tag:theconversation.com,2011:/institutions/nottingham-trent-university-1338/articlesNottingham Trent University2024-03-27T13:27:11Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2247152024-03-27T13:27:11Z2024-03-27T13:27:11ZGo on an Easter egg case hunt on the beach to discover more about sharks and rays<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/579193/original/file-20240301-20-bnz9ap.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Egg cases found along the foreshore can tell scientists a lot about the abundance and life cycles of sharks and rays</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/close-shark-egg-case-resting-on-1983639383">Ross Mahon/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Strolling along the shoreline, you may come across peculiar pouch-like objects on the sand. These leathery treasures are shark egg cases, also known as mermaid’s purses. Each capsule can tell us something about how sharks and rays reproduce, the lives they lead and how rare they might be. </p>
<p>The Shark Trust’s <a href="https://www.sharktrust.org/greateggcasehunt">great egg case hunt</a> encourages people to document their foreshore findings. Different sharks and rays produce egg cases with distinct characteristics. Skates and rays tend to have more elongated pouches with horn-like protrusions at each end. Shark egg cases often have spiral coiled tendrils which can be lodged into crevices or attached to underwater structures such as rocks, seaweed, or coral reefs.</p>
<p>These protective structures are produced by the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0016648022001010#:%7E:text=Reproductive%20strategies%20of%20elasmobranchs%20(sharks%2C%20rays%20and%20skates)%20have,species%20(Compagno%2C%201990).">40% of sharks and rays</a> and <a href="https://www.sharktrust.org/pups-skates-rays">all skates</a> that lay eggs. Each egg case safeguards an embryo from predators and harsh environmental conditions during their early stages of life. </p>
<p>Shark egg cases can be found around the world, in coastal waters, estuaries and deep ocean environments. Particularly after storms or during low tide, egg cases may become dislodged from their attachment sites on the ocean floor and end up on beaches. </p>
<h2>Record your findings</h2>
<p>If you come across an egg case while exploring the beach, try not to disturb or open it because it may contain precious shark or ray eggs. Avoid removing it from the beach (doing so may well be illegal in some parts of the world) and, as with any beach discovery, leave the area as you found it.</p>
<p>Take a moment to examine the egg case. Note its size, shape, colour and any other distinguishing features. Photograph the egg case from different angles and try to identify which species it came from using The Shark Trust’s <a href="https://www.sharktrust.org/geh-id">useful guide</a>. Record the precise location, date and time that you found the egg case. </p>
<p>Log your findings via citizen science projects such as the great egg case hunt, or report your discovery to local marine research organisations, aquariums or conservation groups that may be collecting data on egg case sightings. </p>
<p>Share your experience with friends, relatives and other beachgoers to raise awareness about the importance of shark and ray conservation. Encourage others to respect marine life and their habitats to ensure their preservation.</p>
<h2>A natural process</h2>
<p>The washing up of shark egg cases is a perfectly natural process. Some sharks and rays deposit their egg cases in shallow waters or near the shoreline, where they may become dislodged by wave action, currents, or storms. This helps to disperse the embryos and maintain genetic diversity within populations. Once the tide comes in, egg cases can be washed back into the sea allowing for further dispersal, so not all shark egg cases found on beaches are stranded or in need of intervention. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/579203/original/file-20240301-18-pcqiev.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Underwater shot of yellow transparent egg case with dark-coloured live embryo inside , purple sea coral" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/579203/original/file-20240301-18-pcqiev.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/579203/original/file-20240301-18-pcqiev.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579203/original/file-20240301-18-pcqiev.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579203/original/file-20240301-18-pcqiev.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579203/original/file-20240301-18-pcqiev.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579203/original/file-20240301-18-pcqiev.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579203/original/file-20240301-18-pcqiev.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Egg cases are designed to protect the embryos of sharks and rays.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/dogfish-shark-eggs-close-hanging-red-326395700">Andrea Izzotti/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
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<p>If the embryos inside the egg cases are fully developed and ready to hatch, returning them to the sea may indeed increase their chances of survival. But if the water is too shallow, turbid or polluted, it may not be suitable for the survival of the embryos. Handling egg cases or disturbing them unnecessarily could inadvertently harm the developing embryos. So if you have concerns about the welfare of the embryos or the environmental conditions, consult with local marine conservation experts or beach authorities for guidance.</p>
<h2>Tracking cycles</h2>
<p>Identifying which species are present in a particular area can indicate the reproductive activity of local shark and ray populations. By monitoring the abundance and distribution of egg cases over time, scientists can track reproductive cycles and assess the health of populations. </p>
<p>While some species may reproduce all year round, others may have specific breeding seasons tied to environmental cues such as water temperature or daylight hours. Understanding the reproductive biology and habitat requirements of sharks and rays helps protect these vulnerable species and conserve their habitats.</p>
<p>Recordings of egg case sightings enable scientists to build up a picture of any changes in the abundance or condition of shark egg cases that might be indicative of broader environmental changes. The decline in the number of egg case sightings may suggest threats such as habitat degradation or over-fishing. Stormy weather or changes in ocean currents may also affect the distribution and abundance of egg cases by washing them ashore or dispersing them in the water. </p>
<p>Egg cases are fascinating structures that provide valuable information about sharks and rays. Next time you visit a beach, remember that each and every piece of debris, natural or human-made, tells a story about the interconnected web of life in the ocean. Take a closer look at what has been washed up on the shore and enjoy going on a shark egg case hunt.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/224715/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Nicholas Ray does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Egg cases of sharks and rays can be found washed up on the shore. Citizen science data helps scientists understand the life cycles of these marine animals and how to best conserve them.Nicholas Ray, Doctoral School Programmes Manager, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2257282024-03-27T13:27:00Z2024-03-27T13:27:00ZHoney is said to help with hay fever symptoms – here’s what the research says about this claim<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/584039/original/file-20240325-22-41zped.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=8%2C0%2C5742%2C3828&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Recent investigations into honey's allergy-alleviating potential have yielded intriguing results.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/positive-young-woman-honey-kitchen-1009425373">Africa Studio/ Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Honey has a long history as a revered natural remedy across many cultures. Ancient civilisations recognised its therapeutic potential, employing it for various medicinal purposes. The ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, Chinese, Greeks and Romans, for instance, used it to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3758027/#:%7E:text=of%20natural%20honey-,Human%20use%20of%20honey%20is%20traced%20to%20some%208000%20years,of%20the%20gut%20(12).">heal wounds</a>. And many cultures today continue to use it as a remedy for <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5424551/">sore throats and coughs</a>.</p>
<p>Some people also assert that honey can alleviate hay fever symptoms. Advocates of this method claim honey can help thanks to its purported <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.599080/full">anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties</a> (though empirical evidence for this is lacking).</p>
<p>But what does science actually say about this <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3758027/">age-old remedy</a>? Recent investigations into honey’s potential for <a href="https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/48853226.pdf">alleviating hay fever</a> symptoms have yielded <a href="https://www.annsaudimed.net/doi/full/10.5144/0256-4947.2013.469">intriguing findings</a> that certainly warrant further exploration. </p>
<p>One fascinating aspect being investigated is honey’s ability to act as a form of <a href="https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/48853226.pdf">immunotherapy</a> – a treatment strategy that aims to modify the immune system’s response to allergens.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279487/">Immunotherapy</a> involves exposing the immune system to gradually increasing doses of allergens, such as pollen, in a controlled manner. This exposure helps <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S108112062031214X">desensitise the immune system over time</a>, reducing its hypersensitivity and lessening allergic reactions. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/hay-fever-how-immunotherapy-can-help-sufferers-not-getting-relief-from-the-usual-treatments-204945">Hay fever: how immunotherapy can help sufferers not getting relief from the usual treatments</a>
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<p>For instance, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6074882/">one study</a> found that people who consumed local honey daily for four weeks alongside an allergy tablet had significant improvements in their hay fever symptoms compared to those who only took an allergy tablet.</p>
<p>Honey’s <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12906-020-03170-5">anti-inflammatory properties</a> are of considerable interest when it comes to hay fever. Honey contains various bioactive compounds, including <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0271531710001715?casa_token=SA2rSuXhWicAAAAA:SfwGGe6S1RS4zsbSzWtiTwqLkvVzJMxKDYyRiGyHKTIrEfSvQz7mrO1VjfILxhXZvWOiwyXUHyc">flavonoids and phenolic acids</a>, which exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. These compounds work by preventing inflammation in the body, which may help reduce many of the symptoms caused by an allergic reaction (such as a stuffy or runny nose).</p>
<p>Honey also boasts a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096399692031111X?casa_token=lkdrP9Isd7cAAAAA:GGAlThdW4PL0Uhe9tHgvqoxxtqWaYDYgprpW-g6yVJT-U-_tceJEV3dF_sLpim8eeEIzMesN_M8">rich array of antioxidants</a>, such as polyphenols. These antioxidants scavenge harmful free radicals – unstable molecules that may damage cells and trigger inflammation. By neutralising free radicals, honey may help protect cells and tissues from damage, reducing allergic inflammation (and allergy symptoms).</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A young girl standing outside in a field of flowers holds a jar and a spoonful of honey." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/584041/original/file-20240325-16-zvddmg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/584041/original/file-20240325-16-zvddmg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/584041/original/file-20240325-16-zvddmg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/584041/original/file-20240325-16-zvddmg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/584041/original/file-20240325-16-zvddmg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/584041/original/file-20240325-16-zvddmg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/584041/original/file-20240325-16-zvddmg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Certain types of honey may be more beneficial than others.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/child-eats-honey-summer-photo-selective-1786699142">Tatevosian Yana/ Shutterstock</a></span>
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<p>Honey also has prebiotic characteristics, which may further explain their potential in managing hay fever symptoms. Prebiotics are substances that promote the growth and activity of beneficial gut bacteria, enhancing gut health. Emerging evidence suggests that <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.957932/full">honey’s prebiotic properties</a> may change the composition and function of the gut microbiota.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/hay-fever-could-be-linked-to-our-gut-and-nose-bacteria-and-probiotics-may-help-symptoms-203855">Hay fever could be linked to our gut and nose bacteria – and probiotics may help symptoms</a>
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<p>A healthy gut microbiota is essential for <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/11/14/2102">maintaining a balanced immune system</a> and preventing aberrant immune responses – including allergic reactions. By promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and bolstering gut function, honey may indirectly influence how severely we react to seasonal pollen.</p>
<h2>What to consider</h2>
<p>Not all honey is created equal. Where it’s sourced and how it’s processed may affect its <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.642836/full">therapeutic potential</a>. </p>
<p>Raw honey, which undergoes minimal processing and retains more of its natural compounds, is often favoured for its potential health benefits.</p>
<p>Honey’s composition can also vary depending on the types of plants visited by the bees. Monofloral honey, derived primarily from the nectar of a single plant species, may contain <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0271531702004062?casa_token=BkuFSyKQ8fQAAAAA:IkGedKDhNQpx03zchlKjkbvIjEacHhCyqC_H-7BarkV_VMnyBKq2rpOI1_RQH0q8GXfL0ux_SrA">specific compounds</a> that offer therapeutic advantages over polyfloral varieties (derived from multiple plant species). </p>
<p>If you’re thinking about using honey to help with your hay fever symptoms, it’s important to take into account certain practical considerations and exercise caution.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.annsaudimed.net/doi/full/10.5144/0256-4947.2013.469">Research recommends</a> consuming 1g of honey per kilogram of body weight each day in order to have any affect. For a person weighing 80kg, this would translate to four tablespoons of honey daily. Studies also recommend taking honey <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7870997/">before and throughout</a> hay fever season in order to have the most benefit on symptoms.</p>
<p>It’s important to note that honey may not be suitable for everyone. Children under the age of one should not consume honey due to the <a href="https://accpjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1592/phco.22.16.1479.33696?casa_token=YuEegd3p17MAAAAA:JW_bI1PQQsVXBClNRnrl9VHrxXDLlgVDUMmhMeaE2zixEkgEuF-C7AQxLPVg0DvVFPA6xGCij-4HdGvy">risk of botulism</a>, a rare but serious illness. People with severe hay fever or asthma should speak with their GP before using honey, as <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1398-9995.1992.tb02248.x">allergic reactions</a> to bee products can be severe.</p>
<p>While honey shows promise in managing hay fever symptoms, it should complement, rather than replace, <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/">conventional therapies</a> prescribed by your doctor since it may not work equally well for everyone. If you’re experiencing severe hay fever symptoms, it’s unlikely honey will provide sufficient relief.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/225728/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Honey has long been used as a natural remedy for many ailments.Samuel J. White, Senior Lecturer in Genetic Immunology, Nottingham Trent UniversityPhilippe B. Wilson, Professor of One Health, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2251072024-03-22T16:20:40Z2024-03-22T16:20:40ZWater allergy: a debilitating but thankfully rare condition<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/582008/original/file-20240314-18-dpj1lj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=32%2C21%2C7199%2C4803&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/shower-head-dark-dramatic-scary-light-2411764133">Tero Vesalainen/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>In the realm of medical anomalies, few conditions captivate curiosity and concern quite like <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213219822004779?casa_token=8RR-HH-wRMsAAAAA:yQQyjdItTR5FfFnwEPBZSeXr-wfU51JO25uVByTSzsERiCwbUCQ1eyIXXbj4y0BYleWB5RBT7SA">aquagenic urticaria</a>, commonly known as “water allergy”. </p>
<p>This rare affliction transforms the seemingly innocuous act of water contact into a tormenting ordeal, afflicting people such as 22-year-old <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13155961/Woman-rare-water-allergy.html">Loren Montefusco</a> from South Carolina, US. </p>
<p>Diagnosed with water allergy, Montefusco’s life is marked by the excruciating sensation of a burning itch deep beneath her skin. This is triggered by the mere touch of water. Her account reveals the harrowing experiences faced by those grappling with this puzzling condition.</p>
<p>At its core, water allergy is believed to arise from an <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2147/JAA.S91505">abnormal immune response</a> triggered by water’s interaction with the skin. Think of your immune system as a vigilant guardian, always on alert for invaders. In aquagenic urticaria, water somehow <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9647271/">triggers an alarm response</a>. This leads to the release of substances like histamine – causing hives, welts and itching.</p>
<p>Researchers have pinpointed mutations in <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2147/JAA.S91505">specific genes</a> associated with water allergy, such as the FABP5 gene, crucial for skin barrier function. Mutations in this gene disrupt the skin’s ability to repel water, activating an inflammatory response.</p>
<p>Variations in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1027811717302069">genes involved</a> in immune regulation and skin integrity also contribute to susceptibility. However, environmental factors such as hormonal changes or chemical exposure can influence its severity.</p>
<p>Understanding the genetic basis offers insights into how the disease occurs and potential therapies. By identifying specific genetic markers, personalised treatment approaches targeting underlying mechanisms can be developed.</p>
<p>Despite these strides, much about water allergy remains unknown. However, by integrating insights from genetics, immunology and dermatology, scientists aim to unravel the secrets of this rare water allergy, offering hope for improved diagnosis and management.</p>
<p>The first documented mention of water allergy dates to the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2147/JAA.S91505">late 20th century</a>, with case reports detailing the perplexing experiences of people afflicted by water-induced hives. </p>
<p>Since then, sporadic cases have dotted medical literature, contributing to our <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213219823006943">evolving understanding</a> of this ailment. Recent trends suggest a gradual increase in cases, driven by heightened awareness among healthcare professionals and improved diagnostic capabilities.</p>
<p>Water allergy’s rarity adds to its mystique. Despite its obscurity, the condition leaves an indelible mark on those affected, shaping their experiences in profound and unexpected ways. Current estimates suggest that <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213219823006943">fewer than 100 cases</a> have been reported globally. This underscores its status as one of the rarest form of hives.</p>
<p>Managing this allergy presents a formidable challenge for patients and healthcare providers alike. Here are the strategies used.</p>
<h2>Treatments</h2>
<p>Conventional allergy treatments (<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213219822004779?casa_token=QpzXDlDctqcAAAAA:m2lS9f4xTQ_sTo6BL6xYUUOPi4ztydO_3M1NuzNuDXSPDQMjWxLPszYEoNd-eWULtBSOhJOHq4U">antihistamines, corticosteroids</a>) offer temporary relief but may not address the underlying cause.</p>
<p>Experimental therapies such as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019096229770344X?casa_token=Lc1UtgdCLeQAAAAA:J1FYpWef1WdNo-La-IMRXobUKbdN61V7ZNEDk-ytpTwjjQsrwtU1XAOAoTlulq-OtNmhrPOniR0">phototherapy</a> (exposing the skin to ultraviolet light) aim to calm the immune response and reduce inflammation. This therapy has shown some promise in alleviating symptoms.</p>
<p>Biologic agents, so-called “large-molecule drugs” made from proteins, target specific immune pathways implicated in allergic reactions. They offer a more <a href="https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ja/2013/130905/">targeted therapeutic approach</a> that holds potential for <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nri1589">long-term symptom management</a>.</p>
<p>Avoiding water is tricky and involves careful planning, including <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2147/JAA.S91505">alternative ways to stay clean</a>.</p>
<p>Using <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213219822004779?casa_token=RCaQD7kOdKoAAAAA:4au1UvCrCXF6C5OKc8egMj_Wc_jPi_dO9xZ5eFqjg4fl0R9H9SUgCwNcBJCsttEeBRw__kjLGnc">protective barriers</a>, such as emollient creams, can help create a layer between the skin and water, which may help reduce symptom severity and frequency.</p>
<h2>Psychological support</h2>
<p><a href="https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/health-a-z/chronic-urticaria/aquagenic-urticaria/">Counselling and support groups</a> provide a safe space for people to navigate the emotional difficulties associated with living with a chronic and misunderstood condition like aquagenic urticaria.</p>
<p>Offering coping strategies and fostering resilience can empower patients to better cope with the uncertainties and stressors of their condition, improving overall quality of life.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190962218301427?casa_token=abCKSfbJVBAAAAAA:40TcfAWx6Gp4L1b6XCP1Pv8XUDaqMW5lht65nxBRgSx_PX-zC1rpPwQt55aRYDlChX8m1yRICkI">Further investigation</a> into immune system mechanisms underlying aquagenic urticaria is essential to finding new treatments.</p>
<p>Continued clinical trials and studies are crucial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of emerging therapies, such as phototherapy and biologic agents, in managing aquagenic urticaria. Unfortunately, these studies are limited by <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2213219823006943?fr=RR-2&ref=pdf_download&rr=86457bacdadfdcaf">patient numbers</a>.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/225107/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>There is no cure for ‘aquagenic urticaria’, but some promising treatments are on the horizon.Samuel J. White, Senior Lecturer in Genetic Immunology, Nottingham Trent UniversityPhilippe B. Wilson, Professor of One Health, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2223032024-03-20T13:59:13Z2024-03-20T13:59:13ZConspiracy theorists seem to favour an intuitive thinking style – here’s why that’s important<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/580680/original/file-20240308-26-fcuzuc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=8%2C0%2C5982%2C3979&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/wrapped-mouth-forefinger-sign-conspiracy-1238620543">Ralf Geithe/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>I have been researching the psychology of conspiracy beliefs for seven years now and people often ask me why people believe in them. This is not a simple question. </p>
<p>There <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/pops.12568">are many reasons</a> people might endorse conspiracy theories. Something that stands out to me, though, is how our thinking styles can influence the way we process information and therefore <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2079-3200/11/11/207">how prone we can be</a> to conspiracy beliefs.</p>
<p>A preference for <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/acp.2995">intuitive thinking</a>, over <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/acp.3790">analytical thinking styles</a> seems to be linked to endorsement of conspiracy theories. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2079-3200/11/11/207">Intuitive thinking</a> is a thinking style reliant on immediate and unconscious judgments. It often follows gut feelings, whereas analytical thinking is about slower, more deliberate and detailed processing of information. </p>
<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/intelligence-doesnt-make-you-immune-to-conspiracy-theories-its-more-about-thinking-style-220978">I’ve written before</a> about how we can develop a more effortful, analytical thinking style to reduce our predisposition to conspiracy beliefs. </p>
<p>Research has shown critical thinking skills have many life benefits. For example, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871187116300384?casa_token=HdOYh26XhEgAAAAA:HYLmEBNeaggtWPqyvt94Mhhi4nNOvzPfji6tud3HPHB2Okhz4mEpzJ9HyX7Hmgal1jl8PkyJew">a study from 2017</a> found that people who scored higher in critical thinking skills reported fewer negative life events (for instance, getting a parking ticket or missing a flight). Critical thinking was a stronger predictor than intelligence for avoiding these types of events. It’s not clear why this is. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Girl thinking with arms resting on a table, arrows in different directions above her head" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/580683/original/file-20240308-26-xrwt5a.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/580683/original/file-20240308-26-xrwt5a.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/580683/original/file-20240308-26-xrwt5a.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/580683/original/file-20240308-26-xrwt5a.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/580683/original/file-20240308-26-xrwt5a.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=533&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/580683/original/file-20240308-26-xrwt5a.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=533&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/580683/original/file-20240308-26-xrwt5a.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=533&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Analytical thinking can make you less likely to believe in conspiracy theories.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/thinking-girl-solving-problem-135457706">Marijus Auruskevicius/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>On the other hand, <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2079-3200/11/11/207">intuitive thinking</a> has been linked to thinking errors. For example, intuitive thinking styles can lead to over-reliance on mental shortcuts, which can also increase susceptibility to <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/acp.2995">conspiracy theories</a>. </p>
<p>This can lead to dangerous consequences. For example, greater intuitive thinking has been linked to <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/08870446.2019.1673894?casa_token=pJXUleitfAQAAAAA:mgqoHZ9oqgTvliAYLVRwbCJET1kDYFE6P3tOsN3jIJjnVvnZq-a1beoHacw67dqGgzZR6hm3KpmY">anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs</a> and vaccine hesitancy.</p>
<p>However, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/29/steve-jobs-and-albert-einstein-both-attributed-their-extraordinary-success-to-this-personality-trait.html">extremely successful people</a>, such as Albert Einstein and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, argued the importance of using their intuition and attributed their achievements to intuitive thinking. </p>
<h2>The value of intuitive thinking</h2>
<p>One benefit of <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/MD-04-2017-0333/full/html">intuitive thinking</a> is that it takes little or no processing time, which allows us to make decisions and judgments quickly. And, in some circumstances, this is vital. </p>
<p>People working in <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/MD-04-2017-0333/full/html">crisis environments </a>(such as the fire service) report the need to use intuitive thinking styles. During crises, it can be unrealistic to consistently use analytical thinking. </p>
<p>Experienced crisis managers often rely on intuitive thinking in the first instance, as their default strategy, but as the task allows, draw on more analytical thinking later on. Critical and intuitive thinking styles can be used in tandem. </p>
<p>What is important also is that this type of intuition develops through years of experience, which can produce <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/MD-04-2017-0333/full/html">expert intuition</a>. </p>
<p>Intuition can be crucial in other areas too. <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01420/full">Creativity</a> is often seen as a benefit of intuitive thinking styles. A review <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01420/full">conducted in 2016</a> of research into idea generation found that creativity is positively linked to intuitive thinking. </p>
<p>Although creativity is difficult to define, it can be thought of as similar to problem solving, where information is used to reach a goal, in a new or unexpected way. </p>
<p>However, it is also important to note that the 2016 review found that combining intuitive and analytical thinking styles was best for idea evaluation. </p>
<h2>What is the solution?</h2>
<p>Now, research often focuses on developing ways to improve analytical thinking in order to reduce endorsement of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0010027714001632?casa_token=EczBVWzrbWsAAAAA:Hq12hyS1txB3Ia_eM5yCVuReXqoVyGafhz2CTrq5U2JkTDsJs7Wl-LKm7Op_H3JVXWF9K5YQLQ">dangerous conspiracy theories</a> or reduce <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fstl0000188">thinking errors and misconceptions</a>. </p>
<p>However, we often consider analytic and intuitive thinking styles as an either-or, and when making decisions or judgments we must choose one over the other. However, a 2015 <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/bdm.1903">meta-analysis</a> (where data from multiple studies are combined and analysed) of 50 years of cognitive style research found evidence that these thinking styles could happen at the same time. </p>
<p>Rather than two opposing ends of a spectrum, they are separate constructs, meaning that these thinking styles can happen together. Research in decision-making also suggests that <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01088/full">thinking style is flexible</a> and the best decisions are made when the thinking style a person uses aligns with the situation at hand. </p>
<p>Some situations are more suited to analytical thinking styles (such as number tasks) while some are more suited to using intuition (such as understanding facial expressions). An adaptive decision-maker is skilled in using both thinking styles.</p>
<p>So perhaps one way to reduce susceptibility to conspiracy theories is improving adaptive decision-making. <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0258985">My 2021 study</a> found that when people were confronted with the misconceptions they had previously made, overestimating the extent to which others endorse anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, they re-evaluated their decisions. This could suggest that thinking styles can depend on the situation and information at hand. </p>
<p>Although in many situations <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871187116300384?casa_token=HdOYh26XhEgAAAAA:HYLmEBNeaggtWPqyvt94Mhhi4nNOvzPfji6tud3HPHB2Okhz4mEpzJ9HyX7Hmgal1jl8PkyJew">analytical thinking is better</a>, we shouldn’t dismiss the intuitive thinking style conspiracy theorists seem to favour as unworkable or inflexible. The answer could lie in understanding both thinking styles and being able to adjust our thinking styles when needed.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/222303/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Darel Cookson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The pros and pitfalls of this type of thinkingDarel Cookson, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2256962024-03-20T13:59:09Z2024-03-20T13:59:09ZA brief guide to clothes recycling – sustainability expert unpicks how your discarded garments get processsed<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/582500/original/file-20240318-18-8tjjds.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">According to a textile sorter and processor based in the East Midlands, approximately 40% of sorted garments were not fit for reuse and needed a recycling solution</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/fabric-scraps-old-clothing-textiles-cut-1118321324">NicoleTaklaPhotography/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Have you ever paused to ponder the fate of those bags of old clothes you carefully deposit into the charity bin at the end of the street or within the bustle of a supermarket parking lot? It’s easy to imagine that those garments get magically transformed into fresh, wearable fashion, but in the UK, the reality is much more complicated. </p>
<p>The truth behind clothing donation and recycling is a journey fraught with <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7248/2/1/10">complexities</a> often not visible to the public eye. Textile waste – the clothing that we all buy, use and dispose of – is a significant <a href="https://changingmarkets.org/campaigns/fossil-fashion/">environmental problem</a> that often goes unnoticed. </p>
<p>Globally 88% of our clothing still ends up <a href="https://earth.org/statistics-about-fast-fashion-waste/">in landfills</a>. The mountains of textile waste will be getting higher as garment production rises at an alarming rate. In 2000, global manufacturers churned out 50 million tonnes of textiles, according to <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20201208STO93327/the-impact-of-textile-production-and-waste-on-the-environment-infographics#:%7E:text=The%2520fashion%2520industry%2520is%2520estimated,flights%2520and%2520maritime%2520shipping%2520combined">the European parliament</a>. By 2020, this figure had more than doubled to 109 million tonnes and global textile production is predicted to grow to 145 million tonnes by 2030.</p>
<p>While writing <a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=6-znEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT86&lpg=PT86&dq=policy+paired+with+technology+sajida+gordon&source=bl&ots=IkDEODrd-1&sig=ACfU3U1Zi0vMoeA3Nkj6jWa3po71E8Jamw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiBsa2QqfaEAxWnUUEAHTWwDPUQ6AF6BAgdEAM#v=onepage&q=policy%2520paired%2520with%2520technology%2520sajida%2520gordon&f=false">my chapter</a> for the book <a href="https://www.routledge.com/Recycling-and-Lifetime-Management-in-the-Textile-and-Fashion-Sector/Niinimaki/p/book/9780367490836">Recycling and Lifetime Management in the Textile and Fashion Sector</a>, I researched the policies and technological advancements that facilitate the process of textile recycling. </p>
<p>Used or unwanted clothing gets collected from various sources, including donation centres, textile recycling bins, charity stores or direct from consumers. Once collected, the textiles undergo sorting at UK facilities based on what type of material it is, colour and condition. Garments that are deemed reusable – those that aren’t stained, soiled or torn – are <a href="https://theconversation.com/five-ways-to-reduce-your-household-waste-and-stop-it-being-shipped-to-poorer-countries-154123">shipped</a> to countries in <a href="https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-international-stateless/2022/04/9f50d3de-greenpeace-germany-poisoned-fast-fashion-briefing-factsheet-april-2022.pdf">Africa</a> and <a href="https://www.globalissues.org/news/2023/05/18/33821">Asia</a>. </p>
<p>However, market sellers in these countries that receive these used garments often complain that the clothing is not fit for resale and ends up <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/may/31/stop-dumping-your-cast-offs-on-us-ghanaian-clothes-traders-tell-eu">in a landfill</a>. </p>
<p>A textile sorter and processor based in the east Midlands told me that approximately 40% of sorted garments were not fit for reuse and needed a recycling solution. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/582501/original/file-20240318-20-al5lex.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="colourful heap of clothes in a big pile, blue sky in background" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/582501/original/file-20240318-20-al5lex.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/582501/original/file-20240318-20-al5lex.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=572&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582501/original/file-20240318-20-al5lex.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=572&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582501/original/file-20240318-20-al5lex.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=572&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582501/original/file-20240318-20-al5lex.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=719&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582501/original/file-20240318-20-al5lex.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=719&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582501/original/file-20240318-20-al5lex.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=719&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Growth in fast fashion feeds into the mountain of textile waste that is hard to recycle.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/big-heap-colorful-clothes-184331444">Nomad_Soul/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Fibre-to-fibre recycling is different to reuse. <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-secondhand-markets-and-apps-are-not-a-solution-to-clothing-waste-222321">Reuse means that</a> a garment is fit to have a second life and can be donated to charity or resold on websites such as Vinted. Fibre-to-fibre recycling is the process of breaking down the material of the garments so that it returns to its original state of a fibre, which may resemble pieces of fluff. That’s either done mechanically or chemically.</p>
<p><a href="https://reports.fashionforgood.com/report/coming-full-circle-innovating-towards-sustainable-man-made-cellulosic-fibres/chapterdetail?reportid=239&chapter=4#:%7E:text=The%2520mechanical%2520recycling%2520process%2520involves,using%2520a%2520carding%2520process31">Mechanical recycling</a> involves chopping up old clothes into tiny pieces – a bit like shredding paper. Materials are sometimes moistened with water to enhance the tearing process. The fibres are then separated using a process called “carding”, which involves using a machine to comb out and straighten the fibres, ready to be used to make new products. </p>
<p>To <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/3-methods-textile-recycling-dr-tanveer-hussain-gzkdf">transform</a> the fibres into textile yarn, mechanically recycled fibres are mixed with virgin fibres – because these new fibres are <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/fibre-size#:%7E:text=Fiber%2520length%2520After%2520size%252C%2520fiber,either%2520staple%2520or%2520filament%2520length">longer</a>, they add strength to the yarn when spun.</p>
<p><a href="https://reports.fashionforgood.com/report/coming-full-circle-innovating-towards-sustainable-man-made-cellulosic-fibres/chapterdetail?reportid=239&chapter=4#:%7E:text=The%2520mechanical%2520recycling%2520process%2520involves,using%2520a%2520carding%2520process31">Chemical recycling</a> involves breaking down fragments of old clothes into smaller parts. These are then cleaned and purified using filters and separators. Chemical <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214993722001270">solvents are used</a> to break down polymers, remove dyes and dissolve other additives. Once clean, <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0734242X18819277">broken down fibres</a> can be spun to make new yarn, just like making cotton from scratch. This recycled yarn can be woven into fabric using industrial weaving machines.</p>
<h2>Transforming textiles</h2>
<p>Mechanical recycling produces short lengths of fibre and results in <a href="https://blog.agchemigroup.eu/the-chemical-recycling-of-clothes-part-1-the-challenges/">poor quality</a> yarn. Relying on raw virgin fibre to add length and strength can be costly. </p>
<p><a href="https://resource.co/article/what-chemical-recycling-good-and-bad">Chemical recycling</a> of polyesters, which are made from plastic, can create harmful tiny particles of microplastics in the air and waterways. Volatile organic compounds – chemicals that exist in gaseous form – can be inhaled and cause <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0160412015000082">health problems</a>, such as damaged liver, kidneys and central nervous system, and cancers affecting the lungs and blood. The process also emits carbon dioxide and methane, both greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. </p>
<p>Expanding these recycling methods is expensive and potentially damaging to the environment. Systematic change begins when influential fashion brands reduce overproduction and waste by streamlining their production processes and <a href="https://circulareconomy.europa.eu/platform/sites/default/files/ecodesign_criteria_for_consumer_textiles.pdf">designing products</a> that are easy to recycle as part of a more <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-49479-6_1">circular economy</a>. </p>
<p>While green chemistry and circular design <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452223622000979">solutions</a> could make recycling textile waste more efficient, more effective and safer for humans and the planet, the issue of excess waste still needs to be addressed. As shoppers, we can all make a difference by being mindful of our purchasing habits, appreciating the clothing we already own and repairing items instead of discarding them.</p>
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<figure class="align-right ">
<img alt="Imagine weekly climate newsletter" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Sajida Gordon works for Nottingham Trent University. She receives funding from UKRI. She is affiliated with WRAP Textile 2030. </span></em></p>Growing mountains of textile waste are hard to recycle. There is scope to improve chemical and mechanical recycling methods but consumers and fashion brands play a role in reducing overproduction.Sajida Gordon, Researcher for the Clothing Sustainability Research Group and Lecturer Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2255492024-03-18T17:08:09Z2024-03-18T17:08:09ZOil firms want to drill in four of the UK’s areas of outstanding natural beauty<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/582197/original/file-20240315-16-bbee8y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=442%2C538%2C4138%2C2161&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">There's oil under them thar Lincolnshire Wolds.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/lincolnshire-wolds-summer-1163149636">Gill Kennett</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Think of onshore oil fields and images of oil derricks and “nodding donkeys” may spring to mind, perhaps in Texas or the Middle East. So it might come as a surprise to learn that the UK has its own onshore oil fields, mostly scattered across the east Midlands and southern England. Wytch Farm, on the south coast, is the largest onshore oil field in western Europe.</p>
<p>The industry is now looking at the UK with renewed vigour. Reserves that were previously considered too expensive or hard to reach have been made accessible thanks to higher oil prices and breakthroughs in <a href="https://www.oil-gasportal.com/drilling/new-technologies-innovations/">technologies like fracking and horizontal drilling</a>. </p>
<p>There are plans for new drilling at 15 locations across England, with a Friends of the Earth investigation showing <a href="https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate/fossil-fuel-map-where-are-onshore-extraction-sites-england-and-wales?utm_source=media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=energy&utm_content=FY2324-08_guardian-link-for-fossil-fuels-map">four of these sites</a> are situated within officially designated areas of outstanding natural beauty.</p>
<p>One of these sites is near the village of Biscathorpe in the picturesque Lincolnshire Wolds, where an oil company wants planning permission to start drilling. Following an initial rejection by the local council in 2021, a planning inspector’s investigation prompted by the UK government led to the refusal being overturned in November 2023. </p>
<p>This reignited intense local debate, and campaigners recently <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/04/campaigners-get-go-ahead-to-challenge-plans-for-oilfiield-in-lincolnshire-wolds">obtained a judicial review</a> from the high court, to be heard later in the year.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/582200/original/file-20240315-16-ipi9i3.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Map of England and Wales showing oil wells in southern England and east Midlands" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/582200/original/file-20240315-16-ipi9i3.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/582200/original/file-20240315-16-ipi9i3.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=499&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582200/original/file-20240315-16-ipi9i3.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=499&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582200/original/file-20240315-16-ipi9i3.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=499&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582200/original/file-20240315-16-ipi9i3.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=628&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582200/original/file-20240315-16-ipi9i3.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=628&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582200/original/file-20240315-16-ipi9i3.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=628&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Onshore oil and gas in England. Operating wells are marked in blue, proposed new activity is red. National parks and areas of outstanding national beauty are shaded in green.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate/fossil-fuel-map-where-are-onshore-extraction-sites-england-and-wales?utm_source=media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=energy&utm_content=FY2324-08_guardian-link-for-fossil-fuels-map">Friends of the Earth (Data: BGS/OS/NSTA)</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">CC BY-SA</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>The sums add up – but the alternatives are better</h2>
<p>Precise extraction rates are difficult to predict for the Biscathorpe site and will vary throughout the lifetime of the well. Comparing with <a href="https://drillordrop.com/2024/03/04/uk-onshore-oil-and-gas-production-in-charts-december-2023/">existing nearby sites</a>, Biscathorpe might provide an average of around 600 barrels per day over its first 15 years at a cost of a competitive US$18 (£14) per barrel – starkly lower than the <a href="https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/North-Sea-Oil-Faces-Crisis.html">US$30-US$50</a> (£24–£39) associated with North Sea oil fields. </p>
<p>Oil is currently priced at around US$80 per barrel. Although a large share of revenue would go to the state, the site’s backers might make around US$8 (£6) profit per barrel or around £2.5 million per year. With the oil company seeking planning permission for 15 years of extraction, the economic motivation is obvious.</p>
<p>National energy security was given as the main reason for the planning inspector to overturn the local council’s initial refusal. Yet the site’s potential oil yield, while economically tempting at the local scale, pales in comparison to the UK’s daily oil consumption of <a href="https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/1055542/EI_Stat_Review_PDF_single_3.pdf">1.3 million barrels</a>. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/582203/original/file-20240315-20-1qt3w9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Onshore wind farm at sunset" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/582203/original/file-20240315-20-1qt3w9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/582203/original/file-20240315-20-1qt3w9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582203/original/file-20240315-20-1qt3w9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582203/original/file-20240315-20-1qt3w9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582203/original/file-20240315-20-1qt3w9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582203/original/file-20240315-20-1qt3w9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582203/original/file-20240315-20-1qt3w9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Conisholme wind farm is about 12 miles from the proposed Lincolnshire oil well. It was built in the late 2000s, when the UK was still building wind farms onshore.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/sunset-conisholme-wind-farm-lincolnshire-692882863">John-Kelly/shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>For comparison, a modern onshore wind farm with 14 turbines could generate the same amount of energy as those 600 barrels of oil per day, assuming the oil is refined for petrol vehicles and the wind energy powers electric vehicles. The contrast is even more significant when comparing heating. Just 10 wind turbines could heat as many homes as 600 barrels of oil per day (when comparing oil boilers to homes heated by modern air-source heat pumps).</p>
<p>Sustainable energy technology is still improving fast. Ten years ago we would have required around 19 wind turbines for the transport comparison and 16 for the heating comparison. Oil isn’t going to make similar efficiency improvements any time soon.</p>
<h2>Focus on wind not oil</h2>
<p>This makes the search for onshore oil harder to justify when the country is trying to reduce its carbon emissions to net zero. The UK has plenty of wind. And, unlike some onshore oil reserves, that wind isn’t intrinsically tied to any particular areas of natural beauty. Yet <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/feb/15/zero-plans-for-public-onshore-windfarms-submitted-last-year-in-england">very few</a> onshore wind farms have been built over the past decade, even despite planning regulations being relaxed in 2020.</p>
<p>It’s evident that just as local planning and regulation play a crucial role in safeguarding cherished nature spots, our broader energy policy must equally prioritise the protection of our planet. This dual focus on local conservation and global environmental health is crucial for mitigating the worst impacts of climate change. </p>
<p>Rather than extracting limited onshore oil reserves, the UK’s energy security would be much better served by installing more wind and solar power. Diversifying energy sources through renewables would reduce the reliance on volatile oil markets and mitigates the risk of further conflicts like Russia-Ukraine, leading to more stable energy prices. The UK could also position itself as a leader in clean energy technologies, just as it was once a leader in oil & gas technology. </p>
<p>In light of the latest budget announcements, which were widely criticised for their <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/07/budget-fell-far-short-on-uk-green-investment-experts-say">lack of substantial green measures</a>, the UK stands at a crossroads. The choice is between continuing down a path that risks natural heritage and global environmental health or one that embraces renewable energy and sustainable development. The preservation of areas of natural beauty and the broader fight against climate change demand decisive action and visionary policy making.</p>
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<img alt="Imagine weekly climate newsletter" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<p><strong><em>Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?</em></strong>
<br><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/uk/newsletters/imagine-57?utm_source=TCUK&utm_medium=linkback&utm_campaign=Imagine&utm_content=DontHaveTimeTop">Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead.</a> Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. <a href="https://theconversation.com/uk/newsletters/imagine-57?utm_source=TCUK&utm_medium=linkback&utm_campaign=Imagine&utm_content=DontHaveTimeBottom">Join the 30,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.</a></em></p>
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<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Tom Rogers does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Higher oil prices and better drilling technologies haveTom Rogers, Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Energy Engineering, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2131852024-03-15T17:34:41Z2024-03-15T17:34:41ZGut microbiome: meet Roseburia intestinalis — the energy-producing bug that helps us fight diseases<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/582161/original/file-20240315-18-p5czjg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C7%2C4872%2C3223&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">_R intestinalis_ makes butyrate from polysaccharides, which are found in starchy foods such as potatoes.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/young-woman-eating-fish-potatoes-572976808">Photo Oz/ Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The hundreds of species of microorganisms that comprise the microbiome all have different, unique roles. </p>
<p>One of the important functions that takes place in the gut is the production of short-chain fatty acids. These molecules are derived from the fermentation of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2902962/">polysaccharides</a> (a type of carbohydrate) which are primarily found in starchy foods. These short-chain fatty acids are then used in a range of processes – including providing cells with the energy they need to grow and multiply and enabling communication between the gut and the brain.</p>
<p>The gut’s microbes mainly make three short-chain fatty acids: acetate, propionate and butyrate. Together, these provide around <a href="https://microbialcellfactories.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12934-017-0691-z">60% of all energy used by the intestinal cells</a> – and about 10% of our body’s <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3735932/">overall calorie requirements</a>. </p>
<p>Arguably, the most important of these short-chain fatty acids is butyrate, which has been widely studied due to its apparent <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S216183132200833X">links to health and disease</a>. </p>
<p>Butyrate is the primary source of energy used to create and maintain the mucus membrane that lines our digestive tract. This lining is vital for healthy gut function, protecting the body from infection and absorbing nutrients from the foods we eat. </p>
<p>One of the primary producers of butyrate in the gut is the bacterium <em>Roseburia intestinalis</em>.</p>
<h2>Energy production</h2>
<p><em>R intestinalis</em> lives in close contact with the mucus membrane of our gut cells and makes up just over <a href="https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/aem.69.7.4320-4324.2003">2% of the entire population</a> of the human gut microbiome. It creates butyrate from the polysaccharides we eat using a <a href="https://academic.oup.com/gbe/article/6/3/703/580436">special type of enzyme</a>. While it isn’t the only bacterium in the gut that produces butyrate, <em>R intestinalis</em> is one of its <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2021.757718/full">most abundant producers</a>.</p>
<p><em>R intestinalis</em> has been linked to <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2021.757718/full">many health benefits</a>, such as preventing inflammation and restoring good bacterial balance in the microbiome. </p>
<p>This bacterium also seems to regulate some of the communication that happens between the <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/17562848211004469">gut and brain</a> – and may even play a role in <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2021.757718/full">protecting against some diseases</a>, such as Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis and both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A digital rendering of the human brain." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/582167/original/file-20240315-24-crh3oc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/582167/original/file-20240315-24-crh3oc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582167/original/file-20240315-24-crh3oc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582167/original/file-20240315-24-crh3oc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582167/original/file-20240315-24-crh3oc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582167/original/file-20240315-24-crh3oc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/582167/original/file-20240315-24-crh3oc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">This bacterium helps facilitate communication between the gut and the brain.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/human-brain-floating-on-blue-background-260226050">Fer Gregory/ Shutterstock</a></span>
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<p>These health benefits are probably thanks to the fact that the butyrate <em>R intestinalis</em> produces provides nutrients and energy to other bacterial species who have more specialised jobs in the gut. Butyrate also helps regulate many aspects of our <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2147/JIR.S300989">immune system</a>. It does this through promoting or suppressing the production of key immune cells.</p>
<p>Much of these discoveries of <em>R intestinalis’s</em> benefits are very recent and more research will be needed to better confirm what specific roles this bacterium plays in the gut, and how exactly it enhances our own fight against disease. </p>
<p>Butyrate production may also be more complex than it appears, with studies finding a link between low levels of butyrate production <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/obr.12068">and obesity</a>.</p>
<p>But given its key role in promoting a healthy gut – alongside its wider effects on the immune system and body – it’s no wonder <em>R intestinalis</em> is starting to be considered as a potential probiotic. This would mean we could see it <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9493362/">added to supplements</a> in order to promote a healthier microbiome in the future.</p>
<hr>
<p><em>This article is part of <a href="https://theconversation.com/uk/topics/meet-your-gut-microbes-150943?utm_source=InArticleTop&utm_medium=TCUK&utm_campaign=Health2024">Meet Your Gut Microbes</a>, a series about the rich constellation of bacteria, viruses, archaea and fungi that live in people’s digestive tracts. Scientists are increasingly realising their importance in shaping our health – both physical and mental. Each week we will look at a different microbe and bring you the most up-to-date research on them.</em></p>
<hr><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/213185/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Conor Meehan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>R intestinalis is one of the gut’s primary producers of butyrate – a source of energy for many of the gut’s cells.Conor Meehan, Associate Professor of Microbial Bioinformatics, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2255962024-03-13T15:03:15Z2024-03-13T15:03:15ZIt’s a myth that male animals are usually larger than females – new study<p>Males are bigger than females, right? Generally, this is true of humans – imagine the extremes of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and singer Kylie Minogue. It is also true of other familiar mammals including pets, such as cats and dogs, and livestock such as sheep and cows.</p>
<p>But <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-45739-5">a new study</a> by US scientist Kaia Tombak and colleagues found that, in many mammal species, males are not larger than females. In fact, in a comparison of 429 species in the wild, 50% of species including rodents and some bats – which make up <a href="https://news.mongabay.com/2022/04/of-rats-and-bats-hundreds-of-mammal-species-still-unidentified-study-says/">a large proportion</a> of all mammal species – showed no difference in body size between the sexes. Male-biased size dimorphism (where males are larger than females) was found in only 28% of mammal species.</p>
<p>So, why do a lot of people have a misconception that males are normally larger than females? </p>
<p><a href="https://www.nature.com/scitable/students-page/160/">Anisogamy</a> is the term used to describe the difference in sex cells – small, numerous, sperm, compared to relatively large eggs. Males can produce sperm throughout most of their lifespan, whereas females are born with a finite number of eggs. Therefore, females (or rather, their eggs), are a scare resource for which males compete for access. Generally, in species where females are a limited resource that males need to fight over, males are larger than females.</p>
<p>In terms of evolution, most males have been shaped to be larger, bolder, heavier, more adorned and have more weaponry than females. This is due to males fighting to acquire females – a larger stag with bigger antlers would do much better in a fight, <a href="https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-%20facts/mammals/understand-the-british-deer-rut">known as a rut</a>, than a small stag with tiny antlers. So, bigger usually wins.</p>
<p>This includes species such as lions and baboons, where size is an advantage when competing physically for mates. Male northern elephant seals, who fight for access to harems of females, show the largest male-biased size dimorphism, being over 3.2 times heavier than females. These are the animals that tend to attract research</p>
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<h2>The strange world of fish</h2>
<p>But, what happens in species where males don’t fight for access to females? Generally, females are larger than males. This is because larger females usually produce more offspring. Indeed, Tombak’s study noted that larger female rabbits usually have multiple litters each mating season. Being a larger female is much more advantageous in terms of reproductive success. But more so when offspring do not need extended parental care and when gestation periods are short.</p>
<p>The most extreme sexual size dimorphism is found outside of mammals. Cichlid fish (<em>Lamprologus callipterus</em>) males are up to 60 times larger than females. The males protect empty snail shells for the females to breed in. <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12038-010-0030-6">Larger females</a> can produce more offspring but they need larger shells and therefore a larger male to defend those shells.</p>
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<p>In mammals, the largest female-biased size dimorphism is found in peninsular tube-nosed bats, where females are 1.4 times the size of males. However, more dimorphism in body size is seen in fish, reptiles and insects. For example, the female orb-weaving spider (<em>Nephila plumipes</em>) has a much larger body size than the male, reaching up to ten times his size. Size dimorphism also shows a correlation with cannibalism, where larger females are more likely to eat their male partner.</p>
<figure class="align-right zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/581306/original/file-20240312-22-e1nldo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Large spider and small one in a web" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/581306/original/file-20240312-22-e1nldo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/581306/original/file-20240312-22-e1nldo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/581306/original/file-20240312-22-e1nldo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/581306/original/file-20240312-22-e1nldo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/581306/original/file-20240312-22-e1nldo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/581306/original/file-20240312-22-e1nldo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/581306/original/file-20240312-22-e1nldo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A female golden orb weaving spider and the smaller male.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/close-photograph-female-golden-orb-weaving-1692871246">Cassandra Madsen/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Anglerfish that typically live at the bottom of oceans, are an example of extreme sexual dimorphism in body size. While the females look like typical fish, the males are tiny, basic organisms. In order to survive, the male needs to fuse with a female, tapping into her nutrients to produce enough sperm to fertilise her. Female deep-sea anglerfish (<em>Ceratias
holboelli</em>) are <a href="https://www.livescience.com/49330-animal-sex-anglerfish.html">60 times longer</a> and half a million times heavier than males.</p>
<p>But, the most extreme sexual size dimorphism is found in rhizocephala, types of barnacle where the male looks like a larvae. Once a male finds a mate, he <a href="https://www.wired.com/2015/07/absurd-creature-of-the-week-rhizocephalan/">inserts himself into the females</a>, transforming into nothing more than a mass of cells.</p>
<h2>What about mammals?</h2>
<p>So, why isn’t sexual size dimorphism seen in more mammals? Mammals tend to have fewer offspring than other species such as fish or spiders. They only have a few offspring at a time, and often have long gestation periods or extended periods of parental care. In addition, the majority of mammals are monogamous, so there is less need for males to fight over females. That’s why species such as lemurs, golden moles, horses, zebra and tenrecs, usually have similar sized males and females.</p>
<p>It is thought that biases in the scientific literature may have led to the misconception that males are normally bigger as research historically focused on <a href="https://wwf.panda.org/discover/our_focus/wildlife_practice/flagship_keystone_indicator_definition/">species considered “charismatic”</a>, such as primates and carnivores, that attract funding. These are some of the few mammalian species where males compete for mates, and so gain an evolutionary advantage if they are larger. </p>
<p>There was also a bias of <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/science-and-technology/2019/10/once-most-famous-scientists-were-men-thats-changing">male scientists</a> conducting research. And, although a study in 1977 <a href="https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/epdf/10.1086/283223">by a female scientist</a> found that species with little sexual size dimorphism were frequent in mammals, the research was drowned out by studies on charismatic species with a bias towards large males. Perhaps if there had been more female scientists at the time, we might have had a different preconception about body size in the animal kingdom.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/225596/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Louise Gentle works for Nottingham Trent University. </span></em></p>Does size matter? In the animal kingdom, yes.Louise Gentle, Principal Lecturer in Wildlife Conservation, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2226442024-03-11T13:10:36Z2024-03-11T13:10:36ZUK to sign Unesco pledge to protect ‘intangible cultural heritage’ – an expert explains its importance<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/575358/original/file-20240213-22-w787f9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=90%2C0%2C10065%2C6629&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Traditional Morris dancers performing in Stratford Upon Avon. </span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/stratford-upon-avon-england-march-28th-785993122">Tom Payne/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>At the end of last year, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/2003-unesco-convention-for-the-safeguarding-of-the-intangible-cultural-heritage">announced</a> that the UK was starting a consultation about signing the 2003 <a href="https://ich.unesco.org/en/convention">Unesco convention on the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage</a>.</p>
<p>This would bring the UK in line with the 182 other Unesco member states who have already signed the convention. It has been <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/2003-unesco-convention-for-the-safeguarding-of-the-intangible-cultural-heritage">suggested</a> that this is a way to greater international cooperation on the importance of the UK’s intangible heritage and to find ways to monitor and protect cultural practices.</p>
<p>Traditionally, especially in many western cultures, heritage tends to be considered as something tangible – physical things such as artefacts, objects and historic buildings. <a href="https://www.icomos.org/en/participer/179-articles-en-francais/ressources/charters-and-standards/157-the-venice-charter">The Venice charter</a> of 1964 broadened this field from mainly physical heritage to include other kinds of heritage, such as whole environments and sites of interest.</p>
<p>However, Unesco felt that cultural heritage did not go far enough and should also include other aspects. This could be traditions inherited from previous generations that remain relevant and important to communities. This is intangible cultural heritage and it can be found all over the world.</p>
<p><a href="https://ich.unesco.org/en/convention#art2">The Unesco convention defines</a> intangible cultural heritage as: “Practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated therewith – that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognise as part of their cultural heritage.” Intangible cultural heritage is typically made up of five different domains: </p>
<ol>
<li>oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage</li>
<li>performing arts</li>
<li>social practices, rituals and festive events</li>
<li>knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe</li>
<li>traditional craftsmanship.</li>
</ol>
<p>It is crucial that these forms of heritage are still practised by different community groups, constantly evolving and reflecting the identity of diverse communities worldwide. In the UK this could include different festivals, folklore or traditional tales, Morris dancing and certain skills and crafts.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="People celebrate solstice at Stonehenge" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/575360/original/file-20240213-24-buu5hu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/575360/original/file-20240213-24-buu5hu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/575360/original/file-20240213-24-buu5hu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/575360/original/file-20240213-24-buu5hu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/575360/original/file-20240213-24-buu5hu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/575360/original/file-20240213-24-buu5hu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/575360/original/file-20240213-24-buu5hu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A summer solstice celebration at Stonehenge.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/summer-solstice-celebration-stonehenge-june-20th-1429956233">John Kotlowski/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>The purpose of the protection</h2>
<p>The Unesco convention seeks to safeguard intangible cultural heritage across the globe. It also aims to ensure respect for the communities involved in this heritage and raise awareness at local, national and international levels of the importance of the heritage. The convention also seeks to ensure appreciation of different practices to allow for international cooperation and assistance.</p>
<p>The general conference of Unesco ratified the convention in 2003 and <a href="https://ich.unesco.org/en/working-towards-a-convention-00004">saw this adoption</a> as a “milestone in the evolution of international policies for promoting cultural diversity, since for the first time the international community had recognised the need to support the kind of cultural manifestations and expressions that until then had not benefited from such a large legal and programmatic framework.”</p>
<p>This agreement to “safeguard” meant implementing measures to identify, document, research, preserve and protect intangible cultural heritage. It also covers revitalisation of traditions and cultures where needed. But <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/safeguarding-intangible-cultural-heritage/paradoxes-of-intangible-heritage/AA451DEA26FBBBBC20BEC711384F90E1">Critics of the convention</a> believe that such global approaches cannot safeguard local traditions which vary across the world in totally different cultural settings. </p>
<p>Most Unesco member states signed the convention, which included drawing up inventories of intangible cultural heritage which need to be regularly updated. The UK was one of only a handful of countries which did not sign, meaning there was no framework in place for recognising intangible cultural heritage around the country. </p>
<p>Reasons why this was the case ranged from the UK appearing to value tangible heritage more, to the fact that it could increase bureaucracy, while <a href="https://tradfolk.co/news/intangible-cultural-heritage-does-the-uk-have-any/">some believed</a> that there was no real intangible cultural heritage in the UK. </p>
<p>After 20 years of the convention, it seems that the UK is now going to join – but what implications will this have for intangible cultural heritage around the country?</p>
<figure>
<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RZjLATAUwao?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<figcaption><span class="caption">Morris dancing could soon be protected.</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Next steps</h2>
<p>The DCMS is currently <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/2003-unesco-convention-for-the-safeguarding-of-the-intangible-cultural-heritage/consultation-on-the-2003-unesco-convention-for-safeguarding-of-the-intangible-cultural-heritage">carrying out surveys</a> to engage individuals and community groups in the first stage of implementation, which is to define and identify intangible cultural heritage practices around the UK.</p>
<p>At the same time there are round-table discussions <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ich-in-the-uk-a-round-table-discussion-england-focus-tickets-798663462917">taking place</a> with anyone interested in what this means for the UK invited to take part.</p>
<p>The question is: what implications this will have for intangible cultural heritage in the UK and the four different countries involved? Scotland has been working on this already for a <a href="https://ichscotland.org/">number of years</a> and has created an inventory of the country’s living culture. In Wales, there has also been <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/290019691_The_intangible_Cultural_Heritage_of_Wales_a_Need_for_Safeguarding">some research</a> into its cultural heritage. </p>
<p>The DCMS has already stated that it is not interested in merely listing examples of intangible cultural heritage. But questions remain. </p>
<p>What will this mean for these traditions and practices? How do we decide what intangible cultural heritage entails and what will signing up mean for the groups and the heritages involved? Who will develop the policies? What happens when a particular tradition is recognised (or not) in terms of protection and funding? And how can it be promoted to ensure that all communities can be involved, including those who may be unaware of the convention or the current consultation? </p>
<p>It would also be useful to examine and learn from the experiences of other countries to avoid any obvious pitfalls.</p>
<hr>
<figure class="align-left ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/536131/original/file-20230706-17-460x2d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/536131/original/file-20230706-17-460x2d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/536131/original/file-20230706-17-460x2d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/536131/original/file-20230706-17-460x2d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/536131/original/file-20230706-17-460x2d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/536131/original/file-20230706-17-460x2d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/536131/original/file-20230706-17-460x2d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption"></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
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<hr><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/222644/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Natalie Braber does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>This could see different festivals, folklore or traditional tales, Morris dancing and certain skills and crafts protected.Natalie Braber, Professor, Linguistics, School of Arts and Humanities, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2234812024-03-07T18:17:29Z2024-03-07T18:17:29ZMany owners allow their dogs to lick their faces, but it could be unhealthy – and even fatal<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/580085/original/file-20240306-20-4atcf6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=13%2C20%2C4653%2C3085&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/boy-his-dog-pomeranian-cup-ice-1142817122">RanQuick/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Any dog owners reading this will know the joy of getting home and being greeted with utter delight by their pet – tail wagging wildly before enthusiastic but face-drenching licks. While some owners will push their pooches away playfully to discourage face licking, others positively revel in their dog’s affection and may even offer up pursed lips for a canine kiss. </p>
<p>It’s a heartwarming scene. But think of what that doggy companion has been licking throughout the day. Their food and water, their paws, their toys and chews – and maybe their bottom and genitals. Do those cute kisses seem a little less appealing now? </p>
<p>Not matter what pets have licked, many owners are so taken with their dogs that they’re willing to overlook the potential hygiene issues. </p>
<p>And licking is important for dogs. It’s an instinctive canine behaviour. When dogs repeatedly lick their mouths, it can be a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159196011318">subtle sign of stress</a> or fear, especially when combined with ears back and a tense expression. In fact, observing lip licking frequency is a way to gauge dogs’ welfare during <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1558787814000070">training sessions</a> and when <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031938407002582?via%3Dihub">kept in kennels</a>. </p>
<p>Dogs also use lip licking as a <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2017.11.006">behavioural response</a> to humans’ emotional states. Evidence suggests that <a href="https://theconversation.com/woof-dogs-really-can-tell-how-their-owners-are-feeling-new-study-shows-53075">dogs are empathetic</a>. They can recognise emotions in both humans and other dogs using visual and audio cues. A study showed that dogs lick their lips more frequently when looking at <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2017.11.006">angry human faces</a>.</p>
<p>For dogs, then, lip licking is a natural instinct – and that applies to relationships with their humans, too. For anyone living with a dog, being licked is a common event, and many dogs will try to lick the faces and mouths of their humans. <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/12/4300">Almost half</a> of canine owners report being licked on their face by their dog. But, given the penchant that many dogs have for consuming items owners might not find appetising (quick <a href="https://theconversation.com/explaining-coprophagy-why-do-dogs-eat-their-own-poo-91273">poo snack</a>, anyone?) is it hygienic, or even safe, to let your dog lick your face? </p>
<h2>What hides within</h2>
<p>Owners usually love their dogs, and <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13607863.2019.1633620">dogs’ companionship</a> and affection can do wonders for their owners’ wellbeing and <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.903647/full">mental health</a>. But there’s no doubt that, for some humans, canine saliva might do more harm than good. </p>
<p>For people <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/specific-groups/high-risk/organ-transplant-patients.html">who are immunocompromised</a>, have open wounds, or a dog who likes to supplement their meals with a spot of coprophagia (poop eating), then it’s best to avoid those face licks. </p>
<p>Dogs’ mouths can harbour a <a href="https://www.cmaj.ca/content/187/10/736.short">range of microorganisms</a> that are usually low risk for humans. However, in rare cases, <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/zoonoses">zoonoses</a> (infectious diseases passed on between species) can be transmitted from dogs to humans by bites, licks and scratches.</p>
<figure>
<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/esEOjKNY6xI?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
</figure>
<p>Most of the time, humans who come into contact with dog saliva do not become ill. In fact, many people manage to live alongside their pets, licks and all, without encountering any health issues. </p>
<p>However, there are rare cases where people have become seriously ill following contact with dog saliva. For example, <em>Capnocytophaga canimorsus</em>, a bacteria found in the mouths of <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-deadly-is-your-dogs-saliva-62074">up to three quarters</a> of otherwise healthy dogs and cats, has caused <a href="https://casereports.bmj.com/content/2016/bcr-2016-215450">life-threatening sepsis</a>.</p>
<p>Other microbes such as <em>Pasteurella multocida</em> can be spread by contact with dog saliva, potentially resulting in serious outcomes <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)30953-5/abstract">including meningitis</a>. </p>
<p>People considered to be at high risk from <a href="https://doi.org/10.1128/cmr.00024-13">zoonotic infections</a> are the immunocompromised, very young children, older adults and pregnant women. </p>
<p>If you fall into one of these groups, then it’s in your interest to dodge dog licks. Additional measures should also be implemented for at risk dog owners. Keep surfaces clean, minimise contamination of household items and maintain scrupulous household hygiene at all times, especially after contact with animals.</p>
<p>Antibiotic resistance is recognised as a major <a href="https://www.unep.org/topics/chemicals-and-pollution-action/pollution-and-health/antimicrobial-resistance-global-threat">global health challenge</a>. Canine saliva can be a potential <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/11/11/1490">source of bacteria</a> carrying antibiotic resistant genes. These bacteria are capable of colonising humans after <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2020.621597/full">exposure to dog saliva</a>. </p>
<p>However, in 2023 <a href="https://www.the-microbiologist.com/news/multi-drug-resistant-organisms-can-be-transmitted-between-healthy-dogs-and-cats-and-their-hospitalised-owners/761.article">a German study</a> of 2,800 hospital patients and their companion animals verified “that the sharing of multidrug-resistant organisms between companion animals and their owners is possible”, but the study only identified a handful of cases. The researches therefore <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/mar/19/dogs-and-cats-could-be-passing-on-drug-resistant-bugs-to-owners-study-finds">concluded that</a> “cat or dog ownership isn’t an important risk factor for multidrug-resistant organism colonisation in hospital patients.” </p>
<p>It is possible, then, that being licked by your dog could contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance – but it isn’t likely.</p>
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<h2>Doctor dog</h2>
<p>Despite potential threats to health, can dog licks be beneficial? </p>
<p>Records suggest that in the past, <a href="https://ethnobiomed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13002-017-0175-6">animal saliva</a> has been used for wound healing, with some dogs specially trained to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/014067369290480Q">lick open wounds</a>. However, there is no research to suggest that allowing animal companions to lick wounds will help them to heal. Allowing animals to lick open wounds, in fact, could put an owner at increased <a href="https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/vbz.2019.2558">risk of infection</a>.</p>
<p>The relationship between humans and their dogs can confer other potentially healing benefits. <a href="https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/types-of-therapy/animal-assisted-therapy/#:%7E:text=Animal%2Dassisted%20therapy%20can%20help,struggling%20with%20anxiety%20or%20depression.">Animal-assisted therapy</a> helps people with a range of issues, such as anxiety, eating disorders and trauma. Cuddling and stroking dogs, for example, <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-friend-who-keeps-you-young#:%7E:text=The%20cortisol%2Dlowering%20and%20oxytocin,%E2%80%9CIt's%20relaxing%20and%20transcendental.%E2%80%9D">can help patients</a> to feel calmer and lower blood pressure and heart rate. </p>
<p>Dog owners tend to benefit from their pets through increased <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1469029216300048">physical activity and social connections</a>, as well as companionship and improved mental health. Licking, however, is not essential to the close bond between human and canine.</p>
<p>Within reason, for most people, letting your dog lick you is probably safe. With good management, healthcare (for you and your dog) and excellent hygiene, the risks of an occasional lick are likely to be minimal. But it’s a good idea to enforce the “not on the mouth” rule, for everyone’s safety.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/223481/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Jacqueline Boyd is affiliated with The Kennel Club (UK) through membership, as Chair of the Activities Health and Welfare Subgroup and member of the Dog Health Group. Jacqueline is a full member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT #01583) and she also writes, consults and coaches on canine matters on an independent basis, in addition to her academic affiliation at Nottingham Trent University</span></em></p>Dogs may be a human’s best friend but there are limits – is face licking one of them?Jacqueline Boyd, Senior Lecturer in Animal Science, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2240092024-03-07T13:03:44Z2024-03-07T13:03:44ZFrom fast fashion to excessive earrings, these trends might be harmful to your health<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/579487/original/file-20240304-18-67z9tp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=211%2C130%2C2425%2C1666&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Jennifer Lopez is a fan of the statement earring, but will her lobes forgive her?</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/los-angeles-may-10-jennifer-lopez-2303119289">Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The perilous nature of some fashion items have a long history, from the potentially <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0966636221000199">hazardous heights of stilettoes</a> to the damaging <a href="https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/library-and-publications/library/blog/effects-of-the-corset/">constrictions imposed by the corset</a>. But health-harming trends aren’t a thing of the past. </p>
<p>Fast fashion, the making and selling of cheap clothes with short life-spans at mass volumes, has become a notorious modern-day phenomenon – so much so that in 2023, the <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230424IPR82040/ending-fast-fashion-tougher-rules-to-fight-excessive-production-and-consumption">European Union</a> attempted to crack down on the “overproduction and overconsumption of clothes and footwear” to <a href="https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/news/remodelling-fast-fashion-understanding-the-need-to-accelerate-sustainability-in-the-fashion-industry-and-how-the-uk-can-respond/">make clothing more sustainable</a> and <a href="https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/85937">reduce worker exploitation</a>.</p>
<p>Fast fashion might be cheap but its environmental costs are dear. The detrimental <a href="https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/environmental-costs-fast-fashion">ecological effects</a> of the consumer appetite for trend-driven disposable clothing – and the consequential impacts on <a href="https://www.discovermagazine.com/environment/how-fast-fashion-harms-the-environment-and-peoples-health">human health</a> – are well known. But <a href="https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/1624/">toxic clothing</a> is a comparatively under-reported danger of consumers’ continuing love affair with fast fashion. </p>
<p>Affordable, on-trend clothing is often made from synthetic materials that can <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-03827-3_40">irritate the skin</a>. But <a href="https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/article/toxic-textiles-potential-health-risks-associated-with-toxic-chemicals-in-clothing/171082/">throwaway fashion</a> garments can also contain <a href="https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/population_and_sustainability/pdfs/Unravelling-Harms-of-Fast-Fashion-Full-Report-2023-02.pdf">toxic chemicals</a> including <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/PFAS_FactSheet.html#:%7E:text=Print-,Per%2D%20and%20Polyfluorinated%20Substances%20(PFAS),in%20a%20variety%20of%20products.">PFAS</a> (synthetic chemicals used widely in consumer products from non-stick baking tins to clothes), <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7002841/">azo dyes</a>, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/Phthalates_FactSheet.html#:%7E:text=Phthalates%20are%20a%20group%20of,%2C%20shampoos%2C%20hair%20sprays">phthalates</a> and <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/formaldehyde/default.html#:%7E:text=Formaldehyde%20(CH%E2%82%82O)%20is%20a%20colorless,antiseptics%2C%20medicines%2C%20and%20cosmetics.">formaldehyde</a>. </p>
<p>Approximately <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pfas-in-clothing-household-items-consumer-products-forever-chemicals/">8,000 synthetic chemicals</a> are used in the fast fashion manufacturing process, with residues <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/jul/02/fashion-chemicals-pfas-bpa-toxic">staying on the garments that we purchase</a>. Alden Wicker’s 2023 book, <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/705645/to-dye-for-by-alden-wicker/">To Dye For</a>, reveals the unregulated use of <a href="https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmenvaud/1805/1805.pdf">potentially harmful chemicals</a> and the impacts these can have on our health. <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mohamed-Hassaan-2/publication/317006721_Health_and_Environmental_Impacts_of_Dyes_Mini_Review/links/5a032afaa6fdcc6b7c9d09d9/Health-and-Environmental-Impacts-of-Dyes-Mini-Review.pdf">Azo dyes</a>, for example, which are <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0273230017301812">restricted in the EU</a>, <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-99-3901-5_3">can be absorbed</a> causing a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27635691/">range of reported</a> health issues. </p>
<p>And there are other, perhaps more surprising, potential dangers lurking in your wardrobe too.</p>
<h2>Trainers and sneakers</h2>
<p>Trainers have become the most popular shoe style of the <a href="https://journal.transformativeworks.org/index.php/twc/article/download/1991/2871?inline=1">21st-century</a>, transcending fashion boundaries of gender, race and age. The <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1740144519300853">trend for athleisure</a> – buoyed by brand collaborations with hip-hop and pop stars such as <a href="https://www.teenvogue.com/story/adidas-ivy-park-ivy-noir-collection">Beyoncé</a>, <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/rihanna-fenty-x-puma-the-creeper-phatty-1234905319/">Rihanna</a> and the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/27/business/kanye-west-adidas-yeezy.html">pre-scandal Kanye West’s</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/feb/15/yeezy-sneakers-adidas-kanye-west-ye">ultra-successful Adidas Yeezy</a> line – has increased consumer demand for footwear that’s both <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/katehardcastle/2022/11/29/haute-comfort-consumers-choose-comfort-over-style-says-new-research/?sh=2bdb6feb20c4">comfortable</a> and has <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-history-of-sneakers-from-commodity-to-cultural-icon-127268">cult status</a>. </p>
<p>This is a trend that shows no sign of going out of fashion: according to predictions, the global sneaker industry will be worth <a href="https://leaders.com/news/business/inside-the-growing-sneaker-resale-market/">$100 billion by 2026</a>. But how bad can it be to value comfort as well as style? </p>
<p>For example, wearing trainers too much can lead to <a href="https://www.sioux-shop.co.uk/cms/keeping-your-feet-healthy/can-wearing-trainers-too-much-damage-your-feet/#:%7E:text=Therefore%2C%20wearing%20trainers%20continually%20can,not%20need%20such%20extreme%20cushioning.">poor foot posture and the widening of feet</a>, a condition that’s impossible to reverse. The trend for platform trainers isn’t much better: this style can be a painful <a href="https://edit.sundayriley.com/are-platform-sneakers-bad-for-your-feet/">strain on the feet and gait</a>. And sock sneakers – trainers that look like thick, usually colorful socks with rubber soles attached – is the style <a href="https://www.whowhatwear.com/worst-sneakers-for-feet">most likely to lead</a> to a sprained ankle.</p>
<p>The best bet is to opt for athletic trainers that are designed to offer a supportive fit. </p>
<h2>Waist trainers</h2>
<p>Waist trainers, brought into vogue this century by <a href="https://www.vogue.co.uk/news/article/kim-kardashian-west-future-of-skims">Kim Kardashian</a>, are similar to the corsets and girdles of the past. They are designed to pull the wearer’s waist in as <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/do-waist-trainers-work#:%7E:text=A%20waist%20trainer%20is%20a,tough%20fabric%20and%20hard%20fibers.">tight as possible</a> to achieve an eye-wateringly <a href="https://www.instyle.com/beauty/health-fitness/what-is-a-waist-trainer">“snatched” look</a> – TikTok speak for creating the illusion of a tiny, accentuated waist. </p>
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<p>Endorsed by influential celebrities such as <a href="https://theconversation.com/corsets-and-waist-trainers-how-celebrities-and-influencers-have-driven-our-modern-obsession-with-shapewear-183859">Nikki Minaj</a> and <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a19490856/kylie-jenner-waist-training-post-baby-body-instagram-ad/">Kylie Jenner</a>, the waist trainer, if worn over a prolonged period, may help achieve a temporary <a href="https://www.mymed.com/health-wellness/body-modifications/the-practice-of-waist-training-and-corsetry/the-dangers-and-benefits-of-aesthetic-waist-training">hourglass figure</a>. And like the corset, the waist trainer does seem to <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/591218e0f7e0abcf6ce40add/t/5fbecbbfeaf37e3b64805419/1606339541761/The_Kurious_Kase_of_Kim_Kardashians_Korset_Alanna_McKnight_Fashion_Studies.pdf">have some benefits</a> – it may <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169814121000433">help improve posture</a>, for example. </p>
<p>Waist trainers and similar shapewear can also give the appearance of significant weight loss. But any actual weight loss from wearing the item is most likely because of water loss through <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/do-waist-trainers-work">sweating and muscle atrophy</a> – muscles in the core are used less while wearing waist-trainers, so long-term use can lead to muscle wastage.</p>
<p>Also, the pressure exerted on the waist and internal organs can cause appetite loss. Perhaps unsurprisingly, prolonged wearing of waist trainers can result in <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/are-waist-trainers-dangerous">gastrointestinal issues</a> such as acid reflux and, in more extreme cases, the pressure on the diaphragm can cause respiratory problems. </p>
<p>If that isn’t enough, wearers of waist trainers and corsets may be at <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/do-waist-trainers-work#are-they-safe">risk of fainting due to reduced oxygen</a>. There’s also a reported case of a woman who developed <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7566978/#:%7E:text=ALI%20is%20caused%20by%20many,abdominal%20liposuction%20and%20gluteal%20augmentation.">acute lower-limb ischemia</a> (a serious condition usually caused by a blood clot) after wearing a waist trainer – although such extreme health outcomes are very rare. </p>
<p>And while the potential health risks of wearing waist trainers might seem overwhelming, a study in the <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314102718_Randomized_controlled_trial_of_abdominal_binders_for_postoperative_pain_distress_and_blood_loss_after_cesarean_delivery">International Journal of Gynaecology and Obsestrics</a> found women who wore them following a cesarean delivery experienced less pain. </p>
<h2>Heavy earrings</h2>
<p>The emergence of the <a href="https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/a46493231/mob-wife-aesthetic-trend-explained/">“mob wife” trend</a>, with its <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/28/style/mob-wife-aesthetic-trend.html">aesthetic signifiers</a> of fur coats, leopard prints and <a href="https://www.hellomagazine.com/fashion/royal-style/513845/princess-diana-original-mob-wife-fashion/">chunky gold jewellery</a>, has also popularised weighty earrings. But the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocd.14552">regular and prolonged wearing</a> of heavy earrings can cause elongation and thinning of the earlobe, which in extreme cases can <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/heavy-earrings-aging-skin_n_561bf656e4b0082030a35c59#:%7E:text=According%20to%20Edward%20Miranda%2C%20a%20board-certified%20plastic%20surgeon%2C,and%20ultimately%20can%20rupture%20and%20split.%20More%20items">cause the lobe to split</a>. </p>
<p>To correct the damage caused by wearing excessively heavy or large earrings, lobe surgery has become one of the <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/earlobe-reduction-plastic-surgery-trend-cosmetics-a8172951.html">most common plastic surgery trends</a>. </p>
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<p>But it is not just heavy earrings that you may need to be wary of. Large <a href="https://galoremag.com/wear-big-hoops-without-getting-caught-everything/">thin hoops</a>, although seemingly lightweight, can get caught in hair and clothes. In 2023, a TikTok video of a woman showing the tear in her earlobe caused by a large hoop earring went viral, with over <a href="https://nypost.com/2023/02/16/i-liked-wearing-heavy-earrings-until-hoops-tore-open-my-earlobe/">1.3 million views</a>. </p>
<h2>Ill-fitting thongs</h2>
<p>Love them or hate them, <a href="https://graziamagazine.com/us/articles/early-aughts-exposed-thong-trend-is-back/">the thong is a fashion classic</a>. From showgirls at the World Fair in the 1930s to 2023’s <a href="https://www.elle.com/uk/fashion/trends/a42416238/celebrity-exposed-thong-trend/">whale tail trend</a> for wearing a thong peeking out from the waistband of clothing, these notorious items have been rubbing us the wrong way for almost a century.</p>
<p>Renowned for being uncomfortable, it’s perhaps unsurprising that ill-fitting thongs can cause intimate irritation and chafing, especially if made from synthetic fabrics.</p>
<p>But it’s not all doom and gloom. <a href="https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jog.13958">Research has shown</a> that a well-fitting thong made from natural fibres, alongside regular washing of underwear and scrupulous personal hygiene, can ensure thong-wearers enjoy their whale tails in comfort.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/health-warning-five-fashion-trends-that-are-terrible-for-you-43738">Health warning: five fashion trends that are terrible for you</a>
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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/224009/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Naomi Braithwaite does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Keeping up with the Kardashians can be a real pain. How fashion trends from waist trainers to celebrity endorsed sneakers could do more harm than good.Naomi Braithwaite, Associate Professor in Fashion Marketing and Branding, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2243182024-02-26T17:19:30Z2024-02-26T17:19:30ZA Nasa mission that collided with an asteroid didn’t just leave a dent – it reshaped the space rock<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/577638/original/file-20240223-18-v91s4p.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C1917%2C1080&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://images.nasa.gov/details/PIA25329">NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Steve Gribben</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>A frequent idea in sci-fi and apocalyptic films is that of an asteroid
striking Earth and causing global devastation. While the probabilities of this kind of mass extinction occurring on our planet are incredibly small, they are not zero. </p>
<p>The results of Nasa’s Dart mission to the asteroid Dimorphos <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-024-02200-3">have now been published</a>. They contain fascinating details about the composition of this asteroid and whether we can defend Earth against incoming space rocks.</p>
<p><a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/dart/">The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (Dart)</a> was a spacecraft mission that launched in November 2021. It was sent to an asteroid called Dimorphos and commanded to collide with it, head on, in September 2022. </p>
<p>Dimorphos posed and poses no threat to Earth in the near future. But the mission was designed to see if deflecting an asteroid away from a collision course with Earth was possible through “kinetic” means – in other words, a direct impact of a human-made object on its surface. </p>
<p>Asteroid missions are never easy. The relatively small size of these objects (compared to planets and moons) means there is no appreciable gravity to enable spacecraft to land and collect a sample. </p>
<p>Space agencies have launched a number of spacecraft to asteroids in recent times. For example, the Japanese space agency’s (Jaxa) <a href="https://www.isas.jaxa.jp/en/missions/spacecraft/current/hayabusa2.html">Hayabusa-2</a> mission reached the asteroid Ryugu in 2018, the same year Nasa’s <a href="https://theconversation.com/five-space-exploration-missions-to-look-%20out-for-in-2023-195839">Osiris-Rex</a> mission rendezvoused with the asteroid Bennu.</p>
<p>The Japanese Hayabusa missions (1 and 2) fired a small projectile at the surface as they approached it. They would then collect the debris as it flew by. </p>
<h2>High-speed collision</h2>
<p>However, the Dart mission was special in that it was not sent to deliver samples of asteroid material to labs on Earth. Instead, it was to fly at high speed into the space rock and be destroyed in the process.</p>
<p>A high-speed collision with an asteroid needs incredible precision. Dart’s target of Dimorphos was actually part of a <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/asteroids/didymos/">double asteroid</a> system, known as a binary because the smaller object orbits the larger one. This binary contained both Didymus – the larger of the two objects – and Dimorphos, which behaves effectively as a moon.</p>
<p>The simulations of <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-024-02200-3">what has happened to Dimorphos</a> show that while we might expect to see a very large crater on the asteroid from Dart’s impact, it is more likely that it has, in fact, changed the shape of the asteroid instead. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Dimorphos." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/577962/original/file-20240226-24-ninx49.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/577962/original/file-20240226-24-ninx49.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/577962/original/file-20240226-24-ninx49.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/577962/original/file-20240226-24-ninx49.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/577962/original/file-20240226-24-ninx49.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/577962/original/file-20240226-24-ninx49.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/577962/original/file-20240226-24-ninx49.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Dimorphos, as pictured by the Dart spacecraft.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/dart/">NASA</a></span>
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</figure>
<h2>Ant hitting two buses</h2>
<p>The collision was of a mass of 580kg hitting an asteroid of roughly 5 billion kg. For comparison, this is equivalent to an ant hitting two buses. But the spacecraft is also travelling around 6 kilometres per second. </p>
<p>The simulation results based on observations of the asteroid Dimorphos have shown that the asteroid now orbits around its larger companion, Didymus, 33 minutes slower than before. Its orbit has gone from 11 hours, 55 minutes to 11 hours, 22 minutes. </p>
<p>The momentum change to the core of Dimorphos is also higher than one would predict from the direct impact, which may seem impossible at first. However, the asteroid is quite weakly constructed, consisting of loose rubble held together by gravity. The impact caused a lot of material to be blown off of Dimorphos. </p>
<p>This material is now travelling in the opposite direction to the impact. This acts <a href="http://www.dynamicscience.com.au/tester/solutions1/war/newton/recoilless.htm">like a recoil</a>, slowing down the asteroid.</p>
<p>Observations of all the <a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2340837-photo-shows-10000-km-debris-tail-caused-by-%20dart-asteroid-smash/">highly reflective material that has been shed from Dimorphos</a> allows scientists to estimate how much of it has been lost from the asteroid. Their result is roughly 20 million kilograms – equivalent to about six of the Apollo-era Saturn V rockets fully loaded with fuel. </p>
<p>Combining all the parameters together (mass, speed, angle and amount of material lost) and simulating the impact has allowed the researchers to be fairly confident about the answer. Confident not only regarding the grain size of the material coming from Dimorphos, but also that the asteroid has limited cohesion and the surface must be constantly altered, or reshaped, by minor impacts.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Artist's impression of Chicxulub asteroid." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/577961/original/file-20240226-24-p85pi2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/577961/original/file-20240226-24-p85pi2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/577961/original/file-20240226-24-p85pi2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/577961/original/file-20240226-24-p85pi2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/577961/original/file-20240226-24-p85pi2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/577961/original/file-20240226-24-p85pi2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/577961/original/file-20240226-24-p85pi2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The dinosaurs were wiped out by a 10km-wide asteroid that hit Earth 66 million years ago.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/planet-earth-big-asteroid-space-potentially-2107872635">Buradaki / Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>But what does this tell us about protecting ourselves from an asteroid impact? Significant recent impacts on Earth have included the <a href="https://blogs.nasa.gov/planetarydefense/2023/02/15/remembering-the-chelyabinsk-impact-10-years-ago-and-looking-to-the-future/">meteor</a> which broke up in the sky over the city of Chelyabinsk, Russia, in 2013, and the infamous <a href="https://earthsky.org/space/what-is-the-tunguska-explosion/">Tunguska
impact</a> over a remote part of Siberia in 1908. </p>
<p>While these were not the kinds of events that are able to cause mass extinctions – like the 10km object that wiped out the dinosaurs when it struck our planet 66 million years ago – the potential for damage and loss of life with smaller objects such as those at Chelyabinsk and Tunguska is very high.</p>
<p>The Dart mission cost US$324 million (£255 million), which is low for a space mission, and with its development phase completed, a similar mission to go and deflect an asteroid heading our way could be launched more cheaply. </p>
<p>The big variable here is how much warning we will have, because a change in orbit of 30 minutes – as was observed when Dart struck Dimorphos – will make little difference if the asteroid is already very close to Earth. However, if we can predict the object path from further out – preferably outside the Solar System – and make small changes, this could be enough to divert the path of an asteroid away from our planet.</p>
<p>We can expect to see more of these missions in the future, not only because of interest in the science surrounding asteroids, but because the ease of removing material from them means that private companies might want to step up their ideas of <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/things-are-looking-up-for-asteroid-mining/">mining these space rocks</a> for precious metals.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/224318/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Ian Whittaker does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The mission provided details about how to deflect an asteroid should one threaten Earth in future.Ian Whittaker, Senior Lecturer in Physics, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2139262024-02-23T12:57:17Z2024-02-23T12:57:17ZGut microbiome: meet Lactobacillus acidophilus – the gut health superhero<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/577544/original/file-20240223-24-46adyy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C5176%2C3445&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Eating yoghurt is one way of getting more _Lactobacillus acidophilus_ into your diet.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/young-woman-home-eating-yogurt-111275633">Josep Suria/ Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Your gut is like a bustling city of trillions of microscopic inhabitants – including bacteria. While some of these bacterial inhabitants are villains, causing illness, infection and disease, others are good – supporting our health and keeping things running smoothly. </p>
<p>But one species of bacterium in our gut is so good and does so much for our health, that it might well be compared to a gut superhero. This microbe goes by the name of <em><a href="https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/19352701869">Lactobacillus acidophilus</a></em>. </p>
<p><em>Lactobacillus acidophilus</em> might sound like a mouthful, but don’t let its long name intimidate you. In simple terms, it’s a tiny bacterium that belongs to a group of microorganisms known for their <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24912386/">probiotic properties</a> – meaning it provides health benefits when consumed in adequate quantities.</p>
<p>This microbe hangs out in your gut (mainly your small intestine) and helps keep things running smoothly. In fact, <em>Lactobacillus acidophilus</em> has an incredible number of important functions.</p>
<p>It acts as a digestion buddy, munching on things you can’t digest entirely – such as certain sugars and fibres. For example, it helps digest foods rich in lactose (such as dairy products like milk, yogurt and cheese), as well as fermentable carbohydrates found in vegetables, fruits and grains. By doing so, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30468509/">it helps break down your food</a>, making it easier for your body to absorb nutrients.</p>
<p>Since your gut is a delicate ecosystem, <em>Lactobacillus acidophilus</em> plays a crucial role in maintaining the right balance of bacteria by <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22254077/">preventing harmful bacteria</a> from taking over and causing trouble.</p>
<p>This microbe also <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23372900/">strengthens your body’s defence system</a>. It does this by helping your immune cells <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20823239/">communicate better</a> and stay alert so they’re ready to fight off invaders. </p>
<p>And when your stomach is upset or you’re stressed, <em>Lactobacillus acidophilus</em> is the microbe that comes to the rescue, soothing irritation and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16728323/">helping ease digestive discomfort</a>.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A man holds his stomach in pain." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/577545/original/file-20240223-20-cu5btb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/577545/original/file-20240223-20-cu5btb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/577545/original/file-20240223-20-cu5btb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/577545/original/file-20240223-20-cu5btb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/577545/original/file-20240223-20-cu5btb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/577545/original/file-20240223-20-cu5btb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/577545/original/file-20240223-20-cu5btb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">One of the benefits this microbe has is easing digestive problems.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/man-suffering-stomach-ache-sitting-on-488527312">Antonio Guillem/ Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>All of these important functions mean <em>Lactobacillus acidophilus</em> is a true friend to your body, and its affects on your health are pretty impressive, with benefits such as:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Happy tummies:</strong> By maintaining a balanced gut environment, your stomach will feel <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18274900/">more comfortable</a>, and you have less chance of experiencing tummy troubles such as <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16728323/">diarrhoea</a>, constipation and bloating.</li>
<li><strong>Immune support:</strong> By keeping your gut in tip-top shape, <em>Lactobacillus acidophilus</em> <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19651563/">helps protect you</a> from infections and illnesses. It’s shown to be particularly good at keeping <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23594927/">influenza</a> at bay. </li>
<li><strong>Controlling allergies and inflammation:</strong> Some studies suggest that having a strong colony of <em>Lactobacillus acidophilus</em> in your gut might <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19840300/">reduce the risk of allergies</a> and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24954372/">inflammation-related conditions</a> (such as eczema). It acts like a natural shield against <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26044853/">sneezing fits and sore joints</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Preserving mental wellbeing:</strong> Believe it or not, your gut health can influence your mood. <em>Lactobacillus acidophilus</em> might play a role in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29521671/">promoting good mental wellbeing</a>.</li>
</ul>
<p>Given all the important roles that <em>Lactobacillus acidophilus</em> plays in your health, if you’re keen to fill your gut with this microbe you can find it in tasty fermented foods such as <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408398.2011.621169?casa_token=q5rNmHVBFjAAAAAA:79FQSbhMoQYMVxrw_WvyFaeHmSR50olvQO8JaGY9ZzluOnYAy_CLWaJhx6J8utAb1F6xgl60gYRN8w">yogurt and kefir</a>. </p>
<h2>A deeper look</h2>
<p>Even though we know a lot about <em>Lactobacillus acidophilus</em>, there’s still much to explore. Scientists are currently digging deeper to understand whether there are <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16875422/">different strains of this microbe</a> – and if each of these strains have unique abilities. </p>
<p>Scientists are also working on tailoring probiotics to a person’s specific needs. Imagine having a <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-020-0721-1">personalised probiotic</a> superhero designed just for you. People with inflammatory bowel disease, weakened immune systems, allergies and mental health concerns may benefit from personalised products containing probiotic strains such as <em>Lactobacillus acidophilus</em>, because of the benefits it may have for these issues. </p>
<p>And finally, researchers are continuing to investigate the link between gut health and the brain – with scientists taking a particular interest in investigating how specifically <em>Lactobacillus acidophilus</em> might influence <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6445894/">mood and mental wellbeing</a>.</p>
<p><em>Lactobacillus acidophilus</em> is a tiny but mighty superhero in your gut, working hard to keep you healthy and happy. So the next time you enjoy <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408398.2011.621169?casa_token=q5rNmHVBFjAAAAAA:79FQSbhMoQYMVxrw_WvyFaeHmSR50olvQO8JaGY9ZzluOnYAy_CLWaJhx6J8utAb1F6xgl60gYRN8w">a yogurt or sip on some kefir</a>, think of it as giving your friendly gut superhero a high-five. </p>
<hr>
<p><em>This article is part of <a href="https://theconversation.com/uk/topics/meet-your-gut-microbes-150943?utm_source=InArticleTop&utm_medium=TCUK&utm_campaign=Health2024">Meet Your Gut Microbes</a>, a series about the rich constellation of bacteria, viruses, archaea and fungi that live in people’s digestive tracts. Scientists are increasingly realising their importance in shaping our health – both physical and mental. Each week we will look at a different microbe and bring you the most up-to-date research on them.</em></p>
<hr><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/213926/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Fermented foods, such as yoghurt and kefir, are great sources of this immune-boosting microbe.Samuel J. White, Senior Lecturer in Genetic Immunology, Nottingham Trent UniversityPhilippe B. Wilson, Professor of One Health, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2241342024-02-22T14:31:18Z2024-02-22T14:31:18ZSpeaker Lindsay Hoyle sparks chaos: five steps to understanding why MPs stormed out of parliament during Gaza vote<p>Chaos engulfed the House of Commons on Wednesday, February 21 when MPs representing the Conservatives and the Scottish National Party (SNP) stormed out of the chamber following a furious row over a debate on calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The situation was complex but can be explained in five key moments.</p>
<p>The main piece of business in the House of Commons on the day in question was an opposition day debate tabled by the Scottish National Party (SNP) calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Opposition day debates are an opportunity for opposition parties to put issues that they care about onto the parliamentary agenda. </p>
<p>There are 20 opposition days allocated per parliamentary year – 17 for the main opposition party (Labour) to set the agenda and three for the second opposition party (the SNP). </p>
<p>The drama unfolded on an SNP day and the chaos was triggered by the wording of the motion put forward for debate by the SNP. This contained the phrase “collective punishment of the Palestinian people” and did not include a call for a two-state solution, which Labour objected to.</p>
<h2>1. The SNP sets a trap</h2>
<p>To some degree the motion was a political trap set by the SNP for Labour. </p>
<p>In a November vote on the situation in Gaza, the Labour party suffered a <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/who-are-the-rebel-labour-mps-that-resigned-over-the-vote-for-a-gaza-ceasefire-13009351">major rebellion</a>, with 56 MPs voting with the SNP and against their own party to show their support for a ceasefire. Several shadow ministers resigned so they could vote this way. </p>
<p>Along with a desire to express support for a ceasefire, the SNP evidently saw an opportunity to split Labour once again with its opposition day motion. </p>
<h2>2. Labour tables its own amendment</h2>
<p>To avoid a split, Labour tabled its own amendment to the SNP’s motion. This called for a “humanitarian ceasefire” and included additional details, such as a call for a two-state solution. However it is unusual for opposition parties to seek to amend the motions of other opposition parties. </p>
<p>On such occasions where an opposition amendment is tabled, it is voted upon first, prior to the original (in this case SNP) motion. The spanner in the works here for Labour was that the government also tabled its own amendment to the SNP motion. </p>
<p>In this situation it comes down to the Speaker to decide which amendment is selected – and typically only one is selected. If the government tables an amendment to an opposition day motion, it will be called. The tabling of such an amendment from the government would have, in normal circumstances, torpedoed Labour’s plan. </p>
<h2>3. The speaker makes an unexpected decision</h2>
<p>However, something unexpected then came to pass. Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker, decided to permit both Labour and the government’s amendment to be called to allow for the widest possible debate. </p>
<p>Although not completely against House of Commons rules (<a href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/commons/standing-orders-public11/">standing orders</a>) allowing both amendments to proceed does go against convention. The speaker’s decision was taken against the advice of the clerk of the House of Commons (the most senior adviser to the speaker and the house).</p>
<p>Hoyle appears to have made the decision to select both amendments for a vote having spoken to Labour MPs about the fears for their safety. Many have said that they’ve faced threats of violence for failing to speak out in favour of a ceasefire. </p>
<p>Back in December, the constituency office of <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/mike-freer-minister-to-stand-down-as-mp-over-personal-safety-fears-after-death-threats-and-arson-attack-13061089">Conservative MP Mike Freer </a> was hit by an arson attack (fortunately no one was injured) and he has since announced he is standing down as an MP over personal safety fears. </p>
<p>These MPs had asked for the opportunity to express their support for a ceasefire in the chamber via the Labour amendment to make their position clear to the public. Party leader Keir Starmer, in tabling the Labour amendment, was attempting to give them the opportunity to do so.</p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1760345776876564728"}"></div></p>
<h2>4. MPs storm out of the chamber</h2>
<p>Despite Hoyle’s decision being made apparently with the best of intentions, it angered many MPs, especially as it broke both convention and the official advice of the clerk of the house. </p>
<p>A shouting match broke out between MPs on both sides of the house and between MPs and the speaker and his deputy. The government withdrew its amendment so it couldn’t be voted on and asked its MPs not to take part in any votes. SNP and Conservative MPs walked out of the House of Commons chamber in anger over what had happened. </p>
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<p>In withdrawing its amendment, the government prevented a sequence of votes from occurring. Had the government not withdrawn its amendment, there would have been three votes.</p>
<p>MPs would have voted first on Labour’s amendment (which would have likely been defeated due to the government’s majority), then on the SNP’s original opposition day motion (which would also have been likely defeated due to the government’s majority) and finally on the government’s amendment. The speaker’s plan was for everyone’s motions and amendments to be put to a vote – it just didn’t work out that way. </p>
<h2>5. Labour’s amendment passes</h2>
<p>Amid the chaos of the government withdrawing, a vote did eventually take place. Labour’s amendment to the SNP motion was taken and passed without objection. That meant that the SNP motion was duly amended and passed too (but not in the original form that the party wanted).</p>
<p>SNP MPs are justifiably angry. It was their opposition day debate (of which they only get three days per parliamentary year) and it has been completely overshadowed by screaming and shouting over parliamentary procedure.</p>
<h2>The result: an important issue overshadowed</h2>
<p>Despite the House of Commons passing a motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, MPs have not covered themselves in glory. The public will certainly be questioning what on earth was going on.</p>
<p>This anger, over what some MPs see as an abuse of procedure, has completely overshadowed the actual topic of the debate, the conflict in Israel and Gaza, as well as the humanitarian disaster. Although opposition day motions are not binding on the government, and this vote would not have led to a ceasefire, it is an issue which matters to MPs – and to the wider public. </p>
<p>Nor should we underestimate how angry MPs are at the speaker’s decision. He has apologised and said he made the wrong decision but many believe that he has overstepped his authority and have accused him of being biased towards Labour by backing both amendments. </p>
<p>At the time of writing, 60 MPs had signed an <a href="https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/61908">early day motion</a> (used by MPs to draw attention to a particular issue) stating that they have no confidence in Hoyle as speaker. They include SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn. Calmer heads may prevail over the coming days but the decision Hoyle made has undermined his position and authority.</p>
<p><em>This article has been corrected. It originally stated the Mike Freer is a Labour MP when he is in fact a Conservative MP.</em></p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/224134/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Thomas Caygill has previously received funding from the Economic and Social Research Council. </span></em></p>Instead of voting on a ceasefire, the House of Commons descended into furious arguments between MPs and the speaker.Thomas Caygill, Senior Lecturer in Politics, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2236722024-02-20T16:52:18Z2024-02-20T16:52:18ZThe destruction of Gazaʼs historic buildings is an act of ‘urbicide’<p>Buildings are often celebrated as symbols of <a href="https://www.youthreporter.eu/de/beitrag/buildings-as-symbols-of-the-nation.15643/#:%7E:text=Many%20of%20the%20most%20iconic,consistent%20presence%20within%20their%20countries.">history</a>, <a href="https://politicstoday.org/the-politics-of-architecture-the-subtle-message-of-buildings/">political events</a> and <a href="https://www.pdcnet.org/wcp22/content/wcp22_2008_0001_0015_0025?file_type=pdf">creative expression</a>. However, the simplest, most pure function of buildings is often forgotten: the way they fulfil needs and form memories. </p>
<p>For years, <a href="https://www-sciencedirect-com.ntu.idm.oclc.org/science/article/pii/S0264275123003712?via%3Dihub#s0015">research</a> has shown that buildings, people’s memories and everyday life are connected elements that form our attachment to a place and create our relationships to our <a href="https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/82964593.pdf">“homeˮ</a>. This triangle of connection helps us identify with places and feel like we belong somewhere.</p>
<p>Gaza has long been cherished as a sanctuary for <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0264275117300094">creative experimentation</a>, and as a place where resilient people strive to defy the violence of colonisation. Within this landscape of destruction and occupation, the locals have always tried to hold onto the concept of home, beyond a fleeting shelter that could vanish with the next bombing campaign.</p>
<p>However, this continuous cycle of destruction and hopeful reconstruction has now come to an abrupt halt. Since October 7 2023, the bombardment of Gaza is reported to have damaged <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/14/a-cultural-genocide-which-of-gazas-heritage-sites-have-been-destroyed">more than 100 historic sites</a> and destroyed 69,700 homes. </p>
<p>At the time of writing, <a href="https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/100th-day-gaza-genocide-100000-palestinians-killed-missing-or-wounded-enar#:%7E:text=The%20Euro%2DMed%20Monitor%20team,187%2C300%20housing%20units%20have%20been">1.9 million</a> Palestinians have been displaced. This ongoing <a href="https://www.routledge.com/Urbicide-The-Politics-of-Urban-Destruction/Coward/p/book/9780415573566">urbicide</a> – the destruction of cultural hubs in the built environment – <a href="https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-edit/10.4324/9781351214100-10/century-cultural-genocide-palestine-daud-abdullah">also threatens</a> that triangle connecting people to their homes, land and heritage. </p>
<p>With <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-68006607">more than half of Gazaʼs buildings</a> either damaged or destroyed, it is impossible to cover the immense changes to the lives of these Palestinians in one article. So, here are just three examples of these lost buildings, and how their destruction has affected the everyday lives of local people in Gaza.</p>
<h2>The Great Omari Mosque</h2>
<p>A reflection of Palestine’s history <a href="http://kutaksam.karabuk.edu.tr/index.php/ilk/article/view/2751">where multiple religions coexisted</a>, the Great Omari Mosque has undergone multiple transformations <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Politics_and_Power_of_Tourism_in_Pal/-b00CwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=omari+mosque+gaza&pg=PA137&printsec=frontcover">throughout history</a>. </p>
<p>Built on the site of a pagan temple, this fifth-century church became a mosque in AD635. With a courtyard area of 1,190m², the mosque was the second-largest in Palestine and served as a daily destination for more than 3,000 worshippers. </p>
<p>Situated near Palestine Square, it has played a crucial role in the everyday life of Gaza, as <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9780470996423.ch21">mosques in Middle Eastern cities</a> foster social interactions, informal conversations and societal bonds. But this incubation of societal interactions came to an abrupt stop in December 2023, when the mosque was <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-67664853">reduced to rubble</a>.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/gazas-oldest-mosque-destroyed-in-an-airstrike-was-once-a-temple-to-philistine-and-roman-gods-a-byzantine-and-catholic-church-and-had-engravings-of-jewish-ritual-objects-220203">Gaza's oldest mosque, destroyed in an airstrike, was once a temple to Philistine and Roman gods, a Byzantine and Catholic church, and had engravings of Jewish ritual objects</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Palestine Square</h2>
<p>Palestine Square has long been the centre of everyday life in Gaza and is widely regarded as the heart of the city. <a href="https://shorturl.at/sEMX1">It is significant</a> due to its proximity to the Great Omari Mosque and many services, as well as the passage it provides to various markets. </p>
<p>Urban squares play a crucial role not only in facilitating transportation and passage but also as <a href="https://www.routledge.com/Becoming-Places-Urbanism--Architecture--Identity--Power/Dovey/p/book/9780415416375">places</a> that are connected to our identity, memories and how we perceive our city. </p>
<p>Therefore, <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/scale-of-vast-tent-city-in-gaza-revealed-with-destruction-leaving-residents-little-to-return-to-13046970">targeting Palestine Square</a> and completely destroying the surrounding buildings in January posed a threat to some fundamental aspects of people’s daily lives and their sense of belonging to the city.</p>
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<h2>Omar Al-Mukhtar Street</h2>
<p>Often called <a href="https://conference.corp.at/archive/CORP2001_Mahrouq_FR.pdf">the most important street</a> in Gaza City, Omar Al-Mukhtar Street is one of its <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0263775820955196">two main thoroughfares</a> along with Al-Wihdi Street. </p>
<p>It serves as the city’s commercial centre and is home to the city hall and public library. However, on October 8 2023, the street became one of the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/15/how-gaza-city-high-street-became-a-landscape-of-debris">first targets</a> of Israeli airstrikes, abruptly ending the bustling commercial activities that so many people relied on. </p>
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<p>This street was not only a place for Palestinian families to fulfil their everyday needs, but a hub for leisure and entertainment. For years, cultural sites like Omar Al-Mukhtar Street have fostered social bonds, preserved memories, and created societal bonds through everyday life and cultural events. </p>
<h2>Seeing past the ashes</h2>
<p>Gaza faces a challenging and lengthy path to recovery. These destroyed buildings serve as a reminder of the lost everyday life and rich cultural heritage hidden beneath the rubble. </p>
<p>The scale of destruction is immense, as is the humanitarian loss and disruption to daily life patterns. All will have long-lasting effects on the city’s identity and the local community’s heritage. </p>
<p>While it is important to highlight the destruction of buildings, it is even more crucial to shed light on how this affects everyday life and the functioning of the city. Gaza, once a hub of creative experimentation, now lies in ruins and urgently requires humanitarian, architectural and heritage support. </p>
<p>In this complex landscape, aid efforts should prioritise the restoration of physical structures that facilitate everyday life. Commercial spaces, urban squares, places of worship and homes formed a network that sustained daily life in Palestine. </p>
<p>When the bombing finally ends, it will be crucial to uncover and restore this network to restore Palestinians’ sense of belonging to their cities – and connection with their land.</p>
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<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/536131/original/file-20230706-17-460x2d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/536131/original/file-20230706-17-460x2d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/536131/original/file-20230706-17-460x2d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/536131/original/file-20230706-17-460x2d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/536131/original/file-20230706-17-460x2d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/536131/original/file-20230706-17-460x2d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/536131/original/file-20230706-17-460x2d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Yousif Al-Daffaie does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The bombardment of Gaza is reported to have damaged more than 100 historic sites and destroyed 69,700 homes.Yousif Al-Daffaie, Lecturer and Researcher, School of Architecture, Design, and the Built Environment, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2230262024-02-19T12:48:33Z2024-02-19T12:48:33ZZombie deer disease is spreading and scientists are concerned that it could jump to humans<p>In the tranquil expanses of North America’s woodlands and grasslands, a silent but concerning phenomenon is unfolding: <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1354/vp.42-5-530">chronic wasting disease</a> (CWD). The condition, often dubbed “zombie deer disease”, is stealthily spreading among deer populations, sparking concerns among scientists, conservationists and the public alike. </p>
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<p>This neurological affliction, characterised by <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-animal-022114-111001">myriad symptoms</a>, such as drooling, lethargy, stumbling and a vacant gaze, has now been detected in over 800 samples of deer, elk and moose <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/prions/cwd/occurrence.html">in Wyoming alone</a>, highlighting the scale and urgency of the issue.</p>
<p>At the heart of the CWD puzzle lies a peculiar culprit: <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(05)70192-7/abstract">prions</a>. </p>
<p>Prions are misfolded proteins that can cause normal proteins in the brain to misfold as well, leading to neurological degeneration. This unique feature makes prion diseases particularly concerning as they are notoriously resilient and can persist in the environment for years, resisting traditional disinfection methods such as formaldehyde, radiation and incineration at extreme temperatures.</p>
<p>The spread of CWD poses significant ecological and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3323184/">potentially human health risks</a>. While there is no conclusive evidence that CWD can directly infect humans, the possibility remains a point of concern. </p>
<p>Prion diseases, such as <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/neup.12355?casa_token=eiX3RSnNB3IAAAAA%3ApCppJbMaCCLHFQzJK_qaoCKfUBQy-cmG_OWcRQ53GwJwh9z9LoL6BgnCoqYuDDbRiCQrPhfYzpVSwuad">Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease</a> (CJD) in humans and “mad cow disease” in cattle, have shown that they can cross the species barrier – with devastating consequences. The outbreak of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0736467997001522">mad cow disease</a> in Britain, for instance, resulted in the slaughter of millions of cattle and led to 178 human deaths attributed to the human variant of the disease since 1995.</p>
<p>Despite the lack of confirmed cases of CWD in humans, concerns persist due to <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/tbed.12612">several factors</a>. First, studies have shown that prions responsible for CWD can infect and propagate within human cells under <a href="https://www.jneurosci.org/content/25/35/7944.short">laboratory conditions</a>, raising the spectre of potential transmission. </p>
<p>Second, humans are already inadvertently exposed to potentially infected animals by hunting and eating them. Reports suggest that between <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6650550/">7,000 to 15,000</a> CWD-infected animals were consumed annually by humans in 2017, with projections indicating a 20% annual increase. </p>
<p>In regions where CWD prevalence is high, such as Wisconsin, thousands of people may have unwittingly consumed meat from infected deer, underscoring the urgency for measures to mitigate risks.</p>
<p>Also, the inherent difficulties associated with detecting and <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1586/14737159.6.4.597">diagnosing prion diseases in humans</a> further complicate the situation. Unlike conventional infectious agents, prions do not trigger an immune response, making them difficult to detect through conventional means. This poses a significant obstacle to early intervention and containment efforts.</p>
<p>The potential for CWD to affect human health is not limited to direct transmission. The <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/12/12/1454">environmental persistence</a> of prions means that humans may also be exposed through indirect routes, such as contaminated soil, water and other environmental sources. Given the <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1006619">resilience of prions</a> and their ability to persist in the environment for extended periods, the long-term consequences of CWD on human health remain uncertain but warrant serious consideration.</p>
<p>Beyond the immediate health concerns, the spread of CWD also poses significant <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/brv.12568?casa_token=NajnUIeGZBgAAAAA%3AcUQ14xQM4NjdJM9uCN3TalDjiETMg_FK4uDYGtDf9vpux4oMoyUyQfiWWfUwE3OFxJwRqt8ZmjezrGyj">ecological</a> and <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10871200490480042?casa_token=8mnZHum_ANAAAAAA:Df8jpWCAt3gC39ol0lErKVDuzPwyygujkuk9qq7f-lrSamNJHUYkuTIytUVublES3rgJ89dgBi3tUQ&casa_token=EbKwxSmbEY8AAAAA:yj_8_rx7uKmQmw-VfOH5ZJIMtEAAVGN5GtyMo0aYzqsSPorbJ0XTQ79yPV68ojanF6nAMuVfw4Vu-w">economic</a> risks. Deer hunting is not only a popular recreational activity but also a vital source of sustenance and livelihood for many communities. The proliferation of CWD threatens to disrupt this delicate balance, potentially decimating deer populations and compromising food security in affected regions.</p>
<p>Furthermore, the ecological effects of CWD extend beyond deer populations, <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2147/VMRR.S197404">affecting entire ecosystems</a>. Deer play a crucial role in shaping vegetation dynamics (how plant communities change and evolve over time) through browsing and grazing. And their decline could have cascading effects on plant communities, soil health and other wildlife species that depend on deer as a food source or habitat modifier.</p>
<h2>In Europe too</h2>
<p>It is noteworthy that while there have been no outbreaks of <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/chronic-wasting-disease">CWD in the UK</a>, in 2016 it was diagnosed in wild deer in Norway, marking the first cases of CWD in Europe. This development underscores the potential for CWD to spread beyond its current range and highlights the need for international cooperation in monitoring and controlling the disease.</p>
<p>Addressing the many challenges posed by CWD requires a <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-animal-022114-111001">comprehensive and coordinated approach</a>. This includes bolstering surveillance and monitoring to track the spread of the disease, and implementing stringent <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10344-019-1260-z">biosecurity measures to prevent further transmission</a> – such as controlling the movement of deer and elk populations, conducting regular testing to monitor disease prevalence, and promoting responsible hunting practices to minimise the risk of transmission. </p>
<p>More research is also needed to better understand the <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.608235/full?&utm_source=Email_to_authors_&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=T1_11.5e1_author&utm_campaign=Email_publication&field=&journalName=Frontiers_in_Veterinary_Science&id=608235">disease’s transmission dynamics</a>, its ecological effects and potential human health implications.</p>
<p>Ultimately, the spectre of CWD underscores the interconnectedness of ecosystems and human health. By heeding the warnings of scientists and taking decisive action to <a href="https://www.inderscienceonline.com/doi/abs/10.1504/IJGENVI.2017.086716">mitigate risks</a>, we can strive to protect both wildlife and human populations from the insidious grip of CWD and other emerging zoonotic diseases. In doing so, we honour our commitment to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our planet and its inhabitants for generations to come.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/223026/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Chronic wasting disease has a similar cause to mad cow disease, a fatal disease in humans.Samuel J. White, Senior Lecturer in Genetic Immunology, Nottingham Trent UniversityPhilippe B. Wilson, Professor of One Health, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2232802024-02-15T03:30:55Z2024-02-15T03:30:55ZInteligência não torna ninguém imune às teorias da conspiração, mas a forma de pensar<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/574733/original/file-20240129-29-jer3n7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=31%2C31%2C5145%2C3414&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Pesquisas mostram que nosso estilo de pensamento pode prever a suscetibilidade a teorias da conspiração: pessoas mais adeptas da rota rápida e intuitiva estão em risco maior do que as que preferem rota mais lenta e analítica de processamento de informações</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/london-united-kingdom-august-29-2020-1805067589">I T S/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Nas últimas duas décadas e, em especial, nos <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44159-022-00133-0">últimos cinco anos</a>, houve um interesse científico crescente nas teorias da conspiração e nas pessoas que acreditam nelas. Embora alguns possam pensar que a crença em tais histórias esteja ligada à inteligência, os estudos começam a mostrar que a forma como as pessoas pensam pode ser mais importante.</p>
<p>Os cientistas concordam que ter uma <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44159-022-00133-0">medida de ceticismo</a> sobre os relatos oficiais de eventos é saudável e importante, mas a teoria da conspiração pode levar a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352250X22000823">consequências perigosas</a> para o indivíduo e para a sociedade. </p>
<p>Algumas teorias da conspiração, como <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/53498434">a conspiração QAnon</a>, por exemplo, podem ser consideradas uma crença minoritária, <a href="https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/Globalism21_ConspiracyTheories_AllCountries.pdf">com uma pesquisa YouGov de 2021</a> mostrando que 8% dos entrevistados no Reino Unido endossaram essa teoria da conspiração. Entretanto, algumas crenças são mais difundidas. Uma pesquisa de 2018 com pessoas de toda a Europa revelou que <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/nov/23/study-shows-60-of-britons-believe-in-conspiracy-theories">60% dos participantes britânicos</a> endossaram pelo menos uma teoria da conspiração. Então, quem são as pessoas mais suscetíveis à teoria da conspiração? </p>
<p>Há um conjunto de pesquisas <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44159-022-00133-0">em crescimento acentuado</a> que se esforça para entender essa questão. Primeiro, vamos reexaminar as suposições sobre quem se envolve com teorias da conspiração.</p>
<p>Foi relatado que pessoas com <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/article-abstract/2808358">alto nível de escolaridade</a>, como médicos e enfermeiros, propagam teorias da conspiração. Portanto, não se trata apenas de inteligência nem escolaridade - a educação não necessariamente tornar um pessoa imune às teorias da conspiração. </p>
<h2>Pensamento crítico</h2>
<p>Pesquisas mostram que nosso <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2079-3200/11/11/207">estilo de pensamento</a> pode prever a suscetibilidade a teorias da conspiração. A <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2079-3200/11/11/207">teoria do processamento duplo do estilo cognitivo</a> sugere que temos duas rotas que podemos usar para processar informações. </p>
<p>Uma delas é a rota rápida e intuitiva, que se baseia mais em experiências pessoais e intuições. A outra é uma rota mais lenta e analítica que, em vez disso, se baseia no processamento elaborado e detalhado das informações.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Homem protestando sozinho usando camiseta amarela com gráfico e a palavra fake" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/571915/original/file-20240129-23-sux9qt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/571915/original/file-20240129-23-sux9qt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/571915/original/file-20240129-23-sux9qt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/571915/original/file-20240129-23-sux9qt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/571915/original/file-20240129-23-sux9qt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/571915/original/file-20240129-23-sux9qt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/571915/original/file-20240129-23-sux9qt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A crença na teoria da conspiração parece estar ligada ao estilo de pensamento.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/hannover-germany-0805-conspiracy-theorist-demonstrating-1729104664">philippgehrke.de/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>O que tendemos a ver é que as pessoas que não são necessariamente mais inteligentes, mas que preferem o estilo de pensamento analítico e mais esforçado, são mais resistentes às crenças conspiratórias. Por exemplo, um <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0010027714001632?casa_token=EczBVWzrbWsAAAAA:Hq12hyS1txB3Ia_eM5yCVuReXqoVyGafhz2CTrq5U2JkTDsJs7Wl-LKm7Op_H3JVXWF9K5YQLQ">estudo britânico de 2014</a> constatou que as pessoas que obtiveram pontuação alta em perguntas como “Gosto de problemas que exigem muito raciocínio” tinham menos probabilidade de aceitar crenças em conspiração. Também constatou que as pessoas com menor probabilidade de se envolver em estilos de pensamento que exigem esforço, e com maior probabilidade de usar o pensamento intuitivo, demonstraram maior crença em teorias da conspiração. </p>
<p>Da mesma forma, um estudo de 2022 realizado em 45 países usou um teste de reflexão cognitiva que mediu o envolvimento no pensamento analítico em três perguntas. Descobriu-se que os participantes que se engajaram no estilo de pensamento de trabalho intensivo tinham <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886922001702">menos probabilidade de endossar</a> teorias da conspiração sobre a COVID-19.</p>
<p>O pensamento crítico é uma habilidade valiosa, principalmente na educação, e <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0010027714001632">foi demonstrado</a> que <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-talk-to-someone-about-conspiracy-theories-in-five-simple-steps-197819">diminui a suscetibilidade a</a> crenças conspiratórias. Isso provavelmente se deve ao fato de que esse estilo de pensamento mais árduo permite que as pessoas tenham tempo para identificar inconsistências nas teorias e buscar recursos adicionais para verificar as informações.</p>
<h2>Estilo e inteligência</h2>
<p>Uma <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886920305134">meta-análise de 2021</a> indica que um estilo de pensamento intuitivo não está relacionado à inteligência. Portanto, até mesmo pessoas realmente inteligentes podem ser suscetíveis a crenças conspiratórias, se estiverem mais inclinadas a recorrer a estilos de pensamento mais rápidos e intuitivos. </p>
<p>A pesquisa mostra que a crença em teorias da conspiração é prevista por vieses cognitivos que resultam da confiança em atalhos mentais ao processar informações. Primeiro, as crenças em conspiração parecem ser previstas pela crença falha de que <a href="http://www.ask-force.org/web/Discourse/Van-Prooijen-When-consequnce-size-predicts-belief-2014.pdf">grandes eventos devem ter grandes consequências</a>. </p>
<p>Isso é conhecido na psicologia como <a href="https://www.thebehavioralscientist.com/glossary/proportionality-bias">viés de proporcionalidade</a>. É difícil aceitar que eventos com consequências que mudam o mundo (por exemplo, a morte de um presidente, ou a pandemia de COVID-19) possam realmente ser causados por causas comparativamente “pequenas” (por exemplo, um atirador solitário ou um vírus). É assim que os estilos de pensamento que dependem de sentimentos e intuição podem levar as pessoas a endossar teorias da conspiração.</p>
<p>Outro exemplo de estilos de pensamento intuitivo que influenciam as crenças conspiratórias é a falácia da conjunção. A <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1984-03110-001">falácia da conjunção</a> é a crença errônea de que a probabilidade de dois eventos independentes ocorrerem juntos é maior do que a probabilidade de os eventos ocorrerem isoladamente. Veja o problema da Linda:</p>
<p><em>Linda tem 31 anos, é solteira, franca e muito inteligente. Ela se formou em filosofia. Quando estudante, ela se preocupava profundamente com questões de discriminação e justiça social e também participou de manifestações antinucleares.</em></p>
<p>O que é mais provável?</p>
<p>a) Linda é caixa de banco.</p>
<p>b) Linda é caixa de banco e é ativa no movimento feminista.</p>
<p>A mais provável é a) Linda é caixa de banco, pois, estatisticamente, a probabilidade de ocorrência de um evento é sempre maior do que a combinação. Entretanto, pesquisas mostram que <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/acp.2995">erros de falácia de conjunção</a> estão associados a crenças conspiratórias mais fortes. Portanto, as pessoas propensas ao pensamento conspiratório teriam maior probabilidade de dizer b.</p>
<p>A exposição a crenças conspiratórias também <a href="https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjop.12018?casa_token=r4JDrnxTCu8AAAAA%3A-Pcye9myJ9Wo0npNCXco7jIsoT-_JUrv1K07NwRqZF8_a15-qg6nCx-jKKzaQ-SHaMtEJJUrTyNzAy8w">demonstrou consistentemente</a> aumentar a suscetibilidade das pessoas a elas, mesmo que elas não percebam que tiveram uma <a href="https://kar.kent.ac.uk/18928/">mudança de crença</a>. </p>
<p>Pode parecer preocupante que qualquer pessoa possa ser suscetível a crenças conspiratórias. No entanto, esses estudos estão ajudando os pesquisadores a encontrar intervenções que possam aumentar os estilos de pensamento analítico e crítico e, assim, evitar a suscetibilidade a essas crenças. Uma <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0280902&s=03">revisão de 2023</a> de 25 estudos diferentes concluiu que esses tipos de intervenções são uma ferramenta promissora para combater as consequências perigosas das crenças conspiratórias. </p>
<p>Quanto mais entendermos sobre a psicologia por trás das teorias da conspiração, mais bem equipados estaremos para combatê-las.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/223280/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Darel Cookson não presta consultoria, trabalha, possui ações ou recebe financiamento de qualquer empresa ou organização que poderia se beneficiar com a publicação deste artigo e não revelou nenhum vínculo relevante além de seu cargo acadêmico.</span></em></p>Há um interesse científico crescente sobre o assunto, que está ajudando a melhorar nossa compreensão sobre a questãoDarel Cookson, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2226412024-02-14T20:50:30Z2024-02-14T20:50:30ZHow policy in North Korea is affected by politics in South Korea – and vice versa<p>In a speech delivered at the Supreme People’s Assembly in January, North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-Un, stated that reunification with South Korea was no longer possible and that their neighbour should now represent the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-67990948">“primary foe and invariable principal enemy”</a>.</p>
<p>This amounted to a rare foreign policy pivot by Pyongyang, which consistently aimed for reunification of the peninsula since it was divided in the armistice that ended the 1950-1953 war.</p>
<p>Pyongyang’s new position towards the South has been widely interpreted as evidence of warmongering on the part of the North. The South, by contrast, is almost always portrayed as a benign neighbour and an unwilling target for threats of aggression. But it’s not as simple as that. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/north-korea-nuclear-proliferation-and-why-the-madman-theory-is-wrong-about-kim-jong-un-167939">North Korea, nuclear proliferation and why the 'madman theory' is wrong about Kim Jong-un</a>
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<p>When it comes to North Korea’s foreign policy shifts, political developments and public opinion in the South plays a key – if often understated – role. Pyongyang must also take domestic factors into consideration when making statements about peninsular relations.</p>
<h2>Politics in South Korea</h2>
<p>Relations with the North are one of the most contentious issues in South Korean politics. Changes in power between political parties can often result in policy pivots in Seoul from hostility to reconciliation and back to hostility. Efforts towards friendlier peninsular relations are known as the “sunshine policy” in Seoul.</p>
<p>South Korea’s presidential system limits presidents to a single five-year term. This means that presidents interested in improving relations with Pyongyang only have a few years to make progress before leaving office. For continuity to be guaranteed, the incumbent president is reliant upon their successor being similarly minded and possibly even part of the diplomatic team in a junior or advisory role and so already known to North Koreans. </p>
<p>These circumstances are difficult to manufacture though. Meaning that most of what is agreed by the South during friendlier times amounts to minor or temporary bridge building, which is a considerable frustration to the North.</p>
<p>For example, Pyongyang and Seoul made strides towards better relations during the recent five-year presidency of Moon Jae-in between 2017 and 2022. This led to the landmark moment in April 2018 when the two leaders met at the Demilitarised Zone along the 38th parallel. Each leader <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-43920740">stepped into the other’s country</a>. Indeed, at the subsequent press event Kim spoke – albeit clumsily from notes and with his head down – of the two Koreas as “one nation” and of his personal desire to see reunification. Moon made similar utterances of further cooperation.</p>
<p>Moon’s efforts towards dialogue with the North – without receiving from Pyongyang any concrete commitments to denuclearisation in return – was widely criticised as weakness by his opponents. It was one of the main reasons his democratic party lost the 2022 presidential election. Critics even referred to Moon’s efforts as the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/northkorea-missiles-southkorea-moon-idINKCN1BF1L7/">“moonshine policy”</a> in reference to the illegal homemade liquor guaranteed to induce intoxication.</p>
<p>When it comes to the South’s attitude towards the North, it’s important to realise that weapons manufacturers engage in sophisticated and well-funded <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jun/06/geoff-hoon-accused-of-directing-illegal-south-korea-lobbying">lobbying efforts</a> around the world. These are usually accompanied by mainstream news and social media campaigns and thinktank reports, reflecting a vested interest for some in keeping tensions high for financial gain.</p>
<p>In the aftermath of Moon’s presidency, the new administration of Yoon Suk Yeol of the People Power Party (from 2022 to the present) has taken a much tougher stance on North Korea. He has demanded “denuclearization first”, before any warming of relations. Yoon has also <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-64100974">been critical</a> of the South’s military capacity to deal with North Korean aggression and has pledged to increasing spending on technological advancements.</p>
<p>To this end, the fluctuating position of the South towards the North, alongside the limitations to progress caused by its political system, ought to receive greater recognition as a contributing factor to Pyongyang’s decision to declare the prospect of reunification to be dead.</p>
<h2>Domestic concerns in the North</h2>
<p>North Korea is one of the <a href="https://yalebooks.co.uk/book/9780300217810/">most militarised societies</a> in the world. This occurs in two ways. First, on account of the number of people whose livelihoods are attached to a thriving military in one form or another. And second, in terms of the important cultural space that the military takes within public life.</p>
<p>The North Korean military is widely revered and adored inside the country. The state-controlled mainstream media do not criticise the military, although they will acknowledge when missile tests, for example, are unsuccessful. Evening entertainment on North Korean television is regularly an assemble of military choirs or military personnel completing assault courses and other athletic challenges. </p>
<p>Public holidays such as September 9 (the anniversary of the founding of the Republic in 1948) are usually accompanied by military pageantry and news of a substantial military development – like the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-37314927">successful test</a> of a nuclear bomb on September 9 2016.</p>
<p>Estimates are that around 20% to 25% of North Korea’s GDP is <a href="https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/northkorea/26220.htm#:%7E:text=North%20Korea%20now%20has%20the,in%20the%20regular%20armed%20forces.">taken up by military expenditure</a>, with more then spent by the state manufacturing military prestige through popular culture media content and the broadcasting of pageantry. By comparison, most western European countries spend between <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/feb/01/europe-defence-army-us-donald-trump-eu">1% and 3% of GDP per annum</a> in peacetime on military matters and there is greater cultural space for a range of views on the military.</p>
<p>Therefore, it should be acknowledged that Kim Jong-un faces domestic pressures if he is to preserve the power of his family’s dynasty. He must be seen to act decisively and he must have a prestigious military announcement for high-profile speeches on national holidays. </p>
<p>This is a situation that he inherited from his father and grandfather. But he has shown no sign of wanting it to change.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/222641/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Colin Alexander does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The two countries watch each other’s policy shifts very carefully and respond accordingly.Colin Alexander, Senior Lecturer in Political Communications, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2223162024-02-14T12:21:07Z2024-02-14T12:21:07ZFive reasons to heat your home using infrared fabric<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/575023/original/file-20240212-20-j6tamt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">New infrared technology could make homes more energy efficient. </span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/hand-turning-knob-make-home-more-1009692889">Olivier Le Moal/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Imagine heating your home from the ceiling, not from underfloor heating or radiators. Once installed like wallpaper, hi-tech infrared fabric emits heat in a similar way to the sun’s rays. This could be a logical way to add low-carbon heat into existing homes that need retrofitting to improve energy efficiency. </p>
<p>Under the currently proposed legislative changes, no new home will be built with an incoming gas supply <a href="https://www.britishgas.co.uk/the-source/greener-living/gas-boilers-ban-2025.html#">after 2025</a>. If you’re buying a new home that’s been designed and built to the new <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/the-future-homes-standard-changes-to-part-l-and-part-f-of-the-building-regulations-for-new-dwellings">Future Homes Standard</a>, you’ve got little to worry about. </p>
<p>But for older properties, retrofitting projects can be complex, inconvenient and expensive. As gas boilers are phased out, heat pumps are usually the preferred alternative for energy-efficient housing. However, infrared fabric technology could be much better suited as a low-carbon heating solution for our existing housing stock, and here’s why.</p>
<h2>1. Instant heat</h2>
<p>Unlike heat pumps, which are a slow response heating system, infrared fabric emits radiant heat that can be felt within minutes. That has multiple advantages. </p>
<p>Gas boilers heat up our rooms quickly so we don’t have to leave the heating on when we’re out, but heat pumps don’t work like that. Instead, they deliver a continuous low level of heat, so homes need to be well-insulated to retain that heat and airtight to stop draughts. But, without draughts, we’ll need a <a href="https://www.eco-home-essentials.co.uk/home-ventilation-systems.html">mechanical ventilation system</a> to circulate fresh air. </p>
<p>Instant radiant heat reduces the need for all these additional interventions by directly heating the people and surfaces in a room rather than the air itself. It can be turned on or boosted to higher temperatures by motion sensors when you enter a room, with instant results. That means you only need to heat the rooms that you’re in, rather than an entire house.</p>
<h2>2. Simple to install</h2>
<p>Infrared fabric looks like a roll of slightly stiff wallpaper. It’s essentially a graphene sandwich, a thin film of carbon between two sheets of paper that conducts low voltage electricity and emits infrared heat, like the sun, but without the light or harmful <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ultraviolet-radiation">ultraviolet</a>. </p>
<p>A room’s ceiling area emits the right amount of heat for a room, making installation very simple in any property, irrespective of its construction, shape or size. It’s little more than a wallpapering job with a click together wiring connection. Your gas boiler could even be left in place for emergencies alongside it. By comparison, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S221462962030339X">heat pump installation</a> requires extensive additional works and sometimes a period of relocation.</p>
<h2>3. Affordable heat</h2>
<p>Infrared fabric is affordable to install and maintain due to its simplicity with a total cost of around £100 per sq metre for a full system. And it’s quite indestructible – it can have holes cut out of it and can get wet in floods without any danger to occupants or damage to the material. It’s also affordable to run. </p>
<p>Heat pumps are known to generate more energy than they use, up to three times as much, by taking low grade heat out of the air and <a href="https://www.greenbuildingrenewables.co.uk/a-beginners-guide-to-heat-pumps/">compressing it</a>. Infrared fabric can’t match that, but because radiant heat is instant, it’s only being emitted when needed in the rooms that you’re in, so even allowing for a <a href="https://sunamp.com/en-gb/">hot water system</a> the total energy use can be up to 20% less than from a heat pump.</p>
<h2>4. Radiant heat is healthy and safe</h2>
<p>Once the infrared heat warms the people, objects and surfaces that it touches, they in turn give off secondary heat through the process of <a href="https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/how-weather-works/what-is-convection#:%7E:text=Convection%20is%20the%20movement%20of,another%20upon%20contact%2C%20transferring%20heat.">convection</a>. But the overall temperature is perceived to be 3˚C warmer than it actually is because people are being heated, as opposed to the air.</p>
<p>That’s both <a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/5/e021085">healthier</a> and <a href="https://nexgenheating.com/what-is-nextgen/the-benefits">cheaper</a> to sustain. Radiant heat also means the air carries <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0954611115001870">fewer allergens</a> due to reduced air movement – it’s the convection currents from traditional heating systems that stir up the dust and allergens.</p>
<p>Infrared panels do the same thing but from a <a href="https://www.theecoexperts.co.uk/infrared-heating/the-basics">90˚C point source</a> in your room and with less consistency. Radiators reach 60 – 70˚C, whereas infrared fabric emits a low-level heat (45˚C) over the <a href="https://nexgenheating.com/what-is-nextgen/the-technology">whole area</a>. Heat absorbed into the fabric of the building is retained for longer than warmed air, resulting in a more consistent room temperature across day and night. </p>
<h2>5. Our homegrown future</h2>
<p>Infrared fabric is a UK invention and it’s UK-manufactured. All we need now is for it to be UK accredited. That’s a long and expensive process, but the all important SAP Appendix Q certification is due in 2025 if not before. It already has BSEN (British Standard) approval as a large area low temperature <a href="https://nexgenheating.com/what-is-nextgen/the-technology">emitter</a> and it’s class A fire rated.</p>
<p>The Welsh government already funds its use in retrofit programmes following extensive trials across <a href="https://governmentbusiness.co.uk/news/31052022/heated-wallpaper-trialled-wales">270 homes</a>. Further research is now needed to evidence the health, safety and carbon benefits that will strengthen the case even more for this form of heating. </p>
<p>So if you’re retrofitting an existing property as a home owner, private landlord, housing association or local authority, infrared fabric could be a low-risk, low-cost, low-carbon solution worth considering.</p>
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<img alt="Imagine weekly climate newsletter" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Michael Siebert does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>New infrared fabric technology is easy to install, cheap to run and affordable so it has huge potential as a future alternative to heat pumps, especially for retrofit projects.Michael Siebert, Lecturer in Architecture, School of Architecture, Design and Built Environment, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2229042024-02-13T17:15:40Z2024-02-13T17:15:40ZThe New York Times’ AI copyright lawsuit shows that forgiveness might not be better than permission<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/574375/original/file-20240208-22-z4266a.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=8%2C4%2C2986%2C1994&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/new-york-city-may-7-2015-281457215">pio3 / Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The New York Times’ (NYT) <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/27/business/media/new-york-times-open-ai-microsoft-lawsuit.html">legal proceedings</a> against OpenAI and Microsoft has opened a new frontier in the ongoing legal challenges brought on by the use of copyrighted data to “train”, or improve generative AI. </p>
<p>There are already a variety of lawsuits against AI companies, including one brought by <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/4/23988403/getty-lawsuit-stability-ai-copyright-infringement">Getty Images against StabilityAI</a>, which makes the Stable Diffusion online text-to-image generator. Authors George R.R. Martin and John Grisham have also brought legal cases against ChatGPT owner OpenAI over copyright claims. But the NYT case is not “more of the same” because it throws interesting new arguments into the mix. </p>
<p><a href="https://nytco-assets.nytimes.com/2023/12/NYT_Complaint_Dec2023.pdf">The legal action focuses in on</a> the value of the training data and a new question relating to reputational damage. It is a potent mix of trade marks and copyright and one which may test the fair use defences typically relied upon. </p>
<p>It will, no doubt, be watched closely by media organisations looking to challenge the usual “let’s ask for forgiveness, not permission” approach to training data. Training data is used to improve the performance of AI systems and generally consists of real world information, often drawn from the internet. </p>
<p>The lawsuit also presents a novel argument – not advanced by other, similar cases – that’s related to something called <a href="https://www.ibm.com/topics/ai-hallucinations">“hallucinations”</a>, where AI systems generate false or misleading information but present it as fact. This argument could in fact be one of the most potent in the case.</p>
<p>The NYT case in particular raises three interesting takes on the usual approach. First, that due to their reputation for trustworthy news and information, NYT content has enhanced value and desirability as training data for use in AI. </p>
<p>Second, that due to its paywall, the reproduction of articles on request is commercially damaging. Third, that <a href="https://chat.openai.com/auth/login">ChatGPT</a> “hallucinations” are causing reputational damage to the New York Times through, effectively, false attribution. </p>
<p>This is not just another generative AI copyright dispute. The first argument presented by the NYT is that the training data used by OpenAI is protected by copyright, and so they claim the training phase of ChatGPT infringed copyright. We have seen this type of argument <a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/getty-images-lawsuit-says-stability-ai-misused-photos-train-ai-2023-02-06/">run before</a> in other disputes. </p>
<h2>Fair use?</h2>
<p>The challenge for this type of attack is the <a href="https://copyrightalliance.org/faqs/what-is-fair-use/">fair use shield</a>. In the US, fair use is a doctrine in law that permits the use of copyrighted material under certain circumstances, such as in news reporting, academic work and commentary.</p>
<p><a href="https://openai.com/blog/openai-and-journalism">OpenAI’s response</a> so far has been very cautious, but a key tenet in a statement released by the company is that their use of online data does indeed fall under the principle of “fair use”.</p>
<p>Anticipating some of the difficulties that such a fair use defence could potentially cause, the NYT has adopted a slightly different angle. In particular, it seeks to differentiate its data from standard data. The NYT intends to use what it claims to be the accuracy, trustworthiness and prestige of its reporting. It claims that this creates a particularly desirable dataset. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Sam Altman" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/575405/original/file-20240213-20-jjum5k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/575405/original/file-20240213-20-jjum5k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/575405/original/file-20240213-20-jjum5k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/575405/original/file-20240213-20-jjum5k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/575405/original/file-20240213-20-jjum5k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/575405/original/file-20240213-20-jjum5k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/575405/original/file-20240213-20-jjum5k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Sam Altman of OpenAI: the company mentions the fair use defence in its response to the legal action.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/openai-ceo-sam-altman-attends-artificial-2366323225">Jamesonwu1972 / Shutterstock</a></span>
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<p>It argues that as a reputable and trusted source, its articles have additional weight and reliability in training generative AI and are part of a data subset that is given additional weighting in that training.</p>
<p>It argues that by largely reproducing articles upon prompting, ChatGPT is able to deny the NYT, <a href="https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=41513">which is paywalled</a>, visitors and revenue it would otherwise receive. This introduction of some aspect of commercial competition and commercial advantage seems intended to head off the usual fair use defence common to these claims. </p>
<p>It will be interesting to see whether the assertion of special weighting in the training data has an impact. If it does, it sets a path for other media organisations to challenge the use of their reporting in the training data without permission.</p>
<p>The final element of the NYT’s claim presents a novel angle to the challenge. It suggests that damage is being done to the NYT brand through the material that ChatGPT produces. While almost presented as an afterthought in the complaint, it may yet be the claim that causes Open AI the most difficulty.</p>
<p>This is the argument related to AI “hallucinations”. The NYT argues that this is compounded because ChatGPT presents the information as having come from the NYT.</p>
<p>The newspaper further suggests that consumers may act based on the summary given by ChatGPT, thinking the information comes from the NYT and is to be trusted. The reputational damage is caused because the newspaper has no control over what ChatGPT produces.</p>
<p>This is an interesting challenge to conclude with. “Hallucination” is a recognised issue with AI generated responses and the NYT is arguing that the reputational harm may not be easy to rectify.</p>
<p>The NYT claim opens a number of lines of novel attack which move the focus from copyright on to how the copyrighted data is presented to users by ChatGPT and the value of that data to the newspaper. This is much trickier for OpenAI to defend.</p>
<p>This case will be watched closely by other media publishers, especially those behind paywalls, and with particular regard to how it interacts with the usual fair use defence. </p>
<p>If the NYT dataset is recognised as having the “enhanced value” it claims to, it may pave the way for monetisation of that dataset in training AI rather than the “forgiveness, not permission” approach prevalent today.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/222904/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Peter Vaughan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The lawsuit could have major implications for how AI “training” data is treated.Peter Vaughan, Senior Lecturer, Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.