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After two of the wettest months that people in many parts of the UK can remember, the sun has finally reappeared. Walking through my local park yesterday afternoon, it felt as though months had passed since I last saw it shining in a bright blue sky.
That rainy winter came only a few months after the record-breaking heat of last summer. These sharp swings between drought and deluge are happening more often, says Chloe Brimicombe, a climate scientist at the University of Oxford. She explains the idea of “climate whiplash”, what the early forecasts suggest that the summer of 2026 might be like – and what this volatility means for our homes, food and even insurance premiums.
Spring also marks the start of hayfever season. We asked Christine Loscher, an immunologist at Dublin City University, how to prepare. Her advice: start preventative treatments such as steroid nasal sprays or antihistamines at least two weeks before pollen levels rise.
Meanwhile, researchers at Cardiff University argue that GCSE science teaches students how to evaluate evidence – this is a crucial skill in a post-truth world.
And our latest Strange Health podcast investigates light therapy. It may sound wholesome but apparently involves “strapping on a flashing mask and watching your own brain generate kaleidoscopic hallucinations behind closed eyelids”. There’s legit science behind the psychedelia.
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Will de Freitas
Environment + Energy Editor
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New Africa / shutterstock
Chloe Brimicombe, University of Oxford
Sharp seasonal swings are happening more often – and they’re a big problem for homes, food and infrastructure.
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Hayfever season typically runs from March to October.
PeopleImages/ Shutterstock
Christine Loscher, Dublin City University
Hay fever affects roughly one in four UK adults.
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antoniodiaz/Shutterstock
Sophie Bartlett, Cardiff University; Chris Taylor, Cardiff University
New research suggests GCSE science builds thinking skills that matter far beyond the lab.
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World
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Michael Stephens, RAND Europe; John Kennedy, RAND Europe
Four possible scenarios for the future of Iran.
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Tom Harper, University of East London
The war in Iran is likely to lead to several issues for China, but it also presents Beijing with opportunities.
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Becky Alexis-Martin, University of Bradford
Wars can start due to a disagreement, fear, or a desire for more power.
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Politics + Society
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Hannah Bunting, University of Exeter; Jessica C. Smith, University of Southampton; Lotte Hargrave, University of Manchester
High numbers of undecideds may partially explain the late swing to the Greens.
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Arts + Culture
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Barry Molloy, University College Dublin; Linda Fibiger, University of Edinburgh
Our study has finally uncovered the circumstances surrounding the death of 77 people, mostly women and girls.
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Business + Economy
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Conor O'Kane, Bournemouth University
The president painted a rosy picture in his State of the Union address.
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Steve Schifferes, City St George's, University of London
The Iran war undermines plans to revive the UK economy.
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Daniele D'Alvia, Queen Mary University of London
How to read the signals in the markets.
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Health
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David Schwartzman, University of Sussex
Specific rhythms of flickering light can synchronise brain activity, offering clues about perception and possible future therapies.
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Adam Taylor, Lancaster University
Six US aircrew ejected over Kuwait after a friendly fire incident. Surviving the bailout may be the easy part.
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Adam Taylor, Lancaster University
Teeth, placentas and surgical remains are being saved and even consumed. Here is what medicine says about safety.
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Science + Technology
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David Schwartzman, University of Sussex
Specific rhythms of flickering light can synchronise brain activity, offering clues about perception and possible future therapies.
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Joshua Weston, Queen's University Belfast
The camera can reach the furthest reaches of the cosmos and observe objects that are closer to home.
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Podcasts
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Katie Edwards, The Conversation; Dan Baumgardt, University of Bristol
Celebrity-backed devices promise meditative ‘sober trips’. Researchers are studying how rhythmic light reshapes visual experience and mood.
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The most popular links from yesterday
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23 February - 12 March 2026
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Colchester
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2 - 5 March 2026
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Southampton
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