Editor's note

Faced with a moral dilemma, studies have shown that bilingual people can act differently depending on which language they deploy. And after a strange experience on a motorway, David Miller explains how language can influence emotion and reason when it comes to decision-making.

George Osborne has faced calls to resign as editor of the Evening Standard following allegations that the newspaper signed deals promising several companies favourable editorial coverage. But the blurring of editorial and advertorial content, says Angela Phillips, is a growing problem across the industry.

The more than 100m years of isolation since Madagascar detached from mainland Africa have left its unique animals incredibly vulnerable to invasive species, such as the Asian toad, introduced accidentally a decade ago. None of the island’s native animals have learned to avoid these toxic toads, writes Wolfgang Wüster, and only one small rodent has any natural resistance.

And Lyndsay Duthie takes a look at why such a surprisingly large number of people are willing to admit the reality show Love Island is one of their guilty pleasures.

Michael Parker

Membership Editor

Top stories

Swearing can come more easily to people in their second language. durantelallera/Shutterstock

Emotions shape the language we use, but second languages reveal a shortcut around them

David Miller, University of Reading

Ethical decisions deliver less emotional impact when presented in a second language, study finds.

George Osborne, editor of the Evening Standard, is facing calls to resign. EPA/Michael Reynolds

George Osborne under pressure over Evening Standard 'cash-for-content' allegations

Angela Phillips, Goldsmiths, University of London

Allegations that the newspaper has been promising positive coverage in return for payments have rocked the big-selling London newspaper.

Ben Marshall

An invasion of toxic toads threatens Madagascar’s vulnerable wildlife

Wolfgang Wüster, Bangor University

New study confirms fears that the island's native wildlife can be poisoned by introduced Asian toads.

ITV2

Why Love Island is the best kept guilty secret on British television

Lyndsay Duthie, University of Hertfordshire

Exploitative reality show or a modern-day Jane Austen? You decide.

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