Today on New Scientist: 22 May 2012

Controversial geoengineering field test cancelled

The lead scientist of the SPICE project called off a long-awaited field test after discovering that a patent had been filed by some members of the research team

Virtual orchestra makes you a modern-day maestro

A new interactive exhibition at London's Science Museum puts you on the conductor's stand of a symphony orchestra

'Impossible' material would stretch when compressed

A metamaterial that stretches when compressed and contracts when pulled could one day lead to materials that offer protection against blasts

Michael J. Fox sidelines stem cells for Parkinson's

The actor's foundation says it will focus on other areas of research, such as antibodies that target the proteins involved in brain damage

Evidence-based gardening takes gold

This year's Chelsea Flower Show in London is going urban

Art in oils: Photos show grandeur of our petroleum age

For more than 10 years photographer Edward Burtynsky has taken images of all aspects of the oil industry. See our favourites here

Why gay marriage divides the world

The split over same-sex unions is more than ideological. It has deep moral and psychological roots, say Sarah Estes and Jesse Graham

Robotic fish shoal sniffs out pollution in harbours

The autonomous fish robots work as a group, using chemical sensors to monitor pollution levels

The incredible flying squid

Yes, squid really can fly. And they may do it far more often than anyone realised. But why?

'Gay cure' psychiatrist apologises for flawed study

Robert Spitzer, whose 2003 study claimed that homosexuality could be "cured", has apologised, saying the study had a "fatal flaw"

Dragon in orbit as SpaceX launch opens new era

A third successful launch for the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has kicked off the age of commercial space flight

Giving pilots warnings of bolts from the blue

A report by the US National Transportation Safety Board suggests a way to alert pilots when potentially damaging lightning is in the area

Astrophile: The case of the disappearing pulsar

In 2008, a pulsar disappeared from the night sky - the first of its kind known to do so. But it may reappear in as little as two years

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