You might know if you have A, B, AB or O blood type. Or there’s a small chance your blood might be in one of the dozens of other rarer groups recognised by the International Society of Blood Transfusion. It can be lifesaving for medical staff to know your blood group and be able to find a matching donor. But this has proved impossible for one woman in Guadeloupe.
Scientists have had to use cutting-edge genetic analysis to solve the mystery of her incompatible blood, which has resulted in the identification of the world’s 48th (and rarest) human blood group. And thankfully genetic advances also point to a potential solution: artificially creating compatible red blood cells in a lab.
Followers of the Dalai Lama, who turned 90 this week, fear that China may try to interfere with the selection of his successor. While China has been keen to establish greater control over Tibet for decades, it seems climate change is increasing its interest in the region – and hence in the reincarnation of its spiritual leader.
And a new review suggests antidepressants do not cause significant withdrawal effects. We hear from two scientstists whose work has found the opposite on why they’re sceptical of the new findings.
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Clint Witchalls
Senior Health Editor
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Peter Porrini/Shutterstock.com
Martin L. Olsson, Lund University; Jill Storry, Lund University
Scientists find 48th blood group in woman with no compatible donors.
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Who is going to replace the Dalai Lama? China’s bid to control the succession is controversial.
AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia/Alamy
Tom Harper, University of East London
Access to water is one reason why China sees control over Tibet as increasingly important.
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marevgenna/Shutterstock.com
Mark Horowitz, UCL; Joanna Moncrieff, UCL
Short-term data fails to reveal long-term risks of antidepressant withdrawal.
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Health
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Christian Heiss, University of Surrey
Research shows flavan-3-ols in everyday foods like tea, apples, cocoa and berries may help lower blood pressure and improve blood vessel function.
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Lucie Nield, University of Sheffield; Catherine Homer, Sheffield Hallam University
The advice to “eat less, move more” isn’t just outdated, it’s harmful. Obesity is a chronic condition shaped by biology, environment and inequality.
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Leah McLaughlin, Bangor University
Clarke writes with rare emotional precision, guiding us through unbearable pain and extraordinary hope with the gentlest hand.
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Mollie O'Hanlon, Nottingham Trent University; Carla Baker, Nottingham Trent University; Samantha Abbott, Nottingham Trent University
‘Cycle syncing’, an increasingly popular practice among elite female athletes, involves aligning your training schedule to the phases of your menstrual cycle.
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Environment
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Andrea Taylor, University of Leeds
Italy unofficially names heatwaves, but ‘Lucifer’ was only slightly more effective than ‘Arnold’.
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Stephanie Brown, University of Hull
By sentimentalising the summer of 1976, we strip away its lessons.
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Science + Technology
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Breno Nunes, Aston University; Roberto Castro Alamino, Aston University
Cities like Birmingham should look at the robotic waste collection services already operating in parts of Europe and North America.
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World
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Janine Natalya Clark, University of Birmingham
Animals suffer in war just like humans. But research also tells us they can be very resilient.
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Politics + Society
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Natalie Hodgson, University of Nottingham; Matt Thomason, University of Nottingham
Brian Leveson has recommended more judge-alone trials to address the backlog of nearly 80,000 cases.
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Ernestine Gheyoh Ndzi, York St John University
Parents that have explored shared parental leave have found the policy and process incredibly complex.
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Arts + Culture
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Jane Steventon, University of Portsmouth
Taking an American-eye view of London, Too Much is a smart, funny and affecting perspective on finding love in the city.
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Leah McLaughlin, Bangor University
Clarke writes with rare emotional precision, guiding us through unbearable pain and extraordinary hope with the gentlest hand.
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Dawn Llewellyn, University of Chester; Siobhán Jolley, University of Manchester
What if Mary hated soft play? What if Eve had hot flushes?
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Magnus Marsden, University of Sussex
Historically, fur has mostly marked status, wealth and luxury.
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Business + Economy
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Aybars Tuncdogan, King's College London
It’s not just an IT issue. It should be a core element of any business.]
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1 April - 22 August 2025
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