The search for Light Dark Matter with NEWS-G
  The NEWS-G direct dark matter search experiment uses spherical proportional
counters (SPC) with light noble gases to explore low WIMP masses. The first
results obtained with an SPC prototype operated with Ne gas at the Laboratoire
Souterrain de Modane (LSM) have already set competitive results for low-mass
WIMPs. The forthcoming next phase of the experiment consists of a large 140 cm
diameter SPC installed at SNOLAB with a new sensor design, with improved
detector performance and data quality. Before its installation at SNOLAB, the
detector was commissioned with pure methane gas at the LSM, with a temporary
water shield, offering a hydrogen-rich target and reduced backgrounds. After
giving an overview of the improvements of the detector, preliminary results of
this campaign will be discussed, including UV laser and Ar-37 calibration data.
