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Editor's note
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Self-experimentation is something scientists have done since, well, science began. While it's not whole-heartedly encouraged in academia today, there are still some curious researchers experimenting on themselves. We're featuring three in the new edition of our podcast, The Anthill. Tim Spector talks about trying out various diets, including one where he ate only three smelly French cheeses. Will Brooker reflects on living as David Bowie for a year. And Peter Kinderman explains why he decided to take an antipsychotic for three days.
We're also carrying out a short survey about The Anthill. It'll take you just a few minutes to complete and we'd love to hear your feedback.
The world might appear to be a very unpredictable place, but what if some human behaviour could be down to other influences? The natural world has some great examples of how parasites and fungi can act as mini puppet masters, changing a host's behaviour to further their needs. Robbie Rae explains how this might be happening in humans.
Another explanation for some recent human behaviour could be a phenomenon called "collective narcissism". This is when a person feels a sense of great importance about the group to which they belong and heightened sensitivity to criticism of it. Agnieszka Golec de Zavala sees something like this in the followers of certain political groups at the moment.
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Gemma Ware
Society Editor
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Top story
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shutterstock.com
Annabel Bligh, The Conversation; Gemma Ware, The Conversation
Three stories about researchers who have dabbled in self-experimentation – with varying results.
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Science + Technology
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Maria Kekic, King's College London
Can new ways of using electric currents to stimulate the brain help reduce symptoms of one of the most debilitating eating disorders?
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Jelena Dzakula, London School of Economics and Political Science
Social networks built on blockchain technology, such as Steemit, promise a far more democratic experience.
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Business + Economy
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Jeremy Green, University of Cambridge
The Conservatives may be willing to sacrifice what’s left of the UK’s beleaguered social model to maintain the City’s global status.
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Graham Galbraith, University of Portsmouth
Theresa May's plan to boost UK competitiveness risks exposing flaws in the higher education sector.
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Politics + Society
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Jo Wilding, University of Brighton
Many Eritreans whose asylum claims are rejected have them overturned on appeal.
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Roxana Pessoa Cavalcanti, University of Westminster
Fed up with corruption, violence and stagnant public services, more Brazilians are turning to hardline conservatism.
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Peter Lynch, University of Stirling
Holyrood won't get a veto, but the Supreme Court has done the union no favours.
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Agnieszka Golec de Zavala, Goldsmiths, University of London
A certain mentality has been on display in Western democracies of late – and we don't really understand it.
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Ben Willis, University of Leeds
The precise wording of UN resolutions and the smallest of concessions by Pyongyang are telltale signs that change is underway.
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David Cook Martín, Grinnell College
The logic behind building a wall is centuries old. But can concrete solve the complex problems the U.S. is facing today?
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Environment + Energy
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Stephen Hall, University of Leeds
Falling costs and better infrastructure are making the transition easier for drivers.
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Mark Maslin, UCL
We have the penis of a monogamous primate yet our body sizes suggest our ancestors slept around a lot.
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Elliot Woolley, Loughborough University
Rich countries waste a lot of food. Producers and consumers need to rethink eating habits if this problem is to be solved.
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Mathew Wallenstein, Colorado State University
Researchers are developing biological tools that can boost crop yields to feed a growing world population without harming human health or the environment.
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Arts + Culture
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Will Brooker, Kingston University
No film could be more perfectly circular, more self-congratulatory and more suited to the time.
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Emily Torricelli, University of York
As T2 Trainspotting hits cinemas, a great deal has changed since the original.
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Health + Medicine
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Robbie Rae, Liverpool John Moores University
From losing inhibitions and anger to schizophrenia and dementia – science is uncovering the role small critters play in a range of illnesses and behaviours.
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Featured events
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Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library, Market Square, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2PP , United Kingdom — University of Central Lancashire
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Peter Williams Lecture Theatre, Fielding Johnson Building, University of Leicester, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE1 7RH, United Kingdom — University of Leicester
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Room W/222, Wentworth College, York, York, YO10 5DD, United Kingdom — University of York
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51 Gordon Square, London, London, City of, WC1H 0PN, United Kingdom — UCL
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