From smoking to stigma: how screen stories influence health
What people see on screen can shape what they do off it. When actors such as James Dean and Marlon Brando lit cigarettes in 1950s rebel films, smoking came to signify cool, defiance and desire for an entire generation. Among 12- to 17-year-olds in the US, smoking initiation rose from about 20% in the early […]
From Buddy Holly to Ariana Grande: six songs that show how technology changes the human voice
Every few years, media comes alive with discussion and debate around the use of technology in pop music, often focused on that most personal of instruments – the human voice. Vocal manipulation is nothing new. It is ubiquitous and fundamental to pop music production – from self-harmonising on records in the 1950s, to autotune technology […]
Smart motorways were halted over safety concerns – what’s the future for digital roads?
For many people, the rollout of smart technology across the UK’s road network has been clouded by fears about the removal of traffic-free safety lanes. Traditionally, motorway hard shoulders offered motorists a safe haven into which they could steer stricken vehicles. But amid growing traffic numbers, the rationale for smart motorways (part of the UK […]
Why the world needs the UN to keep an eye on AI
Summit Art Creations/Shutterstock AI doesn’t have a boss. It doesn’t really care about rules. And most of us don’t have any say over what it will do next. Yet the technology is all around us, firmly established in workplaces, financial systems, healthcare and defence. So maybe it needs someone to keep an eye on its […]
Why omega-3s may be vital to getting the most out of your daily workouts
People who exercise regularly may want to consider taking an omega-3 supplement. Olenaduygu/ Shutterstock Most people know omega-3 fish oils are good for health – especially heart health. But what many people might not realise is that these friendly fats can also be beneficial to your workouts. Research has linked omega-3s to better exercise performance […]
The six best Shakespeare adaptations that aren’t in English
The future of Shakespeare may well lie beyond the English language. That was the striking message I took away from a talk by translation studies scholar Professor Susan Bassnett at the British Shakespeare Conference in Hull in 2016. Her point was simple but powerful: Shakespeare’s works are likely to survive and flourish not only in […]
Welsh countryside: what Greens and Reform are promising they would change after election
Issues in rural Wales have been a key area for campaigns to highlight. Threeeyedravensproductions/Shutterstock In the last of our series on environmental issues and the Wales election campaign, we look particularly at countryside policies of two parties that are new contenders for seats in the Senedd. The elections to Wales’s parliament, the Senedd, on May […]
Sencos: the government’s plans for Send reform in England hinge on these overworked school staff
Krakenimages.com/Shutterstock Sencos – special educational needs coordinators – play a vital role in maintained mainstream English schools, nursery schools and sixth forms. If you are a parent, you may encounter them if you have concerns about your child’s progress or the support available, or during review meetings. Children may meet them through assessments, pupil interviews […]
UAE’s departure from Opec tells a story about the limited future of oil production
The decision by the United Arab Emirates to leave the oil producers’ cartel Opec after 59 years is more than a symbolic break. It highlights a growing divide among major oil producers over how to respond to a changing energy landscape, and will weaken the group’s ability to manage global supply. In the short term, […]
The Iran war has depleted supplies of tungsten, a critical mineral for the world’s militaries
Sample of rough wolframite rock (tungsten ore) from Altai, Russia. vvoe / Shutterstock The US and Israel’s conflict with Iran has drained munitions at an astonishing rate. This is placing pressure on the supply of a crucial metal: tungsten. Tungsten is used in armour piercing munitions, in components that need to withstand high levels of […]