The brain has its own thermostat – study shows epilepsy may interfere with it
New Africa/Shutterstock Doctors have long known that changes in body temperature can affect seizure activity. Fever can trigger seizures in some young children, while in rare forms of epilepsy, bathing in hot water can bring on a seizure. Raised body temperature can also trigger seizures in Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy that usually […]
Train to Busan ten years on: zombie thriller that propelled the rise of Korean cinema
Ten years ago, a divorced father and his young daughter boarded a high-speed train from Seoul to Busan. But before they reached their destination, most of South Korea had been overrun by zombies. This simple premise turned director Yeon Sang-ho’s Train to Busan into one of the most successful Korean films of its generation. Following […]
What live sewage spill data does (and doesn’t) tell us about water pollution
Maximillian cabinet/Shutterstock During periods of heavy rainfall, pipes known as storm overflows aim to prevent excess water overflowing into the sewage system. But this is not always the case. During intense rainfall, combined sewers (which carry both wastewater from homes and businesses and rainwater running off roads and buildings into drains) can exceed their capacity. […]
Where does fat actually go when you lose weight? The answer is in your breath – and your sweat
Kues/ Shutterstock In order to lose weight, most of us know it’s a matter of eating less and being more physically active. By putting our body into a calorie deficit, we “burn” more calories than we’re taking in – and so we lose weight. But while most of us are familiar with how to make […]
The free EU database that tells you if an appliance is actually green
BearFotos/Shutterstock When something breaks down, like a washing machine or television, you might find yourself in a showroom or flicking through 12 browser tabs, trying to choose between “eco-friendly” or “green” replacements. They look and cost the same, yet we currently have no way of knowing which claim, if any, is true. The European Commission […]
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is freezing her eggs – here’s what to consider if you’re thinking of doing the same
The US congresswoman has been documenting her journey on social media. lev radin/ Shutterstock US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez revealed that, at 36, she has decided to freeze her eggs. In an online social media video, Ocasio-Cortez said she chose to go through the process in order to “feel more in control of my life.” She […]
The law of the innocents: Ireland’s medieval precursor to the Geneva conventions
Polymath: Adomnán, Abbott of Iona, was a scholar, teacher, mentor, poet, calendarist and negotiator. OrthoChristian.com The Geneva conventions, which were signed in August 1949 in the aftermath of the horrors of the second world war, are generally accepted as the gold standard of international humanitarian law. They set the rules for the treatment of both […]
Jason Arday press coverage: the volume of articles on this story should make editors reflect
The death of Jason Arday, following weeks of news coverage of his life and career, has prompted calls for a new inquiry into press standards. The University of Cambridge academic faced an overwhelming volume of comment from international news organisations, broadcasters, digital-native publications and the public on social media. His family said it all had […]
China opens new Arctic trade route – but obstacles will prevent its wider use
A cargo ship at the Anadyr Sea Port in north-eastern Russia. Andrei Stepanov / Shutterstock Sea Legend, a Chinese shipping line, recently announced it was launching a regular container service between China and Europe via the Arctic. The announcement follows a trial crossing in 2025 that saw a container ship travel from the port of […]
Can baby monitors protect children without data security risks?
Miljan Zivkovic For parents, keeping children safe is not only instinctive but a priority. We babyproof the house, we check the car seat twice, we wake up in the middle of the night at the smallest sound. As technology has evolved, it also offered a promise to help parents watch over our kids even when […]