We built a human-skin printer from Lego and we want every lab to use our blueprint

S19

We built a human-skin printer from Lego and we want every lab to use our blueprint   This work was funded by the British Skin Foundation. The article was drafted with Jo Blankley (Cardiff University).Sourcing human tissue samples for biological investigations isn’t always easy. While they are ethically obtained through organ donation or from tissue that’s removed during surgical procedures, scientists are finding them increasingly difficult to get hold of. Continued here

S10

Belfast has more peace walls now than 25 years ago - removing them will be a complex challenge   Since the first paramilitary ceasefires in 1994, the Northern Ireland peace process has addressed a series of contentious issues. Prisoners have been released, weapons decommissioned. Policing and power sharing have been discussed. Quite how the conflict shaped the city of Belfast, though, is yet be fully contended with. The urban environment comprises 30.5 km of walls in a total of 97 different barriers and forms of defensive architecture, including walls, fences, gates and closed roads. These are primarily in the working-class communities of north, west and east Belfast. In fact, the city has more walls now than at the time of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. Continued here

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S5

Arctic sea ice loss and fierce storms leave Kivalina's volunteer search and rescue fighting to protect their island from climate disasters   As winds and waves from Typhoon Merbok devastated communities along the coast of Western Alaska in 2022, Reppi Swan Sr.’s phone began to ring at Kivalina, a barrier island 80 miles above the Arctic Circle.A neighboring family had lost 3 feet of land to the rumbling lagoon, and their home was now sitting just 6 feet from the angry water’s edge. Reppi called his brother Joe Swan Jr. and quickly slid into his insulated rain gear. Continued here

S16

The power of anonymity: as Twitter celebrity Dril reveals his identity, an Elena Ferrante expert explains what he's lost   Scrolling through US comedian and social media phenomenon Dril’s Twitter account can be a confusing experience for those, like me, who don’t share the same references to “Weird Twitter”, videogaming, fast food, obsessive branding and 1990s popular culture.“Jarring combinations of the stupefyingly mundane and the elaborately scatological” characterise some of Dril’s most liked tweets, according to the New Yorker. The tweets display a fascination with dog poop, genitals and onanism. They also disregard basic rules of spelling, punctuation and grammar, and frequently use outrageously bad language. Continued here

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S26

South Africans are fed up with their prospects, and their democracy, according to latest social attitudes survey   The sense of hopelessness and despondency with democracy that emerges from the survey does not bode well for the future of the country’s democracy. As the survey shows, as despondency increases, so too does a sense of hopelessness.The 2021 survey – with the most recent available results – consisted of 2,996 South Africans aged 16 years and older living in private residences. The data were benchmarked and weighted to be representative of the adult population. Continued here

S61

Can't Wait for 'Starfield'? 10 Spacefaring Epics on Xbox Game Pass Right Now   There’s no shortage of exciting video game releases on the horizon, and few are as highly anticipated as Starfield, the next game from Skyrim developer Bethesda. Starfield is a space RPG that will borrow from the studio’s past games, with shooting, exploration, and progression at the forefront. Since Starfield’s September 2023 release is still lightyears away, why not dive into some other space epics to hold you over in the meantime? To make it even more enticing, this list will cover 10 of the best space titles available on Xbox Game Pass, so you won’t need to spend an extra penny.Featuring the three games that make up the original trilogy, Mass Effect: Legendary Edition compiles what is often referred to as the greatest space RPG series ever. Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 all come together to tell an epic story, with well-written characters, and choices that matter. What’s fascinating is that the choices you make in the first game carry over to the second and third, offering weight and gravity to the decisions you make. But beyond that, its third-person shooter mechanics are satisfying, as is the series’ progression system. Continued here

S17

Children have been interacting in the metaverse for years - what parents need to know about keeping them safe   The metaverse sounds like it could be a scary place. Recent headlines have highlighted the dangers to children of the metaverse – a generic term for the range of online virtual worlds, developed by different tech companies, in which users can interact. Children’s charities have raised concerns about its potential for harm. Recently, Meta – Facebook’s parent company – announced that teenagers would be able to use its VR Horizon Worlds app in North America. In this online environment, users are represented by avatars and spend time in virtual worlds, making use of virtual reality (VR) headsets. Some politicians in the US have already voiced their unease. It is certainly possible that Meta could extend this access to teens elsewhere in the world. Continued here

S27

New agreements between First Nations and B.C. government a step toward fulfilling Canada's treaty obligations   Postdoctoral fellow, School of Public Policy & Administration, Carleton University Treaty 8 First Nations and the government of British Columbia have recently concluded two historical agreements on Treaty Land Entitlement and land and resource management. Continued here

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S9

Why a Biden-Harris reelection ticket makes sense for the Democrats in 2024   After months of speculation, the US president, Joe Biden, has confirmed his intention to seek reelection in 2024. In his video announcement, Biden promised to stand up against “MAGA extremists” and called on Americans to give him the chance to “finish the job”, saying:When I ran for president four years ago, I said we are in a battle for the soul of America. And we still are. This is not a time to be complacent. That’s why I’m running for reelection. Continued here

S28

Canada's federal transfer payment system badly needs a tune-up   Director of the Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance (IMFG) at the School of Cities, University of Toronto Federal transfer payments are at the heart of the Canadian federation. They ensure critical public services are equitably funded right across the country and account for roughly one-fifth of total provincial revenues. For lower-income provinces, they rise to as high as one-third of the total. Continued here

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S4

Leprosy-causing bacteria found in armadillo specimens highlight value of museum collections for tracking pathogens   Leprosy can cause nerve damage that, without early effective treatment, can lead to paralysis and blindness in the most severe cases. Approximately 140,000 new patients were diagnosed worldwide in 2021, mostly concentrated in India, Brazil and Indonesia. Since 2010, evidence has accumulated that the nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus, is transmitting leprosy to people in North America and potentially elsewhere.In our study, we used online repositories such as VertNet to identify armadillo specimens held by museums. We then physically examined tissue samples from 159 individual animals from 10 armadillo species. Specimens were collected between 1974 and 2017 from eight countries in the Americas. Continued here

S15

Western anger over China's ambiguity on Ukraine cannot hide growing divisions in EU over support for Kyiv   Much like Washington’s stance on Taiwan, China’s position on the invasion of Ukraine has been one of “strategic ambiguity”. China has consistently emphasised the importance of sovereignty and territorial integrity while failing to condemn the invasion and reassuring Moscow of its “friendship without limits”.So there has been serious concern in European capitals since Beijing’s ambassador to France, Lu Shaye, suggested that former Soviet Union countries “don’t have actual status in international law because there is no international agreement to materialise their sovereign status”. Beijing was very quick to roll back on this, insisting on Monday that “China respects the status of the former Soviet republics as sovereign countries after the Soviet Union’s dissolution.” Continued here

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S21

King Charles coronation: what impartial broadcast coverage of the event would look like   King Charles III’s coronation will be broadcast to millions of people around the world. Many of those viewers will be watching on the BBC, whose impartiality when it comes to the monarchy has come under question. The campaign group Republic recently sent a letter to the public broadcaster stating that the BBC “not only fails to be impartial, but makes no attempt to be impartial or balanced and, most shockingly, openly colludes with the palace in its coverage”. Continued here

S29

National Day of Mourning offers Canada a chance to rethink worker health and safety   Canadians go to work each day expecting to return home safely, but for too many workers and their families, this expectation is unrealistic. According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada, there were 1,081 workplace fatalities in 2021 alone.Each year on April 28, Canadians remember and honour those who have been killed or suffered injuries or illness at work. This day, known as the National Day of Mourning, was established by the Canadian Labour Congress in 1984 and made official in 1991. Continued here

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S20

AI can process more information than humans - so will it stop us repeating our mistakes?   It is a cliche that not knowing history makes one repeat it. As many people have also pointed out, the only thing we learn from history is that we rarely learn anything from history. People engage in land wars in Asia over and over. They repeat the same dating mistakes, again and again. But why does this happen? And will technology put an end to it?One issue is forgetfulness and “myopia”: we do not see how past events are relevant to current ones, overlooking the unfolding pattern. Napoleon ought to have noticed the similarities between his march on Moscow and the Swedish king Charles XII’s failed attempt to do likewise roughly a century before him. Continued here

S12

Medical students lose their empathy - here's what can be done about it   A lack of empathy in healthcare can be disastrous. In the UK, between 2005 and 2009, hundreds of avoidable deaths occurred at the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. The Francis report, which investigated the causes of the failings, concluded that a lack of empathy contributed to the catastrophe.More recently, dozens of tragic, unnecessary infant and maternal deaths occurred at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals. The Ockenden Report, which investigated the causes of these deaths, stated that lack of empathy exacerbated the problem. Continued here

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S70

Astronomers Just Captured the First-Ever View of a Black Hole's Galaxy-Sized Jet   Observatories peered into the heart of a supermassive black hole more than 6 billion times the mass of the Sun.Four years ago this month, an image changed the field of astrophysics. It revealed, for the first time, a direct look at the shadow of a black hole. Continued here

S30

Acetaminophen overdose is a leading cause of liver injury, but it is largely preventable   Clinical associate professor, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia Larissa was a 21-year-old Canadian college student recovering from COVID-19 when she died from complications related to an accidental overdose of acetaminophen, a medication in probably every drug store and most medicine cabinets in the country. Continued here

S14

Cognitive flexibility is essential to navigating a changing world - new research in mice shows how your brain learns new rules   Being flexible and learning to adapt when the world changes is something you practice every day. Whether you run into a new construction site and have to reroute your commute or download a new streaming app and have to relearn how to find your favorite show, changing familiar behaviors in response to new situations is an essential skill.To make these adaptations, your brain changes its activity patterns within a structure called the prefrontal cortex – an area of the brain critical for cognitive functions such as attention, planning and decision-making. But which specific circuits “tell” the prefrontal cortex to update its activity patterns in order to change behavior have been unknown. Continued here

S8

Sudan's conflict has its roots in three decades of elites fighting over oil and energy   Sudan stands on the brink of yet another civil war sparked by the deadly confrontation between the Sudan Armed Forces of General Abdelfatah El-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces of Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (“Hemedti”). Much of the international news coverage has focused on the clashing ambitions of the two generals. Specifically, that differences over the integration of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces into the regular army triggered the current conflict on April 15, 2023. Continued here

S18

Why 'finding your purpose' matters - and four ways to find yours   Often presented as the solution for people lacking direction, the notion of “finding your purpose” might sound like a cliche. But having a sense of purpose has been linked with a range of physical and mental health benefits. So what actually is purpose, why does it matter, and how can you find yours?Purpose is interrelated with “goals” and “meaning”, but not the same as either. Goals are specific actionable aims we have – for example graduating, getting a job, or losing weight. While goals can be accomplished, meaning is a broader, subjective response. We might find meaning in listening to certain music, or watching the sunset, or volunteering for a good cause. Meaning occurs when we ascribe personal significance to things. Continued here

S59

15 Years Ago, an Acclaimed Sci-Fi Duo Their Most Divisive Movie Ever   In 2008, the Wachowskis released what’s seen as their first major failure. Speed Racer was their follow-up to the Matrix trilogy, which was enormously profitable even if the sequels weren’t nearly as beloved as the first installment. But Speed Racer was a commercial and critical flop, grossing under $100 million against a budget of $120 million.In the years since, some corners of the internet have begun to reclaim Speed Racer as a pop art masterpiece. Its cartoonish visual aesthetic turned many contemporary viewers off, but it’s now a reminder of all the color that’s been sapped out of modern movies. What’s most striking, though, is that Speed Racer seemed to anticipate the world of IP-driven blockbusters that we’re living through long before superhero movies reached their peak. Continued here

S23

How watching others eat junk food can cut our appetite and help us lose weight   One evening, at home. You’re sat comfortably on the sofa, watching your favourite TV show. An ad comes up, showing a scrumptious burger in its full glory. The camera zooms into each ingredient: the crisp salad; the tender meat; the rich, creamy sauce; the crunchy French fries, and one person enjoying this delightful flavour range. You think to yourself that your diet is about to take a hit. But we beg to differ.The images we are exposed to throughout our lives hold the power to shape our experiences to a remarkable degree. According to neuroimage studies, the mere sight of someone being hit by a hammer will fire up the neural networks in our brain that are associated with pain. As a result, these images will trigger emotions and behaviour consistent with feelings of pain. Continued here

S13

Len Goodman: how the late Strictly Come Dancing star revived the nation's love of ballroom   With the news of Len Goodman’s death at age 78, ballroom dancing has lost one of its greatest advocates. But Goodman has left a lasting legacy, spearheading an unlikely revival of the ballroom scene he loved.As head judge on Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2016, Goodman brought a no nonsense honesty to his role, as well as his wealth of expertise. The sparkle, camp and glam of the days of the BBC’s original dance show, Come Dancing, was rekindled in his cheeky quips and cheesy one liners – part of its familiar, broad appeal. Continued here

S6

Harry Belafonte leveraged stardom for social change, his powerful voice always singing a song for justice   In May 1963, as civil rights demonstrations rocked the city of Birmingham, Alabama, Harry Belafonte was at a cocktail party in Manhattan, scolding the then-attorney general of the United States. “You may think you’re doing enough,” he recalled telling Robert F. Kennedy, “but you don’t live with us, you don’t even visit our pain.” Continued here

S2

The Fastest Path to the CEO Job, According to a 10-Year Study   A 10-year study of more than 17,000 C-suite executive assessments looked at who gets to the top and how. A close look at “CEO sprinters” — those who reached the CEO role faster than the average of 24 years from their first job — shows that formative experiences play a key role. Specifically, these ladder-climbers made bold career moves that catapulted them to the top ahead of others. Three types of career catapults were most common. First, lateral or even backward moves allowed the future CEO to build something from the ground up (like leaving a large, prestigious company to start their own business). Second, big leaps allowed the future CEO to skip a level, or even two levels, even if they felt unready. And third, big messes brought the opportunity to turn around a failing unit or division. Continued here

S25

We need memory to learn - but not the way we currently use it   Psicopedagoga. COPC 29739. Profesora asociada Master Dificultades del Aprendizaje y Trastornos del Lenguaje., UOC - Universitat Oberta de Catalunya Profesor asociado Estudios Psicología y Ciencias de la Educación, UOC - Universitat Oberta de Catalunya Continued here

S7

Stella Prize shortlist 2023: your guide to 6 gripping, courageous books   The Stella Prize has shown that feminist activism in the literary sector can work. At its outset, in 2013, it drew attention to the lack of women on prize shortlists.Over time, it appears to have shifted prize culture in this county to the point that it seems unlikely that we’ll see a “sausagefest” shortlist again any time soon. And Stella’s regular count of gender in Australian book reviewing has ensured editors think about the gender of the authors they review and the writers who review them. Continued here

S55

Climate Dread Coexists with Merriment in “Belle River”   The filmmakers were drawn to the communities west of Baton Rouge in the Atchafalaya Basin, where the wetlands are uncharacteristically stable but the consequences of climate change can be severe.In the spring of 2019, the filmmakers Guillaume Fournier, Samuel Matteau, and Yannick Nolin travelled from Quebec to Louisiana to shoot the final installment in a trio of short documentaries. The three films are all centered on Cajun-French culture in Acadiana, a twenty-two-parish region in the southern part of Louisiana. An estimated hundred thousand to three hundred thousand people in the state speak some form of French, a total that has dropped from roughly a million in the nineteen-sixties. Continued here

S24

Here's what happened when we endowed volunteers with a sixth finger   Chercheur au Laboratoire d'Informatique, de Robotique et de Microelectronique de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier Have you spotted what distinguishes this hand from those you see usually? Count the number of fingers… Continued here

S56

What's Going On with Samuel Alito?   How many people and organizations can Justice Samuel Alito accuse of having bad will or dishonest motives in a short dissent—fewer than nine hundred words—to a Supreme Court order granting a stay? Let's try to count.As a preface, the case involves a lawsuit brought by the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, an advocacy group whose members vow, "in the presence of the Almighty," that they "will not help a woman obtain an abortion." The A.H.M. is attempting to block access to mifepristone, or RU-486, a drug used in medication abortions, in a suit against the Food and Drug Administration, which was joined in the case by a manufacturer of the drug, Danco Laboratories. The F.D.A. approved the drug, in 2000, and expanded access to it in 2016 (permitting its use until the tenth week of pregnancy, rather than the seventh, and reducing the required number of clinic visits from three to one), in 2019 (approving a generic version), and in 2021 (making it available by mail)—changes based on ample evidence of the drug's safety. Continued here

S3

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret: Why Judy Blume's taboo-breaking books 'get' teenagers like no others   Judy Blume's books – more than 25 novels for children and adults – are often celebrated for their openness about sex, menstruation, bullying and other teenage concerns, but if this was their sole strength, it's doubtful people would feel as deeply about them as they do. Her books are often about young people getting to know themselves and learning how to navigate the world, written with sensitivity, compassion and an acute understanding of the things teenagers worry about. More like this: - 12 of the best books of the year so far - A cult novel's 'dangerous' diary - America's greatest living writer? Continued here

S22

Return of the child-friendly city? How social movements are changing European urban areas   Urban development and social norms concerning childhood have led European cities to a situation where streets are no longer places for children and young people. Gill Valentine has explained that this shift has been fuelled by our division of children into two categories – ‘angels’ and ‘demons’. She described how on one hand children are considered too small, vulnerable and innocent to roam and play in urban spaces because of traffic, ‘stranger-danger’ and other hazards. On the other hand, teenagers are constructed as a public threat and should not be allowed to hang out on the streets with their bikes, skateboards and presumably bad intentions. Continued here

S37

Why NZ law should require everyone to report known or suspected child sexual abuse   As the Abuse in Care Royal Commission inquiry has shown, the lifelong and intergenerational consequences of child abuse are devastating. Many children placed in state and religious institutions – often having already experienced harm and hurt – were then abused by those tasked with caring for them.The numerous accounts of horrific abuse over many years have been devastating and heart-breaking. The commission has heard so much evidence that its reporting deadline has been extended until March next year. Continued here

S11

Replacing methane with hydrogen to heat homes is a bad idea -- here's why   Hydrogen is an energy-rich gas, which releases no carbon emissions when burned. It can be used in most equipment where fossil fuels such as natural gas (methane) or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) are currently used. In your home, that might mean a gas boiler, heater, cooker or all three. It can also power combustion-engine vehicles which might otherwise run on petrol. And it can generate enough heat for heavy industry processes such as steelmaking, which is overwhelmingly done by burning coal at present. Continued here

S35

We need a 'lemon law' to make all the homes we buy and rent more energy-efficient   A long-awaited increase in energy-efficiency requirements for new homes is part of revised Australian construction standards taking effect on May 1. All new homes must achieve a minimum 7-star whole-of-home energy rating from October, following a six-month transition period. It’s a crucial step in responding to the climate crisis and decarbonising Australian society. It will also make our homes more affordable and comfortable to live in, and improve our health and wellbeing. Continued here