National Geographic magazine, February 2024 Issue

The Glass Age. National Geographic stories take you on a journey that's always enlightening, often surprising and unfailingly fascinating. This month–how cutting-edge technology is helping this ancient material reshape our future.

In this issue: A glass revolution is underway. Spoiler alert: it bends and bounces — Humans have been making glass for 4,000 years. But now, scientists are developing techniques that will impact everything from medicine to the way we see the universe.; What lurks beneath the surface of these forest pools? More than you can imagine. — You may walk by these watery oases each spring and never know the hundreds of lives inside—from tadpoles to fairy shrimp.; The goal of this pediatric palliative program is clear: Put family first. — For children facing life-threatening diagnoses, one Pittsburgh medical team works to provide equal parts care and comfort. Even if that means prioritizing time spent with friends and family over daunting procedures.; Climbing into the secret world of an ancient Bornean rainforest — Gunung Palung National Park's abundance of unique creatures—from orangutans to flying foxes to clouded leopards—offers a glimpse into Borneo's past.; Meet the harp seal—one face of the climate crisis — Harp seals are born on sea ice, which is getting thinner every year. Scientist turned photographer Jennifer Hayes documents their fight for survival.; ‘Every day is survival’: See the extraordinary lives of ordinary bugs — Photographer Georgi Georgiev has his lens focused on the intimate lives of tiny insects: “Their world is as beautiful as it is dangerous.”; Visually impaired people can now listen to an eclipse. Here’s how. — Astronomers have created a smartphone-sized device that gives visually impaired people a way to experience the celestial event.; COVID-19 has tested us. Will we be ready for the next pandemic? — An infectious disease expert with insider access gives his take on what we did well, what we need to fix, and how to prepare for future outbreaks.; A humpback whale swam halfway around the world. His name is Frodo. — A record-breaking ocean journey from the Mariana Islands to Mexico shows that whale migration patterns are more complex than we thought.; Alex Honnold just led the first ascent of one of Earth's tallest Arctic sea cliffs—for science — Battling treacherous conditions, celebrated rock climbers help a scientist traverse a remote Greenland ice cap, gathering crucial climate data along the way.; Meet the world’s first (and only) cat and mouse armorer — Artist Jeff de Boer has designed and crafted tiny museum-quality armor for decades. How did he find his calling? “It all started with a mouse,” he says.; How a commuter bridge turned into a bucket-list experience — Why millions of tourists climb Sydney Harbour Bridge every year—plus six more places to scale great heights.