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It’s an unpopular view I know, but personally, I’m for seagulls. Sure, I’ve watched helplessly a few times as one has flown off with my lunch. But haven’t we eaten enough of their fish? You have to admire their moxie. And it turns out there’s scientific evidence their reputation as relentless chip thieves is misplaced.
Researchers from the University of Exeter raised rescue herring gull chicks on different diets, either a natural fish-based one or man-made food, to see what type they would prefer when they got older. But all of the chicks in the study instinctively made a beeline for the fish when presented with a kind of seabird buffet. The marine prey that makes up herring gulls’ normal diet is in short supply so these birds may simply be adapting to a bad situation.
Also today, a new generation of rocket drones have left both sides scrambling for a new approach in the Ukraine war. International relations researcher Marcel Plichta thinks they could be changing the war’s rules. And read why an ancient Greece expert thinks the new Netflix series Kaos is one of the best takes on Greek mythology she’s ever seen.
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Jenna Hutber
Commissioning Editor, Science
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Banksy mural of a gull in Lowestoft.
Neeltje Boogert
Neeltje Boogert, University of Exeter
Seagulls have an innate preference for fish and mussels rather than your chips, research shows.
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Drone attacks have caused extensive damage in Kyiv throughout the war.
Xinhua/Alamy
Marcel Plichta, University of St Andrews
Drone warfare has been highly significant in the Ukraine war, and now it is entering a new phase.
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Jeff Goldblum plays Zeus in Kaos.
Justin Downing/Netflix
Ellie Mackin Roberts, University of Bristol
Kaos is a thrilling romp about gods and mortals vying for power and influence over the cosmos.
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World
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Rachael Jolley, The Conversation
The latest round-up of news from Ukraine.
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Umer Karim, University of Birmingham
We may have taken a step towards knowing who the Saudi Kingdom’s third-most powerful person is.
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Patrick J. Doyle, Royal Holloway University of London
Historically allowing opt outs of conscription has created tension in the population.
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Politics + Society
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Peter Bloom, University of Essex
The prime minister is preparing the ground for a difficult budget but blaming his predecessors will only get him so far.
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David Collinson, Lancaster University
Carefully chosen music encourages a sense of unity, sending important messages to the wider electorate that reinforce and differentiate the identity and values of the party and its leaders.
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Arts + Culture
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Will Shüler, Royal Holloway University of London
If policing the audience during the play is necessary, perhaps the casting or the nudity needs reconsidering, otherwise both simply read as gimmicks.
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Business + Economy
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Akhil Bhardwaj, University of Bath
Qantas sought to keep all passengers happy and on-side, while not costing the airline a fortune.
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Environment
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Mike Leonard, Birmingham City University
We interviewed people living in new net-zero homes to see what the construction industry could learn.
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Health
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Michael Duncan, Coventry University; Jason Tallis, Coventry University; Theresa Heering, Coventry University
The anterior cruciate ligament is crucial in movements such as pivoting and making jump landings.
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Mathew White, University of Exeter
Looking at, listening to, and immersing ourselves in inland and coastal waters can directly benefit our physical and mental health - here’s how the study of blue health has evolved.
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Science + Technology
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Jacco van Loon, Keele University
Nasa’s decision to prioritise the safety of the astronauts, and to work with another commercial partner in finding a solution, is a triumph of wisdom and caution.
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Jennifer Molinet, Stockholm University
Until a few years ago, it was impossible to create new lager beer.
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Podcasts
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Gemma Ware, The Conversation
In the first of two episodes on geoengineering, The Conversation Weekly examines the case for repairing the climate with technological interventions.
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