For 89-year-old Mercedes Alvarez from the northern Spanish city of Gijón, cataract surgery was more than a routine medical procedure, it was a life-changing experience. “At first, I didn’t want to do it, even though I had trouble seeing anything,” Alvarez said. “I spent sleepless nights worrying because, at my age, even a
In an era of escalating environmental crises, green engineering has emerged as a cornerstone in the pursuit of sustainable solutions. This transformative discipline melds engineering principles with ecological mindfulness, striving to reduce environmental impact while fostering economic and social sustainability. From energy-efficient infrastructures to eco-friendly manufacturing processes, green engineering is reshaping industries and
Title: Melania: A Memoir Author: Melania Trump Pages: 256 In Melania: A Memoir, readers are invited into the world of one of the most enigmatic figures of modern politics and pop culture, Melania Trump. Through candid reflections on her Slovenian roots, a high-fashion career, and life alongside one of the most controversial figures
Paul Hudson, Leiden University From the Czech Republic to Spain, Europe has been plagued by devastating floods this autumn. Climate scientists agree that severe flooding was probably driven by climate change resulting in record-breaking rainfall. Warmer temperatures increase the amount of water vapour in the atmosphere, especially over warmer oceans, which increases the
Ph. A tethered Episyrphus balteatus hoverfly. Richard Massy, CC BY-NC-ND Richard J. Massy, University of Exeter Name an animal that migrates. You might think of the long migrations of humpback whales crossing the Pacific Ocean or flocks of geese flying noisily overhead. But, did you know that huge numbers of insects make ultra-long
Natasha Lindstaedt, University of Essex When I was buying coffee at a cafe owned by a Syrian man in the UK on Sunday, I asked him what he made of the news that longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad had been ousted from power. He responded optimistically that he and the 7 million Syrians that
The killing of a UnitedHealthcare executive has prompted a closer look at the health insurance industry. AP Photo/Jim Mone Simon F. Haeder, Texas A&M University The U.S. health care system leaves much to be desired. It is convoluted, fragmented, complex and confusing. Experts have also raised concerns about quality, and disparities are rampant.
Stefan Wolff, University of Birmingham and Tetyana Malyarenko, National University Odesa Law Academy US president-elect Donald Trump has invited China’s president Xi Jinping to his inauguration on January 20 in a surprise move which appears to be part of a plan to involve Beijing in ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine. Just after his recent
The era of climate change as a distant concept or a matter for academic discourse has passed. It is now a stark and undeniable truth, evidenced by rising temperatures, intensifying weather extremes, and rapidly diminishing ice caps. These are not abstract phenomena—they are the visible warning signs of a planet in distress. The
Asia, the world’s largest and most diverse continent, thrives on its intricate web of waterways, which serve as lifelines for its inhabitants, economies, and ecosystems. These rivers, lakes, and canals are far more than geographic entities—they form the backbone of ancient civilisations, support bustling modern cities, and sustain diverse ecological landscapes. From the