By Laura Smith, PhD Researcher and Graduate Teaching Fellow, University of Liverpool
In her 2022 novel Trespasses, Louise Kennedy captures the emotional turmoil of an intimate relationship between Cushla, a young Catholic woman, and Michael, an older married Protestant man during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Their love is difficult, not just because Michael is married but also because it is seen as a “mixed relationship” within Northern Irish society.
The Troubles was a period of violence stemming from a political divide over British rule, which lasted for about 30 years from the…
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By Carsten P Welsch, Professor of Physics, University of Liverpool
A particle accelerator that produces intense X-rays could be squeezed into a device that fits on a table, my colleagues and I have found in a new research project.
The way that intense X-rays are currently produced is through a facility called a synchrotron light source. These are used to study materials, drug molecules and biological tissues. Even the smallest existing synchrotrons, however, are about the size of a football stadium.
Our research, which has been accepted for publication in the journal Physical…
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By Henry Chung, Lecturer, School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, University of Essex
Charlotte Gowers, Lecturer, Psychology, Sport and Sensory Science, Anglia Ruskin University
Society is fascinated with health, fitness and longevity. This obsession has spawned a multi-million pound industry centred around pushing the latest cutting-edge science, lifestyle modifications and products that claim to prevent ageing and live as long as possible.
But the secret to a long life doesn’t have to be so complicated. There are many simple things everyone can do to slow down time and feel younger.
When we talk about age, we aren’t always talking about how many candles are on your…
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By Jose L Areta, Associate Professor in Exercise Metabolism and Nutrition, Liverpool John Moores University
When we lose weight, we don’t just lose body fat – we lose muscle, too.
This can be a problem for many reasons, because skeletal muscle is far more than the tissue that helps us move. It plays a crucial role in metabolic health, regulating blood sugar and healthy ageing. Losing muscle mass is linked to a reduced mobility, increased injury risk and is thought to potentially impair long-term…
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By Dipa Kamdar, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, Kingston University
Whether it is sizzling in olive oil or crushed into a curry, garlic has long been a hero in the kitchen. But beyond its strong flavour, garlic has earned a reputation as a natural remedy with a surprising range of potential health benefits. From heart health to immune support, science increasingly supports what tradition has claimed for centuries: garlic is good for you.
The secret lies in its chemistry. Garlic (allium sativum) contains…
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By Amnesty International
On 4 December 2025, before the Court of Appeal of Lesvos, Greece, Seán Binder will stand trial for his work as a volunteer rescuer helping people in distress and at risk of drowning at sea. Alongside 23 other defendants, he faces criminal charges including membership of a criminal organization, money laundering, and smuggling (facilitation of […] The post Greece: Authorities must ‘drop baseless charges’ against rescue volunteer Seán Binder appeared first on Amnesty International. ]]>
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By Amnesty International
One of the girls who sued the Ecuadorian government to end gas flaring in the Amazon will attend the environmental summit to demand that the court ruling be enforced. By: Leonela Moncayo I was born in the Ecuadorian Amazon. My house faces an oil well. While other girls grew up with a view of mountains […] The post OpEd: From an oil well to COP30 appeared first on Amnesty International. ]]>
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By Xosé M. Núñez Seixas, Professor of Modern and Contemporary History, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
When, exactly, did World War II end? The answer depends on where you are from. The war officially ended in the early hours of May 7 1945, when General Jodl signed Germany’s unconditional surrender at the Allied headquarters in Reims, effective from the following day. Thousands took to the streets in London, New York and other cities to celebrate.
However, on May 8 the ceremony was repeated in Berlin in the presence of the Soviet Union’s Marshal Zhukov and representatives of the other Allied countries. Peace reigned from the following day onwards. The Red Army had conquered the German…
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By Natalie Pollard, Professor of Contemporary Literature and Culture, University of Exeter
How activists and artists across the world are challenging popular, generalised climate memes, such as those of melting and sinking.
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By David Yates, Senior Lecturer in Accounting, University of Sheffield
It is difficult to ignore the intertwined nature of the commercialised UK higher education model and its reliance on international student fee income. One in four students enrolled in higher education courses in the UK in 2023-24 is of non-UK origin. This is an increase from just over one in five in 2019-20. A total of over £10 billion of universities’…
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