PLUS research your family tree ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
The Conversation

The microbes in your gut have been linked to everything from the quality of your sleep, ageing, lung health, heart health — and now, research suggests one microbe in particular may be able to help you keep weight off once you’ve lost it.

Akkermansia Muciniphila, is one of the most abundant microbes in your gut. It has garnered a lot of attention in the research community in recent years thanks to its association with improved health outcomes across multiple diseases.

Now, a study has shown that people who took a supplement containing the microbe regained less weight compared to those who were only given a placebo. Although the results were modest, this could have serious implications more broadly — especially given how much of a challenge maintaining weight loss is for so many people.

A new analysis of Reform’s surge in the recent Scottish election has revealed unexpected patterns. Constituency level data suggests the party is not simply mopping up votes from The Conservatives, as is often thought. Nor does a simple urban/rural divide apply.

And if you’re one of the many people interested in studying your family tree, we’ve got some practical tips on where to start.

The academics who write for The Conversation’s education desk produce research that makes a real difference in our understanding of how children learn. Their scholarship helps shape schools and gives teachers tools for the classroom.

You may have noticed that we’ve just launched Education Focus, a weekly newsletter featuring our best stories on schools, teachers and child development. This follows a swell of interest in the work being conducted by the academics who write for The Conversation’s education desk. If you’re passionate about education, either as a teaching professional or a parent, this newsletter is for you. Sign up here.


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Heather Kroeker

Commissioning Editor, Health + Medicine

Research found a particular gut microbe may help to prevent weight regain. Prostock-studio/ Shutterstock

Could a gut microbe help reduce weight regain after dieting? New study suggests it might

Rachel Woods, University of Nottingham; University of Lincoln

The researchers looked at Akkermansia muciniphila, one of the most abundant gut microbes.

Reform UK’s leader in Scotland, Malcolm Offord (centre), led the party to secure 17 seats in the Scottish parliament. Jane Barlow/Alamy

Reform UK surged in the Scottish election. Here’s where the party picked up the most support

Davide Vampa, University of Edinburgh

Certain types of area across Scotland saw higher rates of votes for Reform UK, data reveals

Tracing your family history is time-consuming but very rewarding. mpaniti/Shutterstock

Four top tips for tracing your ancestry from a family historian

Rachel Murphy, University of Limerick

Studying the stories of our ancestors, whatever their background, is a deeply enriching experience.

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