Debt, in some form or another, is part of our financial profiles whether we like it or not. And it can be a useful way to build wealth if it is managed carefully and wisely. For example, you may borrow money from the bank to buy an asset – a resource of economic value that […] … learn more→

“Like most people I read a book or two on holiday,” says Stuart, a character in Julian Barnes’ 1991 novel Talking it Over. He does not have time for recreational reading; it must wait until he is at leisure. His best friend, the erudite but erratically employed Oliver, derides this attitude. To Oliver, a summer reader […] … learn more→

Science and maths skills are widely celebrated as keys to economic and technological progress, but abstract mathematics may seem bafflingly far from industrial optimisation or medical imaging. Pure mathematics often yields unanticipated applications, but without a time machine to look into the future, how do mathematicians like me choose what to study? Over Thai noodles, […] … learn more→

When will be the year of epidemiology? There will be those who think that it has already been. But those of us who dedicate ourselves to this branch of science know that there will never be a dedicated year because everyone has their own desire and challenges. The year 2022, like the two previous years, has been […] … learn more→

The stock market has taken a dip over the last year or so. The crypto market has been ravaged with people losing millions from legitimate investing. Others lost from investing in crypto firms where the founders took the money and ran. Managing money can be difficult for those without the knowledge to do so. Advisors […] … learn more→

Have you played the puzzle game Tangram? I remember, as a child, being fascinated by how just seven simple wooden triangles and other shapes could offer endless entertainment. Unlike LEGO, the Tangram pieces do not snap together, and unlike the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, they do not form a painted picture. Instead, Tangram invites […] … learn more→

August 22, 2022. Kongsvegen Glacier, 20 km east of Ny Ålesund, in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, as close to the North Pole as Marseille from Paris. That’s it, we have reached the bottom of the glacier, which is 327 meters below our feet. After drilling in the ice for 6 hours, our hot water jet […] … learn more→

One of the things kids love most about the beach is the chance to play with sand. Sand is an excellent material to play with. It is versatile, widely available, open-ended and cheap. Not only is it nature-based, but it involves manipulation, exploration, and construction with materials to create imaginary worlds. On top of being endlessly fun, research […] … learn more→

When practiced on a regular basis, reading has a number of cognitive and emotional benefits . Therefore, identifying the factors that promote this activity is of significant interest, in particular to allow the youngest to benefit as early as possible, and in a lasting way, from these benefits. Among these factors, there is one that can have a […] … learn more→

All children argue. And while this can be tedious for parents and carers, it’s not necessarily a problem. Conflict can help develop social skills, including learning to negotiate, and accommodate the needs of others. But if the conflict is physical, if there is any distress, or if children are stuck in a loop of unproductive complaints […] … learn more→