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Monthly focus

satellite in orbit
monthly focus
08 May 2018

Keeping an eye on Earth

Every minute, satellites and sensors collect enormous amounts of data about the world around us – from temperature to pollution and forest cover to soil quality. This month, Horizon looks into the technologies behind Earth observation and how we can make best use of the vast amounts of information produced. We find out how measurements taken by people with smartphones on the ground can feed into local datasets and how the minituarisation of satellites is creating opportunities for start-ups to enter the Earth observation market. We also discover how measurements are being used to protect ecosystems and what historical data can tell us about extreme weather such as hurricanes and droughts.

Oceans cover almost three-quarters of the Earth's surface but are still little understood. Image credit - Shutterstock
monthly focus
04 April 2018

In deep water

The world’s oceans are overfished, polluted and – for something that makes up 70% of the Earth’s surface – still little understood. This month, Horizon looks at some of the science that could help us take better care of our oceans, from robots trash collectors out at sea to finding ways to track the plastic that enters our waters. Plus, we look at how climate change is affecting plans for sustainable aquaculture, tech that can help divers reduce the cost of their dives by more than 50%, and the challenges facing research in the Black Sea.

The European year of cultural heritage aims to reinforce a sense of belonging to a common European space. Image credit - Shutterstock/Boris Stroujko
monthly focus
01 March 2018

Digging into Europe's past

To mark the European year of cultural heritage, Horizon explores how science is helping to uncover more about our past and to preserve our art, landscapes, buildings and ways of life for the future. We discover why prehistoric humans chose to paint rock art where they did, and how farming techniques from hundreds of years ago could help fight climate change today. Plus, we learn how cultural heritage feeds into European identities and what can be done to prevent the destruction of historical sites during wartime.

One day, could your closest colleague could be a robot? Image credit – Shutterstock/ Bluskystudio
monthly focus
01 February 2018

The future of the nine to five

The way we work is undergoing a major shift thanks to technological development and demographic change and, this month, Horizon looks at how research is helping us stay ahead of the game. We find out how decisions made early in your career could determine when you retire, and how to get the most out of the relationship between humans and machines in factories. We also investigate some of the ethical issues that could arise in the jobs of the future and how best to take them into account.

This month Horizon looks at the science of sleep. Credit - Flickr/ Pedro Ribeiro Simões
monthly focus
03 January 2018

The science of shuteye

Even though we all spend about a third of our lives asleep, there's still plenty left for us to learn about the science of sleep. This month, Horizon looks at the importance of shuteye for our physical and mental health, and how sleep-deprived brains may be both awake and asleep at the same time. Plus, we investigate what exactly drives us to sleep and wake up, the effects of insomnia, and how the way our bodies use sleep to form memories is inspiring scientists to discover ways to improve our brains.

Horizon magazine endocrine system monthly focus Credit — Shutterstock/ PKpix
monthly focus
04 December 2017

The endocrine machine

Hormones are blamed for everything from weight gain to mood swings and this December, Horizon takes a closer look at these chemical regulators and their effects on our bodies and minds. We explore the impact of the so-called love hormone on the human-dog relationship and what it can tell us about social disorders. We find out what’s being done to neutralise the hormone-disrupting chemicals that are found in water and sewage, and we discover the importance of hormonal rhythms in tracking disorders that can lead to obesity, heart disease and osteoporosis.

This month, Horizon looks at how the natural ability of trees to absorb carbon dioxide impacts on climate change. Image credit – Shutterstock/ Pakhnyushchy
monthly focus
14 November 2017

Into the forest

Forests cover around 30 % of the Earth’s surface, are home to millions of species, capture and store carbon dioxide (CO2), influence the local climate and provide us with water. This month, Horizon examines how the health of the world’s forests impacts on climate change. We explore the link between deforestation, forest degradation and CO2 emissions, examine the push to combine farming and forestry for better land management, and find out how scientists are using tree rings and DNA to combat illegal logging.

Researchers are investigating how the adaptability of insects could be put to wider use. Image credit - Shutterstock/ kojihiranio
monthly focus
04 October 2017

The hidden world of insects

Did you know there are 200 million insects for each human on the planet? This October, Horizon delves into the mysteries of this diverse set of creatures and their seemingly infinite survival skills. We talk to researchers about why it's vital to maintain the diverse range of insect species, find out how robots and ants can work together to solve problems and explore how the superpowers of bugs could be put to use for humans. 

Researchers are exploring different ways to protect your heart in an effort to reduce heart diseases. Image credit – Shutterstock/ anucha maneechote
monthly focus
04 September 2017

Love your heart

Heart disease kills almost two million people a year in the EU, so it is important to find different ways of keeping your heart healthy. This September, Horizon examines innovative ways of treating heart disease, including electric gene therapy to prevent heart attacks and a miniature heart implant. Plus, we look at how 4D imaging of mice and zebrafish can help regenerate human hearts.

Scientists are expanding their research into rare diseases, seeking to improve treatment and cheapen costs. Image credit - Shutterstock/Tonhom1009
monthly focus
03 August 2017

Uncommon solutions for rare diseases

Rare diseases are uncommon, but there are still thousands of different conditions which together affect between 27-36 million people in the EU. This month, Horizon examines the latest efforts to tackle rare diseases as well as new technology to better diagnose uncommon conditions and novel ways to reduce the socioeconomic burden of unusual disorders.

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