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Editor's note
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Since the 1950s, every tree on earth has contained tiny traces of radioactive material from nuclear bombs. This nuclear “signature” will remain, even after these trees have died, and sunk into the ground and eventually turned into rock. Thousands or millions of years from now, future civilisations may see this as a marker of the Anthropocene – a new geological epoch brought about by humans. Chris Turney, Jonathan Palmer and Mark Maslin report on how the remotest tree of all helped them identify the point when human impacts became truly global and irreversible.
Most of us have experienced the distinct and disgusting smell of “death” when coming across an animal corpse. Yet, until now, it has been unclear exactly how we sense it. Jean-Christophe Nebel talks us through how he discovered the biochemical mechanics behind it – and explains how the findings may help treat depression.
While Team GB do great in the heat, they aren’t exactly known for success in the Winter Olympics. The skeleton is however a notable exception, and disgruntled murmurs from other teams have suggested that British riders have revolutionary skin suits to thank. According to Nick Martin, talk of a whole second’s advantage per run is nonsense – but that doesn’t mean the suits weren’t crucial.
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Will de Freitas
Environment + Energy Editor
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Top story
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Pavla Fenwick
Chris Turney, UNSW; Jonathan Palmer, UNSW; Mark Maslin, UCL
Nuclear bomb tests potentially mark the start of a new geological epoch: the Anthropocene.
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Edvard Munch’s “The Smell of Death”.
Jean-Christophe Nebel, Kingston University
Genetic research could help us produce new ways of diagnosing and treating depression and suicidal ideation – including a 'death smell test'.
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A streamlined Lizzie Yarnold sliding her way to gold.
Singer/EPA
Nicholas Martin, Northumbria University, Newcastle
The science behind the suits that gave Britain's medal-winning athletes a crucial speed boost.
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Arts + Culture
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Matthew Potter, Northumbria University, Newcastle
Five decades on from the original series our idea of what makes civilisation has broadened.
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Edward Cheetham, Nottingham Trent University
As tens of thousands of injured soldiers filled the UK's overwhelmed hospitals, the scale of World War I became all too apparent.
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Politics + Society
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Rodwan Abouharb, UCL
In an age of increased scrutiny, violent and repressive states are turning to subtler methods of removing dissidents and opponents.
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Gemma Houldey, University of Sussex
Most overseas aid workers remain largely cut off from the people they are in emergency settings to help.
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Richard Whitman, University of Kent
The prime minister conceded that the UK must continue to abide by European Court of Justice rulings, even after Brexit.
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Graham Bowpitt, Nottingham Trent University
A homeless man was found dead at Westminster station, on the doorstep of the Palace of Westminster.
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Health + Medicine
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Martin Cohen, University of Hertfordshire
The statistics point remorselessly towards obesity being a symptom with an underlying social cause. That should completely change the approach to dealing with it.
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Tony Rao, King's College London; Ian Hamilton, University of York
Cannabis use among the baby boomer generation is on the rise, here's why.
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Nigel Holt, Aberystwyth University
Anticipating a future event is just as good for you as the thing itself.
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Barbara Ribeiro, University of Manchester; Sarah Hartley, University of Exeter
Women's rights and poverty cannot be ignored.
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Business + Economy
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Manoj Dora, Brunel University London
Climate change could hurt Indian farmers' income by up to 20-25% in the medium term.
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Environment + Energy
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Lesley Elizabeth Craig, University of Stirling
Using real apes and monkeys as actors in film and TV encourages people to see them as pets.
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Andrew Barron, Swansea University
The fossil fuel era won't last forever. And a new set of countries will find their reserves of lithium, copper and rare earth metals are in high demand.
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Cities
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Gary Haq, University of York
Free public transport could be one way to get more people to ditch the car.
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Featured events
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The Treehouse, Berrick Saul building, York, York, YO10 5DD, United Kingdom — University of York
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Samuel Alexander Building, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom — University of Manchester
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327 Mile End Road, London, London, City of, E1 4NS, United Kingdom — Queen Mary University of London
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University Place, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom — University of Manchester
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