Editor's note

Modern livestock and crop species have been bred to be bigger, juicier and uniform in order to feed growing populations. It means meat, vegetables and fruit are increasingly being matched with genetically similar partners, leaving a homogeneous gene pool that is a poor defence against disease and environmental change. Philip McGowan, Friederike Bolam and Louise Mair explain why protecting biodiversity is imperative to our food security.

The UK wasn’t meant to be taking part in the forthcoming European elections and any candidate who wins a place in the European parliament will have to stand down if and when Britain leaves the EU. Despite this, the elections are being considered a litmus test of the public mood. While Anand Menon and Alan Wager suggest how a vote might predict the outcome of a potential second Brexit referendum, Matthew Cole lays out the tough choice ahead for voters and says the result may say more about the failures of the British party system than about the will of the people.

Changing your diet and losing a lot of weight can reverse type 2 diabetes. But shedding pounds isn’t easy and many people struggle to keep the weight off. Now Jean Strelitz has found that there are potential benefits to losing even a moderate amount of weight in those who are newly diagnosed, including lowering the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Jack Marley

Commissioning Editor

Top stories

Edwards’s pheasants (Lophura edwardsi) are a wild relative of domesticated chickens. Wildlife Reserves Singapore

Biodiversity collapse: the wild relatives of livestock and crops are disappearing

Philip McGowan, Newcastle University; Friederike Bolam, Newcastle University; Louise Mair, Newcastle University

Biodiversity is in crisis. Nowhere is this more serious than among the wild species which our livestock and crops descend from.

EPA/Neil Hall

European elections: how vote could help predict the outcome of a second Brexit referendum

Anand Menon, King's College London; Alan Wager, King's College London

Turnout on May 23 could prove revealing when it comes to public opinion about Brexit.

Isabel Infantes/PA

European elections: voters are being short changed, despite the appearance of choice

Matthew Cole, University of Birmingham

There are more parties than ever running for the European parliament in the UK – but that isn't necessarily a good thing.

Anton Mukhin/Shutterstock

Type 2 diabetes: losing even a small amount of weight may lower heart disease risk

Jean Strelitz, University of Cambridge

Losing just 5% of weight in people newly diagnosed with diabetes can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

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