science

December 26, 2024

Best of 2024: Five must-read articles from the Science section

This year, the Nobel Prizes for Chemistry, Physics, and Physiology or Medicine went to computational protein predictions, machine learning in artificial neural networks, and miRNA, respectively – incredible discoveries, changing the future of science. These are only a few examples from the bucketfuls of published papers, awe-inspiring lab results and advances in scientific theory

17-year-old Ananya Prasanna shines a spotlight on her favourite Science articles from the past year

December 26, 2024

Sri Lanka survivors remember the Indian Ocean tsunami, 20 years on

On 26 December 2004, the Indian Ocean tsunami struck, one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent history. The tsunami affected 18 countries around the Indian Ocean, including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand, claiming the lives of at least 225,000 people and causing immense environmental devastation. Harbingers’ Magazine spoke to some of the survivors in Galle, who are still feeling the impact of the experience, 20 years later

15-year-old Anastasia Kulikova revisits the tragedy of the Boxing Day tsunami on its 20th anniversary

December 19, 2024

Everything you know about pitbulls is wrong

The negative stereotypes of pitbull dogs, labelling them as aggressive and dangerous, have been around for too long. The bias has affected the perception of this sweet dog breed. Almost everything you’ve heard isn’t true

18-year-old Emilia Wilkin defends pitbull dogs against negative stereotypes about their behaviour

December 12, 2024

YouTuber social experiments: Where do we draw the line?

Popular American YouTuber ‘Nikocado Avocado’ broke the internet with a video posted in September that revealed the “grand social experiment” (his words) that he had been conducting for the past two years

15-year-old Hesandi Ravisinghe unpacks Youtuber Nikocado Avocado’s controversial online persona

December 06, 2024

How the devastating floods in Valencia took hundreds of lives

A year’s worth of rain fell in Valencia in just eight hours on 29 October 2024, resulting in massive floods, at least 220 deaths and about 80 people missing, prompting Spanish authorities to deploy 10,000 troops and police officers

17-year-old Ashley Solace reports on the effects of the climate change-driven catastrophe in Spain

December 06, 2024

Australia braces for bushfire season as COP29 comes under fire

A new bushfire season begins in Australia, and firefighters, as always, struggle to fight back. Meanwhile, simultaneous storm events damage infrastructure and electricity supply. Australia’s problems are indicative of a global increase in the scope and scale of natural disasters

17-year-old Olivia Campbell reports on the bushfires ravaging the state of Victoria

December 06, 2024

Mobile phones are the defining technology of my generation

Mobile technology was developed for communication. It is a tool that is used to transfer information from one person to another person or one part of the world to another. Mobile technology has helped to spread education and research

14-year-old Santoshi Gurung of the Nepali Newsroom examines the pros and cons of mobile phones

November 22, 2024

Why love, hate and fear play a crucial role in evolution

The Ancient Greek poet Sappho wrote this lyric, a description of the cardiocentric view of emotions, where emotion is linked to the heart. Centuries later, the Greek physician Galen moved our focus beyond the limits of the ribcage, with his theory that the brain is our emotional cortex

17-year-old Ananya Prasanna explains how our emotions are key to our survival as a species

November 14, 2024

Why a conflict over Taiwan could damage the global economy

The global supply chain for semiconductors is at great risk due to current Chinese aggression in the Taiwan Strait, the crucial body of water separating the island of Taiwan from mainland China

16 year-old Noah Saphier explains tensions over Taiwan and the impact of a possible war with China

November 07, 2024

Coral catastrophe: The race to save Sri Lanka’s fragile reefs

Coral reefs are some of the most important resources in the tropics, alongside mangroves and seagrass beds. Humans rely heavily on coral reefs, thanks to their benefits to the tourism and building industries, and for coastal protection. They are home to a quarter of the world’s marine species, and provide food and resources to half a billion people across the globe

15 year-old Lisindi Liyanage explores the devastating damage to Sri Lanka’s coral reefs

October 31, 2024

What I found retracing Steinbeck’s steps in The Grapes of Wrath

Back in June, fascinated by the sensory richness and moving power of Steinbeck’s writing, and finding parallels between the socioeconomic and climate-related conditions of immigrants today and the migrants of the 1930s, I embarked on my own quest across the “Mother Road” of Route 66

17 year-old Justin Sau finds links between the migrant workers of the 1930s and today

October 24, 2024

Moving on from the past: Abortion should be a constitutional right

Ahead of the US election, abortion rights are a crucial issue for many young women—including myself. Here's a look back at the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v Wade, the consequences so far, and where presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump stand on abortion

17 year-old Alia Saphier explains the controversy around abortion rights in the US

October 17, 2024

What is the debate surrounding marijuana use?

Legislation around marijuana differs from country to country. Some allow its use for recreational and medical purposes, while many still ban it as an illegal drug. With its increasing medical uses, its overall impact and risk are becoming more overlooked

18 year-old Emilia Wilkin discusses marijuana use around the world

October 10, 2024

How to stay sane during the college application process

The process of applying to university has been an incredibly stressful time for me. I have questioned my decisions and abilities, and struggled with time management. Thousands of people go through this process every year

17 year-old Maria Mitko shares her experience and gives advice on applying to college

October 10, 2024

Exercise is not a cure-all: we should support mental health with compassion, not pressure

Exercise is often praised as a natural mood booster, and research shows that physical activity can improve mental well-being. But we need to approach the subject with more sensitivity, as not everyone can simply ‘get moving’

16 year-old Anna Wilkin explores the complex relationship between exercise and well-being

October 10, 2024

Dying jobs - will AI shape the future of employment?

Due to the rapid development of technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), jobs are swiftly disappearing. Over the last few years, some traditional jobs have gone for good. Supermarket cashiers have already been replaced by self-service checkouts, while many assembly line workers have been replaced by cheaper, more efficient, automated machinery. But some jobs will continue to remain essential

15 year-old Anastasia Kulikova on the phenomenon of ‘dying jobs’ in the age of tech advancement

September 26, 2024

How media stereotypes of the medical profession damage perceptions and patient care

Whether through TV, film or literature, the motives of creatives are not to portray our healthcare professionals positively or even accurately, but rather to entertain

17 year-old Ananya Prasanna explores stereotypes of surgeons as arrogant, aggressive and uncaring

September 12, 2024

The fentanyl crisis is 'destroying lives'

In Mexico, official figures of fentanyl are sparse, but there have likely been thousands of deaths due to the drug. In Tijuana, a city controlled primarily by the Sinaloa Cartel, people die from overdoses daily. Despite a growing problem, many believe president-elect Claudia Sheinbaum will continue her predecessor’s policy of treating the drug cartels with “hugs, not bullets”

17 year-old Inika Singh explores the lucrative but deadly business of the infamous Sinaloa Cartel

September 04, 2024

It was painful and horrible - why my acne made me feel different from others

My struggles with acne started from the age of 11 and for years I felt different from others. My journey taught me a lot, most importantly that it is only temporary

15 year-old Eliza Tomaszewska shares her struggles with acne and what others can learn from her journey

September 02, 2024

Issues professional athletes face from the perspective of a young figure skater

Figure skating is my life and biggest passion, but I almost quit because of the pressures I had to deal with as a young athlete. Many people I have come across share similar feelings about the highs and lows of figure skating. But they wouldn’t give it up for the world

15 year-old Helena Ruszkowska takes us behind the scenes in the world of ice-skating competitions and the pressures young athletes face

August 29, 2024

How the world’s first pig-kidney transplant operation could save lives

Doctors in Massachusetts have changed the face of medicine, after carrying out the world’s first kidney transplant operation using an organ from a pig. Although this procedure shows spectacular progress and promises to open a new range of treatments for patients in the future, critics have commented on ethical concerns

17 year-old Ayanna Rohil explains the significance of a pioneering transplant operation in the US

August 27, 2024

What is mpox and why is it an ‘international public health emergency’?

The viral infection, which is transmitted through close contact and causes symptoms including chills, body aches and lesions, spread rapidly from the Democratic Republic of Congo to nearby countries

15 year-old Helena Ruskowska reports on recent updates on the mpox virus and the advice issued by health experts

August 08, 2024

How can America learn from Netflix’s Sex Education?

The show's success and relevance is not just due to its own quality, it's also because American sex education is not as effective as it should be. A lack of comprehensive sex education doesn’t mean a more or less conservative new generation — it means a less educated one

16 year-old Sanjana Senthil explores the problems with sex education programs in the US

August 08, 2024

Should poaching and hunting be illegal?

Hunting is one of the oldest causes of animal extinction and endangerment. The problem is that prohibition could be financially disadvantageous – because many countries rely on the tourism and fashion industries, in which animals play an important part

15 year-old Lisindi Liyanage from Sri Lanka examines the morality and necessity of killing animals

August 08, 2024

Space tourism – Is it just a dream or reality?

In our current time, concepts that were formerly exclusive to science fiction are starting to become reality as the topic of space travel is being explored by entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson

18 year-old Katarzyna Rynkiewicz on whether trips to the great unknown in our solar system could be part of our regular holiday destinations

August 08, 2024

How to start and keep a healthy diet without feeling overwhelmed

A balanced diet, rich in essential nutrients, enhances immune defence and promotes overall vitality. However, contemporary diets trends increasingly lean towards fast foods and processed items which has resulted in a surge of health issues

15 year-old Oliver Stachowiak examines the harms of added sugars offering steps for a balanced diet without feeling deprived

August 06, 2024

How five overlooked female inventors changed our lives for the better

Women have made a significant impact on the world for hundreds of years. Their inventions may be widely known or used, from navigating us across the globe to saving time and lives. But do we know the faces of those behind them?

17-year-old Maria Mitko shares the stories of the women behind some of our world’s inventions that have helped change our lives for the better

August 05, 2024

Ten free self-care tips for Gen Z

In our busy academic and social lives, self-care is essential. It’s not just about treating yourself, it's about staying healthy and balanced. Thankfully, self-care doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag

13 year-old Lilly Stachowiak explains the importance of self-care and shares examples for Gen Z

August 02, 2024

Microtrends are the death of individuality – we should be wary of overconsumption

Microtrends are not subcultures. Rather than building a timeless closet, consisting of a foundation customisable to fit your style, people often opt for trending items. While this is great for businesses, microtrend consumerism is having a profound impact on our environment and individuality

17 year-old Maria Mitko hits out at the overconsumption of microtrends that ‘kills individuality’ across the world

August 01, 2024

Forgotten herstory: five female scientists who changed the world

When I’m looking through my textbooks, I often see prominent male scientists described as ‘the father of.’ The same doesn’t go for women involved in discoveries, who are often hidden behind their male counterparts

17 year-old Ananya Prasanna shines a light on women in maths, palaeontology, chemistry and biology

July 31, 2024

The hottest day of the year: a heatwave is coming

July 30, was recorded as the hottest day of the year in the UK, with the temperature reaching 32°C in London. The next few days, forecasted to be around the same temperatures, are expected to bring an official heatwave. But for those in Oxford, where the temperature reached 30°C, people have very different approaches to the hot weather

17 year-old Maria Mitko reports on the recent bout of extreme heat in Oxford, UK

July 20, 2024

Trump and Vance kept silent on abortion at RNC, in effort to secure more women’s votes

Donald Trump and JD Vance did not mention reproductive rights even once during their acceptance speeches at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

15 year-old Nell Dethloff on the political strategy behind top Republicans’ silence on abortion

July 16, 2024

How the US election could impact tackling climate change

As US President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump race for the White House, the results of the November 5 election will strongly impact the global response to climate change

17 year-old Jefferson He analyses the link between the White House and greenhouse gas emissions

July 11, 2024

Interesting facts about the galaxy you should know about

Studying galaxies helps us understand the universe's history, structure and evolution, opening us up to an extraordinary space that we often overlook in our daily lives

16 year-old Sama explores the world beyond our solar system and facts about our universe

June 27, 2024

The dangerous rise of diabetes in South Asia

The rate of diabetes is increasing drastically across the world, but particularly in developing countries such as Sri Lanka and India. With expensive treatments, there is a rising importance to follow precautions to better protect health expenditure

15 year-old Lisindi Liyanage explores the past, present and future of diabetes in Sri Lanka

June 27, 2024

Academic achievements do not define people

It is important to remember that arts-oriented subjects also require discipline and hard work. Simply because they require a different skill set to that of STEM subjects does not mean they should be overlooked

16 year-old Anna Wilkin explains why good grades aren’t the only way to measure success

June 13, 2024

NHS doctors at breaking point: long hours, low pay, physical and mental stress

This is the impact of public-sector strikes. Education stopped; healthcare workers not caring for sick people, backlogs, longer waiting lists. But strikes are happening for a reason. To stop the strikes and bring back order to our government-funded services, we must address the root of the problem

17 year-old Ananya Prasanna explores why junior doctors are striking for better pay and conditions

June 06, 2024

Nineteen Eighty-Four: past, present and future

Nineteen Eighty-Four drew inspiration from the rise of totalitarian regimes by frightening readers with the threat of surveillance and loss of privacy. But what does that say about society today, where almost everyone has phones, tablets, computers, and smartwatches

17 year-old Justin Sau discusses the enduring relevance of Orwell’s masterpiece on its 75th birthday

May 30, 2024

Sri Lanka’s Moragahakanda dam project is an environmental disaster

The bar for one of Sri Lanka’s largest and supposedly most conservation-oriented development projects has been set so low that it has caused more damage than progress

14 year-old Hesandi Ravisinghe weighs up the pros and cons of a crucial irrigation project

May 16, 2024

Explainer: What is the blue economy?

As sustainability becomes significantly more prevalent in government policy, a goal for corporations, and a focus of social activism, the blue economy has the potential to shape millions of lives

18 year-old Nadia Diakowska explains the blue economy and its impact on youth employment

May 09, 2024

Murder or holy grail? The controversies in stem cell medicine

In the field of regenerative medicine, the use of stem cells is a highly debated issue. With vast medical progress and promising results experts can’t help but ask “Is it worth one life if you can save thousands, or millions?”

17 year-old Swara Kulkarni examines the future of regenerative medicine

April 25, 2024

Bugs for dinner? Why eating insects is good for you…

Insects are one of the most sustainable food sources we have. Across the world, eating insects remains an important tradition. But not in the West – instead, there are fierce stigmas that surround entomophagy

17 year-old Anna Louise Lovat explains entomophagy and why it could be the next big thing

April 18, 2024

The impact of climate change in Australia

In Australia, every decade since 1950 has been warmer. In New South Wales, the most populous state in Australia, locals share how the regularity of seasons has changed

14 year-old Anastasia Kulikova on the detrimental and highly influential effects of climate change in New South Wales

April 05, 2024

Hundreds of Sri Lankan elephant deaths are caused by human activity

Urbanisation and habitat loss has created a ‘frontline’ of worsening conflict between humans and elephants with deadly consequences for both

14 year-old Hesandi Ravisinghe on rising threats against the elephant population

March 29, 2024

The importance of striking a healthy balance on social media

Social media is a realm where borders blur, friendships transcend geographical barriers, and voices resound across continents. But in the vast world of online platforms, we must use these tools wisely to avoid the growing dangers it can pose

17 year-old Shanhaza and 15 year-old Mahwa warn of the dangers hidden in social media’s vast potential

March 29, 2024

Seven things you need to know about eating disorders

Eating disorders, which are among the deadliest mental illnesses, are on the rise worldwide. This article aims to delve into the history and nature of eating disorders, as well as explore the different types of support systems available

17 year-old Maria Mitko sheds light on the prevalence of eating disorders among young people

March 22, 2024

Camembert on the ‘verge of extinction’ – What does this mean for cheese production?

Camembert cheese, one of Normandy’s most precious exports, is ‘under threat’ with its dangerous lack of fungi reproductivity. With a strain to meet high demand, will we soon see this cheese disappear for good?

18 year-old Sofia Radysh explains the challenges facing the popular delicacy

March 22, 2024

Why are we resistant to traditional offices, and how can we repurpose vacant spaces?

I think my generation is so accustomed to online schooling that we can’t imagine ourselves working from an office. With both a climate and global housing crisis, we could repurpose these spaces to provide a much needed solution

18 year-old Nadia Diakowska on a work-from-home culture and reusing empty offices

March 22, 2024

What young Afghan women want to achieve in the world of technology

Despite bans on women’s education and rights in Afghanistan, technology is enabling them to look beyond their restrictive environment to gain more knowledge and chase their dreams

13 year-old Naziya surveys Afghan women on the potential of technology as a tool of income and education

March 22, 2024

Ways to maintain a healthy and balance lifestyle

Taking time to focus on our habits, our lifestyle choices, and what we put into our bodies, can be difficult and sometimes confronting but taking care of yourself is important undertaking

16 year-old Swita shares her guide to living a healthier lifestyle

March 15, 2024

‘Extremely alarming’ – Concern raised over global obesity increase amongst young people

Current trends predict a 100% increase of childhood obesity between 2020 and 2035. Despite expert warnings, many countries are failing to address the ‘structural drivers’ of obesity to halt rising levels

17 year-old Sofia Radysh reports on rising global health concerns

March 08, 2024

How many water bottles is too many? The state of overconsumption in America

Stanley Cups recently saw an astronomical increase in sales coupled with a social media craze. Companies continue to capitalize on the fear of missing out and influencer-led marketing campaigns

17 year-old Christian Yeung speaks with economy expert Brianne Foley

March 01, 2024

10 things you should know about Nepal

From festivals and culture to world heritage sites and areas of natural beauty, teenage journalists in Kathmandu each share one fact about their home country Nepal

Teenagers aged 11-18 from the Mountain Children Home share the beauty of Nepal

March 01, 2024

Key things you should know about quantum physics

All of modern technology relies on quantum physics. Phones, TVs, watches, vehicles, and computers only work because of our understanding of electrons' behaviour. Quantum physics is an incredibly important field with many more developments to come

17 year-old Sofia Radysh breaks down the complex science into a basic guide

March 01, 2024

Why growing up as a young woman is scary: A teen’s perspective from Poland

Despite the global progress made in women’s rights in the past few decades, Poland still has a long way to go. The country’s strict abortion laws, gender pay gap and prescribed lifestyle for a woman’s future fills me with fear

17 year-old Maria Mitko on the daunting reality of womanhood

February 16, 2024

Oligopolies on the vaccine market hindered saving lives - should Pfizer have profited?

With the UK’s ongoing Covid inquiry, in which an independent organisation is examining the British government's response to the pandemic, it is worth asking – should this essential drug have ever been for-profit?

16 year-old Ananya Prasanna examines the profit incentives driving pharmaceutical advancement

February 16, 2024

Miracle drug Selinexor hopes to combat a cancer with over a 90% mortality rate

As trials for Glioblastoma continue to progress, Selinexor will undergo more rigorous processes for FDA approval. However, this miracle drug is currently the guiding beacon to many cancer patients’ lives

16 year-old Swara Kulkarni on the early signs of success in clinical trials

February 09, 2024

‘Never-ending search for the snooze button’. Can AI replace humans in writing poetry?

Long considered one of the purest forms of human emotion and expression, will AI be able to produce works that resonate on a profoundly human level like poetry should? Finnish author Jukka Aalho may hold the answer

17 year-old Justin Sau analyses computer-generated poems

February 09, 2024

‘Save the bees!’ Of course, but which bees?

The trending surge to protect bees has seen more global attention directed towards the preservation on honey bees - with little funding being awarded to the vast majority of wild bees existing outside the public eye

17 year-old Anna Lovat on the endangered world of 20,000 species

February 02, 2024

Do dogs feel guilty? I think not - you’ve conditioned them that way

It would be nice to believe that our furry pets do share a similar behavioural conscience to us - explaining exactly why they are man’s best friend. Well, science might not be on your side

17 year-old Sofia Radysh outlines the science behind the typical ‘guilty face’

February 02, 2024

‘The south is being left behind’. UNCTAD summit raises concerns over the current international order

With the largest grouping of the global south, the G77 January summit aimed to address the growing gap leaving developing countries behind amidst climate, humanitarian and economic concerns

17 year-old Sofiya Suleimenova reports on the ‘cascading crisis’ in the global South

January 26, 2024

The rise of careless consumerism among young people

Rapid consumerism fueled by short trend cycles are promoting an unsustainable mindset among the young that clothes are temporary and easily replaceable, ignoring the environmental crisis

17 year-old Shriya Kalluri explores the link between social media and fast-fashion

January 26, 2024

Shadowy, CIA-affiliated Palantir should not be trusted with NHS patients' data

Palantir Technologies has very quickly become a crucial entity in the lives of all Britons, coming into possession of sensitive UK health data. But how do you know about the company’s past?

16 year-old Camilla Savelieva on the legal and moral questions of big data entering the public sector

January 19, 2024

The world’s biggest iceberg is almost gone

A British polar research ship has begun exploring A23a - an iceberg that recently started moving after decades of stabilisation

17 year-old Sofia Radysh on the last few predicted months of A23a’s existence

January 19, 2024

We shouldn’t trust AI in courts - Here’s why

AI has already opened many avenues but within the legal system it was integrated far earlier than most would expect. Police data, on which these software train on, contain a long history of bias that one can’t help but question the validity of its predictions

17 year-old Cressida Anness Lorenz on the dangers of data bias

January 05, 2024

The lethal surge: How fentanyl addiction has taken hold of young Americans

Opioid addiction in the US is a “public health crisis” with a significant and fatal impact on the youth. Education on the dangers and dosage is a necessity for young people to protect themselves

16 year-old Camilla Savelieva reports on painkiller dependency

December 22, 2023

“Wrap your mattresses!” French residents take action against bedbug crisis

The ‘crisis’ has been everywhere - across social media sites and national newspapers, highlighting the widespread panic. But what are these bugs and how is Paris trying to fight them off?

17 year-old Sofia Radysh answers the key questions and concerns over the outbreak

December 22, 2023

COP28: Youth demands to be heard on climate justice on global stage

With the largest youth generation in history, young people have taken to the global stage to highlight their concerns and participate in climate change policy-making

17 year-old Sofiya Suleimenova reports on the COP28

December 15, 2023

We need to break the mental health stigma in football. Here is why

Mental health among football players is overlooked, despite being equally vital as their performance on the pitch. I strongly believe it deserves equal attention and recognition

16 year-old Isaaq Hussain argues against the culture of mental health suppression in football

December 15, 2023

“We aren’t faking it.” Tic sufferer warns over condition’s representation on social media

From mediaeval peasants plagued by an uncontrollable urge to dance, to nuns experiencing mass possessions in convents - mass sociogenic illnesses (MSIs) have played a role in history and can also be seen in the present day

16 year-old Ananya Prasanna reports on mass social media-induced illnesses (MSMIs)

December 01, 2023

‘Panda diplomacy’: How furry mammals are used in China’s foreign relations

Recognised across the world for being cute and cuddly, pandas are lesser known for their involvement in global diplomacy

17 year-old Sofia Radysh on the shift in Beijing’s panda policy

November 24, 2023

Since 1960, the contraceptive pill has revolutionized women's lives. One woman financed the research

The invention of the pill not only gave women the opportunity to plan parenthood, it revolutionized Western societies in gender equality. The pill allowed women to stay in education longer, and pursue professional careers

17 year-old Flora Lodd on the history and future of hormonal contraception

November 17, 2023

Seven things you need to know about the UK Covid inquiry

The COVID-19 inquiry has become the focal point of current affairs in the UK. This guide aims to break down the independent inquiry and answer frequently asked questions

17-year-old Jinn Ong explains the inquiry into the UK’s handling of COVID-19

November 10, 2023

Learning from Indigenous communities can drive sustainability amid the climate crisis

Indigenous communities make up only 6% of the global population but they conserve 80% of biodiversity. Sustainable practices and respect for the environment are built into their social doctrine which has been passed on for generations

Sanaa Pasha interviews climate activist Yusuf Baluch and Growing up Green founder Amy Campbell

November 10, 2023

Police arrested 26 climate protestors for ‘serious disruption’ –- Thunberg among those charged

Among protestors stood 20 year-old Greta Thunberg who highlighted before her arrest that they “have no choice but to disrupt” because “our world is being swept away by greenwashing and lies”

17 year-old Sofiya Suleimenova reports on the Swedish activist’s legal trouble

November 10, 2023

Florida is in the middle of ‘Hurricane DeSantis’ but there will be a rainbow after the storm

Florida may serve as a global punchline, symbolizing a strained political atmosphere, internal divisions, and challenges to democratic values within the United States, but the state holds profound significance for the individuals who call it home

16 year-old Emily Dorman on Ron DeSantis’ triad

November 10, 2023

Dust Unto Dust. On my 50th birthday, the only sound from the Ferris wheel will be the dirge of rusty gears

Fifty years. A golden anniversary. A mere blink in the timeline. Before me looms the menacing road of another half-century, dotted with metallic towers that rise from the ground

16 year-old Justin Sau pictures the year 2057

November 03, 2023

"We can drive systemic change" - Filmmaker urges youth to take action in climate crisis

A feature documentary in production, ‘1.5 Degrees of Peace’, aims to start conversations in the fields of climate justice, peace and disarmament through the power of storytelling

17 year-old Sofiya Suleimenova interviews Kasha Slavner

November 03, 2023

The Thalidomide scandal. A history of greed and neglect that shaped contemporary clinical trials

Thalidomide was a tragedy that is often forgotten and a clear violation of human rights, but it shaped the strenuous clinical trials that take place today. Without the toll of Thalidomide, drug production may not be as safe as it is today

16 year-old Ananya Prasanna on the lesson from pharmaceutical scandal

October 27, 2023

Glioblastoma. What’s being done about the cancer with over a 90% mortality rate?

Glioblastoma is a type of cancer which ravages the brain, causing cell death. With 12,000 people being diagnosed with glioblastoma every year, this is truly a cause worth fighting for

16 year-old Swara Kulkarni was the runner-up for the Harbinger Prize in Science

October 27, 2023

2023 set another record in temperatures. How will the climate crisis impact the economy?

Climate change does not only affect the economy when disasters occur – it impacts the economic wellbeing of people around the world through hard-to-perceive destruction of infrastructure, disruption of global supply chains, and the effect on agriculture

17 year-old Nadia Diakowska on the cost of the warmest September on record

October 27, 2023

Denying treatment because women could get pregnant? That’s a new level of toxic absurdity

Women cannot be stripped of basic services, like healthcare, because of their so-called ‘function’, and the word ‘woman’ should not be synonymous with ‘mother’

17 year-old Sofiya Tkachenko speaks against curbing women’s rights in the US

October 20, 2023

At 12, I promised myself a hysterectomy. That’s how ignorance of menstrual health tortures girls

Young girls like me will continue to suffer because periods are taboo and we are told period cramps are supposed to hurt. The pain of endometriosis is instead chalked up to female sensitivities, low pain tolerance, and the joys of womanhood

17 year-old Erin Walshaw was the runner-up in the Harbinger Prize in Reporting

October 20, 2023

Visiting Himalayan vineyards. ‘In a century, Bhutan may be the only winemaking country in the world’

Bhutan may change all we know about wine. Planted in 2022 in Southern Bhutan, Mike’s Gelephu vineyard is an experiment in ‘reverse cycle harvest’. It is an example of how sustainability can become the driving force for innovation and economic growth

18 year-old Diar Boranbayev interviews Bhutan’s first-ever winemaker

October 13, 2023

Brains grown in a petri dish. On the potential of organoid intelligence

The human brain is the ultimate supercomputer. OI can unlock the mysteries behind cognitive maturation, neurological, and psychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia

17 year-old Inika Singh wins the Harbinger Prize in Science

October 06, 2023

‘It’s like an addiction’ — American teenagers fall victim to online sports gambling apps

Whether through indirect or direct means, teenagers are being influenced to pursue online sports gambling. The rapidly growing industry is preying on those with underdeveloped minds, increasing profits to the detriment of future generations

17 year-old Arham Shah wins the Harbinger Prize in Economics

October 06, 2023

Disappearing in the Pacific. Their islands are sinking, yet we can barely hear calls for help

In the heart of the Pacific Islands, a chorus of student voices resonates together to paint a vivid picture of hopes, concerns, and aspirations despite the nuanced, complex threat that they face

18 year-old Chenxi Zhang wins the Harbinger Prize in Reporting

September 29, 2023

My 50th birthday: A world without food

A future where real food doesn’t exist anymore may sound like quite a bleak and dystopian future. But this is far closer than we think with the 26-year timer we find ourselves on

17 year-old Christian Yeung wins the Harbinger prize in Humanities

September 24, 2023

Bugs are friends, not foes. Historical neglect of US government to human-insect symbiosis

It is no exaggeration to say “insects make the world go round”. From pollination to nutrient recycling, to biological pest management, and even genetic research — without them, our ecosystem would not function. Insects provide the United States with over $57 billion yearly of ecological service, in terms of dung burial, pest prevention, and pollination.

17 year-old Anna Lovat won The Harbinger Prize 2023

September 22, 2023

Mass destruction of Ukrainian nature will have a huge impact on the future

The consequences of war have not only ruined lives and negatively impacted the mental health of Ukrainian civilians, but it will also result in long-term ecosphere damage

17 year-old Sofia Radysh interviews UAnimals on the environmental crisis

September 15, 2023

Long-term recovery underway in the Mediterranean following widespread fires

With the elements of strong wind, high temperatures and trees, a rampage of wildfires formed in the Mediterranean in July. Italy, North Africa and Greece are now recovering from this disastrous fire

16 year-old Jefferson He speaks with affected locals

August 18, 2023

Meet nine Harbingers’ student journalists from Nepal’s ‘earthquake generation’

The people in Nepal are even better than the county’s stunning views. At the Mountain Children's House, an orphanage of 32 minors, I spoke to young people who eagerly shared their bold hopes and dreams

16 year-old Jefferson He introduces the newest Harbingers' project

August 12, 2023

Greece on ‘high alert’ as country deals with aftermath of widespread wildfires

Wildfires in Rhodes led to a state of emergency on the island after relentless blazes in Greece started on July 17 and remained out of control for seven days, triggering large-scale evacuations

16 year-old Anastasiia Tkachuk covers the climate crisis in Greece

August 11, 2023

Titanic sub highlights need for more ocean exploration, not less

While many set their sights on the vast expanses of the Milky Way, we ignore our own precious little blue-green marble. Over 80% of the ocean has never been explored, mapped, or even seen

16 year-old Justin Sau on the untapped potential of our seas

August 11, 2023

To solve US alcoholism youth should be drinking sooner. Here’s why

From completely banning alcohol to lowering the legal drinking age to 18, to raising it again to 21, nothing seems to solve US alcoholism. I feel that creating any type of concrete barrier creates desire for youth, it creates a natural incentive to want it more

15 year-old Noah Saphier on the legal age of drinking

August 10, 2023

Are vapes truly safe alternatives to cigarettes?

As a British teenager, I feel that I am constantly exposed to flashy and colourful images of e-cigarettes which is a new way to get young people addicted to nicotine

15 year-old Isaaq Hussain gives his opinion on the UK vape “epidemic”

August 08, 2023

"Proportionate response to disastrous decision" - Greenpeace defends controversial protest

Activists from the campaign group climbed Rishi Sunak’s £2 million grade-II listed manor home in North Yorkshire on Thursday, August 3 and draped it with black cloth in protest of the PM’s plans to grant new licences for oil and gas extraction in the North Sea

16 year-old Justin Sau reports on the mixed response of climate action

August 08, 2023

NASA restores full contact with the lost Voyager 2

One of the objectives of both Voyager 1 and 2 is to ‘help scientists understand the very nature of energy and radiation in space’. With the continued close up study of space, it will help NASA and scientists to lower the risk factors in the future exploration in space

16 year-old Jefferson He reports on space exploration

August 07, 2023

IFSC weighs in on athlete eating disorder concerns following criticism

As a sport where you have to fight gravity, climbing has a high percentage of eating disorders. The IFSC has responded to climbers and former members of its medical committee speaking out about outdated health standards in competitive climbing

17 year-old Sofiya Tkachenko on the response from athletes and the medical community

July 21, 2023

How eco-friendly art is empowering refugees in Greece to raise awareness of crises

Art has been used throughout history as a powerful tool that documents time and evokes emotions. On the Greek island of Lesvos, it is helping refugees raise awareness of their ongoing struggles

16 year-old Sofiya Suleimenova visits Humade Crafts Workshop

July 14, 2023

Lewis Capaldi talks mental health after Glastonbury stage Tourette’s

The Someone You Loved artist faced a moment of crisis when performing at Glastonbury Festival in the United Kingdom

14 year-old Sofia Vorobei on the lesson learnt at Glastonbury

June 30, 2023

“The numbers affected is catastrophic” - Impact of war on domestic animals in Ukraine

Around 300 hundred dogs died over the course of the month when they were left alone and the town was occupied by Russian military forces. Anastasiia shared with Harbingers the first-hand experiences of volunteering to help the animals still alive

17 year-old Sofia Radysh speaks with animal experts on the frontline

June 30, 2023

What would happen if Russia tried to sabotage the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant?

The plant, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, has been under Russian control since last year. According to Zelenskiy, Russian sabotage would result in a massive leakage of radioactive material that could reach neighbouring European countries

16 year-old Sofiya Tkachenko on the probability of nuclear disaster

June 30, 2023

Auto-tune overload. Aren’t we sacrificing musicality for so-called perfection?

Excessive use of auto-tune technology, especially when employed to distort the voice during a live performance, sparks debates about authenticity and emotional connection with the audience

14 year-old Sofia Vorobei takes the side of human imperfection

June 30, 2023

Do we prefer AI to shape future generations than to invest in human teachers?

While the global market, however, is leaning towards AI to shape the worldviews of our next generation over human teachers, this does not mean it is the right direction to be headed in

17 year-old Megan Lee follows the money in education

June 23, 2023

Animal testing made its way onto the big screen. It may be a sign of change

Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3 is more than a great movie - it also offers insight into cruelty disguised as animal testing

17 year-old Sofia Radysh on animal testing

June 23, 2023

7 ways AI could benefit healthcare

The development of AI leads to lots of new and exciting possibilities of its applications in the modern world, including within healthcare. This article will outline 7 ways in which AI can benefit healthcare and the challenges associated with adopting it

18 year-old Grace Whitehouse outlines the practical uses of the technology

June 16, 2023

COP28: Controversies surrounding the first ever global environmental stocktake

Months before the COP28 in the United Arab Emirates, the United Nations climate summit’s president is facing severe backlash over his background in the fossil fuel industry

17 year-old Anatolii Mishustin reviews expert concerns

June 16, 2023

Eco-crisis unleashed. Consequences of Kakhovka Dam destruction trigger international investigation

On June 6, 2023, the Kakhovka Dam, a largest object of this type in Ukraine, was blown up. The explosion caused a massive catastrophe for the region's residents and the environment, prompting an investigation from the International Criminal Court (ICC)

14 year-old Sofia Vorobei reports on the consequences of the disaster in Ukraine

June 16, 2023

How Russians are ‘liberating’ animals in Ukraine? Now they stole a tiger cub from a zoo in Mariupol

The Mariupol City Council reported that the cub had been living at the zoo. After his mother refused to feed him, he was looked after by a local shepherd dog. Occupants have now decided to relocate the cub to Moscow and train it for circus performances

17 year-old Sofia Radysh on animal welfare under attack

April 28, 2023

Turkey - Syria earthquakes: How to help those in need

On Monday, February 6, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake started in southern and central Turkey with the epicentre in Gaziantep and western Syria. The earthquake, which was followed by several deadly aftershocks, resulted in a death toll of more than 50,000 and injured “thousands more”

Mariia Piltiai on the relief organisations to support

April 28, 2023

When the atmosphere fails. Is our civilisation at risk of being destroyed by an asteroid?

Humanity has many issues to worry about - climate change, nuclear escalation, scarce resources, and overpopulation, to list just a few. An asteroid attack is another worry, arguably the most abrupt and outside our control

16 year-old Riana Banga on planetary defence

April 21, 2023

Chameleons are the most remarkable and amazing creatures. Here’s why

Chameleons are one of the most diverse and complex animals, with over 200 species and a range of adaptations

13 year-old Lidya Gaspar outlines the incredible traits of chameleons

April 07, 2023

ChatGPT: 7 things students need to know

The launch of ChatGPT has sparked numerous controversies, especially relating to its role in education. This article will explain all the details that students are curious about

17 year-old Grace Whitehouse outlines the AI technology

March 10, 2023

UN reached an agreement to protect 30 percent of high seas. Talks took almost 20 years

The new treaty includes territory protective measures on marine reserves and environmental impact assessments concerning human activity on the high seas, which the UN immediately described as ‘historic’. The new convention, however, has yet to be formally adopted and ratified by at least sixty states in order to come into force.

17 year-old Flora Lodd reports on breaking climate news

March 03, 2023

The maths of the COVID-19 era. The pandemic told in four equations

A difference of R, as little as one, has dramatic effects on the number of those infected within a population which without intervention would continue to increase at a rapid rate thus resulting in increased numbers of deaths

17 year-old Grace Whitehouse uses her own calculations to explain COVID-19 with maths

March 03, 2023

‘Know your DNA’ databases could fall into the wrong hands. Policymakers should regulate it

Even with all precautions employed, there is always a chance of getting hacked. Nothing indicates that ancestry DNA databases store personal data in any different place than the information about one’s DNA

18 year-old Gleb Mishin explains the cybersecurity dangers behind DNA testing

March 03, 2023

The sixth mass extinction. These five species were recently declared extinct

Currently 28% of all assessed species on earth – more than 42,100 out of 150,388 – are endangered, according to the Red List of Threatened Species, edited by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

17 year-old Flora Lodd on the rapid decline in biodiversity

January 19, 2023

The secret price of the war in Ukraine

As a Ukrainian and representative of the young generation, I am worried about the price my country pays for the current war not only in the matter of sacred lives but also nature. Ecology might seem insignificant in comparison to the scale of human tragedies that are happening right now, but isn’t ecology also a matter of saving lives?

Maria Rybak speaks to experts on the ecological situation in Ukraine during war

October 17, 2022

Volunteering at KL Plaszow Museum gave me a chance to fight the Nazi dehumanisation

To many, the concentration camp in Plaszow remains an unknown piece of history. A mere nine-person team at the KL Plaszow Museum and Memorial Site are working to change that. While I had the privilege of being the museum’s first volunteer, the KL Plaszow team hopes to recruit more as they continue working towards their opening in 2025

17 year-old Jonathan Wong on the meaning of voluntary work

October 15, 2022

Zambia’s efforts to prevent famine and poverty with organic farming

Those at the Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre (KATC) recognised the long list of problems arising from chemical farming, so the organisation changed to organic farming in the mid-1980s to promote a healthier, more sustainable way of living. The main focus of KATC’s work is to train farmers and government agents in the basics of organic farming.

17 year-old Maksymilian Sinczak on the efforts to promote sustainable agriculture in Zambia

September 30, 2022

Herbal Insurgency: Wielding Knowledge to Heal and Harm Under Southern Enslavement

Through their knowledge of healing and harming, enslaved people were able to create small but vital spaces of healing and alternative power within the totalizing structures of Southern enslavement laws

William Derek Pacini examines the history of herbal expertise as a form of resistance and a means to freedom

September 10, 2022

A Plague Constant: Disease and Conspiracy in the Early Modern Period and Today

Today, as during the Great Plague of London, some of those holding office have put forward questionable remedies said to be more effective than mainstream treatments

Zachary Górka considers the similarities in public reaction and conspiracy between COVID-19 and the Great Plague of London, almost 400 years apart

August 12, 2022

‘Transforming healthcare’ - How AI is helping save lives

AI is able to not only speed up the process of diagnoses, but also procure the healthcare system with higher quality and more precise results

16 year-old Sofiya Suleimenova interviews the AI specialists behind comprehensive stroke imaging solution

August 11, 2022

Oxford suffers from extreme heatwave

“It’s not fake. The pond just evaporated. It’s a scene of devastation. The water levels in reservoirs are decreasing, but this [pond] people can actually see”

16 year-old Sofia Radysh inquires into Oxonian drought amid the amber heatwave warning

July 05, 2022

It is teenage girls who will be affected the most by abortion bans in the US

The Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case, which removed the right for abortion in the US was done by a group which is 80 percent male, 80 percent white and 100 percent in their 50s or older. The societal group which is going to be affected by the change, is the complete opposite.

16 year-old Sofiya Suleimenova on the implications of overturning Roe vs Wade

June 23, 2022

Invest in good mathematicians. Weapons of Math Destruction review

Ill-conceived algorithms are strengthening injustice, inequality and prejudice across law enforcement, education, labour, banking and housing.

Natasha Banga reviews Cathy O’Neil’s book

June 22, 2022

Medicare for All: a debate

Seeing a million citizens die due to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with an economic crash and rising unemployment, just highlights the importance of the Medicare for All debate. Could this program transform our healthcare system for the better – or would it further harm our economy?

Dylan Yip lays out opposing stances on the Medicare for All debate in the United States.

June 22, 2022

A thought-provoking experience. For better or worse. How to Blow Up a Pipeline review

In his 2020 book a leading Swedish climate activist since the 1990s condemns the nonviolent methods mobilised in the climate movement by claiming they only promote passivity—instead, offering us a historical argument, Malm persuasively argues for a more aggressive and confrontational approach.

Sophie Elliott reviews Andreas Malm’s How to Blow Up a Pipeline

May 27, 2022

‘Minimum inclusion gives huge joy’, says Sylwia, mother to a 14-year-old with autism

It is impossible to predict Julia's future but the outlook is grim. The state does not support centers that educate neurodivergent young adults as almost all types of support for adults with disabilities are scrapped by austerity measures.

Eva Smolokovskaya inquires into Poland’s non-existent system to include people with disabilities within society

February 16, 2022

With Mosquirix approved by WHO, hopes are high for a breakthrough in fight against Malaria

Despite its efficacy at just below 46%, Masquirix may prevent 4.3 million cases of malaria and 22,000 deaths in children younger than five annually

Noor Bejjani explains the difficulties and rewards behind the new vaccine against malaria

February 09, 2022

Spot-on image of how Gen Z tends to cope by taking everything as a joke. Don’t look up review

The planet-killing comet is quite obviously today’s global warming climate crisis. The scientific reasoning is there, the facts are there, the evidence is there - and yet, many still refuse to believe in this pressing issue.

Sofiya Suleimenova reviews Adam McKay’s political satire

January 27, 2022

Religious beliefs are not a sufficient reason to seek vaccine exemption

82% of American Catholics have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine while only 57% of Evangelical Protestants did the same.

Marsi Hadjieva explains twisted relations between religion and jabs

December 16, 2021

Victims of Fukushima still pay for failures of Japan’s government

Residents of Fukushima were left jobless, homeless and hopeless after most were unable to find work. Many women were unable to wed or have children since they were regarded as ‘tainted’, and relocated children were being shunned by peers at school.

Jinn Ong pictures a decade of injustice after the preventable meltdown at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

November 11, 2021

It was research on light that enabled us to comprehend that time is elastic

Thanks to Albert Einstein, time and space began to be considered non-invariables - but to prove his theory, the famous scientist needed something that moved really fast.

Aleksy Chwedczuk explains how the whole idea of inevitability took a sudden turn.

November 01, 2021

The scared sitters, a new formation in the environmental struggle

A fiery-haired girl with porcelain skin sits in the middle of a busy street, looking at something beyond the border of the picture.

Mary Stabinska studies the politics and ethics of desperation.

November 01, 2021

What ‘is’ dark energy and matter, the 95 percent of the Universe we know nothing about?

In 1929, when Edwin Hubble proved that the universe is expanding, an important question arose: o what will the Apocalypse look like then?

Aleksy Chwedczuk on the opening chapter of the neWhat ‘is’ dark energy and matter, the 95 percent of the Universe we know nothing about?xt great discovery in the history of Physics.

October 28, 2021

Caroline Hickman: Anxiety and anger are psychologically healthy responses to climate crisis

The UK-based philosopher, psychotherapist and researcher has made it her mission to help people cope with denial, depression, anger and powerlessness which so many face because of the climate crisis.

She sat with Eva Smolokovskaya to explain what she has learned over the last two decades.

October 18, 2021

What would it mean if there was life on Venus?

It only makes sense for some life to exist somewhere out there. A recent research paper has shifted the spotlight to our sister planet.

Aleksy Chwedczuk reports on what may be hidden in the atmosphere of Venus.

September 09, 2021

Quartz Lamps and Quarantines

The elevator stopped on the third floor, and the nurse led me out into the dark hallway. After a couple of turns we approached a glass door marked with red letters reading “Quarantine Zone!” The letters were reversed. I was inside of the hospital now – I was what the bold red letters warned outsiders about. The nurse stopped and turned to face me.

Ilya Kan on experience of quarantine.

August 24, 2021

What I Heard About Covid-19

I heard Trump’s term in office had coincided with more than 25 million confirmed coronavirus cases, over 400,000 of which resulted in fatalities.

Daria Badger on fading memories

August 19, 2021

COVID-19 boosted research in mRNA vaccines

With enough funding and brainpower, MRNA technology is capable of shortening the amount of time needed for vaccine development and manufacturing so significantly that it may be close to real-time vaccination.

Noor Bejjani explores the implications of the coronavirus-related leap in vaccination science

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