The Titanic ‘curse’ and the forgotten fearless life of the captain’s daughter
A recreation of the sinking of the RMS Titanic. meunierd/Shutterstock A supposedly unsinkable ship, an iceberg and a catastrophe that circulates through popular culture – the Titanic disaster is one of the most retold events in modern history. But familiarity comes at a cost. Repeated retellings tend to simplify what happened and reduce the real […]
New Alzheimer’s drugs offer hope for some, but good dementia care protects the humanity of those they cannot help
Robert Kneschke/Shutterstock Disease-modifying drugs for Alzheimer’s offer a meaningful glimpse of hope for many people who fear dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, but dementia itself is an umbrella term for symptoms such as memory loss, confusion and changes in thinking. Unlike older dementia drugs, which help with symptoms but do […]
Cracks in European unity emerge over Ukraine and security
When Donald Trump signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Versailles on June 17 after the G7 summit, it dominated the headlines around the world. This is no more than you’d expect. The 60-day ceasefire, which – despite a few wobbles – appears to be largely holding in both Iran and southern Lebanon, was a […]
A healthy diet may still make a difference for people at higher risk of dementia
Brain changes that can eventually lead to dementia may begin many years before anyone notices symptoms such as memory problems, missed appointments or difficulty finding words. This is where blood biomarkers are becoming important. Biomarkers are measurable signs of biological activity in the body. In dementia research, some blood biomarkers can give clues about biological […]
How installation art can make plastic waste more tangible
Science tells us that plastic lives forever. From oceans to urban streets, plastic pollution has become a defining geological marker of our time – entangled with nature, yet often hard to see. While we often measure plastic pollution in tonnage of microplastics, those numbers can feel abstract. The reality is more immediate: plastic is everywhere […]
How the heat affects children as they learn, play and do sport – and how parents can help
Raja GamerXTC/Shutterstock Schools in the UK are closing as temperatures soar. If you’re a parent, you might be wondering what effect the heat has on your child. If they’re at school, will they be able to learn properly? If they’re at home, should they be playing or attending their normal clubs? How can you help […]
The class divide in British politics didn’t erode slowly – it collapsed under New Labour
British politics has become increasingly volatile and fragmented, with no party able to command the substantial backing of the public that was once routine. The results from England’s local elections in May illustrate just how far politics has moved from the two-party dominance that characterised much of the 20th century. And at the centre of […]
What happens to your blood when you’re stressed? We put it to the test
PeopleImages/Shutterstock We have all heard it: “It’s just in your head.” When work deadlines pile up, financial worries linger or an unexpected public speaking obligation looms, we often treat anxiety as a purely psychological challenge – something to be overcome with a bit of willpower. But our bodies don’t separate the psychological from the physical. […]
The flaws at the heart of Donald Trump’s Iran ceasefire deal
The world sighed in relief when Donald Trump agreed to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to finally end the conflict with Iran on June 17. But there is now a palpable feeling that hostilities are far from over. The agreement between Washington and Tehran, signed at Versailles on June 18, is better understood as a […]
Why a development project linked to Donald Trump’s son-in-law has rocked Albania
Thousands of Albanians have been taking to the streets of their capital, Tirana, for over three weeks now to oppose a luxury coastal resort project backed by Jared Kushner, the son‑in‑law of the US president, Donald Trump. The €4 billion (£3.5 billion) development will be constructed on southern Albania’s unspoiled Zvërnec coastline and surrounding wetlands. […]