The enduring mystery of Scotland’s medieval cannibals
An engraving of Sawney Bean by I. Basire after J. Nicholls (1741). WikiCommons Cannibalism is one of the biggest taboos throughout history. The idea of eating one of your own species tends to fill people with disgust and horror. Yet, cannibalism has happened for many reasons, including warfare and religious rituals. Reports of cannibalism are […]
Continuous glucose monitors have transformed diabetes care – but they don’t tell the whole story
Halfpoint/Shutterstock Continuous glucose monitors have transformed life for many people with type 1 diabetes. Instead of relying on finger-prick blood tests throughout the day, users can track their blood sugar levels almost continuously. This allows them to receive alerts via a smartphone when levels become too high or too low and spot patterns that help […]
Why university resits are harder for some students than others
KOTOIMAGES/Shutterstock University resits are a second chance for students who have experienced academic difficulties. Typically resit exams are sat during the summer break. But while resits are available to all eligible students, the ability to engage with them is influenced by broader inequalities. When students fail assessments, the conversation typically shifts towards personal responsibility. The […]
Are zoos ready for the changing climate?
amarw92/Shutterstock When people think about climate change and animals, they might picture melting sea ice, drought-stricken landscapes or species struggling in the wild. Far less attention is given to the animals living in our care. Yet as heatwaves become more frequent, intense and unpredictable, zoos may be facing one of the biggest animal welfare challenges […]
Some of the most trusted political voices in 18th-century Britain were fictional – why this tradition lives on
British writers in the 18th century repeatedly invented fictional characters to intervene in the politics and culture of their day. These usually began as jokes aimed at particular people or issues, but the most successful outlived their original purpose. They accumulated personalities, histories and audiences of their own, becoming trusted voices through which readers could […]
Is spraying perfume on neck bad for your health?
PeopleImages/Shutterstock A spray of perfume on the neck is a familiar final step before leaving the house. But a viral Instagram post by a cancer specialist has singled out the neck as an area “worth thinking about” because it lies close to the thyroid gland. The caption says there is no evidence that spraying perfume […]
Nurses learn how to care for patients – they should also learn how systems can fail them
PeopleImages/Shutterstock A nurse can know exactly how to give a medicine safely and still be more likely to make a mistake if they are repeatedly interrupted, given confusing information or forced to search several computer systems for the details they need. For patients, the consequences can be serious. Research has linked problems during clinical handovers […]
North Korea grows stronger as South Korea reckons with fading US support
According to Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, North Korea is preparing to send as many as 50,000 fresh troops to support Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine. While the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been unable to verify Zelensky’s claim, it has not fallen on deaf ears in Seoul. When questioned on August 10, an […]
Why gatherings and celebrations are such an important part of summer
Summer brings many traditional events and festivals across the world. In much of England, summer is the theme of several folk celebrations dating back centuries. Far from negative and exclusionary ideas of national identity, the season actually showcases many positives. Many towns and areas around the UK celebrate the summer, starting in May with “Jack […]
Climate change is driving some entire communities to relocate – but simply moving isn’t enough
The abandoned houses of Old Podampetta on India’s east coast tell the story of a small fishing village that no longer exists. Families once woke up to the sound of the sea and made their living by reading the tides and winds. But years of coastal erosion and relentless cyclones eventually made staying impossible. Similar […]