South African troops are dying in the DRC: why they’re there and what’s going wrong: The death of South African soldiers on a Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has sparked fierce debate about the deployment of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers there. Some, including political …
Tropical forests can be revived after logging – if they’re not turned into oil palm plantations: A green-crested lizard. Biodiversity remained relatively high even after logging of old- growth forests, suggesting that there is value in conserving logged forests. Charlie Marsh, CC BY-NC-ND In parts of the tropics like the island of Borneo, the pace …
Data centres in space: they’re a brilliant idea, but a herculean challenge: Be under no illusions … Frame Stock Footage/Shutterstock Data centres are the backbone of our digital infrastructure, supporting everything from social media platforms to online shopping and streaming services. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and the internet of things, …
Nigeria’s universities need to revamp their entrepreneurship courses – they’re not meeting student needs: Youth unemployment has been a problem in Nigeria for decades. This is why policymakers are increasingly turning to entrepreneurship education as a solution. It is hoped that entrepreneurship will reduce reliance on formal jobs and create more opportunities for self-employment. The …
The emotional toll of dating apps and why they’re no longer about finding love – podcast: Nicoleta Ionescu/Shutterstock Dating apps are having a rocky moment. In February, Bumble said it would lay off 30% of its workforce after disappointing results in 2023. Match Group, which has struggled to maintain paying subscribers for its most popular …
Avalanches can grow 100 times larger under the sea than on land – here’s why they’re a risk to the internet: ZHMURCHAK/Shutterstock Underwater avalanches are powerful natural events that happen all the time under the surface of the ocean. They are impossible to see and extremely difficult to measure, which means we know little about …
Kenya’s digital divide: pastoralists are key to the country’s economy, but they’re being left behind: Information and communication technologies (ICTs) hold great potential to expand African economies. They include mobile banking platforms, internet-enabled communication devices and e-government services. All of these can enhance financial inclusion and improve services for citizens. Kenya’s mobile money transfer platform, …
Tanzania’s dams: flood risk depends on how they’re planned and operated: The Rufiji River, which drains into Tanzania’s south-east coast, experienced a major wave of flooding in April 2024. The flooding caused tragic loss of life and affected at least 88,000 individuals. More than 28,000 hectares of crops were damaged. There has been much debate …
How supermarkets are changing their branding to make you think they’re cheaper: Discounters have long copied more established brands – but now it's working the other way too. Tesco UK shoppers have specific preferences when it comes to their favourite supermarkets. M&S was voted as the best in a recent survey, followed closely by German …
Cameroon’s rebels may not achieve their goal of creating the Ambazonian state – but they’re still a threat to stability: Cameroon’s separatist insurgency is an armed conflict in the country’s North West (NW) and South West (SW) regions that began in 2017. It pits government forces against several non-state armed groups, locally known as “Amba …
Fake academic papers are on the rise: why they’re a danger and how to stop them: Fake academic articles can cause significant harm. Nora Carol Photography In the 1800s, British colonists in India set about trying to reduce the cobra population, which was making life and trade very difficult in Delhi. They began to pay …
They’re serving what?! How the c-word went from camp to internet mainstream: Beyoncé uses the c-word in staging for her 2023 Renaissance tour, as well as in lyrics for the track Pure/Honey. Raph_PH/Wiki Commons, CC BY-SA Warning: this article contains language that some readers may find offensive. If someone told you that you were “serving …
Blackpool: why seaside towns in England are struggling – and what they’re doing about it: Blackpool's seafront. jremes84|Shutterstock Life expectancy in Blackpool, in the north-west of England, is the lowest in the country: 5.3 years lower than the national average for men and 4.2 years lower than the national average for women. Commenting on these …
Stones inside fish ears mark time like tree rings – and now they’re helping us learn about climate change: Dolores M. Harvey/Shutterstock As a marine biologist, I’ve always found it fascinating to learn about how animals adapt to their habitat. But climate change has made it more important than ever – wild animals’ futures may …
Autumn statement: what to expect, what they’re not saying, and the traps for Labour: Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s budget on Wednesday, November 22 will put into place a major piece of the Conservative party’s strategy for the general election – the plan to turn the economy around and tackle the cost of living crisis. But with …
Health professionals need to collaborate. Changing how they’re taught helps build that skill: It's crucial that medical professionals learn to collaborate. Katleho Seisa When health professionals collaborate rather than operating in silos, everyone benefits – patients, families and the health system at large. This is a fact supported by ample research evidence. The professionals reap …
ADHD drug shortages are affecting patients in the UK – here’s why they’re happening: It's hoped shortages will be resolved soon. DavidPinoPhotography/ Shutterstock Millions of people in the UK who take drugs for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are facing difficulties getting their prescriptions filled due to shortages. These shortages are currently affecting four of …
Japanese manhole covers are painted with flowers, bridges, mountains and mascots — and now they’re for sale: Kenshi Kingami|nsplash Visitors to Japan are usually primed to look up – at the vast skyscrapers, the ornate temple gates, the traditional timber-framed guesthouses. Those who look down at their feet, though, might have noticed something equally intriguing …