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THE TRUTH ABOUT: 4 | History Defined

Where did language come from? Nobody really knows, but the theories are fascinating

Humans are the only species known to use fully symbolic language: a system capable of expressing abstract ideas, imaginary worlds and endless combinations of meaning. But how did we get there?

The Conversation

How the invention of glassblowing changed everyday life in ancient Rome

We see glass objects every day, and often don’t think much about them. Mass-produced glass has become so cheap we barely think about the things it allows us to do.

The Conversation

Washing machines could support skin health for First Nations people – if we get the wash settings right

Doing a load of laundry involves lots of decisions – from which cycle to choose to what detergent to use.

The Conversation

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Japan is experiencing historically high numbers of foreigners. Its population is shrinking, and its workforce is ageing, driving foreign labour to historic levels.

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We desperately need skilled workers. So why is vocational education treated as the ‘back-up plan’ for school leavers?

At the end of each school year, we see the same ritual play out. Year 12 results are released and newspapers publish league tables, ranking schools by their exam results.

The Conversation

Getting scammed via a text will be harder from July 1 – but more businesses need to act

From July 1, when you get a text claiming to be from the Australian Taxation Office, Australia Post or any other organisation, the first thing to check for will be one little word: “unverified”.

The Conversation

Why more doctors are validating near-death experiences

According to an influential study published by The Lancet in 2001, one out of 10 patients who go into cardiac arrest will come back with a new core memory. This “near-death experience” (or NDE) is so vivid and convincing that it often reshapes the patient’s view of the world, the…

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Can stimulating the sense of smell be beneficial for the brain?

Can a simple scent released while you sleep improve your sense of smell, your memory or even the quality of your sleep? New research explores the benefits of passive olfactory stimulation.

The Conversation

Why the director of national intelligence needs more than political loyalty to do the job

President Donald Trump’s choice for acting director of national intelligence, Bill Pulte, has proved controversial. Pulte’s lack of background in national security matters has sparked resistance from Democrats on Capitol Hill, which is not surprising. But some Republicans, too, have expressed dismay at the president’s choice, a Trump loyalist who…

The Conversation

Vision, Europe of the Future conference – in partnership with The Conversation

The Conversation is once again delighted to be a media partner of the think tank Vision, as it hosts its seventh ‘Europe of the Future’ conference in Siena, Italy.

The Conversation

If AI is addictive, where does the responsibility lie – with big tech or its users?

When I talk to my son, an engineering student, and we have a question or disagreement, he immediately turns to ChatGPT as his primary source of information and confirmation.

The Conversation

Rhino horn: why South Africa wants to revive the international trade, and why critics fear the consequences

South Africa wants to expand exports of rhino hunting trophies and other wildlife products. The move relies on an exemption process within the international treaty that has largely restricted rhino horn trade since 1977.

The Conversation

Canada’s federal government is shelving online hate speech protections. Here’s why that’s a problem

Canada’s federal government says it has no intention of re-establishing Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act, the provision that, until 2014, addressed hate speech on internet platforms.

The Conversation

No, regaining weight after losing it won’t permanently damage your metabolism – new research

When it comes to losing weight, the fear of “ruining your metabolism” is widespread. Indeed, many people who have lost weight and then put it back on feel that every failed attempt leaves them worse off than before, with more fat, less muscle, greater hunger, lower energy, and an ever-diminishing…

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Despite toxic reputation, our research shows podcasts can help men’s mental health

Over the last decade, podcasts have become big business, with more than a fifth of UK adults listening to podcasts each week. The format particularly resonates with men, who are more likely than women to identify as podcast fans. Men are also overrepresented as podcast hosts.

The Conversation

Mining companies may soon bypass UN rules and mine the deep sea

A Canadian deep-sea mining company may become the first to commercially mine the international seabed under a controversial U.S. executive order that bypasses United Nations regulations. A recent legal analysis suggests that this could place Canada in violation of international law.

The Conversation

South Africa’s anti-migrant campaigns use the language of democracy: why that’s dangerous

Anti-migrant campaigns in South Africa are increasingly being framed as acts of community protection. Protesters present their efforts as a response to community concerns about crime, unemployment and failing public services.

The Conversation

Will AI really make banking better for customers?

AI is changing how people bank, save, borrow and ask for help. It could make finance faster, cheaper – and even more personal. But if customers cannot understand decisions, challenge mistakes or reach a human when things go wrong, “smart” finance may simply become a more efficient way to frustrate…

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The Conversation

Climate change is threatening sheep farmers in South Africa’s Drakensberg – how they’re adapting

In the rugged and mountainous Drakensberg grasslands of South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, farmers rear sheep for food, cultural practices and financial security.

The Conversation

Community conservation in Ghana has evolved, but policy and funding need to catch up

In Ghana, community resource management areas are the main way that local communities get involved in managing natural resources that fall outside protected areas. In this way, rural people protect their natural environment and earn a living from using nature sustainably.

The Conversation

South African telescope detects record-breaking signal from the early universe

Astronomers using the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa have discovered the most distant hydroxyl megamaser ever detected, opening a new radio astronomy frontier. A hydroxyl megamaser is a natural space laser, and this one is located in a violently merging galaxy more than 8 billion light-years away.

The Conversation

The hunt for a new Ebola vaccine: two scientists explain the challenges

The ongoing Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda has now killed 61 people, with 359 confirmed cases. The Bundibugyo strain of the virus has a fatality rate of between 30% and 50%, and there is currently no vaccine approved for it. Two scientists at…

The Conversation

River wildlife moves freely once dams are removed – but so too can invasive species

Almost a quarter of all freshwater species are threatened with extinction. The removal of human-made barriers from rivers, such as dams and weirs, is a popular way to restore water flow and sediment transport to its natural state and allow fish and other aquatic wildlife to move more freely.

The Conversation

5 ways data centers endanger their local communities and the country as a whole

Every internet search, streamed video and AI-generated response depends on a data center somewhere. Driven by rapid growth in artificial intelligence, cloud computing and cryptocurrency, data centers have become the backbone of the modern digital economy. But though their key role is in enabling virtual and remote experiences, data centers…

The Conversation

Both Democrats and Republicans give millions to universities in earmarks – but not in the same way

U.S. politicians have perhaps never been more divided, including when it comes to their views on higher education.

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ANDREW CABALLEROREYNOLDS

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