Briefings
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Boycotts
Last week, a group of celebrities took part in an Instagram and Facebook “freeze” to protest fake news and online hate. Boycotting is not a new idea — but how does it actually work?
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Cloning
Scientists have cloned an endangered horse using cells preserved for 40 years. Some think cloning could help to prevent more species from dying out. But what is cloning? And how does it work?
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The evolution of money
Cashless transactions have dramatically increased since the onset of the pandemic, leading many to wonder if the days of coins and notes are numbered. But what is the history of money?
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Food scarcity
Studies suggest that our most vital crops are in danger of extinction, and climate crisis is partly to blame. The answer could lie in eating different types of food — including insects.
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Fracking
Fracking is one of the most controversial technologies of our time, with activists arguing it poses a grave environmental threat. But what exactly is fracking? And why is it disputed?
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Aztecs
Archaeologists are still uncovering the secrets of an extraordinary civilisation that ruled Central America for 200 years. What do we really know about the Aztecs, and how did they live?
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The language of trees
Beneath every forest is a complex underground web that plants use to communicate. The network is so intricate that we are only just starting to understand it. What is the language of trees?
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The story of football
After months of lockdown, the Premier League has returned. For the first time, games will be played behind closed doors with no crowds. But what is the history of the world’s favourite game?
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Black history
The death of George Floyd has sparked global protests against discrimination and police violence. Many people in the UK have been calling for better education to combat racism in society.
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Dreams
A large number of people around the world have reported experiencing unusually vivid dreams while in lockdown, leading many to wonder what exactly goes on in our brains while we sleep.
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Spacesuits
These super high-tech garments are essentially personalised, human-shaped spacecraft. They must be both comfortable enough and strong enough to protect astronauts from changes in pressure.
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British inventions
Life would be very different if it weren’t for British inventors. We wouldn’t have trains, vaccination, or the internet. Today, the latest inventions could change the world for the better.
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The Milky Way
This year, scientists have discovered a planet we could live on; a new black hole, and the edge of the Milky Way. Our galaxy holds secrets we continue to unlock. But what do we already know?
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Bees
The UK’s rarest bumblebee, the shrill carder, is on the rise again. After a decade of dwindling numbers, the endangered species has made a comeback. But what is so important about bees?
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Vaccination
Human trials for the new coronavirus vaccine began last week in Oxford. If successful, it would be the fastest production of a vaccine in history. But how does vaccination actually work?