Table of contents for Issue 362 - October 2025 in MiniMag

Welcome to a thrilling issue of MiniMag, where history, mystery and just a little spookiness come alive! Our feature movie, “Time Hoppers – The Silk Road”, takes you on a daring journey through ancient trade routes filled with treasures, secrets and adventure. From there, we dive into the shadowy world of the Moors, where castles, knights and hidden tales wait to be uncovered. But what’s October without a fright? This issue is packed with Halloween tricks, treats and activities to keep your spooky spirit busy. Don’t miss our feature on the leopard, the stealthy Big Five cat that moves like a ghost through the wild. In EasyScience, we shrink down to discover enzymes – the body’s tiny factories that work nonstop to keep you alive and full of energy. And…

Get ready for a frightfully fun challenge! This Halloween spread is packed with tricks and treats just for you. Solve the costume crossword, sneak through the spooky maze, and test your eagle eyes with a “spot the differences” puzzle. Scary Costume Crossword ANSWERS: ACROSS: 1. Witch; 6. Pirate; 7. Dinosaur; 9. Mummy; 10. Mermaid DOWN: 2. Clown; 3. Carrot; 4. Devil; 5. Vampire; 6. Pumpkin; 8. Angel Race the Reaper! Help the Grim Reaper find his way to the glowing pumpkins for a spooky Halloween surprise! The Grim Reaper is often shown as a spooky figure in a cloak carrying a scythe, but he’s really just a symbol of how people long ago imagined the mystery of life and death. Today, he’s more of a Halloween character used to add…

Inside your body (and every living creature on Earth) there are trillions of microscopic, sophisticated factories. These factories are the tiny cells that make up your body, working tirelessly to keep you alive and allow you to do everything you need to. Inside real factories, machines transform raw materials into finished products. Similarly, the tiny "machines" inside cells take one kind of chemical and change it into another. These tiny machines are specially shaped proteins called enzymes. Each cell contains thousands of enzymes that have different jobs to help the cell carry out its daily activities. Biotechnologists have found a way to harness certain enzymes to make useful products for humans. So what exactly is an enzyme? Some chemical reactions don't happen fast enough on their own, and that’s where…

Every year, the world comes together on World Food Day on 16 October to think about one of the most important things in our lives – food! The theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,” reminds us that food is more than just what’s on our plates. It’s about how we grow, share and protect our food so that everyone, everywhere, has enough to eat. World Food Day is calling for everyone across the globe to work together to create a peaceful, sustainable and food-secure future. That means making sure food is produced in a way that is kind to the planet and that every person has access to a healthy diet. Working together Food doesn't just come from farmers. Scientists, teachers, leaders, shopkeepers and even…

Halloween is the perfect time to let your imagination run wild! Whether you want to be a spooky ghost, a friendly witch, a howling werewolf, or even a slice of walking pizza, your costume is your chance to shine. Planning your outfit can be just as exciting as the big night itself Ð mix colours, add fun accessories, and don't forget a little sprinkle of scariness. With some creativity (and maybe a bit of face paint or glitter), you can turn into anything you dream of for a night full of tricks, treats and thrills! The most popular Halloween costume almost every year is a witch! Witches have been a Halloween favourite for centuries, with their pointy hats, broomsticks and spooky magic. Pumpkins weren’t the first jack-o’-lanterns – people originally…

When we think of legendary warriors, the Moors often don’t get the spotlight they deserve. But these North African fighters and scholars changed history when they crossed into Spain more than 1 300 years ago. The Moors weren’t just warriors – they were also builders, scientists and dreamers who left behind treasures of knowledge and beauty that still inspire us today. Who were the Moors? The Moors were people from North Africa, mainly Berbers and Arabs, who brought their culture into southern Europe. In the year 711, they crossed the sea into Spain and built powerful kingdoms that lasted for hundreds of years. They were brave warriors, skilled horsemen, and masters of strategy. But unlike the Vikings – who raided villages – the Moors focused on building cities filled with…

Enzymes aren’t just busy inside our bodies – they also help in industries all around the world! From turning tough wood into smooth paper, to recycling old notebooks, and even helping to make cotton clothes soft and bright, these tiny biological helpers make big tasks possible. Famous enzymes There are certain types of enzymes that are commonly used in industrial processes. Proteases break proteins apart, while amylases break starches down. Lipases break fats and oils apart. Enzymes that turn wood into paper It’s incredible that something as rough and dark as wood can be turned into smooth, white paper. Paper-making is made easier by using enzymes like cellulase (an enzyme that breaks down cellulose) which softens the wood. Ligninase can also be used to break down the lignin which gives…

Every year on 31 October, the world comes together to celebrate World Cities Day – a time to think about the places we live in and how we can make them better. What is a Smart City? A smart city uses technology, data and AI (artificial intelligence) to solve problems. But it’s not about gadgets or robots - it’s about helping people! From traffic lights that ease congestion to apps that help you find the quickest bus, smart ideas keep the city running smoothly. Bouncing back from challenges Cities today face big challenges like climate change, rising costs and natural disasters. Smart technology can help them respond faster. Early warning systems for floods, digital health tools and better planning all make cities stronger and safer in times of crisis. Helping…

The simplest way to get hold of a specific type of enzyme is to extract it from the original source – the plant, animal or bacteria that makes it. However, this is often expensive and may not produce lots of that type of enzyme. Biotechnologists can mass produce enzymes in genetically modified plants, bacteria or algae that are quicker and cheaper to grow. For example, the cheese making industry needs rennet, enzymes that are found in the stomach lining of calves. Since it’s not profitable to slaughter calves, biotechnologists have engineered bacteria and fungi to make rennet instead. Enzymes: friends of the environment Using enzymes to make things can replace harsh chemicals, decreasing the amount of waste and toxic chemicals that end up in the environment. Enzymes typically need less…

Just outside St. Petersburg, Russia, lies Peterhof – a palace so dazzling it’s nicknamed the Russian Versailles! Built by Peter the Great more than 300 years ago, Peterhof is filled with glittering halls, golden statues and magical fountains that still amaze visitors today. Step inside Peterhof palace and you’ll feel like royalty! The walls sparkle with gold, giant mirrors stretch from floor to ceiling, and glittering chandeliers light up the halls. This was where Russian emperors held grand balls and celebrations. Fantastic fountains Peterhof is world-famous for its fountains – over 150 of them! The most famous is the Grand Cascade, a waterfall of golden statues and water jets that tumble toward the sea. Some fountains even play tricks – if you walk in the wrong spot, water might suddenly…