Ebola: vaccines alone won’t stop an outbreak – here’s what else is needed
Tensions have recently emerged around the Ebola response in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). These tensions have manifested in a series of incidents, including the burning of an Ebola treatment facility in Mongbwalu, confrontations involving families seeking to reclaim the bodies of relatives who had died from the disease, and reports of police […]
Child drownings spike during heatwaves – and it’s a serious climate justice issue
At least 15 people drowned in open water in the UK’s recent heatwave, mostly children and teenagers. The public response is understandably urgent: warnings are issued, parents are told to talk to their children, and young people are reminded that rivers, lakes, reservoirs and canals can be dangerous. Those warnings matter. Open water can be […]
UK Home Office to use AI age estimation on asylum seekers – how accurate is the technology?
Prostock-studio/Shutterstock Starting next year, the Home Office plans to use AI-driven facial age estimation to assess the age of asylum seekers. At the UK border, deciding whether someone is 17 or 19 is a consequential judgment. Get it wrong one way, and a vulnerable child loses legal protections they’re entitled to. But if it’s wrong […]
Heartbreaking historical tales, unsettling scenes and shortlisted non-fiction – what to read, watch and see this week
This curation of The Conversation UK’s arts and culture coverage was first published in our fortnightly newsletter, Something Good. Maggie O’Farrell is responsible for some of my biggest COVID cries (impressive, considering how hotly contested that category is). Hamnet hit home with its uncanny parallels to pandemic life with shuttered playhouses, quarantines and families separated […]
How a simple blood test could help detect heart damage during breast cancer treatment
Dragon Images/Shutterstock Modern breast cancer screening and treatment have transformed survival. Many women now live long and healthy lives after diagnosis, thanks to increasingly effective chemotherapy and targeted therapies: medicines designed to attack particular features of cancer cells. But as cancer outcomes improve, another challenge has become more apparent: protecting the heart from the side-effects […]
Yes, you really can be allergic to exercise – and the symptoms can be serious
The condition can cause intense itching all over the body and difficulty breathing. CHAjAMP/ Shutterstock People who don’t like to workout will sometimes joke that they’re “allergic” to exercise. But what many don’t realise is that an allergy to exercise is a real thing – and it can be dangerous if not caught in time. […]
Could it be aliens? From Cheyava Falls on Mars to exoplanet K2-18b – here’s what scientists really think
What exoplanet K2-18 b could look like based on scientific data. wikipedia/Nasa It may seem like we are on the verge of discovering alien life. In 2025, a press release stated that we have the “strongest hints yet” of extraterrestrial life on the exoplanet K2-18b. And when talking about a collected sample from a rock […]
White storks: why introducing non-native species in rewilding projects can be a good idea
A pair of white storks. grafxart/Shutterstock White storks (Ciconia ciconia) are a majestic bird with a two-metre wingspan and an enormous circular nest. The recent release of these stunning birds at multiple sites in England, with more releases planned and a public consultation under way has kicked off a debate about whether non-native birds should […]
The leftwing vote is splitting – we looked at who is moving to the Greens and what they care about
Voters in England are increasingly turning away from the two main parties, as elections in 2024 and 2026 showed. Much discussion has focused on the rise of Reform UK, particularly among younger men. But what’s happening among women – and how is it affecting voting behaviour on the left? Women, especially younger women, have been […]
We’ve been testing therapy like it’s a pill – and some patients are paying the price
shutterstock DC Studio/Shutterstock.com If you’ve had therapy, particularly if you got it through a public healthcare system like the NHS in the UK or Medicare in Australia, there’s a good chance it was cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Even with private health insurance, if you want therapy, the one you are most likely to be recommended […]