When we contemplate the beauty of the night sky, we are not aware that these bright stars are not actually in those positions. Due to a physical phenomenon related to the propagation of light, what we observe are virtual positions, displaced with respect to their real locations in the universe. Knowing the precise location of celestial objects […] … learn more→

As our population continues to age, more seniors are expressing a desire to remain in the comfort of their own homes rather than transitioning to assisted living facilities or nursing homes. This growing trend, known as aging in place, has sparked significant innovation in healthcare technology, home modification, and support services that enable older adults […] … learn more→

Could a cyclist’s seat pad determine his performance? Enough to win a Tour and exponentially improve his sporting results? The answer is yes, if this tiny change is combined with many others, such as redesigning the seats, applying alcohol to the wheels to increase their traction, using tights with electrical heating systems to maintain ideal […] … learn more→

A major international test has revealed a concerning gender gap in maths among Australian school students. In the 2023 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), Australia’s boys did much better than girls. Year 4 boys outperformed girls by the equal highest margin out of 58 countries that did the test. The story is not much […] … learn more→

If you use social media, you’ve likely come across deepfakes. These are video or audio clips of politicians, celebrities or others manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI) to make it appear like the person is saying or doing something they haven’t actually said or done. If you are freaked out by the idea of deepfakes, you are not alone. Our […] … learn more→

The growing politicisation and rise in misinformation about the use of puberty blockers for gender-affirming healthcare has resulted in bans and restrictions internationally. New Zealand’s government has tasked the Ministry of Health with consulting the public on whether additional safety measures or regulations should be put in place for puberty blockers. I argue it is inappropriate to open a public consultation […] … learn more→

“If translation tools work miracles, why practice transposing texts from one language to another?” students ask themselves. Far from being trivial, this learning allows us to become truly aware of the subtleties and functioning of the language we are learning. “DeepL works miracles, so why should I learn to translate?” asks a student in a translation course . […] … learn more→

Smartphones – or other devices, such as tablets – are likely to be high on many children and teenagers’ wish lists this festive season. It’s a gift that parents may be apprehensive about giving. Many people have concerns about their children spending too much time in front of a screen as well as the impact of social media on […] … learn more→

Silicon anode batteries made from nanomaterials; recyclable carbon nanotubes; living tissues and organs created in laboratories… The impact of supermaterials on our lives has already begun. Health is the area where the evolution of materials science and engineering is most impactful. Will it be possible to create new artificial organs? Will implants be possible that, […] … learn more→

The financial situation of French higher education is very worrying. At the call of France Université, many higher education institutions are sounding the alarm about “universities in danger”. Beyond the question of resources, it is the way universities are managed that must be questioned, and in particular the measures inspired by new public management, which has revealed […] … learn more→