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Colorado, Cortez, Mesa Verde, cliff dwelling, Cliff Palace. (Photo by: Bernard Friel/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

History reveals vital new lessons in how to make our societies better

28 June 2023

At a time when the future of human civilisation looks shaky, a reappraisal of how we got here suggests that changing direction may be easier than we think


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Why it is important to explore the outer limits of knowledge

11 January 2023

Science and reason generate reliable knowledge about the world, but they have their limits. Exploring them can shed light on what knowledge really is, and should help us gain more of it


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The science of self-knowledge is important, even if it is a bit fuzzy

7 December 2022

Who you really are is a major question worth pursuing for most people, so research into self-knowledge is important despite the fact it often relies on subjective findings


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The ancestral language of half the world reveals our shared culture

23 November 2022

The hunt for the prehistoric mother tongue that gave rise to dozens of the languages we speak today reminds us of the scientific case for international identity


Despite reaching 8 billion people, we must plan for population decline

Despite reaching 8 billion people, we must plan for population decline

9 November 2022

The number of people on the planet has hit a huge milestone at 8 billion, but fertility rates are falling fast in many countries, which means planning for an older population


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Egyptology continues to astound 100 years after Tutankhamun was found

2 November 2022

The discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb was a revelation, but 100 years later new scientific methods are painting an even richer picture of the ancient Egyptians


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Insomnia success suggests we need more nuanced mental health support

28 September 2022

The standard "one-size-fits-all" approach to diagnosing and treating mental health problems is failing. Personalised treatments could make a big difference


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Luck may influence us more than nurture, so let's give parents a break

21 September 2022

Emerging research suggests that, alongside genes and environment, much of who we become is down to chance occurrences in the developing brain. Does that mean parents are off the hook?


Untangling life's molecular mysteries using AI is a welcome advance

Untangling life's molecular mysteries using AI is a welcome advance

3 August 2022

Artificial intelligence has turned its power on deciphering the complex structures of proteins, the substances behind many vital processes in cells. It is a great boost for biology and, ultimately, wider society


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Ancient footprints are a welcome new window on ancient people's lives

6 April 2022

Studies of fossil footprints are showing us intimate snapshots of ancient peoples' lives. They are a fantastic addition to our archaeological toolbox – as long as we don't try to over-interpret the evidence


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