By Chris Greenough, Reader in Social Sciences, Edge Hill University
Have you ever wondered why so many images depicting the crucifixion show Jesus with a very defined, slender and toned body? Either slim, but with a six-pack, or displaying muscles and brawn. While these images are hardly a reflection of what little can be surmised about the historical Jesus, they certainly reflect social and cultural ideas about masculinity and idealised notions of manhood. In many images of the crucifixion,…
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By Kevin Collins, Senior Lecturer, Environment & Systems, The Open University
An international subcommittee of geologists recently voted to reject a proposal to make the Anthropocene an official new geological epoch, defined by humanity’s enormous impact on the planet. Assuming some protests do not overturn the ruling, it will now take another decade for the decision to be reviewed. That may seem a long time given climate change concerns, but it is of course far less than a blink in planetary terms. The Earth can certainly wait, even if we can’t. But sometimes big ideas…
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By Paul Whiteley, Professor, Department of Government, University of Essex
American politics is very polarised at the moment, with bitter disagreements between Democrats and Republicans in Congress, in the media and in the presidential campaign. One source of polarisation that is rarely discussed is the divide between young and old voters at elections. Over the past 50 years, young and old have often supported the same candidate, but in 2024 younger voters are expected to be particularly important. In 1971, the 26th…
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By Renaud Foucart, Senior Lecturer in Economics, Lancaster University Management School, Lancaster University
No one remembers the names of the soldiers who arrested Jesus, or the civil servants who organised his crucifixion. But Judas Iscariot has not been forgotten, and will forever be associated with treachery and betrayal. Part of what makes Judas stand out is his position as a disciple. There is only betrayal if there was some form of loyalty beforehand. And many of us will have felt the cruel sting of being let down by people we trusted – whether it was in…
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By Lisa Garwood-Cross, University Fellow in Digital Health & Society, University of Salford
Can eating lots of pineapple change the smell and taste of the vulva and vagina? An expert examines the latest fruity vaginal health hack.
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By Huw Morgan, Reader in Physical Sciences, Aberystwyth University
A total solar eclipse takes place on April 8 across North America. These events occur when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the Sun’s face. This plunges observers into a darkness similar to dawn or dusk. During the upcoming eclipse, the path of totality, where observers experience the darkest part of the Moon’s shadow (the umbra), crosses Mexico, arcing north-east through Texas,…
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By Martin Connors, Professor of Space Science and Physics, Athabasca University
The solar corona can be seen during the solar eclipse on April 8. Astronomers are still trying to figure out the mysteries of the corona, including why it’s so hot.
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By August Nilsson, PhD Candidante in Organizational Psychology, Lund University
Much is written about the world happiness rankings. But it seems not everyone interprets the survey question the same way.
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By Marie-Christine Doran, Full Professor of Compared Politics, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa
Ecuador’s unexpected gang-related security crisis has resurrected the debate on what’s known as Bukelism, the supposedly miraculous anti-crime strategy named after El Salvador President Nayib Bukele. Bukelism is credited with dramatically reducing El Salvador’s drug-related homicide rates from…
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By Nwakerendu Waboso, PhD Candidate, Child and Youth Studies, Brock University Taylor McKee, Assistant Professor, Sport Management, Brock University
This year’s NCAA tournament might represent another high-water mark for women’s sport as new standards are set for ratings and even more pressure falls on the game’s superstars.
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