AI-narrated audiobooks are here – and they raise some serious ethical questions: Dean Drobot/Shutterstock Meet Madison and Jackson, the AI narrators or “digital voices” soon to be reading some of the audiobooks on Apple Books. They sound nothing like Siri or Alexa or the voice telling you about the unexpected item in the bagging area …
Fyre Festival II: a psychologist on why some people fall for fraudsters over and over again: If you’ve ever been scammed, perhaps you resolved to never allow someone to take you for a fool again. But research shows not everyone reacts this way and in fact some fraud victims go into denial. This might help …
Wegovy was inspired by Gila monster venom – here are some other drugs with surprising origins: The inspiration for Wegovy and Ozempic Vaclav Sebek/Shutterstock Many of the drugs we use today started their journey from bench to bedside in a computer. But this is certainly not the case for all drugs. Indeed, many have exotic …
When being a new mum feels overwhelming, here’s some expert advice on what you need to know: Being a new mother can take a lot of adjustment. pexels?nappy We are sold the idea that becoming a new mother is the happiest time of your life. But for many women, the reality doesn’t fit that perfect …
Remote Pacific coral reef shows at least some ability to cope with ocean warming – new study: A healthy coral reef in Palau in the western Pacific Ocean. Liam Lachs, Author provided Unprecedented ocean temperatures are triggering mass coral bleaching events across the world. This year, the world’s third largest barrier reef, in Florida, is …
Why we think that some extinct giant flying reptiles cared for their young: Pteranodon was a large-bodied pterosaur. YuRi Photolife / Shutterstock Our understanding of animal behaviour depends on observation. Researchers can study how animals are born, grow and develop. We can gather evidence of how they interact with each other and their environment. But …
Why older people are some of those worst affected by climate change: shutterstock While we are all affected to some extent by extreme weather, it is older adults, especially older women and those with disabilities, who tend to be the most vulnerable. Who struggles most is partly determined by age but also pre-existing health conditions, …
How some fish learned to hide behind others to hunt – new research: Griffin Gillespie/Shutterstock Human hunters once used stalking horses as common practice – a domesticated animal (or a wooden replica), which people guided towards their quarry while crouching behind it. People believed the stalking horse would not spook wildfowl, allowing them to approach …
Niger coup: west African union has pledged to intervene – but some members support the plotters: When the Nigerian president, Bola Tinubu, was elected as chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) on July 10, he asserted that the organisation would no longer be a “toothless bulldog”. Tinubu insisted that Ecowas would …
Long COVID: brain function still affected for some up to two years after infection – new research: LightField Studios/Shutterstock Difficulties with cognitive functions or skills, such as the ability to recall memories, concentrate on tasks, or find the right words in conversation, are commonly reported following a COVID infection. These symptoms are often referred to …
COVID: a gene mutation could help explain why some people don’t get symptoms – new research: Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock One aspect of the COVID pandemic that has fascinated both scientists and the public alike is how the infection affects people differently. I’ve previously discussed the potential reasons some people have managed to avoid infection completely. But …
How scammers use psychology to create some of the most convincing internet cons – and what to watch out for: Scammers are blending different types of fraud to persuade people to hand over their cash. Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock Online fraud is today’s most common crime. Victims are often told they are foolish for falling for it, but …
Long COVID: effects on fatigue and quality of life can be comparable to some cancers – new research: Southworks/Shutterstock As of March 2023, the Office for National Statistics estimated that 1.7 million people in the UK were living with self-reported long COVID. This refers to symptoms, including fatigue and brain fog among many others, that …
China’s population grew older and richer: policy lessons for some African countries: China's population peaked, and is now falling. Tang Ke/VCG via Getty Images For decades China was the world’s most populous country. But that’s changed. Its population has peaked, and is now falling. The country has achieved high levels of economic growth for four …
Some refugee girls are forced into early marriage for safety – here’s why: Rates of child marriage increase in communities displaced by conflict as well as communities affected by natural and environmental disasters. The current crisis in Sudan is just one place where this could be an issue. The recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria …
AI could threaten some jobs, but it is more likely to become our personal assistant: AI systems are likely to find quick traction as assistants to humans. PeopleImages.com – Yuri A / Shutterstock BT recently announced that it would be reducing its staff by 55,000, with around 11,000 of these related to the use of …
Melting glaciers in the Alps will eradicate some invertebrates that are crucial for alpine ecosystems – new research: A glacier-fed river from the Odenwinkelkees glacier, Austria. Jonathan Carrivick, CC BY-NC-ND Glaciers across the European Alps are melting at an alarming rate. Between 2000 and 2014, glaciers in the region thinned by up to 0.9 metres …
The Diplomat: Netflix show suggests the US-UK special relationship needs some TLC: Netflix’s new political drama, The Diplomat, is focused on the trials and tribulations of Kate Wyler (Keri Russell), a new American ambassador to Britain. It begins with a deadly attack on a British aircraft carrier and then follows the twists and turns of …