|
|
Editor's note
|
Written 2,800 years ago, The Odyssey tells the story of Odysseus and his ten long years hacking and slaying through countless mythological creatures on the hero’s voyage back to Ithaca. Yet according to new research by Murilo Baptista, Pedro Miranda and Sandro Pinto, The Odyssey may not be pure fiction after all. Drawing on 21st-century insights about complex networks like Facebook, Homer’s 300-plus characters turn out to be connected in
ways that are far too realistic to be accidental.
Earlier this year, Grindr, the most popular gay dating app in the world, was acquired by a Chinese corporate group. The move raised privacy concerns about user data and whether China’s track record on gay rights means users should worry. Guido Noto La Diega takes a look at the situation.
If your kids are bombarding you with mind-boggling questions, don’t get in a flap – send their queries over to Curious Kids or just reply to this email, and we’ll find an academic to answer. In our latest instalment, Thomas and Luke, age six, from Sussex, wondered how birds can see where they’re going. It’s a fair question, since many have eyes on the sides of their heads. Hazel Jackson reveals how different types of birds see the world – and how their vision helps them to survive.
Rules that came in to promote independence and enable people with learning disabilities to live “normal” lives means support workers often avoid physical contact that could provide some comfort. Carys Banks has been spending time with people with learning disabilities and their support workers and says sometimes people just need a hug, whoever they are.
|
Steven Vass
Scotland Editor
|
|
|
Top stories
|
Thar she blows!
Michael Rosskothen
Murilo Da Silva Baptista, University of Aberdeen; Pedro Jeferson Miranda, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa; Sandro Ely de Souza Pinto, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa
Analyse the great quest of Odysseus with a little 21st-century know how and it's fascinating what you find out.
|
A comforting gesture can go a long way.
Shutterstock.
Carys Banks, University of Bath
An empahsis on the autonomy of people with learning disaibilities has put distance between care workers and the people they support.
|
Shutterstock.
Hazel Jackson, University of Kent
Not all birds have eyes on the sides of their heads – but even those that do can see straight in front of them.
|
Arts + Culture
|
-
Alun Withey, University of Exeter
Although it has ballooned in recent years, the market for men’s cosmetics isn’t just a modern phenomenon.
-
Edward Hope, University of Essex
Sports science suggests not.
-
Andrew Biswell, Manchester Metropolitan University
Not all heirs and executors take the same view when it comes to publishing posthumous work.
-
Paul Wells, Loughborough University
Later animations have told the tale of Peter Rabbit and friends, but none have reflected the power of the original.
|
|
Health + Medicine
|
-
Emma Kinrade, Glasgow Caledonian University
It's been trendy for some time – but these nuts are filled with saturated fat.
-
Rusi Jaspal, De Montfort University; Bárbara Cristina da Silva Lopes, University of Coimbra; Caroline Kamau, Birkbeck, University of London
Abusive bosses might be to blame for the growing epidemic of mental ill health among UK workers.
-
Andy Turner, Coventry University
Research confirms what the world’s elite sports stars already know – being kinder to yourself, and to others, and being grateful is good for your mental health.
|
|
Business + Economy
|
-
John W Walsh, IMD Business School
The growing loathing for the white stuff must keep soft drinks execs awake at night.
-
David Spencer, University of Leeds
Non-stop working cultures comes at the expense of the quality of our lives and our health.
-
Lindsey Appleyard, Coventry University
Far too many people in Britain rely on high-cost short-term credit from alternative lenders.
|
|
Politics + Society
|
-
Fáinche Ryan, Trinity College Dublin
The path to justice and forgiveness after Pope Francis's visit to Ireland.
-
Anamaria Dutceac Segesten, Lund University
Stefan Löfven and his Social Democratic Party could lose voters over how the government has handled the refugee crisis.
-
Guido Noto La Diega, Northumbria University, Newcastle
What to make of Grindr's acquisition by a Chinese corporate group.
|
|
Science + Technology
|
-
Simon McCarthy-Jones, Trinity College Dublin
We're willing to fight for our freedom even at great cost.
|
|
Education
|
-
Dawn Mannay, Cardiff University
Children in care simply aren't getting the support they want when it comes to their education
|
|
|
Featured events
|
|
St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP, United Kingdom — Edge Hill University
|
|
Alliance Manchester Business School, Oxford Road, Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom — University of Manchester
|
|
Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, Manchester, M20 4GJ, United Kingdom — University of Manchester
|
|
University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom — University of East Anglia
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|