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Editor's note
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No one knows what the UK’s future trading arrangements with the EU will be. But these trading patterns have existed for a very long time indeed. New research into an incredibly productive copper mine 3,600 years ago reveals that Bronze Age trade between Britain and Europe was much more widespread than previously thought – with Welsh metal reaching as far afield as Germany and Sweden.
The mine in question is Great Orme, which until recently was thought to be so big because of seasonal working over 1,000 years or so. But by analysing ore samples in the mine and comparing the results with analysis of bronze tool fragments, researchers have discovered that its distinctive metal dominated Britain’s copper supply for a brief, but dazzling, 200-year period – during which an astonishing half a million metal objects were produced.
You may have heard that modern humans all originated in Botswana – but don’t be so sure. There’s good reason to believe that our species doesn’t have a single origin at all. And are you sick of ghouls and ghosts yet? Here’s an antidote – vampire bats are much more friendly and social than you might think.
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Josephine Lethbridge
Interdisciplinary Editor
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Top stories
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© Great Orme Mines Ltd
Alan Williams, University of Liverpool
New research reveals remarkable evidence of a copper-mining bonanza in Wales that was so productive the metal reached France, Germany, Denmark and Sweden.
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A study claims the first humans lived in a wetland around what is now northern Botswana.
Prill/Shutterstock
Isabelle Catherine Winder, Bangor University
It's likely our species doesn't actually have a single origin.
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Looks can be deceiving…
Todd Cravens/Unsplash
Jan Hoole, Keele University
Vampire bats form social bonds similar to human friendships – and they're good friends to those in need.
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Politics + Society
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Kurt Barling, Middlesex University
The public inquiry into Grenfell makes its first report – but those responsible for the circumstances leading up to the fire are yet to face the consequences.
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Paresh Wankhade, Edge Hill University
It will take time to digest the details of the 830-plus page report from phase one of the inquiry, but there are clear improvements to be made.
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Simon Tormey, University of Bristol
There is a chance – just a chance – that far from smoothing the UK’s exit from the EU, the election blows up in Johnson’s face and delivers a remain parliament.
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Health + Medicine
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Oliver van Hecke, University of Oxford
Unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions are not only wasteful, but may also have unintended consequences for a child's health.
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Adam Taylor, Lancaster University; Rebecca Shepherd, Lancaster University
The wonderful changeable skeleton.
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Sarah Steeg, University of Manchester
Researchers found that between 2008 and 2016, self-harm rates among Danish teenagers actually decreased.
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Ann John, Swansea University; Amanda Marchant, Swansea University
NICE guidelines suggest that boys who come to come to A&E because of self-harm should be admitted to hospital. Often, this isn't happening.
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Arts + Culture
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Matthew Smith, University of Winchester
How sports coaches can inspire their team to defy the odds and win.
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Dan Feather, Liverpool John Moores University
The historic sporting rivalry between England and South Africa has often been marred by political protests and controversy.
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Mikel Mellick, Cardiff Metropolitan University
One of the most pressurised roles in the pressure cooker that is the Rugby World Cup is the referee. Threatening fans are causing them to quit the game at all levels.
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Business + Economy
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Leïla Choukroune, University of Portsmouth
The UK has signed 15 trade agreements, covering 46 countries. Most fail to cover human rights issues.
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Seth Schindler, University of Manchester; Juan Miguel Kanai, University of Sheffield
A new push to focus development efforts on big infrastructure projects could have unitended consequences.
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Science + Technology
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Karl Bell, University of Portsmouth
Sometimes the unknown is more appealing than the truth – and it has kept ghost hunters in business for generations.
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Environment + Energy
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Joanna Boehnert, Loughborough University; Simon Mair, University of Surrey
To address the climate and ecological crises, we need a vision of the future. But some of the most popular ones out there will only propel the planet more quickly towards destruction.
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Featured events
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Birmingham Centre for Voluntary Action, 138 Digbeth, Birmingham, Birmingham, B5 6DR, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Birmingham
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Coventry Cathedral, Priory Road, Coventry CV1 5FB, Coventry, Coventry, CV1 5FB, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Warwick
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Meeting Room Suite, Floor 1, The Library of Birmingham, 6 Centenary Square, Birmingham, Birmingham, B1 2EP, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Birmingham
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Edge Hill, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Edge Hill University
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