Depressed mice successfully treated with smart contact lenses that zap their brains – new study
New Africa/Shutterstock.com Scientists in South Korea have developed experimental contact lenses designed to send electrical signals through the retina and into brain regions linked to mood. In mice, the technology appeared to improve depression-like behaviour. The idea sounds futuristic: a contact lens that could one day help treat depression by stimulating the brain through the […]
A new voting system meant the Welsh election couldn’t have been further from a two-horse race – so why was it portrayed as one?
Even before votes were counted in this year’s Senedd (Welsh parliament) election, speculation among commentators was rife that one campaign narrative had firmly taken hold – that the contest had become a two-horse race between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK. Both parties promoted that framing during the campaign, urging voters to see the election as […]
The Music Is Black: A British Story – it’s little wonder this emotional exhibition took over four years to complete
I can only marvel when I consider that the footprint upon which the newly erected V&A East museum now stands was, for many decades, characterised by hard labour and heavy industry. The area, once full of factories, warehouses and poverty, was described by novelists such as Charles Dickens in deeply unflattering terms. In 1857, he […]
Why a new Plaid Cymru government in Cardiff may pose a fresh challenge for Westminster
After emerging as the largest party in the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) election, Plaid Cymru is now establishing itself as the next Welsh government. It’s the first administration not led by Welsh Labour since devolution began 27 years ago. For UK Labour, Plaid’s breakthrough could become one of the most significant constitutional and political challenges of […]
Trump-XI summit: in a high-stakes meeting the two leaders can’t afford to misread each other
The summit between Chinese president, Xi Jinping, and US president, Donald Trump, reportedly covered a lot of ground. The two leaders are said to have discussed trade, technology and the war in Iran, agreeing that Strait of Hormuz should be kept open. But the most potentially hazardous issue they covered was the future of Taiwan, […]
The Humber region and its cities are a hub for carbon removal – here’s why
Mike Seaman/Shutterstock The Humber estuary in northern England is ideally suited to access abundant clean energy and massive carbon dioxide (CO₂) storage sites. This region is home to the world’s largest offshore wind farm, which will generate enough electricity for up to 6 million homes when completed by 2027. Further from the coast in the […]
Victims can’t access their court transcripts because they’re too expensive – the government says AI might be the answer
For years, victims of crime and those trying to challenge convictions have said that the UK’s system for accessing court records is prohibitively expensive and unnecessarily bureaucratic. The government has taken steps to improve this transparency. In a recent investigation, I revealed that the government has abandoned its policy of destroying court records. But significant […]
How the world can avoid millions going hungry when supply chains collapse
Billion Photos/Shutterstock Millions more people will face hunger in the coming months if the conflict in the Middle East is not resolved soon, the UN has warned. The price of energy, which instantly affects the cost of producing and transporting food, has risen sharply due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The price […]
Westlife at 25: how the boyband emerged during Ireland’s economic boom
We were all flying without wings back in the heyday of Irish boy band Westlife. The group were formed in Dublin in 1998 and rose to international popularity during the early 2000s. The new release of their anniversary album, 25: The Ultimate Collection, affords an opportunity to reflect on the band’s story. They emerge as […]
Pregnancy is a chance to reshape family eating habits before the baby arrives
Rocketclips, Inc./Shutterstock Pregnancy is often regarded as a time to prepare the nursery, but it is also a useful moment to get the kitchen ready. For many expectant parents, the months before a baby arrives are filled with practical jobs: buying clothes, assembling a cot, choosing a pram, packing a hospital bag. Yet one of […]