Proof
Adam Kucharski (Profile Books (UK) Basic Books (US, 6 May))

I have something of a reputation as a party-pooper in the New Scientist office. At our weekly meeting to discuss the latest and greatest ideas in science, colleagues will eagerly describe some incredible new theory or spectacular find, then sit back to field questions. I can already hear the groans before I open my mouth to say: “Yes, but what is the actual evidence?”

I don’t do this because I enjoy shooting down ideas (OK, maybe I do…