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Although it’s no crystal clear swimmers’ paradise, the Thames, which runs through London, is actually one of the world’s cleanest city rivers – a far cry from its filthy state in 1957, when it was declared incapable of sustaining life. In the years since, stricter legislation, better water quality monitoring and even innovative barge-mounted “bubblers” designed to reoxygenate water have helped the world famous waterway welcome back 125 species of aquatic wildlife
(including seahorses).
But, as ecologist Veronica Edmonds-Brown writes, we can’t rest on our laurels. Toxic pollution, plastic waste and even medications dissolving down drains – as well as a heavily overburdened Victorian-era sewer system – are among the problems threatening to reverse decades of hard work.
Feeling guilty for skipping the gym even though you’ve come down with a cold? Relax – there’s no evidence that exercise helps us recover faster from colds while we have them. However, just 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week when healthy can stimulate your immune system, helping you to avoid getting sick next time.
And as the climate crisis accelerates, here’s how a new school qualification in natural history could help lay the foundations for a greener future.
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Imogen Malpas
Commissioning Editor, Environment + Energy
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The River Thames is one of the cleanest major world rivers.
Pxfuel
Veronica Edmonds-Brown, University of Hertfordshire
Cleaning and reoxygenating the river Thames has helped its biodiversity surge, but there’s still more to be done to make it healthy.
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ton koene / Alamy
Mark Fellowes, University of Reading; Jo Anna Reed Johnson, University of Reading
Children often aren’t aware of how much has been lost in recent generations.
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The stress of exercising while sick could potentially make our immune cells less effective.
Dmytrenko Vlad/ Shutterstock
John Hough, Nottingham Trent University
As little as 30 minutes of exercise five times a week can benefit your immune system.
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Ukraine Invasion
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Jonathan Este, The Conversation; Matt Warren, The Conversation
A digest of the week’s coverage of the war against Ukraine.
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Rory Finnin, University of Cambridge; Thomas D. Grant, University of Cambridge
When it comes to Russia’s invasion and violence against Ukraine, language matters.
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Jennifer Mathers, Aberystwyth University; Allyson Edwards, University of Warwick
Russian schoolchildren are being mobilised in a patriotic movement which encourages military service.
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Stephen Hall, University of Bath
A new CNN documentary about jailed opposition figurehead Aleksei Navalny offers insights into Putin’s challengers.
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Politics + Society
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Ann Berrington, University of Southampton; Joanne Ellison, University of Southampton
Fertility rates declined among women of all ages in the UK at the start of the pandemic – but have been picking up again, particularly among older mothers.
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Leoni Connah, University of Manchester
Pakistan’s new prime minister has already spoken about the Kashmir conflict.
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Arts + Culture
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Daniel Merino, The Conversation
From the archive: researchers visited the remote Kalash valleys to investigate how the concept of ‘happy’ and ‘sad’ music differs across cultures. Listen to The Conversation Weekly podcast.
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Environment
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Jennifer Arthur, Durham University
Melting lakes on ice shelves can widen cracks within them - new research shows how these lakes change across the world’s largest sheet.
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Health
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Brittany Larsen, Iowa State University
Research has been inconclusive on the degree to which drinking alcohol leads to the growth of harmful fat. But a new study suggests that beer and spirits are far bigger culprits than wine.
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Featured events
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— CUBRIC, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, Cardiff [Caerdydd GB-CRD], CF24 4HQ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Cardiff University
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— Shakespeare Institute - Mason Croft - Church St, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6HP, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Birmingham
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— Online, Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Southampton
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— 309 Regent Street, London, W1B 2HW, London, London, City of, W1B 2HW, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Westminster
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