By Saroash Shahid, Reader in Dental Materials, Queen Mary University of London
The idea of ancient civilisations pioneering orthodontics is irresistible, but archaeology shows their gold dental work served very different purposes.
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By Oli Buckley, Professor in Cyber Security, Loughborough University
Lilly Casey-Green, PhD Candidate in Computer Science, Loughborough University
Patrick Scaife, PhD Candidate in Computer Science, Loughborough University
“Brainrot” is what many people call the chaotic, fast-moving memes, sounds and catchphrases that spread across TikTok, Roblox and online gaming and into playgrounds. An example is the endlessly repeated chant of “six-seven”, which still echoes through houses and schools across the country – to the bewilderment (or annoyance) of many teachers and parents.
But if you’ve ever said “I’ll be back” in a mock-Arnie voice or asked “you talkin’ to me?”, you’ve already engaged in a form of brainrot.…
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By Lauren Thomas, Senior Lecturer in Marketing & Events, University of South Wales
Charles Hancock, Senior Lecturer Marketing, University of Derby
Rosy Boardman, Reader in Fashion Business, University of Manchester
Secondhand fashion is booming, yet most brides – even those who care about sustainability – still choose to walk down the aisle in a new wedding dress.
It’s a striking contradiction. Wedding gowns are expensive and resource-intensive to produce. They require large amounts of fabric and water for a garment worn only once. And while many couples are thinking more carefully about the environmental cost of their celebrations, secondhand bridalwear remains the exception rather than the norm.
Our…
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By Chee Meng Tan, Assistant Professor of Business Economics, University of Nottingham
As China heads into the new year it will start rolling out its 15th five‑year plan, this one is for 2026-2030.
Beijing is doubling down on greening its economy, and aims to hit two major climate goals: “carbon peaking”, where carbon dioxide emissions have reached a ceiling by 2030, and “carbon neutrality”,…
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By Steve Parissien, Lecturer in Architectural History, University of Oxford
As a cultural historian who has worked with and lectured on the drinks industry for many years I was asked to write a book about post-war Britain and the drinks that made it. I immediately knew I had to include Babycham – a post-austerity tipple that had made Britain smile.
Britain in the early 1950s was gradually emerging from the shadow of war and was dealing with bankruptcy and post-war shortages. By the time of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, British manufacturing was getting back on its feet.
In that year, a little-known Somerset brewery, Showerings, hit upon…
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By Devin Smart, Assistant Professor, Department of History, West Virginia University
Rural people mostly grew their own food. But in the city, the daily meal became a commodity to be bought and sold.
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By Samuel Cornell, PhD Candidate in Public Health & Community Medicine, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney
Masaki Shibata, Lecturer in Intercultural Studies, Monash University
Every summer in Australia, millions of people head to the beach, and every year, thousands are rescued by lifeguards or Surf Life Savers and even surfers…
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By Justin Bergman, International Affairs Editor, The Conversation
Several cases before the court will be pivotal in determining how much power Trump is able to accrue – and what he’ll be able to do with it.
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By Christian Brakenridge, Research Fellow, Iverson Health Innovation Research Institute, Swinburne University of Technology
Yes, there is evidence changing your desk set up can help with fat loss, improving cholesterol, blood pressure and metabolism. But try this before you buy.
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By Alex Bellamy, Director of the Asia Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect and Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies, The University of Queensland
By any measure, 2025 was not a good year for world peace.
Worse, it was just the latest of a decade-long decline of peace and upsurge of war.
As author of a book on world peace and how we can achieve it (that’s literally the title), here’s my assessment.
Grim numbers
Peace is on the decline around the world by many measures.
The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data index, a UN-funded independent monitor, reports global conflict…
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