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Editor's note
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In this confusing era of fake news and alternative facts, it can be a relief to turn to science. Its reliable method, after all, produces real facts, based on measurements, that all observers can agree with. Or at least, so we thought …
A recent experiment has demonstrated that, in the micro-world of atoms and particles that is governed by quantum mechanics, facts can actually be subjective. That’s pretty concerning, given that quantum mechanics is our best theory for understanding the building blocks of nature. In fact, it suggests there really is no such thing as objective reality.
Scientists and philosophers are now working hard to interpret the result. And some suggest it strengthens the argument for the existence of a multiverse with parallel universes, each representing a separate reality.
Meanwhile, UK voters also seem to be living in separate realities, with some caring only about Brexit, while others want to make the upcoming poll a climate election. And there’s good news for cat lovers – scientists are starting to work out how to tell whether cats are in pain from their facial expressions.
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Miriam Frankel
Science Editor
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Top stories
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Gearoid Hayes/Flickr
Alessandro Fedrizzi, Heriot-Watt University; Massimiliano Proietti, Heriot-Watt University
A quantum experiment raises deeply philosophical questions about the fundamental nature of reality.
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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn visits a community affected by flooding in Doncaster, November 9, 2019.
EPA-EFE/PETER POWELL
Marc Hudson, University of Manchester
The Australian Labor Party's failure to turn climate change into a winning campaign issue holds lessons for the UK Labour Party.
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Unfortunately it’s much more subtle than Grumpy Cat. But knowing your cat’s ‘resting face’ could help.
JStone/Shutterstock
Lauren Finka, Nottingham Trent University
What can we learn about cats from their faces?
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Arts + Culture
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Karen Sands-OConnor, Newcastle University
British children's books are still not representing all British readers – but reflecting realities for readers of colour is possible if parties across the industry work together
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Martyn Dean Cooke, Manchester Metropolitan University
When England played a football match against Germany in 1938, the players were ordered to perform a Nazi salute.
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Environment + Energy
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Tim Woollings, University of Oxford
The jet stream is being distorted on both sides by fast-warming tropical and Arctic air. Should the tropics win out, weather patterns could change profoundly.
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Steve Keen, UCL
William Nordhaus' predictions of what the climate crisis will cost the earth are dangerously at odds with climate science.
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Business + Economy
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Donald Hirsch, Loughborough University
Promised increases from both sides are a striking new feature of UK politics and could be transformative for many.
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Sukru Cildir, Lancaster University
US dominance over the international oil system has influenced the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
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Politics + Society
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Alec Charles, University of Winchester
It looks as if the Conservative P\arty has learned from the way Labour targeted the youth vote in 2017.
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Sean Kippin, University of Stirling
With Labour in danger of coming fourth in Scotland, they could have done without fresh independence trouble.
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Featured events
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Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Essex
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Oxford Martin School, 34 Broad Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3BD, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Oxford
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Oxford Martin School, 34 Broad Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3BD, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Oxford
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Lecture Theatre One, UEA, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of East Anglia
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