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Information overload might seem a modern problem, but try telling that to anyone working in the 1940s. An explosion of books and papers had turned libraries into a nightmare for people trying to research anything.
Leading US engineer Vannevar Bush wrote a landmark essay in 1945 proposing a device called the memex to solve the problem. It would crunch down thousands of documents and intelligently link them, to be accessed at the touch of a keyboard.
Computer scientist Martin Rudolfer explains how the memex helped inspire the internet, and digs out some valuable insights in Bush’s essay on how to minimise the risks of artificial intelligence.
Elsewhere, we look at why the “forever chemical” TFA (trifluoroacetic acid) is polluting UK rivers. We also bring you yet another chapter in the J.K. Rowling controversy – this time concerning a row over a public embroidery artwork, as told by the organiser, art researcher Layla Khoo.
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Steven Vass
Senior Science and Technology Editor
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Vannevar Bush, author of the influential 1945 essay As We May Think.
Associated Press
Martin Rudorfer, Aston University
Leading American engineer and scientist Vannevar Bush thought that the memex was the answer to information nightmare of the 1940s.
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The river Kelvin runs through Glasgow, Scotland.
Jeff Whyte/Shutterstock
Daniel Drage, University of Birmingham
A forever chemical known as TFA is accumulating in our environment, contaminating our rivers, food and even our wine.
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The author with her artwork, A Virtuous Woman.
Layla Khoo, University of Leeds
After two people added the name of author J.K. Rowling to the piece and another embroidered a line of stitches through both instances, things became complicated.
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Health
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Dipa Kamdar, Kingston University
Foot washing is essential for health as well as hygiene
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Jessica Agnew-Blais, Queen Mary University of London
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a serious condition that affects about 3% of women globally.
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Edward Fox, Northumbria University, Newcastle
Love a summer picnic? So do bacteria. Here’s how to stop food poisoning from spoiling your fun.
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Jacqueline Boyd, Nottingham Trent University
Sunburn and skin cancer in pets explained.
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Environment
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Heather Browning, University of Southampton
Community discussions help to explore what the future may hold for animals by 2050.
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World
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John Heathershaw, University of Exeter; Ricardo Soares de Oliveira, Sciences Po
Sensitive business is moving towards more permissive jurisdictions in response to tighter regulations and greater media attention.
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Geoff Beattie, Edge Hill University
The US president blamed his defense secretary for pausing weapons to Ukraine – but why did he not take responsibility?
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Politics + Society
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Matilde Rosina, Brunel University of London
Since 2019, the UK and France have focused on addressing the rise in Channel crossings.
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Gillian McFadyen, Aberystwyth University
Campaigners, academics and groups that support asylum seekers have long called for the UK to introduce “safe and legal routes”.
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Colm Murphy, Queen Mary University of London
History tells us why insurgent parties have struggled to get off the ground.
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Arts + Culture
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Frances Fowle, University of Edinburgh
Depp’s film is an enjoyable romp, but it does the artist a disservice in favouring the more sensational aspects of his life.
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Business + Economy
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Catia Nicodemo, Brunel University of London
Not everyone wants their healthcare to happen on a screen.
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Liz Breen, University of Bradford; Kamran Mahroof, University of Bradford
Lost pallets come at a cost to both businesses and consumers.
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