Psycholinguists from the Center for Language and Brain found that phonological processing skills continue to influence text reading fluency in 15-to-18-year-old adolescents. This finding argues the long-held belief that in this age group the phonological processing skills are not involved in reading. The study was published in PLOS One.

A new monthly series in The Lancet is going beyond clinical diagnoses, tapping experts from the social sciences and humanities, as well as community members from around the world. The resulting cases provide a critical lens into the cultural and social forces that contribute to each patient’s condition — not just the biological factors. Each unpacks a framework or concept in the social sciences and humanities that researchers hope readers will incorporate into their own practice, leadership or policy-making. 

Social justice must be at the heart of global restoration initiatives - and not “superficial” or “tokenistic” - if ecosystem degradation is to be addressed effectively, according to new research.

Led by researchers the University of East Anglia (UEA) the study sought to explore what can make restoration effective for people and nature. Publishing their findings today in Nature Sustainability, they argue that placing social justice at the centre of restoration practice remains vital to success, with ecological targets aligned to local social, economic and cultural ones.

Americans use the swear word “fuck” more frequently on social media than Australians or Britons, but Australians are more creative in its use. The f-word is rarely used in social networks of fewer than 15 people, and people tend to swear more with acquaintances than with friends, according to a recent study from the University of Eastern Finland.

A new study reveals how our brains store and change memories. Researchers investigated episodic memory - the kind of memory we use to recall personal experiences like a birthday party or holiday.

They showed that memories aren’t just stored like files in a computer. Instead, they’re made up of different parts. And while some are active and easy to recall, others stay hidden until something triggers them.

Importantly, the review shows that for something to count as a real memory, it must be linked to a real event from the past. But even then, the memory we recall might not be a perfect copy. It can include extra details from our general knowledge, past experiences, or even the situation we’re in when we remember it.

The team say their work has important implications for mental health, education, and legal settings where memory plays a key role.