Correspondence Dated: September 2025

In the realm of academia, the loss of a valuable resource has left a significant void. The British Library Ethos database, a go-to resource for many PhD students, was unfortunately lost due to a cyber attack in October 2023 and remains in an incomplete state nearly two years later. The British Library has managed to restore the database, but the exact date it was made available again is yet to be specified.

Across the pond, the US and EU have struck a significant trade deal. This agreement will result in a 15% tariff on EU goods exported to the US. Despite the increased cost, the attraction of Europe's economy for US business is expected to outweigh the negative impact. However, the European pharma industry has denounced the tariff, claiming it to be harmful to patients on both sides of the Atlantic. Top-selling drugs such as AbbVie's Humira, MSD's Keytruda, Novo Nordisk's Ozempic, and Pfizer's Viagra are among the pharmaceutical products that will be affected.

In the world of education, a 'parachute' or a bulleted summary as a backup is increasingly being recognised as a valuable tool. Adrian Ford, CChem MRSC, advocates for the preservation of physical books, arguing that they provide a means of preserving knowledge. Meanwhile, Katherine Bradnock, a former medicine student in London, published a paper about the effects of radiation on blood supply to the brain in The Journal of Negative Results.

In the realm of public speaking, Gerry Buddle FRSC has shared his experiences and remedies for overcoming stage-fright. He suggests four remedies: knowing the material thoroughly, rehearsing it, thinking of the audience as individuals, and engaging with them.

In the field of chemistry, Julia Robinson identified southern East Anglia as a "chemistry cold spot," with part-time chemistry courses in the region being scarce. The nearest option is in Cambridge, which is nearly 60 miles away.

In the realm of technology, the obsolescence of digital projects is a growing concern. The BBC Domesday Project, a digital project published in 1986 to recognise the 900th anniversary of the original Domesday Book, is an example of this phenomenon.

Lastly, Rupali Dabas wrote an article titled "The art of failing forward." The article discusses the importance of learning from failure and using it as a stepping stone towards success.

In all these developments, the use of visual aids, concise writing, and clear communication are key to effectively guiding the audience's attention and engaging with them. Letters for publication on websites should be concise, fewer than 300 words, and marked 'for publication' and sent to the [email protected].