Steve Williams

A photo of a man wearing glasses and blue jumper, Dr Daniel Devine, Associate Professor of Politics at the University of Southampton, alongside a quote reading: "The worst takeaway for Labour will be to ‘swing right’ to counter Reform. It seems to be losing most votes to the left, and there is a consensus in research that suggests going right will only benefit Reform. "The results should make parties think seriously about electoral reform. We do not live in a two-party country. "As it is, a party can win an election on perhaps 25% of the vote. This is not sustainable."

Dr Daniel Devine says it would be a mistake for Labour to 'swing right' after Reform UK made gains in the local elections.

He also says the First-past-the-post voting system is not sustainable.

@danjdevine.bsky.social
@sotonpolitics.bsky.social

Eating only during daytime could help protect shift workers heart... The team worked with 20 healthy and young participants during a two-week period.

Do you snack during a night shift? Our researchers have found that it might be better for your health to wait until the day time.

www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/art...

Who does Spiderman vote for? Study shows people project their political views onto fictional heroes and villains Respondents thought the good guys would share their political views while the baddies would vote for the opposite party.

Who does Spiderman vote for? How about Darth Vader?

Read about @turnbulldugarte.com's latest study showing how people project their political views onto fictional heroes and villains.

theconversation.com/who-does-spi...

📢ANALYSIS: UK emissions fell 3.6% in 2024 to lowest since 1872

🏭Coal lowest since 1666, when Great Fire ravaged London
🚗EVs pushed oil down despite more traffic, saving £1.7bn
🌇Gas down on "cleanest ever" power
📈📉Since 1990, CO2 -54% / GDP +84%

www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/9

Fascinating research from @sotonpolitics.bsky.social which helps to explain the rise of right-wing populism in countries around the world.

End-of-life care challenging for paramedics, says Southampton Uni study A study has revealed that end-of-life care demand is challenging for paramedics and that more needs to be done to ease pressure.

Great to see this story covered by the BBC. Important research which give you a window into some of the really challenging scenarios paramedics face when caring for people at the end of life.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Researchers to listen to cities through optical fibre networks Researchers to listen to cities through optical fibre networks

Did you know that the optical fibres that provide our internet can be turned into listening devices?

No, this isn't a conspiracy theory! It's a new technology called Distributed Acoustic Sensing being explored by University of Southampton researchers.

www.southampton.ac.uk/news/2025/02...

How a mindful hobby could help you break your after-work ‘doomscrolling’ habit Many people have successfully replaced their ‘doomscrolling’ habit with a hobby.

This article by @dremmaclaire.bsky.social could be required reading over the next few days... months... years.

Feels like it's rarely been more important to take control of what you give your attention to.
theconversation.com/how-a-mindfu...

Thanks for covering this fascinating story @mjflepage.bsky.social!

Antibacterials are everywhere: for the sake of our microbiome, we need to control their use A new bill looking to control antibacterials in everyday products was recently debated in the House of Lords.

Fascinating article from @unisouthampton.bsky.social infectious disease experts about the harm antibacterial products are doing to our microbiome.

Well done to @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social for championing legislation to tackle this.

theconversation.com/antibacteria...

How smaller, more affordable electric cars can accelerate the green transition When lower-income households face affordability barriers, it’s not just their problem – it’s the missing link to achieving a full switch to electric vehicles.

For every 100 cars sold in Norway, nearly 90 are electric, thanks to generous subsidies. It's set to become the first country to sell only zero emission vehicles - by the end of this year!

Please can we start copying and pasting from Scandinavia!

theconversation.com/how-smaller-...

Billionaires bankroll US politics, but voters could demand a fairer system Some are calling for wealth caps and reduced political influence.

University of Southampton researchers say the ultra-wealthy may have inadvertently strengthened the case for sweeping reforms aimed at limiting their power and wealth. Here's hoping 🤞

theconversation.com/billionaires...

#Sun sun sun, here it comes...

Tyrannosaur teeth discovered in Bexhill-on-Sea with help of retired quarryman Tyrannosaur teeth discovered in Bexhill-on-Sea with help of retired quarryman

Our researchers have revealed that Tyrannosaur, Spinosaur and Velociraptor-like dinosaurs roamed East Sussex 135 million years ago 🦖

They analysed fossilised teeth found by a retired quarryman in Bexhill-on-Sea.

Find out more 👉 brnw.ch/UoS_News_Din...

Follow our incredible science and environment experts here on Bluesky!

If we've missed you and you'd like to be added to the starter pack, comment below👇

We'll be creating more for different specialisms soon, so keep an eye out for them.

#Science #Environment #AcademicSky
go.bsky.app/3diqjKq

Feels like a bit of a tipping point for BlueSky!

Vitamin D during pregnancy boosts children’s bone health even at age seven Vitamin D during pregnancy boosts children’s bone health even at age seven

Our researchers have found that children whose mothers took extra vitamin D during pregnancy continue to have stronger bones at age seven!

www.southampton.ac.uk/news/2024/11...

Attack of the David Attenborough AI Clones: 'My Identity Is Being Stolen' U.K. broadcaster David Attenborough is 'profoundly disturbed' that AI clones of his voice are proliferating online.

“When you have a trusted voice that people recognize as an authority, as a voice of truth, and then to have words put in his mouth about war, politics and things that he has never said or may not ever endorse - it’s very concerning,” says Dr Jennifer Williams.
www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv...

Resilience index needed to keep us within planet’s ‘safe operating space’ Resilience index needed to keep us within planet’s ‘safe operating space’

As COP29 opens with a speech hailing fossil fuels, and the UK government vows to deregulate for economic growth, this is timely research.

Researchers have proposed a 'resilience index' which takes 'planetary boundaries' into account as an alternative to GDP.
www.southampton.ac.uk/news/2024/11...

Long Covid could cost the economy billions every year Long Covid could cost the economy billions every year

Around two million people in the UK have long Covid.

A new study suggests working days lost to the condition could be costing the economy billions every year.
www.southampton.ac.uk/news/2024/11...

Five ways that climate change threatens human health Everyone working in health needs to prepare for and be equipped to respond to the health consequences of the climate crisis.

Five ways that climate change threatens human health:

1. New and emerging infectious diseases
2. Food security and nutrition
3. Access to healthcare
4. Air quality
5. Extreme heat

From University of Southampton researchers Michael Head and Jessica Boxall.
theconversation.com/five-ways-th...

Great fact! Is there a term like that which describes humans and all our various microbes (hair, skin, gut etc.)?

What's the book?