National Geographic Russia in February

The February issue of National Geographic Russia looks at the incredible powers of the human brain. Common wisdom has it that we use only 10 percent of our brain. In fact, the entire brain is constantly working, but scientists are only now beginning to understand the whole process.

Also in this issue:

Alpine photography: Who said that mountain climbing is incompatible with professional photography? Alexei Zavodsky proves that you can climb to a height of 6,000 meters with heavy photographic equipment and take great pictures.

Potash dependence. Rock sylvinite — the main source of potassium — is a mineral that radically changed the fate of mankind.

Miracle dome. One of the undisputed masterpieces of the Renaissance, the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore created by Filippo Brunelleschi, remains the pride of Florence six centuries later. Scientists are still wondering what techniques this ingenious, self-taught architect used to create his masterwork.

The new gold rush: Mineral treasure worth billions of dollars is luring gold miners back to the Yukon. The pursuit of profit has aggravated relations between miners and indigenous people.

The latest issue went on sale Jan. 28.