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An alarming discovery was made earlier this month thanks to a school science project, which found five times the recommended maximum lead levels in 14 UK schools’ drinking water supplies. Water science expert Professor Vanessa Speight answers worries about where else lead might be lurking in our water, as well as pointing out other common contaminants to watch out for, and offers her recommendations for how to make sure our water gets
properly cleaned.
How will the pandemic end? We can’t yet say for sure but previous global illnesses, as well as the progress of vaccination programmes and different countries’ plans for reopening, provide some clues. Ultimately the course of COVID-19 from here on out depends on how many people are immunised – either artificially or naturally.
And here’s a question you might not have asked yourself this morning: what happens if AI gets addicted. The fascinating phenomenon of “wireheading” happens when an artificial intelligence finds ways to “cheat” its programming in order to keep on fulfilling its short-term goals without working on what it was actually designed to do. It’s remarkably similar to what happens when you stimulate the pleasure centres of human and animal brains.
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Imogen Malpas
Commissioning Editor, Environment + Editor
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The lead pipes in some old buildings could contaminate drinking water.
AnnaER/Pixabay
Vanessa Speight, University of Sheffield
High levels of lead were unexpectedly found in 14 UK schools’ drinking water: so how much do we really know about what’s in our pipes?
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Andy Rain/EPA-EFE
Paul Hunter, University of East Anglia
Countries yet to experience major outbreaks will probably see big rises in cases, even if their vaccine programmes are successful.
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Rock'n Roll Monkey/Unsplash
Thomas Moynihan, University of Oxford; Anders Sandberg, University of Oxford
When people think about how AI might ‘go wrong’, most probably picture malevolent computers trying to cause harm. But what if we should be more worried about them seeking pleasure?
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Politics + Society
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Kanstantsin Dzehtsiarou, University of Liverpool
Many countries, including the UK, are considering mandatory vaccination programmes. They may violate human rights law.
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Lisa Huddlestone, University of York
Teenagers transitioning from long-term care to independent adulthood need to be looked after. Their health, wellbeing, education and their safety are at risk
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Peter Howley, University of Leeds
Politicians should take into account the psychological impact of being jobless.
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Science + Technology
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Matthew Robert Bennett, Bournemouth University; Sally Christine Reynolds, Bournemouth University
Prehistoric hand and footprints analysed by a team of researchers are an early example of art.
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Jason Gilchrist, Edinburgh Napier University
Helicoptering heavy herbivores across Africa is no laughing matter.
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Oscar del Barco Novillo, Universidad de Murcia
A recent study provides evidence for the existence of a specific type of black hole generated during the Big Bang.
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Environment + Energy
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Ran Boydell, Heriot-Watt University
Insulate Britain, a new environmental campaign group, is right to highlight the need for action on home insulation.
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Business + Economy
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Abigail Marks, Newcastle University
Scotland, Ireland and Spain are among those trialling four-day weeks, but they’re not living in the real world.
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Featured events
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Lancaster University, Lancaster , Lancashire, LA1 4YW, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Lancaster University
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Online, Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Southampton
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The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, Manchester, M139PL, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Manchester
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The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, Manchester, M139PL, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Manchester
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