China’s gallium and germanium controls: what they mean and what could happen next: From August, China is to restrict exports of gallium and germanium, two critical elements for making semiconductor chips. With China dominating the supply of both elements, exporters will now need special licences to get them out of the country. The move has …
Why earthquakes happen all the time in Britain but not in Ireland: Britain experiences hundreds of earthquakes each year. Raffaele Bonadio, Author provided The village of Tean in Staffordshire, England, was hit by a 3.3-magnitude earthquake on June 28 2023. The tremors caused windows and doors to rattle in the surrounding area. Earthquakes of this …
Betelgeuse: star is continuing to behave mysteriously – here’s what would happen if it exploded: Betelgeuse, the bright, yellow star at the top of the picture, dimmed considerably in 2020 (as seen in second image) and has since brightened by 50%. H.Raab/Flickr, CC BY-ND The bright, red star Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion has shown …
If we’re going to label AI an ‘extinction risk’, we need to clarify how it could happen: This is not the first time that AI has been described as an existential threat. Nouskrabs/Shutterstock This week a group of well-known and reputable AI researchers signed a statement consisting of 22 words: Mitigating the risk of extinction …
Headaches after exercise: here’s why they happen – and how to prevent them: Many people describe exercise headaches as feeling similar to a migraine. voronaman/ Shutterstock For some people, going for a run can trigger what’s known as a “runner’s high”, a short-lasting feeling of euphoria or relaxation. But for others, running can trigger something …
Nigeria and digital banking: a revolution still waiting to happen: Cash is still king in Nigeria. Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP via Getty Images At the end of 2022 the Central Bank of Nigeria launched new banknotes. At the same time it also capped withdrawal of the new banknotes. The rollout of the currency change was shambolic. …
The northern lights appeared in southern England twice in one week – here’s why this could happen again soon: The northern lights seen in the south of the UK weren't quite as vivid as the kind of displays seen closer to the polar regions basiczto/Shutterstock People across the UK, from the Shetland Islands to Somerset …
The UK’s four-day working week pilot was a success – here’s what should happen next: Reconstructing the working week. Steve Heap/Shutterstock The world’s largest four-day working week trial has just ended and almost all of the companies that participated have decided to continue with a reduced working hours model. Participants in the trial agreed to …
Electric vehicles: if the UK is serious about being a major player, here’s what needs to happen: The UK’s efforts to become a global player in electric vehicles (EVs) are back in the spotlight with two government announcements: a £500 million loan guarantee for Ford and a £73 million package to support various smaller clean …
Hailey Bieber has revealed she has an ovarian cyst – here’s why they happen: Ovarian cysts often go away on their own. Andrea Raffin/ Shutterstock Model Hailey Bieber recently revealed that she’s been suffering with an ovarian cyst the size of an apple. While we don’t know exactly how many women suffer with ovarian cysts, …
Black Friday: so many online returns end up in landfill – here’s what needs to happen to change that: Someone else's problem? Gaudi Lab Two of the busiest online shopping days of the year are upon us. In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis and recession, retailers will be desperately hoping that shoppers take advantage …
8 billion people: how evolution made it happen: One in 8 billion oneinchpunch/Shutterstock November 15 2022 marks a milestone for our species, as the global population hits 8 billion. Just 70 years ago, within a human lifetime, there were only 2.5 billion of us. In AD1, fewer than one-third of a billion. So how have …
Zero deforestation in the Amazon is now possible – here’s what needs to happen: Jair Bolsonaro has been defeated in the Brazilian election against Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (“Lula”) to the rejoicing of scientists, environmentalists, and human rights activists in Brazil and beyond. What happens in South America’s largest country is globally significant since, …
South Africa’s parliament fails to hold the executive to account: history shows what can happen: President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses a parliamentary session. GCIS/Flickr In South Africa’s apartheid era from 1948 to 1994, the executive arm of government dominated over parliament. In any system, this allows a small group of politicians to dominate the larger body …
Fracking: the simple test for whether it should happen in the UK: The UK’s new prime minister, Liz Truss, recently announced the reversal of the 2019 ban on fracking. Facing an acute energy crisis, the government want to increase domestic energy production. According to conventional economic theory, whether or not fracking should occur is simple. …
UK energy crisis: why rationing is likely to happen this winter, whether Liz Truss likes it or not: Managed blackouts or rationing or power could be required to address the energy crisis this winter. Enrique Micaelo / Shutterstock In the 1970s, the UK government used a series of planned blackouts to manage energy shortages. The …
Why are gas prices still high despite oil getting cheaper – and what will happen next? Energy expert Q&A: While Putin reduces Russian gas supplies, Europe has become more dependent on shipments of LNG. Bill Chizek Photography/Alamy While thermometers have been well into the red across the northern hemisphere, people are panicking about the cost …
Four ways to stop thinking the worst will happen when you’re stressed: Catastrophising can lead to undue stress and anxiety. Rawpixel.com/ Shutterstock Imagine you have an interview for a new job tomorrow. Some people might think about what kind of questions they will be asked so that they can prepare, or imagine the interview going …