By Valerie van Mulukom, Visiting Lecturer in Psychology, Coventry University
We live in what has been called the “distraction economy”: an environment full of triggers that are engineered to demand our attention at every turn. The result is often fragmented attention, loss of focus and sometimes even increased rumination and anxiety.
Becoming fully absorbed in an activity is rare. Think of a time a film was so engrossing that you didn’t reach for your phone – the film-watching experience was…
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By Mokgadi Miranda Hlongwane, Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, Tshwane University of Technology
The growing use of toxic agricultural chemicals including fertilisers is also driving a scaling up of sustainable agrochemical alternatives.
In South Africa, I’ve been exploring why small-scale farmers resist switching to these more cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions, such as “biological fertilisers”. Rural small-scale farmers are hesitant about these non-toxic bacterial alternatives because they aren’t readily available or widely understood.
One…
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By Elva Arulchelvan, Lecturer in Psychology and PhD Researcher in Psychology and Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin
From putting your phone away to getting better at ‘chunking’, a neuroscience researcher explains how to make your memory better.
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By Narcisse Martial Yèdji, Sociologue politiste et enseignant-chercheur, University d'Abomey-Calavi de Bénin
While voter turnout may not decide who wins the election, it will reflect how credible the electoral process is perceived.
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By Amalendu Misra, Professor of International Politics, Lancaster University
Since the early days of Cuba’s 1950s revolution – which overthrew the US-backed dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista and replaced it with a socialist government led by Fidel Castro – the Cuban diaspora have played a large role in determining the island nation’s economic and political landscape.
The first wave of predominantly wealthy, white Cuban emigrants have for decades campaigned for a watertight embargo against their homeland. Many…
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By Ed Macaulay, Lecturer in Physics and Data Science, Queen Mary University of London
The Artemis II mission to the Moon is a voyage unlike any other in more than half a century. As the first crewed lunar flight since 1972, Artemis II marks the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship with the Moon.
Nasa’s goal is to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon. As the Artemis II ten-day journey concludes, it will be remembered as a profound moment in the history of human spaceflight. Stunning photos and video downlinked to Earth have provided a human perspective on this…
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By Matilde Rosina, Assistant Professor in Global Challenges, Brunel University of London
The UK government is planning to make it significantly harder for migrants to obtain permanent residence. If the proposals go ahead, the UK would become more restrictive than most other high-income democracies. In the case of refugees it would create a situation that is arguably without precedent among peer countries.
The UK’s home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, intends to double…
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By Sarah Golding, Postgraduate MSK Lecturer, School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, University of Essex
While corticosteroid injections can be very effective at alleviating the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis, they might not be for everyone.
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By Anja Shortland, Professor in Political Economy, King's College London
The art market is riddled with fakes and forgeries. Yet in most countries, those trading in genuine masterpieces are left to their own devices when it comes to monitoring art sales – creating their own ways to flag problematic objects and verify the authenticity of others.
New art laws in Greece, however, suggest the country is taking the business of art legislation more seriously.
In-depth scrutiny can be extremely lucrative for sellers of art. A reputation for selling only the highest-quality…
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By Donald Heflin, Executive Director of the Edward R. Murrow Center and Senior Fellow of Diplomatic Practice, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
Both countries seem tired of the costs of war and ongoing risks, but successful negotiations will have to overcome deep distrust by both sides.
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