By Becky Underwood, PhD Candidate in Human Geography, Aberystwyth University
Modern life exposes us to a wide range of substances. While most exposures occur at low levels, researchers like me are increasingly interested in the potential cumulative effects of certain chemicals. These include synthetic compounds, indoor air pollutants and microplastics, which can disrupt our hormone and developmental systems. Scientists are still investigating the combined effects of different chemicals and the cumulative health effects they can have over time.
Consequently, many experts recommend a precautionary…
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By Seirian Sumner, Professor of Behavioural Ecology, UCL
Summer can be lovely – until a wasp turns up. Whether they present as an irritating picnic visitor or an uninvited loft guest, common social wasps are as much a part of our summer as festivals, sun cream and the growing despair of how to entertain children who’ve forgotten how to be bored.
But summer 2026 is breaking the norm, and there don’t seem to be many wasps about. As a wasp biologist, I’ve noticed it acutely, because my students need wasps for their experiments, and we simply can’t find them.
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By Nadina Gómez Merino, Profesora Ayudante Doctor. Departamento de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación. Miembro de ERI-Lectura, Universitat de València, Universitat de València
Marina Pi-Ruano, Profesora ayudante doctor en Depto. Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación, Universitat de València
“I don’t understand, I don’t get it, I’m tired.” These are phrases often heard from children with dyslexia, a developmental disorder that affects their ability to read.
To reach a reading level similar to that of their non-dyslexic peers, these children need more time and more chances to practice reading. This means they can find themselves caught in a vicious circle: they struggle with reading, which causes them distress. As a result, they avoid reading and miss out on the benefits that a book can bring…
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By Oleksa Drachewych, Assistant Professor in History, Western University
Despite successful Ukrainian drone strikes, it’s unlikely either Vladimir Putin’s regime or the Russia-Ukraine war will end any time soon.
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By Christian Emery, Associate Professor in International Politics, UCL
Appearing increasingly isolated and weakened, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled to Washington this week, where he had a face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump – his eighth of the US president’s second term. Netanyahu is desperate to revive his image as the closest ally of the most powerful man in the world, but his star has fallen dramatically in Washington since his last trip.
The US president has problems of his own, so he clearly had little appetite for a…
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By Josh Bland, Postdoctoral researcher of football cultures and heritage, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge
It’s clear from the generally horrified reaction to Gianni Infantino’s plan to turn the World Cup into an investment vehicle that the Fifa boss has gone too far.
For years Infantino has been the target of criticism. What is seen as his inapprioriate close relations with world leaders including Vladimir Putin of Russia, Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia and US president Donald Trump. Then there’s the controversial “peace prize” awarded to Trump…
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By Tom Wingfield, Deputy Director of the Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Reader in Tuberculosis and Social Medicine, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK; and Honorary Research Associate at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, and, University of Liverpool
New research found 574 people were diagnosed with TB only after death, exposing delays in recognising a preventable and treatable disease.
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By Sam Carr, Reader in Education with Psychology and Centre for Death and Society, University of Bath
Despite being more connected than any previous generation, many young people report struggling to build friendships that provide a genuine sense of closeness.
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By Kathrin Cresswell, Professor of Digital Innovations in Health and Care, University of Edinburgh
Anna Barford, Research Professor, Language Technology Lab, University of Cambridge
Anthony Kevins, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Studies, Loughborough University
Conor O'Kane, Senior Lecturer in Economics, Bournemouth University
Robin Miller, Professor of Collaborative Learning in Health & Social Care, University of Birmingham
The Big Conversation on Care is the latest attempt to fix England’s broken social care system. Getting a handle on this issue has been attempted no fewer than 22 times since the 1990s – but Prime Minister Andy Burnham has vowed that this time they’ll find the right answers. But what might these be – and will the tough choices on how to pay for it lose Labour votes?
More pay, more prestige for care workers
Anna Barford, Research Professor, Language Technology Lab
Care is a broad…
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By Umit Seven, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Manchester
Luis Martinez Juarez, Lecturer in Global Health, Humanitarian Conflict Response Institute, Manchester University
The world’s pandemic early-warning system is weakest in places affected by armed conflict, where the risk of outbreaks is often greatest.
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