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The pseudoscientific attractiveness scale that grew out of incel forums and is now making money for looksmaxxing influencers

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The pseudoscientific attractiveness scale that grew out of incel forums and is now making money for looksmaxxing influencers

If you have teenagers in your life, they’ll probably have heard of the PSL scale. Or at least the language associated with it. Chad. Stacy. Normie. Subhuman.

The PSL scale is a pseudoscientific attractiveness rating system used by looksmaxxers, men in a part of the manosphere who sometimes use extreme methods to change their appearance. The scale purports to rank people into different categories based on their physical appearance, with looksmaxxers deeming that the higher up the scale a man is, the more attractive he will be to women.

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The roots of this rating system lie in misogynistic online forums used by incels or involuntarily celibates, but now it’s all over social media, where teenage boys post photos of themselves, asking to be ranked. PSL apps are also available which will rate a person’s photograph, and give them AI-powered advice, sometimes for a fee, on how to “move up” the scale.

So how did the language of incels, and this one way of quantifying attractiveness and beauty, become so mainstream?

In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, we speak to Jordan Foster, an associate professor of sociology at MacEwan University in Alberta, Canada, who researches social media, beauty and masculinity. He explains the origins of the PSL scale, where it fits into the manosphere, and how some looksmaxxing influencers are making money off it.

PSL is an abbreviation of three, now defunct, online incel forums. Foster says that a precise dialogue emerged from discussions on these forums about what features constitute attractiveness and beauty, which turned into a pseudoscientific rating system. “So there might be notions, for example, that a strong brow bone or a stronger jawline is going to communicate a certain amount of testosterone and that this is going to suggest something about your virility or your fitness.”

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Foster suggests the idea that beauty can be quantifiable in this way emerged as some men came to terms with “a topic that has historically been taboo and feminised”. He says looksmaxxers realised that if they wanted to have a discussion about beauty, they needed to communicate it in a language that is traditionally more palatable for men. “How do you do that? Wrap it in the guise of science.”

Listen to the interview with Jordan Foster on The Conversation Weekly podcast and read an article he wrote with his colleague Jillian Sunderland at the University of Toronto . This episode was written and produced by Katie Flood and Gemma Ware. Mixing by Eleanor Brezzi and theme music by Neeta Sarl.

Newsclips in this episode from NBC News, The Social CTV, CTV News, Tamron Hall Show, Saturday Night Live, BrettMaverick and PrestigeClipper via TikTok.

Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here. A transcript of this episode is available via the Apple Podcasts or Spotify apps.

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Why anatomy’s naughtiest mnemonics work so well

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Why anatomy’s naughtiest mnemonics work so well

Some lovers try positions that they can’t handle – I’m referring to the bones of the wrist, of course. The phrase is a classic mnemonic used to remember the eight carpal (wrist) bones – scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform, trapezium, trapezoid, capitate and hamate – whose initials form the memorable sentence.

One of the most curious features of anatomy education is that people often remember mnemonics for decades, long after the rest of their anatomical knowledge has faded. And it’s often the filthiest ones that work best.

These short phrases, rhymes or sentences – used to remember ordered lists of nerves, bones or arteries – have been a staple of anatomy teaching for generations. Some are harmlessly quirky. Others are decidedly less polite. What they share is an unusual staying power.

That persistence is not just a quirk of medical culture. It reveals something important about how learning works.

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Anatomy requires understanding and applying the structure of the body. But it begins with something far less glamorous: learning a vast and specialised technical vocabulary. The online database Terminologia Anatomica lists around 7,500 standardised anatomical terms, a figure broadly similar to estimates of the active vocabulary used by fluent speakers in everyday language (often cited at 5,000-10,000 words).

Mnemonics emerged as a practical response to this challenge, helping students organise and retrieve unfamiliar terms while a deeper understanding of anatomical relationships develops. As generations of students have discovered, the more distinctive the phrase, the harder it is to forget.

Why the brain struggles with lists

Much of anatomy involves remembering sequences. The bones of the wrist, the branches of major arteries or the 12 cranial nerves must be recalled in a precise order. The problem is that the brain is not particularly well suited to remembering long lists of unfamiliar terms.

Working memory – the system that allows us to hold information temporarily in mind – has a limited capacity. When faced with a string of technical words, especially ones derived from Latin or Greek, it quickly becomes overloaded.

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Mnemonics help solve this problem by converting a list into a structured phrase. Instead of remembering eight separate bones of the wrist, the learner remembers a single sentence whose first letters act as cues for each structure.

Chunking

This strategy is referred to as chunking – grouping several pieces of information into a single meaningful unit. Once the phrase itself has been learned, the brain can use it as a scaffold to reconstruct the original list.

It’s not new either. Renaissance students faced the same challenge of remembering large amounts of anatomical information, and they often relied on mnemonic techniques inherited from the classical ars memoriae, or “art of memory”.

Anatomical knowledge was sometimes taught through didactic Latin verse, making long lists easier to recall in an era when learning was largely oral. One example is the tradition of anatomia versificata, in which anatomical structures were described poetically so they could be memorised. Medical verses attributed to the 12th-13th century French physician Gilles de Corbeil circulated in universities for centuries.

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Early printed medical works, such as physician Johannes de Ketham’s Fasciculus Medicinae (1491), also reflected this culture of structured memorisation, pairing text with striking anatomical illustrations to aid recall. Behind these approaches lay classical memory techniques described by writers such as Cicero and Quintilian, who encouraged learners to organise knowledge using vivid imagery and spatial mental maps – an approach that aligns remarkably well with the inherently spatial nature of anatomy itself.

But structure alone does not explain why certain mnemonics, particularly the slightly outrageous ones, tend to stay with us for years.

Why the rudest mnemonics are the most memorable

If mnemonics simply organised lists into manageable chunks, almost any tidy sentence would do. Yet the more outrageous or slightly inappropriate the mnemonic, the more firmly it tends to lodge in memory.

This phenomenon is known as the distinctiveness effect. Information that stands out from its surroundings is more likely to be remembered than material that blends into the background. In a lecture full of unfamiliar Latin terminology, an unexpected or risque phrase becomes instantly distinctive. It interrupts the steady flow of technical language and draws attention to itself.

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Attention is the gateway to memory. Information that captures attention is processed more deeply by the brain and is therefore more likely to be stored.

The hip bones connected to the … something bone.
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Humour adds another layer. When something makes us laugh, or even causes a moment of mild embarrassment, it activates emotional centres in the brain, including the amygdala, which plays a role in regulating how memories are consolidated. Emotionally marked information is often stored more strongly than neutral material.

There is also a social element. Mnemonics are often shared between students, repeated in revision sessions, and passed down through successive cohorts. The phrases become part of the informal folklore of medical education, remembered not just as words but as part of a shared experience.

Put these elements together – distinctiveness, humour, emotional reaction and social repetition – and it becomes clear why the slightly outrageous mnemonic tends to win out over its more respectable rivals.

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Used well, these phrases act as scaffolding: temporary supports that help students organise unfamiliar vocabulary while a deeper three-dimensional understanding of the body gradually develops. In time, they become less necessary.

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‘Unexpectedly amazing’ film based on a true story now streaming

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Manchester Evening News

A critically acclaimed yet underappreciated crime-comedy gem from 2025 is now available to stream on Paramount+

This truth-is-stranger-than-fiction crime-comedy has just landed on Paramount+ A critically lauded yet largely overlooked cinematic treasure from 2025 is now ready to stream.

Inspired by an extraordinary true story, the film was directed by Derek Cianfrance — the mastermind behind celebrated indie dramas such as Blue Valentine and The Place Beyond the Pines — with a major Hollywood name stepping into the lead role.

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Channing Tatum (Magic Mike) plays Jeffrey Manchester, a struggling veteran and father who turns to a life of crime simply to keep his head above water.

Dubbed the ‘Roofman’ owing to his peculiar habit of breaking into fast food restaurants through the roof at night before robbing them in the morning, Jeffrey is apprehended at his daughter’s birthday party and handed a 45-year prison sentence, reports the Mirror.

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He subsequently hatches an escape plan and successfully breaks into a Toys “R” Us store, where he manages to survive for some time on stolen M&Ms. Upon discovering that his ex-wife has cut off all contact, Jeffrey embarks on a tender yet deceitful relationship with one of the toy shop’s staff members, Leigh (portrayed by Kirsten Dunst).

Celebrated as one of the finest under-the-radar films of 2025, Roofman is now streaming on Paramount+ and is essential viewing for those who enjoy offbeat crime comedies and moving tragic romance.

One 10/10 IMDb review described it as “one of the biggest surprises of 2025”, stating: “This is a movie I went in with a good amount of expectations and the movie overdelivered in every way imaginable.

“I love how this movie takes real life events and put a comedic spin on the story and the filmmakers do it in a way that actually works. You also have a fantastic ensemble cast in the movie including Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst, Ben Mendelsohn, LaKeith Stanfield, Juno Temple, Melonie Diaz, Uzo Aduba, Lily Collias and Peter Dinklage who are all great.”

Another viewer hailed Roofman as an “unexpectedly pleasant experience”, confessing: “I was not interested in this movie but the reviews seemed decent so tried it out and I am glad that I made that decision. It is crazy that this movie is based on a true story. I am at a loss for words to describe all the emotional rollercoaster and ethical dilemma it caused throughout the movie.

“Crazy and suspenseful storyline aside, the acting by Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst was very well done and the chemistry between them made this movie even more credible and heart wrenching near the climax.

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“This was unexpectedly an amazing movie and I really thank all the reviewers who helped me make my choice to go watch. What an experience. I am going to remember this one for a long time.”

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A glowing write-up from a Rotten Tomatoes critic read: “Absolutely loved this movie. Channing Tatum was incredible, this movie kept me engaged from the jump! Also incredible that this is based off a true story! Very good!” A final enthusiast gushed: “Shocked by how much I liked this movie. I found it not just funnier but also more emotional than I was anticipating. Great film.”

Roofman is available to stream on Paramount+.

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Bloodborne movie with Jacksepticeye is real and not a late April Fools’ joke

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Bloodborne movie with Jacksepticeye is real and not a late April Fools’ joke
The only thing more surprising than Bloodborne getting a movie is who one of the producers is (Sony)

A second FromSoftware movie adaptation is in the works, but it’s unclear how involved the developer actually is with its production.

It is shameful the way Bloodborne has been thoroughly ignored by Sony, since its 2015 launch on PlayStation 4. Despite calls for a PlayStation 5 remake, remaster, PC port, or just a simple update that bumps up the frame rate, Sony’s done nothing with Bloodborne in all that time.

Pitches for new Bloodborne projects, both internally and from other studios, were reportedly rejected, and it’s widely presumed this is because Sony doesn’t want to touch Bloodborne without developer FromSoftware’s approval.

So, it’s safe to say Bloodborne fans have been thrown for a loop now that Sony has casually announced it’s turning the game into a feature length movie.

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The project was confirmed during Sony’s recent CinemaCon presentation, albeit with no trailer or promotional images. However, it will be an animated movie rather than live action and promises to be R-rated.

For context, an R-rating is one of the highest age ratings a movie can receive in the US and is reserved for movies with adult content that isn’t suited for anyone under the age of 17. So, the UK equivalent would be an age rating of 18.

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This is an early, positive sign considering anything less than that would mean Bloodborne’s gothic horror aesthetic, disturbing monster designs, and copious bloody violence would risk being watered down.

What’s far more surprising, though, is that Seán William McLoughlin, better known as Irish YouTuber Jacksepticeye, has been brought on as a producer.

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Jacksepticeye has no special ties to FromSoftware, Sony, or Bloodborne itself, with his only real credential (besides being famous) being that he’s a big fan of the game.

However, his involvement is likely a response to the success of Iron Lung, another video game to movie adaptation, which was spearheaded by YouTuber Markiplier (in which Jacksepticeye makes a cameo).

Markiplier personally directed, wrote, and starred in Iron Lung whereas Jacksepticeye is only listed as a producer on the Bloodborne movie. Currently his only experience of moviemaking is a couple of short films.

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‘I am going to do everything in my power to make this the best Bloodborne adaptation possible. Not only is it my favourite game ever made but I know how truly passionate the fans of this game are and how much hunger they have for more of it,’ he wrote in a Reddit post.

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The response from fans seems to be a mix of excitement and confusion, with plenty joking that it’s a late April Fools’ joke, as well as hope that this will be what finally leads to a remaster or remake.

We’d be far more interested to know how much involvement FromSoftware itself has with the movie as well as who is actually directing it, but nothing like that has been announced yet.

The live action Elden Ring movie is already looking promising based on the leaked set design, with director Alex Holland being a self-described fan of the original game. Although making a movie out of any From game, given their opaque storytelling, seems an inherently risky prospect.

And in any case, being authentic to the source material doesn’t guarantee a good film, as the The Super Mario Galaxy Movie ably proved.

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Peterborough stabbing: Locals find death of teenager ‘chilling’ as floral tributes left at scene

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Cambridgeshire Live

Some residents have said it now ‘doesn’t feel safe’ where they live

Locals have described the death of a 16-year-old boy as ‘chilling’. Floral tributes have been left at the scene where the teenager was reportedly attacked in Riseholme, Peterborough, at around 7pm on Sunday (April 12).

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The 16-year-old boy was taken to hospital, where he later died. Cambridgeshire Police has said the stabbing is not believed to have been a “random attack”.

Tributes have been paid to the teenager, with flowers laid at the entrance to the Orton Shopping Centre. People who live opposite where the stabbing took place shared their reactions to the tragedy.

One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, first heard of the incident through one of her children’s friends. She said: “My teenager’s friend said something happened in Orton, but I didn’t know what.

“It’s so bad. I have teenagers and it’s not good. I feel it’s not safe [here] after what happened.” The woman said she was not allowed out of her home when a police cordon was in place on Monday (April 13). She added: “The police asked to look in my garden. I wasn’t allowed out – it felt like I was in jail.”

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Nearby resident Jackie, who asked to use her first name only, said she heard “lots of sirens” on the night of the incident. She added: “I didn’t expect what happened to have happened.

”It’s so scary, especially being right on the doorstep. The poor boy that it happened to, I feel for his family. It feels less safe now that something like this has happened.”

One man, who asked to not be named, said the area is “getting worse”. He said: “There are always younger people hanging about near the centre and you don’t know what they are up to. Now something tragic has happened, something needs to be done about preventing something so bad happening again.”

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Another woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said a “young life is lost just like that”. She added: “It’s so sad what happened. I have children near that age and now I don’t want to let them out. I don’t know what happened or how, but it’s a waste of a life. It’s chilling what happened.”

Officers arrested four people after Sunday’s incident. This involved a 15-year-old boy and 18-year-old man, both from Peterborough, on suspicion of murder. Police have asked for an extension to the custody limit for these two individuals so they can ask them more questions.

A 17-year-old girl from Peterborough was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. She has been released on conditional bail until July 8.

A 16-year-old girl from March was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and being in possession of a bladed article. She has been charged with possessing a knife/bladed article in a public place and is due to appear at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court on May 13.

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A post-mortem is due to take place for the 16-year-old boy who died at Peterborough City Hospital on Thursday (April 15). He has not yet been formally identified, according to the police.

Cambridgeshire Police is still appealing for information. Anyone with information should report it online or call 101 and quote Operation Whitby.

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Salmon DNA skincare: How to get the ultimate glow boost ahead of summer

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Salmon DNA skincare: How to get the ultimate glow boost ahead of summer

What is salmon DNA, and how is it delivered through skincare?

In skincare, “salmon DNA” refers to fragments of genetic material extracted from salmon — specifically a compound known as PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide), which has been researched for its skin-repairing and regenerative benefits.

Known for its ability to calm inflammation, support barrier repair and improve skin texture over time, PDRN is used in skin-rejuvenating treatments, from everything from injectables to serums and creams.

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According to Dr Sonia Khorana, “From a clinical perspective, I think PDRN is an interesting and promising regenerative treatment. It can be a valuable option for patients looking to improve skin quality subtly.”

Is PDRN skincare safe?

Yes, both PDRN injections (polynucleotides) and skincare are safe. Even with the injections — because it’s highly purified and biocompatible, the risk of adverse reactions is low,” says Dr Khorana. “Although, as with any injectable treatment, there is always a small risk of bruising, swelling or infection.”

Are the treatments or skincare painful? Is there any downtime?

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Downtime with PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) depends on how it’s used — whether in at-home topical skincare or as part of an in-clinic treatment such as injections or microneedling.

When applied topically, there’s no downtime to consider. These formulas are designed for daily use, helping to boost hydration and support the skin barrier without triggering irritation. They’re often incorporated into routines to help skin recover after more intensive treatments.

Dr Khorana adds that downtime for treatments is also minimal: “A few days if you end up with a bruise”.

“You may see some small bumps, redness or slight swelling immediately after treatment, but this typically settles within 24-48 hours. Most people are able to return to normal activities the following day. As always, patient selection and practitioner experience are key to ensuring both safety and good results.”

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But she advises that with less pain/downtime comes fewer results: “In skincare, PDRN works more superficially — so while it can help with hydration, smoothness and subtle radiance, it won’t deliver the same regenerative effects as in-clinic treatments.”

Are there any risks/things to be aware of?

Injectable PDRN can cause temporary side effects such as redness, swelling, bruising or small bumps at the injection sites. As is common with these types of treatments, there is also a small risk of infection or irritation if not performed in an appropriate clinical setting.

For topical skincare, risks are much more minimal — the potential for mild irritation or sensitivity, particularly in very reactive skin types.

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Dr Khorana says that an important thing to flag would be people with fish allergies. “I’m not sure of the purification process for topical PDRN and whether the allergen protein is removed.

“When I do polynucleotide injections in clinic, I don’t worry about fish allergies because I know the protein causing the allergy has been removed when they purify it, and these injections are classed as medical devices as CE marked.”

She recommends proceeding with caution here, as “the topical PDRN versions are not medical devices, it will depend on the brand/labs whether they remove the protein.”

How quickly do you see results, and how long do they last?

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One of the things to understand about PDRN is that results are gradual rather than instant.

Dr Khorana notes that injectable treatments require a course of three to four sessions, spaced at two to three weeks apart. Results are then usually seen around three months after starting the treatment plan, and typically last around six to 12 months after the full course has been administered.

For skincare, the effects are more subtle, with noticeable benefits including improved hydration and smoother skin in as little as a few weeks. However, Dr Khorana tells me that consistency is also key — and that this can vary depending on factors like age, skin quality and lifestyle

How does PDRN differ from Botox or filler?

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Dr Khorana says: “PDRN works very differently from treatments like Botox or dermal fillers, and it’s important not to think of them as interchangeable.

Botox works by relaxing muscles to reduce the appearance of dynamic lines, while fillers aim to restore volume and structure. PDRN is a regenerative treatment that focuses on improving the quality of the skin by supporting repair, hydration and collagen production.”

She stresses that in practice, all these treatments work really well together, and it’s a common aesthetic plan.

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Bishop Auckland baby skeleton could date back to 1700s

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Bishop Auckland baby skeleton could date back to 1700s

But mystery surrounds how the infant, potentially 300 years old, was found wrapped in a 1910-dated newspaper. Questions also remain over whether the baby was stillborn and how it died.

The remains, confirmed as male by DNA profiling, were found under the floorboards of a Fore Bondgate property by contractors in July 2024.

An inquest opened into the death of the child at Crook Coroners’ Court today (April 14) heard the baby was full term, but it was not possible to determine whether it was stillborn.

Coroner’s officer Stephanie Clough said the baby had been found with twine looped around it three times, with a knot and a further loop.

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It was found wrapped in newspaper called The Umpire, which was dated June 19, 1910.

Carbon dating, which was used to determine the age of the baby by measuring the amount of carbon-14 there is left, shows they were born before 1945, in the pre nuclear era.

Ms Clough said it could not determine exactly when the baby was alive but it is believed that this was some time between 1726 and 1812.

(Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)

A post-mortem carried out on August 2 at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle saw the baby’s cause of death identified as unascertained.

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The baby’s funeral will be held at April 27 in Bishop Auckland. Senior Coroner Jeremy Chipperfield adjourned the inquest until May 18.

(Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)

Crime scene investigators were pictured at the flat in 2024, where the baby was believed to have remained undisturbed since the early 20th century. 

Officers confirmed at the time that the baby was full term at the time and that the circumstances surrounding its death are likely to have been suspicious. 

As the investigation was launched by police, officers said they would be tracing historic records for the Victorian-era property to identify who lived there. 

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At one stage, the building housed a church-run mother-and-baby unit, although it was initially believed that the baby was concealed before then.

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Name the best garden centre in Cambridgeshire

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Cambridgeshire Live

Garden centres are often home to more than just plants and flowers

From impressive food halls to a huge range of plants and flowers on offer, garden centres across the UK have become a great day out. With many garden centres adding extra experiences including cafés and play areas for children, the whole family can enjoy a trip out.

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Cambridgeshire is lucky to have garden centres dotted across the county that offer a range of activities and products. Whether the garden centre is right on your doorstep or you have to drive to your closest one, it is usually worth a visit to enjoy the food and high quality products you can pick up.

If you are new to the area, you might not know which are the best to visit. CambridgeshireLive is asking its readers to help out and tell us which garden centre is their favourite to visit.

You can nominate your favourite garden centre in Cambridgeshire by using our survey below. If the survey does not appear for you, you can open it in a new tab here.

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Five key weight loss jab side effects reported by 43 percent of patients

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Daily Mirror

A new study has highlighted the most common side effects of weight loss jabs

A groundbreaking study has identified some of the most frequently reported side effects of weight loss injections. Research found that almost half of participants using GLP-1 inhibitors were experiencing problems.

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GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a naturally occurring gut hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and appetite. The use of GLP-1 inhibitors, or receptor agonists, has rocketed in popularity in recent years owing to their proven effectiveness in managing blood sugar levels in diabetic patients and supporting weight loss.

Available in injectable form, some of these drugs can be prescribed through the NHS to eligible patients. However, as with all medications, health authorities have cautioned that they can trigger side effects.

A new study has now drawn on anecdotal evidence from patients to pinpoint the most widespread side effects associated with the jabs. The research, published in Nature Health, used artificial intelligence to scrutinise social media posts, uncovering patient-reported side effects linked to these medicines that may not yet have been examined in clinical trials.

The study analysed more than 400,000 Reddit posts from nearly 70,000 users discussing GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide and tirzepatide. Among the most commonly reported side effects were gastrointestinal complaints, which are already flagged by health bodies such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The research also drew attention to reproductive symptoms, including irregular menstrual cycles and unexpected bleeding, alongside temperature-related issues such as chills, hot flushes, and feeling unusually cold. Additionally, fatigue emerged as a frequently reported symptom, despite receiving less prominence in clinical trial data.

Senior author Dr Sharath Chandra Guntuku, from the University of Pennsylvania, said: “Some of the side effects we found, like nausea, are well known, and that shows the method is picking up a real signal. The underreported symptoms are leads that came from patients themselves, unprompted, and clinicians could potentially pay attention to them.”

What were the most commonly reported side effects?

Within the study, a total of 67,008 Reddit users self-reported using these medications. Of these, 43.5 per cent described at least one side effect.

These included:

  • Nausea (36.9 per cent)
  • Fatigue (16.7 per cent)
  • Vomiting (16.3 per cent)
  • Constipation (15.3 per cent)
  • Diarrhoea (12.6 per cent)

Study authors added: “Notably, reproductive symptoms (for example, menstrual irregularities) and temperature-related complaints (for example, chills and hot flushes) emerged as unrecognised potential effects.

“These findings highlight patient concerns not well captured in current labelling or trials. Large-scale social media analysis can complement traditional pharmacovigilance by detecting emerging safety signals and expanding understanding of the real-world safety profile of GLP-1 RAs.”

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Most feel taxes are too high despite new tax law, polls show

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Few states have copied Trump's tax breaks for tips and overtime

WASHINGTON (AP) — Most Americans still think their taxes are too high, according to recent polls, even after last year’s tax law fulfilled several of President Donald Trump’s tax-related campaign promises.

In fact, a new Fox News poll indicates people are more upset about taxes than they were last year. The findings from the survey, which was conducted in late March, are another sign that Americans are on edge about their personal finances as the U.S. experiences a spike in inflation and sluggish economic growth. Other polling finds that frustration goes beyond personal tax obligations, with many believing that wealthy people and corporations are not paying their fair share, while others worry about government waste.

The surveys come after Trump and Republicans passed a massive tax and spending cut bill last year. The legislation enacted a range of tax breaks, including a boosted child tax credit and new tax deductions for tips and overtime. Tax refunds are up this season, and many households are expected to see more income from the Republicans’ tax legislation, but the Congressional Budget Office estimated it will ultimately give the largest benefits to the richest Americans.

Republicans have touted the law as evidence that they are making life more affordable for working families. But polling shows that many Americans may not be feeling the benefits, especially as their tax refunds get eaten up by higher prices.

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Most say taxes are too high

About 7 in 10 registered voters say the taxes they pay are “too high,” according to the Fox News poll. That’s up from about 6 in 10 last year. The poll shows heightened concern among very liberal voters and Democratic men, but there has also been a sizable increase among groups that Republicans want to court ahead of the midterm elections, such as moderates, rural voters and white voters without a college degree.

Discontent about taxes has been rising for the past few years. Recent polling from Gallup, conducted in March, found about 6 in 10 U.S. adults say the amount of federal income tax they have to pay is “too high,” a finding that’s been largely consistent in the annual poll since 2023. That’s approaching the level of unhappiness found in Gallup’s polling from the 1980s through the 1990s, before President George W. Bush’s 2001 and 2003 tax cuts.

Now, about half of Democrats and about 6 in 10 Republicans say their federal income taxes are too high. Republicans tend to view their tax bill more negatively than Democrats, but Gallup’s polling shows that this gap often shrinks when a Republican is president.

Many believe the rich aren’t paying enough in taxes

Most Americans are troubled by the belief that some wealthy people and corporations don’t pay their fair share of taxes, according to a Pew Research Center poll conducted in January. About 6 in 10 Americans said each of those notions bothers them “a lot,” a measure that is largely unchanged in recent years.

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By contrast, only about 4 in 10 U.S. adults in that poll said the amount they personally pay in taxes bothers them a lot.

About 8 in 10 Democrats are bothered “a lot” by the feeling that some corporations and rich people aren’t paying their fair share, the Pew survey found, compared to about 4 in 10 Republicans. Government spending is a bigger issue for Republicans, according to the Fox News poll, which found that 75% of registered voters — and a similar share of Republican voters — say “almost all” or “a great deal” of government funding is wasteful and inefficient.

That points to a perception problem for many Americans. Even if their own tax bill is manageable, the idea that the wealthy are underpaying — or that the government is wasting their dollars — bothers many. About half of Americans, 49%, in the Gallup poll say the income tax they will pay this year is “not fair,” which is in line with the record high from 2023.

Broad unhappiness with Trump’s tax approach

Americans’ tax frustration was rising before Trump re-entered the White House, but it’s still a problem for the president’s party — especially if Americans are not feeling the relief that he promised.

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The Fox News poll found that about 6 in 10 registered voters, 64%, say they disapprove of how Trump is handling taxes, up from 53% last April. Disapproval has risen most sharply among independents, but also among Democrats and Republicans.

This aligns with a broader feeling that Trump isn’t doing enough to address inflation. Most Americans said Trump had hurt the cost of living “a lot” or “a little” in his second term, according to an AP-NORC poll conducted in January. Roughly 9 in 10 Democrats and about 6 in 10 independents said Trump has had a negative impact on the cost of living.

Less than half of Republicans, 43%, said Trump had helped the cost of living, while 33% said he hadn’t made a difference and only 23% said he’d helped.

___

The Fox News poll was conducted among 1,001 registered voters from March 20-23. The Gallup poll was conducted among 1,000 U.S. adults from March 2-18. The Pew Research Center poll was conducted among 8,512 U.S. adults from Jan. 20-26. The AP-NORC Poll was conducted among 1,203 U.S. adults from Jan 8-11.

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Will Hunter Schafer come back in Euphoria Season 3?

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Manchester Evening News

Euphoria season three has finally landed on HBO Max, but Hunter Schafer’s character is absent from the premiere

*Warning this article contains spoilers for Euphoria Season 3, Episode 1.*

Euphoria’s season three premiere has left fans fearful over Jules’ future. The HBO drama is finally back, catching up with Rue (played by Zendaya) five years after high school as she divides her time between Mexico and the US.

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The series opener discloses that she has been operating as a drug mule for queenpin Laurie (Martha Kelly), in an attempt to settle the £100,000 debt she accumulated after her mum flushed a suitcase of drugs back in season two.

As for her circle of friends, Maddy (Alexa Demie) is now a Hollywood talent manager, while Lexi (Maude Apatow) is chasing her screen-writing ambitions, with Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) and Nate (Jacob Elordi) having settled down as a couple. Yet Jules (Hunter Schafer) is conspicuously absent from the first episode, reports the Mirror.

Is Jules in Euphoria Season 3?

Yes, Jules does feature in Euphoria season three. The character has been central to the show throughout the previous two series owing to her romance with Rue and her toxic rivalry with Nate. It is revealed in the season three premiere that she is now attending art school. Maddy also suggests that Jules is a sugar baby, though the specifics of her new ‘relationship’ remain shrouded in mystery.

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Nevertheless, we know she will cross paths with Rue again in forthcoming episodes, as a new trailer shows the pair together. Despite fans being eager to see more of the HBO hit, many have been left disheartened by the new season. It currently holds a disappointing 42% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics, with a slightly more favourable 52% from audiences.

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The critics’ consensus states: “Euphoria returns with less than the sum of its parts in a disjointed cavalcade of forced narratives that leave its talented cast stranded in the wind.” Viewers have mirrored this sentiment, claiming the show has lost its magic. One fumed: “I can’t believe someone thought it would be a good idea to turn the series into a completely unrelated spin-off. Euphoria is dead. They ruined it, destroyed the series.”

Someone else agreed: “What once was a entertaining piece of tv is now just coasting on the fumes from the previous seasons. Everything feels sloppier and like its searching for something to wow the people. I find myself caring less and less about the characters as time has gone on.”

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However, others remain hopeful that the series will hit its stride as further episodes are released. “It’s only episode 1, but it already shows great potential. The cinematography is beautiful. I’m really looking forward to seeing how everything unfolds,” said one viewer.

Amazing start to Season 3. Episode 1 pulls you right back in with stunning visuals, strong performances, and a darker, more intense vibe. If this is how the season begins, we’re in for something crazy.

Euphoria season 3 airs on Mondays on HBO Max, NOW and Sky.

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