Why wandering albatrosses get divorced – new research

A new study took a closer look at breeding pairs of these seabirds to find out why their bonds aren’t standing the test of time.

Samantha Patrick, Reader in Marine Biology, University of Liverpool • conversation
Sept. 23, 2022 • ~5 min

How money and technology are militarising the fight against the illegal wildlife trade

Money pouring into conservation has funded drones and military-style training for rangers.

Rosaleen Duffy, Professor of International Politics, University of Sheffield • conversation
Sept. 23, 2022 • ~7 min

HIV therapies currently need to be taken regularly for life – longer-lasting antibody treatments could one day offer an equally effective one-shot alternative

Antiretroviral therapies for HIV, while extremely effective, need to be taken daily for life. Designing antibody treatments that need to be taken only once could improve compliance and reduce drug resistance.

Ronald C. Desrosiers, Professor of Pathology, Vice-chair for Research, University of Miami • conversation
Sept. 23, 2022 • ~7 min

Surging sales of large gasoline pickups and SUVs are undermining carbon reductions from electric cars

Electric cars are getting a lot of PR buzz, but automakers are still promoting – and many consumers are buying – vehicles that are major gas guzzlers.

John DeCicco, Research Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan • conversation
Sept. 23, 2022 • ~9 min

To reach net zero the world still needs mining. After 26 years, here’s what I’ve learned about this ‘evil’ industry

Our prospects of a better, fairer future are inextricably linked with the minerals and metals beneath our feet. Is it time to make peace with the industry that extracts them?

Bridget Storrie, Post-Doctoral Teaching Fellow, UCL • conversation
Sept. 23, 2022 • ~22 min

Cooling conundrum: HFCs were the 'safer' replacement for another damaging chemical in refrigerators and air conditioners – with a treaty now phasing them out, what's next?

The U.S. Senate voted to ratify the Kigali Amendment, agreeing to phase down climate-warming HFCs. Some alternatives exist.

Scott Denning, Professor of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University • conversation
Sept. 22, 2022 • ~8 min

Songbirds with unique colours are more likely to be traded as pets – new research

The pet trade threatens to decimate some species – and dull nature’s colour palette.

Rebecca Senior, Assistant Professor of Conservation Science, Durham University • conversation
Sept. 22, 2022 • ~7 min

Ketamine paired with looking at smiling faces to build positive associations holds promise for helping people with treatment-resistant depression

In a new study, a single infusion of the antidepressant – along with repeated exposure to positive imagery – significantly reduced symptoms in depressed patients in a clinical trial.

Rebecca Price, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences • conversation
Sept. 22, 2022 • ~6 min

Why do we laugh? New study considers possible evolutionary reasons behind this very human behaviour

Could laughter be a survival mechanism?

Carlo Valerio Bellieni, Professor of Pediatrics, Università di Siena • conversation
Sept. 22, 2022 • ~8 min

Why parents shouldn't be saddled with environmental guilt for having children

Much of the debate regarding the environmental cost of childbearing is underpinned by one influential study. Given the global commitment to net zero, should this be revisited?

Felix Pinkert, Tenure-track Assistant Professor, Universität Wien • conversation
Sept. 22, 2022 • ~7 min

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