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Editor's note
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Genomic data is usually kept anonymous. There are good reasons for it – most of us wouldn’t want others to know if we were at risk of some horrible disease or whether we had genes linked to criminal activity. But Colin Smith isn’t concerned. He has made his genome sequence available to the public by becoming the first person to donate it to the Personal Genome Project UK. Smith spoke about his decision at the British Science Festival last week, where we recorded our latest Anthill podcast. Listen in to hear more from Smith, alongside other highlights including a performance of the 19th century mathematical parody “The
Mathematikado”.
A decade ago, a boom in subprime home loans led to the devastating credit crunch. Could history now repeat itself – but this time with car loans fuelling the financial fire? With so-called Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) financing deals now accounting for over 80% of new car credit sales, David Bailey and Colin Chapman do the maths.
Charlie Chaplin is often held up as the first “great” screen comedian but it’s the comedy of Stan Laurel that has stood the test of time. David James believes that while Chaplin was trying to make great works of art, Laurel – who was the creative mastermind behind the films he made with Oliver Hardy – was just cramming in the gags. It is their “essential warmth” and “childlike innocence” that means they are still just as funny today.
All the best.
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Miriam Frankel
Science Editor
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Top story
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Illustration of DNA sequencing.
ktsdesign/Shutterstock
Colin Smith, University of Brighton
Colin Smith became the first person in the UK to donate his genomic data under 'open consent' – waiving rights to anonymity.
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Podcast
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Annabel Bligh, The Conversation; Gemma Ware, The Conversation; Miriam Frankel, The Conversation; Stephen Harris, The Conversation
From the man who gave away his genome under open consent, to the 'Mathematikado', this episode of the podcast features highlights from the British Science Festival in Brighton.
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Business + Economy
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David Bailey, Aston University; Colin Chapman, Aston University
Billions are being loaned against some fast depreciating assets. It could end in an almighty car crash.
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Gregor Gall, University of Bradford
Banking used to be an engine of social mobility and a generator of secure, satisfying employment for the many gainfully employed in it.
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Markus Bell, University of Sheffield; Rosita Armytage, University of Birmingham
Economic inequality and distrust in government is causing outbreaks of violence on South Africa's streets.
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Arts + Culture
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David James, Manchester Metropolitan University
Charlie Chaplin was a comedy great but it's Stan Laurel who still gets 'em rolling in the aisles.
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Susan Jones, University of Nottingham
The shortlist is out, but who wins? You decide.
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Martin Johnes, Swansea University
National team rules still aren't doing diverse societies justice.
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Joseph Oldham, University of Warwick
Far from grasping at Cold War certainties, Le Carré's Smiley embraces the changing role of the British spy.
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Health + Medicine
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Rachel Adams, Cardiff Metropolitan University
Research suggests much drinking water contains plastic microparticles.
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Ana Valdes, University of Nottingham
A study of middle-aged British women shows that omega-3 has beneficial effects on gut health.
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Science + Technology
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Alexander Brownlee, University of Stirling; Jerry Swan, University of York
It feels like we've seen less progress on charge time than almost anything else in smartphones. Could software efficiency be the answer?
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Ansgar Koene, University of Nottingham
The current push towards AI categorisation of people is in danger of embedding a binary view of society.
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Education
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James Williams, University of Sussex
Logic, science and critical thinking are working miracles for non-believers.
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Politics + Society
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Rosa Freedman, University of Reading
The UN has finally created a specific role to uphold LGBT rights, but its first mandate-holder is resigning after just a year.
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Paula Keaveney, Edge Hill University
Liverpool City Council has been monitoring communications from citizens – who probably thought they were reaching out in confidence.
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Ian Preston, UCL
Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable claims there is no evidence that immigration impacts wages. Is he right?
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Featured events
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Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, Camden, NW1 4RY, United Kingdom — UCL
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The Enterprise Centre, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom — University of East Anglia
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Julian Study Centre, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom — University of East Anglia
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Architecture Studios (M410 – M413), University of Westminster, Marylebone Campus, 35 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5LS, London, London, City of, NW1 5LS, United Kingdom — University of Westminster
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