Five fiction books that will help you understand Ukraine
Ukrainian literature offers a rich way into the country’s history, culture and identity. As more Ukrainian works become available in English translation, readers have an expanding range of voices and perspectives to discover. But where to begin? Here are five books to help get you started. These five books take readers through time and across […]
How damaged teeth can reinforce stigma and disadvantage: conversations with street sex workers
The Belle statue is a bronze monument at Oudekerksplein in Amsterdam. Unveiled in March 2007 by artist Els Rijerse, it honors sex workers worldwide. Its plaque reads, “Respect sex workers all over the world.” Bumble Dee/Shutterstock For women involved in street sex work who took part in our research, damaged or missing teeth were more […]
Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma: a queer slasher about trauma and desire
In Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, Gillian Anderson plays Billy, a reclusive actress famous for playing a classic “final girl”. That’s the last woman left alive to confront the killer in a slasher movie. “It’s all about flesh … and fluids,” she explains when discussing the appeal of the fictional Camp Miasma franchise, […]
Why Gaza peace deals keep unravelling
Destroyed buildings in a neighbourhood of Gaza City in March 2025. Gaza – Survival Journey / Shutterstock Donald Trump’s Board of Peace published a 15-point roadmap for Gaza in late July in which Hamas would hand its weapons to a committee of Palestinian technocrats, certified by an international verification body, and Israel would withdraw from […]
Over 75% of UK wetlands have been destroyed – restoring them would help prevent wildfires
Firefighters have been battling a vast wildfire in the hills above Blaenavon in south Wales, spreading across more than 4,000 hectares, for three weeks. Around 200 military personnel were called in to support exhausted fire crews as more fires broke out across the south Wales valleys. Smoke from Blaenavon could be seen from Cardiff and […]
Why long gaps between meals may not be healthy for older people – new study
Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock.com Going for much of the day without eating is often promoted as a way to improve health or lose weight. But a new study suggests that long gaps between meals may have different effects on older adults – especially those in the oldest age groups. For the study, my colleagues and I followed […]
Cabin crew at greater risk of radiation-based cancer than nuclear technologists
photobyphotoboy/Shutterstock.com What jobs are most associated with deaths from radiation-related cancer? Surprisingly, the answer is cabin crew and pilots – ahead of nuclear technologists, whose work involves handling radioactive materials used in medical imaging and treatment. That’s the finding of a new study that analysed more than 12.7 million death records from 2020 to 2024, […]
GCSE results: did you miss grade four in maths, English or both? Here’s what you need to know
Raushan_films/Shutterstock Here’s some advice if you haven’t achieved a grade four or above in maths, English or both on GCSE results day. While grades three and below aren’t fail grades, a grade four in these subjects is often seen as a target, and is required to progress into some study pathways. First of all: you […]
Banning the opposition, going on a listening tour: Putin’s worried about the coming election
Could we see Vladimir Putin’s control of Russia seriously challenged – or even destabilised in the coming months? Predicting when authoritarian regimes might fall is notoriously difficult. Their hold on power can appear solid until suddenly it crumbles. But there are signs that the Kremlin is concerned about the potential for upcoming elections to become […]
Only 3% of UK homes have air conditioning. What are the costs and consequences of fitting it?
A UK home with an external air conditioning unit. Paul Briden/Shutterstock The recent heatwaves mean that many people in northern Europe are now looking at new ways to cool their homes. Historically, northern European building design has prioritised heating, but more home owners are considering adding air conditioning. While 88% of US homes have air […]