Overeating at Christmas can cause weight gain – but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s permanent: Many of us look forward to sharing Christmas dinner with friends and family. DC Studio/ Shutterstock The holidays are a time of indulgence, with most celebrations centred on having festive food and drinks. It’s no wonder then that most people …
Rising costs and delays don’t necessarily mean HS2 is failing – an expert in new infrastructure development explains: The UK government is reportedly considering scrapping the second phase of its long-term high-speed rail project, HS2. It has been revealed that a cost analysis outlining the benefit of doing so was prepared ahead of Prime Minister …
Caster Semenya’s legal victory is significant for human rights, but doesn’t necessarily mean she’ll be able to compete again – here’s why: Olympic athlete Caster Semenya has repeatedly come into conflict with competition rules set out by the athletics governing body, World Athletics (formerly known as the IAAF). These rules require athletes like Semenya, who …
Thousands of unknown viruses discovered in baby poo – why this is not necessarily a bad thing: An international team of scientists who spent five years studying the poo of 647 Danish babies found something astonishing. The nappy samples contained 10,000 species of virus – ten times the number of bacterial species in the same …
Misinformation: why it may not necessarily lead to bad behaviour: Lies are nothing new. durantelallera/Shutterstock “So far as the influence of the newspaper upon the mind and morals of the people is concerned, there can be no rational doubt that the telegraph has caused vast injury.” So said the The New York Times in 1858, …
Government debt won’t necessarily burden future generations – but austerity will: Family stock / Shutterstock In his autumn budget statement, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said that the Conservatives don’t leave debts for the next generation. As such, he vowed to halve government borrowing over the next five years. This promise is key to the government’s justification …
Somalia’s election was different: why that’s not necessarily a bad thing: Clan elders gather in Belet Weyne, Somalia's fifth largest city, for a weekly meeting to discuss various issues affecting their region. Flickr-AU UN IST Photo / Tobin Jones At the end of a tough electoral process marked by intensified violence, Somalia has a new …
Why being resilient won’t necessarily make you happy – new research: Happiness is complex. Rido/Shutterstock We’re living in difficult and uncertain times, and are constantly reminded to stay resilient in the face of adversity. In fact, tips on how to stay strong and handle unexpected setbacks by recovering – and even growing as a person …
Why lockdowns don’t necessarily infringe on freedom: Europe is dealing with its “second wave” of COVID-19. And governments seem powerless to stem the tide. Dutch political leaders find it difficult to convince their citizens to wear face masks. A large majority of French voters think that Emmanuel Macron’s government has handled the pandemic badly. And …
Infrastructure megaprojects that are delivered late and over budget aren’t necessarily failures – here’s why: Sydney Opera House. Korawee/Shutterstock If an infrastructure megaproject is completed late and over budget, it is widely judged to be unsuccessful. For instance, the delay to Crossrail, a new train line across London and the south east of England, has …
Back to school does not necessarily mean back to work for mothers: The reopening of schools will be greeted with relief by many exhausted parents who have had to juggle working from home with childcare and homeschooling since the coronavirus pandemic began. But it will not be a return to normal for some families – …
Obese does not necessarily mean unhealthy: Obese perhaps but not necessarily unhealthy. Creativa Images/www.shutterstock.com Self-proclaimed “weight loss hypnosis master” Steve Miller has announced a campaign to see all overweight NHS staff wearing badges that read “I’m fat, but I’m losing it”. He also wants all restaurant menus to carry the warning that “if you’re fat, …
Long lives aren’t necessarily happy ones in Africa, particularly for women: Older women are often identified and witches and persecuted. DIFD/Flickr, CC BY Around the world, people are living longer. Medical advances, improving health care systems and declining fertility rates have all contributed to this state of affairs. In 1980, there were 378 million people …