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You’ve heard about it, but do you really know it? In 3 minutes, we help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. After listening, you will really know for sure.
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Click here to subscribe. Jewels are everywhere. We admire them in the windows of master jewelers, and in the collections of the world's greatest museums. Young lovers, movie stars, and heads of state each have their treasures: objects of desire, fascinating ornaments, or symbols of power. But every piece of jewelry also holds its secrets. Secrets of fabrication… but also… relationships. Stories of love and separation. Myth and curses. Moments of glory or downfalls. The height of an empire or ...
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Picture this: you’re lost in thought, your favourite song playing, and suddenly, you feel a wave of well-being that gives you goosebumps. Music doesn’t just touch our hearts; it has a tangible impact on our bodies. Certain musical passages can send shivers down our spines by releasing dopamine, the so-called pleasure molecule. In 2020, a french stu…
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If you are looking for a quick and easy way to boost your protein intake, you might have considered eating a protein bar. They are convenient, come in various flavors and claim to provide you with the essential amino acids your body needs, often attracting people who want to lose weight, build muscle, or simply snack healthily. And, according to a …
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Have you ever noticed that you tend to have your best ideas in the shower? If so, you’re not alone! A 2014 study conducted by cognitive psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman found that 72% of people get creative ideas while showering. So it’s really not a coincidence. Science has shown that taking a shower is actually a perfect combination of a few fact…
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The Joker from the Batman universe is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating characters ever created. He’s been reimagined countless times, not only in comics but also in video games, TV shows, and films. It’s definitely no exaggeration to say he’s become a staple of pop culture! In the Trecent Todd Phillips movie, we get to know a lot more about …
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The origins of Covid-19 still remain somewhat hazy, over three-and-a-half years since the virus began spreading across the world. That has led to a number of prominent conspiracy theories, with 25% of people in the UK believing that Covid was definitely or probably a hoax. That finding was part of an April 2023 survey by Savanta for King’s College …
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As the cold weather closes in, it's time to put on the heating but there are plenty of ways to efficiently heat your home and save money. 46 percent of people believe it is better to leave the heating on low at all times however, according to experts from the Energy saving Trust it is better to only put the heating on when you need it. The reason i…
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The thought of taking a mammogram is often scary for women, but it’s a highly important medical exam, and one we should bear in mind in the context of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Like with any type of cancer, the earlier breast cancer is detected, the better the patient’s chances of recovery. And a mammogram can detect abnormalities that are too…
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Ever since Covid-19 lockdowns, many people have developed a taste for interior design and regularly take to Pinterest for inspiration. But as you may well know from experience, buying a few furniture items can quickly add up in cost. As a result, clever internet users have been coming up with solutions to repurpose items bought from Ikea, whose ite…
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You might assume that belief in the paranormal is limited to the fringes of society. After all, according to science, ghosts don’t exist; or at least, their existence has never been proven. But despite this lack of evidence, a significant proportion of people still claim to believe in ghosts. Within the last decade, Yougov polls have suggested that…
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Whether it’s in the street, on public transport or at home, almost all of us use headphones or earphones to listen to music. Now music might bring us joy and a whole lot of other emotions, but when it’s too loud, it can also represent a risk for hearing health. The same is also true when going to entertainment venues like nightclubs, bars, music co…
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Flying is far from being the most eco-friendly means of transport. Right now it’s responsible for around 2% of global carbon emissions, but that could grow to as high as 16% by 2050. With the notable exception of travel restrictions in the last two years, the airline industry has gradually been transporting more and more passengers for decades now.…
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There are a number of possible reasons why people don’t manage to save as much money as they would like. For example: paying for things with a credit card can make you forget how much you’ve spent, or you simply don’t earn enough to save in the first place. You might feel like money saving methods simply won’t ever work for you. But let's go back t…
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For physicists, chemists, diplomats, medical researchers, and even writers, the Nobel Prize represents the ultimate accolade. Since Their inception in 1901, the purpose has been to honour those who "during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind", in their respective fields. Now that wording comes from the will of A…
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On average the human heart beats at a rate of 1.16 times per second, or 100 times per minute. Sometimes the heart rate gets faster, slower or is irregular. And the older we get, the more likely we are to experience heart palpitations. The first thing to underline is that these palpitations are completely normal and harmless 90% of the time. Further…
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On paper, fish have everything required to be an excellent staple to many diets. They’re rich in protein, vitamins, trace elements, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, and aren’t too high in calories. The only downside is that fish live in an increasingly polluted environment. What with heavy metals and plastic waste invading the oceans, more and more …
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Can a piece of jewelry save a life? Or guarantee eternity? Napoleon Bonaparte believed this to be the case. His military campaigns around the world had already introduced him to the supernatural power of jewelry... But it was after escaping death a first time that his faith in the power of jewelry was properly set. So much so that he imagined a str…
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Ever thought about making your fridge as stylish as your wardrobe or living room? Afterall presentation is important. Welcome to the world of fridgescaping, a trend that’s taking TikTok by storm. It’s all about transforming your fridge into a piece of art. Gone are the days of a simple, functional pantry. Now, you can adorn your fridge with beautif…
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Queen Elizabeth II was crowned on June 2nd, 1953. Today, it is difficult to comprehend the Queen's death. The announcement of the sad news of the Queen’s passing, like all of the events following her death, followed strict protocol. The Prime Minister was informed using a pre-arranged code “London Bridge is down”. And somewhere, deep in the gardens…
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According to the UK Office for National Statistics, September 26 was the most popular day to be born over the last two decades, which falls 39 weeks and two days after Christmas day. Babies are born with certain reflexes that result in involuntary movements. These are called primitive reflexes, and the movements happen automatically without the bab…
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With the rise of dating apps, it seems more common to have sex without being in love. Sex for sex's sake, promises to be mindless and commitment-free. In short: pleasure without the risk of pain, but this might not be the whole story. Experts suggest that this trend reflects a deeper change in society. The separation of sex from love and emotional …
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Most of us have to go through a painful breakup at some point in our life. Even if you thought you’d found your soulmate, started planning a grand future together and so on, sometimes things simply don’t work out. Maybe your partner ended it unexpectedly, or maybe you did so yourself. But one question that often rears its head is whether it’s a goo…
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Every year, The Economist Intelligence Unit publishes a Global Liveability Ranking, which assesses urban areas around the world according to quality of life, based on a number of factors.The latest ranking was made public in June 2023, and a trend was quickly identified. A number of highly-ranked cities dropped drastically, and that includes Britis…
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What fun it is to have an imaginary friend to blame when you get into mischief! If you have children, you may have experienced a rather amusing situation where your little one blames a friend from their imagination for the mess in their room or a broken object. At times like these, it’s hard to reprimand them, especially if they seem genuinely conv…
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Within an ecosystem there are many different species, and it can be difficult for conservationists to come up with specific strategies to protect every single one of them. That’s why some have started focusing on umbrella species, because of the benefits that protecting them has for other co-occurring species. It’s as if they’re putting an umbrella…
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According to a YouGov study from 2022, 20% of Brits sleep naked. Men are actually more likely to do so than women, with a rate of 25% compared to 15%. And those who do so tend to talk up the health benefits. For example, science suggests that sleeping naked might help regulate your body temperature more effectively. Our bodies naturally fluctuate t…
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We don’t know about you, but some nights we just can’t fall asleep without turning onto our stomach. And when we do, we seem to drift off more easily when not using a pillow. But we do sometimes wonder whether doing that could have any negative health impact. Just like your mattress and bed base, the pillow plays a key role in sleep quality, but it…
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How our brains work during dreams is as fascinating as it is mysterious. Dreams can be hard to predict, and sometimes of course we end up having nightmares. Wouldn’t it be nice to have some control over what happens in our dreams? Well, as it turns out it may actually be possible to some extent. Well controlling dreams fully is a bit of a stretch. …
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As of 1st July 2023, UK energy regulator Ofgem brought the energy price cap down to £2,074, a significant fall from the previous price guarantee of £2,500 that was introduced by the government in October 2022. Prices had soared mostly due to an increase in wholesale energy costs caused by the war in Ukraine. Bear in mind the price cap is based on a…
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It’s common to feel a little anxiety on a Sunday evening as your relaxing weekend draws to a close and you start thinking about your return to the office the following morning. Indeed, a YouGovAmerica survey published in 2021 found that 58% of workers said Monday was their least favourite day of the week. With that in mind, American startup founder…
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In some cultures, being well at home is all about making sure that others feel well when visiting, by welcoming them in the right way. In Japan, for example, hospitality is like an art form, and even has a name: omotenashi. You can’t really translate the concept into English; the meaning of the term goes a lot deeper than “hospitality”. It also has…
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Using an ATM, paying for petrol or shopping at a retail store are pretty routine things that many of us do on a frequent basis. But it’s important to be aware of the often invisible threat posed by a criminal practice called skimming, which sees fraudsters clone bank cards. Across the pond in the US, data analytics firm Fico reported a 96% increase…
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The three Lord of the Rings stories quickly became huge hits when first released as novels in the 1940s. They quickly built a cult fan base due to the fantastical universe created by author JRR Tolkien. But his works reached a whole other dimension with the epic Hollywood adaptations of the 2000s. These blockbusters brought the stories to life, wow…
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Today we’re talking about a diabetes medicine which has gained a reputation for leading to weight loss. Ozempic became popular among Hollywood celebrities for its appetite-suppressing properties. Elon Musk has tweeted about it three times, giving it part of the credit for his having lost 30lb in late 2022. Over on Tiktok, users have also been singi…
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French novelist Alexandre Dumas first published The Count of Monte Cristo as a novel in 1844, and it went on to gain a reputation as one of the most compelling stories ever written. It was adapted into film at least nine different times between 1912 and 2002, according to Wikipedia, not to mention a couple of notable miniseries along the way, and e…
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It’s not uncommon for rhinoviruses to resurface during the spring and autumn seasons. They’re the main cause of the common cold. At the same time, spring also brings increased pollen circulation, leading to hay fever symptoms which are very similar to those of a viral cold. Having a blocked nose can be particularly bothersome, what with having to b…
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Microwork is paid work which usually involves short and repetitive tasks carried out on a smartphone or computer. It could be identifying objects shown in an image, watching videos, labelling data, translating short sentences or recording one’s voice for example. It can also be charging electric scooters or taking photos of products for an app. It’…
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Have you ever heard of abraxas? These are talismans in the shape of oblong shields, covered with motifs inspired by Egyptian, Greek, and Roman mythology, and engraved with Kabbalistic prayers, Hebrew words, and magical symbols. One could easily believe that these strange jewelry pieces belong to the wizards of tales and legends… And yet, they were …
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Every year, an average of four planes and twenty boats vanish in this notorious area. Straddling the line between legend and reality, the Bermuda Triangle has inspired countless adventure novels and films, continuing to captivate the public’s imagination. This vast region spans approximately 500,000 square kilometres, situated between Florida, Puer…
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The word nomophobia means a fear of being without our smartphone, and it’s affecting more and more people with each passing year. Back in 2021, a phone addiction study by researchers from King’s College London found that 38.9% of young people qualified as smartphone addicts. Many admitted being unable to control their usage and that it got in the w…
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When it comes to expressions about skin, the English language is not lacking. For example, we can be thick or thin skinned, or have someone under our skin. To show indifference, we say “it’s no skin off” our noses, and when we get excited we “jump out of” our skin. The sheer number of different idioms reflects the deep links the skin has with our b…
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Whether it’s out of necessity or for enjoyment, lubricant helps a lot of people in their sex lives. According to The Cleveland Clinic: “Around 17% of people assigned female at birth (AFAB) age 18 to 50 report problems with vaginal dryness during sex, even before menopause takes place.” And that figure increases to 50% after menopause. There are a n…
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There have been many films and documentaries about the thrill and struggle of climbing Everest and with social media it has become an ever more popular destination. Just this year a French youtuber has broken audience records for his film ‘Kaizen’ about his challenge that he made to conquer Everest in just one year. Over the past century, over 340 …
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In any given week in England, 3 in 100 people are suffering from depression, according to a NatCen Social Research study published in 2014. Depression can affect anyone, regardless of age or social class. Everybody experiences different moods. You might find yourself feeling happy during the day, sad at times, or even just okay. Those with mood dis…
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If the mere smell of a good cup of coffee is enough to get you out of bed, you might want to rethink your early morning ritual. According to nutritionists, drinking coffee right after waking up can have harmful effects. While you might rely on it to wake you up and give you energy, consuming it this early can actually make you more tired. Isn’t cof…
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Deafness is known for being an invisible disability, which can lead to exclusion and loneliness. According to a Human Rights Watch article from 2019, 70 million deaf people across the world use sign language to communicate. Well sign singers take that one step further, by adapting song lyrics into sign language for the deaf and hard of hearing. In …
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Think back to the story of Peter Pan, and more specifically the character of Wendy Darling, Peter’s friend who accompanies him to Neverland. She’s the eldest and most mature of the Darling siblings, and acts as a mother figure to Peter too. You could definitely describe her as caring, nurturing, responsible and self-sacrificing. Well those may soun…
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You might be surprised to learn that the famous “www” in website addresses didn’t originate in Silicon Valley or New York, but at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, known as CERN for short, which is situated on the French-Swiss border close to Geneva. It was 1989 when British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee came up with the idea for…
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If you’ve ever had a “conversation” with Siri, Google Assistant or Alexa, you may well have been using a domotics system, without necessarily knowing what that means. The term refers to the use of robotic technology and electronic systems for controlling home appliances and devices. It’s also known as home automation, or simply a “smart home”. And …
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We've all experienced those gut feelings, hunches, or flashes of insight that seem to come from nowhere. But what exactly is intuition, and can it be explained? Even though scientists haven't yet unraveled all of its secrets, intuition isn’t as mysterious as we might think. One expert definition of intuition says that it is: "the universal ability …
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What is de-extinction? The process of de-extinction is all about bringing extinct species back to life. It became known in the 2010s, thanks to an ambitious plan from American geneticist George Church, who dreamed of resurrecting the woolly mammoth, an animal which has been extinct for 3700 years. Fast forward to the 2020s and Church’s bioscience s…
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