carbon dioxide

This could be the ultimate recycling machine – take two substances we have way too much of (carbon dioxide and plastic waste) and turn them into useful fuel and chemicals. An important caveat is that the fuel produced, syngas, emits carbon dioxide when burned, but if this carbon could then be captured, we could create a circular fuel system and do away with the need for new fossil fuels.

Knee brace may help torn anterior cruciate ligaments heal themselves

A ruptured anterior cruciate ligament is a common sports injury that is usually treated with reconstructive surgery, but now it seems that just using a knee brace could help – though researchers warn that you should always seek medical attention and not try to immobilise your leg yourself.

More from New Scientist

• You have to watch this video of insects being used as robot grippers
• Our magazine cover story this week is all about a new way to define life – and how it might help us find aliens
• Want to live healthier and feel better? We’re running a masterclass in London next month, and you can sign up here

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Jacob Aron, News Editor

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