John Wojcik pays tribute to a black US activist who spent six decades at the forefront of struggles for voting rights, economic justice and peace – reshaping US politics and inspiring movements worldwide
Fit as a flea
Mathematical modelling of past infectious disease outbreaks can shed light on both biology and history, write ROX MIDDLETON, LIAM SHAW and JOEL HELLEWELL
[Olha Schedrina/The Natural History Museum/CC]
In the fifth and final part of a series of articles, Storming the Heavens author JENNY CLEGG explains how the Communist Party of China’s approach demonstrates how Marxism, rooted in concrete conditions and mass participation, can shape history
In times of genocide, art is not a refuge from politics but a weapon against injustice, says ROGER McKENZIE, highlighting three of his own favourite political truth-tellers
As members elect their first leadership, a deeper battle is unfolding over what democracy should mean in practice, says CASSI BELLINGHAM
The language of humiliation is a step towards a second civil war, argues RAMZY BAROUD
ANDREW MURRAY says switching the prime minister on and off again is no substitute for new political approach we need
FLEAS are flightless parasitic insects that live from drinking the blood of animal hosts. They can jump huge distances using their powerful back legs, allowing them to transfer between hosts.
Many species of flea are named after a specific host, such as the “cat flea” (Ctenocephalides felis), but are in fact capable of feeding on several different animals.
As one of the Science and Society authors recently found out from moving into a new house, fleas lurk in carpets and soft furnishings while waiting for a new host. Once bitten, the host will have itchy, red bites.
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