Why do cats hate water? Why do sweaty feet smell of cheese? We've got the answers to all your burning questions in this special edition of BBC Focus magazine. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE… - 2018's best discoveries - The mission into the Sun - How to be plastic-free - Rewilding the UK - Meet a cave explorer - Say hello to your microbiome - Brain-straining puzzles - Marvellous mini posters
Hello!
Dive, dive, dive!
THE BEAT • THIS YEAR’S MOST FASCINATING NEWS AND COOLEST INVENTIONS
WILL WE EVER FIND NESSIE? • Every year people visit Scotland, hoping to catch a glimpse of the legendary Loch Ness Monster. Now, scientists are going to find out if there is really a beast lurking in the murky depths…
Joyride junkyard
COULD A SPACESHIP FLY INTO THE SUN? • The Parker Solar Probe is currently zooming its way across space towards the Sun. But just how close will it get, what will it find, and will it survive its daredevil mission?
INSTANT GENIUS • Get the lowdown on the Sun and the Parker mission
THE SUN • It’s so much more than a fiery ball…
CODE SOME MAGIC • Unleash your inner Harry Potter or Hermione Granger with a wave of this wand
WHY ISN’T PLASTIC FANTASTIC? • Yes, plastic can be useful, just not when it's filling up our landfill sites and floating in our seas…
OPERATION CLEAN-UP • Four solutions to the plastic problem
HACK YOUR PARENTS’ SHOPPING TROLLEY • How many plastic-free points can you pick up when you help your mum or dad with the shopping?
Seeing in the dark
EXPERIMENTS YOU CAN EAT • Transform your kitchen into a science lab
Can we return our lost wildlife?
Peekaboo!
ARE THERE REALLY LOADS OF BUGS IN MY BODY? • Microbes are everywhere. They’re all over your bed, your computer screen, this magazine, and your hands. Here, We’re going to find out a little more about the ones in your body…
HOW TO KEEP YOUR MICROBES HAPPY
WHAT’S THE POINT OF HIBERNATION? • Snuggling down for a few months of rest might seem pretty tempting, but for some animals it’s not a choice – it’s a matter of survival
Q & A
LONGEST LASTING LANDFILL ITEMS
FIREWORKS • In November, the skies are full of sound and colour. Lots of people like rockets best, like the one shown here. Rockets are packed with exploding shells, known as ‘stars’, that are launched into the air using gunpowder.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO BE A… CAVE SCIENTIST? • Some scientists have seriously cool jobs! Dr Hazel Barton is one of them…
GET SET • Stuff to Keep you busy this autumn
THE MEGA QUIZ! • Grab a pen and challenge your mates…
BRAIN GYM • Give your grey matter a workout