• Twenty years on from Deep Blue vs Kasparov: how a chess match started the big data revolution

    Mark Robert Anderson, Edge Hill University On the seventh move of the crucial deciding game, black made what some now consider to have been a critical error. When black mixed up the moves for the Caro-Kann defence, white took advantage and created a new attack by sacrificing a knight. In just 11 more moves, white…

  • You can tell more about a person from their Facebook page than by actually meeting them

      Linda Kaye, Edge Hill University and Helen Wall, Edge Hill University We judge people all the time. Research shows that when we first meet someone, we instantly use features such as their attractiveness and facial expressions to form an opinion about how approachable and trustworthy they are. But what about when our first impression…

  • It’s time to end the taboo of sex and intimacy in care homes

    Imagine living in an aged care home. Now imagine your needs for touch and intimacy being overlooked. More than 500,000 individuals aged 65+ (double the population of Cardiff) live in care homes in Britain. Many could be missing out on needs and rights concerning intimacy and sexual activity because they appear to be “designed out”…

  • Tackling youth violence and knife crime

    Let’s be clear, we are not ‘drowning in a tidal wave of youth violence and knife crime’. However, there continues to be irresponsible reporting happening, shaping public opinion and alienating young people in the process. With that said, we can’t ignore that youth violence is the third leading cause of death for young people in…

  • Children’s emotional health and wellbeing

    A new report, Just Health: An Enquiry into the Emotional Health and Wellbeing of Young People in the Youth Justice System, was recently published by Peer Power. The report makes a number of recommendations to improve the emotional support and wellbeing that young people receive in the youth justice system. Responding  to the report, Lord…

  • After 75 years, Isaac Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics need updating

    Mark Robert Anderson, Edge Hill University When science fiction author Isaac Asimov devised his Three Laws of Robotics he was thinking about androids. He envisioned a world where these human-like robots would act like servants and would need a set of programming rules to prevent them from causing harm. But in the 75 years since…

  • Claim of link between intelligence and cannabis use in adolescence provides fresh headache for researcher

    Philip Murphy, Edge Hill University Children with high and medium academic ability at age 11 are more likely to use cannabis in late adolescence compared to children with low academic ability, according to a new study published in BMJ Open. The researchers, from University College London, examined the school records of more than 6,000 children.…

  • How gangs are exploiting children to do their dirty work

      Grace Robinson, Edge Hill University Children as young as 12 have been reported to be doing drug runs in London. Targeting the most vulnerable young people in society – usually looked-after children or those already known to social services – organised crime gangs are using grooming tactics to coerce, manipulate and force young children…

  • Concerns over patient safety in NHS ambulance services are growing

    Keegan Shepard, Edge Hill University Even with all the wonders that modern medicine has to offer, it is clear that patients remain at significant risk while receiving care. And no more so than when in the care of the ambulance service. Patient safety has been a principle in healthcare ever since the 1950s but has…

  • Five top tips for an outstanding UCAS form

    Sarah Wright, Edge Hill University As the final UCAS deadline looms in mid-January, it’s understandable to worry that you don’t have time to complete a quality application that will bag you that place on the course of your dreams. But fear not, because here are some tips for putting together a successful, stand out application.…