How a traditional Nordic way of eating could help you live longer
We live in Denmark, which consistently ranks as one of the world’s healthiest countries. The modern Danish diet, however, may not be quite so world-leading – with many Danes consuming high levels of sugar, salt and convenience food. Yet, go back a few generations and science is increasingly showing that many of the staple foods […]
The Bayeux tapestry: how this medieval wonder was reinvented for modern times
The Bayeux tapestry is back after a thousand years. Made in England at the end of the 11th century, the 70-metre masterpiece has returned for the first time in a blockbuster exhibition at the British Museum. The origins of this embroidery are mysterious. Although there is general agreement now that it was most likely designed […]
The long fascinating history of food additives – and why we’re stuck with them
Stir crazy? udra11 Battenberg cake is one of my favourite cakes. But when I tell people that one of the things I like most about this cake is its E-number, they tend to look at me strangely. It contains the raising agent E541, acidic sodium aluminium phosphate, which is one of the most restricted food […]
Members of right-leaning parties prefer leaders with ‘dark triad’ personality traits
Peshkova/Shutterstock How does someone’s personality relate to their choice of political party? It’s a fascinating question, and one that has interesting implications in the changing landscape of British politics right now. Would someone joining a party, for example, want to see their own personality traits reflected back at them via the party’s leader? The question […]
Houthi rebel offensive fuels fears of escalation in the Middle East and Europe
In this extraordinary and deeply worrying year for international security, some weeks nevertheless stand out as particularly momentous. Events in Yemen now threaten to escalate the war between the US, Israel and Iran into a regional conflagration. Houthi rebels have captured strategically important positions on the Red Sea coast that will give them the potential […]
Imagine newsletter: penguins, satellites and pink poo
This roundup of The Conversation’s environment coverage was first published in our award-winning weekly climate action newsletter, Imagine. Through the winter months, emperor penguins lay their eggs, hatch their chicks, and huddle together for warmth. They do much of this in darkness, as the Antarctic sun disappears below the horizon for months on end. That […]
Is England right to introduce a tourism tax?
Bath in Somerset is a favourite with tourists. Denny Friday Studio/Shutterstock Supporters tend to call it a “visitor levy”. Detractors prefer to call it a “tourist tax”. Whether you agree with it or not, an extra charge for overnight stays has become a common feature of modern travel. Recent visitors to New York, Prague, Milan […]
When prepping for disaster, don’t forget to pack your teddy bear
Would Ted be coming with you in an emergency? 4_17amdani/Shutterstock Imagine it’s the dead of night. Your phone pings with a text – it’s a government emergency alert: “Leave your home immediately! Only take with you enough supplies for the next three days.” What would you want in your go-bag? Our new survey of UK […]
Driving through water is the biggest cause of death during floods – here’s how it can happen
Tim Large/Shutterstock With climate change leading to more extreme and prolonged heavy rainfall across the northern hemisphere, flooding is a risk, especially in autumn and winter. While concerns typically consider travel disruption and damage to housing, the top cause of death during flooding occurs from driving through floodwater. In England alone, there have been with […]
Decades of male-focused medical research could bias healthcare AI
MarcoPace68/Shutterstock Many people will learn CPR using a flat-chested manikin. A 2024 study of 20 models of CPR manikins sold worldwide found that three quarters were described as male or had no sex specified. Of the 20, only one offered a breast overlay. The manikins reflect a wider tendency in medical teaching and research to […]