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While Donald Trump insists his interest in Greenland is all about national security, the world’s largest island also happens to possess some of the richest stores of natural resources – including a potentially huge supply of rare earth elements, critical for the global transition to renewable energy.
Geologist Jonathan Paul catalogues the dizzying array of hydrocarbons, gems (including diamonds), precious metals and critical materials that exist in and around Greenland – and the rare geological conditions that explain this bountiful supply. Much of it, though, is trapped deep under ice. Even with the latest radar surveying technology, progress is slow in prospecting, let alone extracting it.
If you’re struggling with the current cold snap, spare a thought for medieval monks of northern Europe. An expert in medieval history explains that only one room in a monastery was kept warm in winter, and a single woolly hood was the monks’ only dispensation amid the freezing temperatures.
We also bring you the fascinating history of hedgehogs. Did you know that in Britain during the middle ages, they were closely associated with witchcraft?
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Mike Herd
Senior Science and Technology Editor
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Greenland’s concentration of natural resource wealth is tied to its hugely varied geological history over the past 4 billion years.
Jane Rix/Shutterstock
Jonathan Paul, Royal Holloway, University of London
Greenland’s rare earth element deposits may be among the world’s largest by volume.
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A medieval woodcutter chops down branches for firewood.
Bequest of George Blumenthal, 1941
Giles Gasper, Durham University
Warm rooms were often very unusual in medieval times.
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Part of an illustration by an unknown artist from around 1250 showing a hedgehog stealing fruit.
Getty Open Content.
Kate Davies, Nottingham Trent University
In the past British people believed hedgehogs could cause harm and damage livestock, and even that witches could transform into them.
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Politics + Society
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Joe Greenwood-Hau, University of Glasgow
People are often uncomfortable recognising how their backgrounds have helped them in their own lives.
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Francesco Grillo, Bocconi University
A world without a world order is a much greater problem for Europe than for any other economy of the world.
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Education
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Paty Paliokosta, Kingston University; Alison Baverstock, Kingston University
Look for an in-person or online book group or read-along, and make reading social.
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Arts + Culture
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Will Shüler, Royal Holloway, University of London
The experimental Belgian theatre director believes Miller’s works lend themselves well to the emotional savagery of Greek tragedy.
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Roberta Garrett, University of East London
Hamnet turns Anne Hathaway from a shrew to a sorceress.
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Environment
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Will de Freitas, The Conversation
This roundup of The Conversation’s climate coverage was first published in our award-winning weekly climate action newsletter, Imagine. 2025 was a brutal year for the climate: record temperatures, ever…
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John Harvey, University of Edinburgh; University of Exeter; Peter Alexander, University of Edinburgh; Sarah Crowley, University of Exeter
Dog feeding is a substantial part of the food system, not a side issue.
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Science + Technology
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Lee Cronin, University of Glasgow
Chemistry is often presented as one of the most advanced sciences, yet its day-to-day practice remains surprisingly manual.
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World
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Basil Germond, Lancaster University
The use of unresigistered or falsely registered ships by Russia and other countries trying to avoid sanctions is becoming an increasing feature of global conflict.
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Health
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Dipa Kamdar, Kingston University
Why melatonin is not a simple fix for childhood sleep problems.
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Mark Wilkinson, University of Sheffield
Around 6% of NHS hip replacements were performed in patients aged 50 or younger.
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Sam West, University of Oxford; Dimitrios Koutoukidis, University of Oxford; Susan Jebb, University of Oxford
New weight loss jabs work brilliantly – but only while you’re taking them. The rebound is fast, and the cost-effectiveness unclear.
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