The Know Daily - Thursday 23 July 2026

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A coral reef thought to be dead for decades has just been rediscovered teeming with life off the coast of West Africa 🪸✨ Using modern sonar and underwater cameras, scientists found a deep-water reef home to eight types of coral and eight species of fish – including angelfish, butterflyfish and African snappers. 

🌡️ Why women feel the heat

Heatwaves don't affect everyone in the same way, with experts explaining why women can face particular challenges during hot weather.

Why can hot weather affect women differently?
Some of the reasons are biological. Research highlighted by the BBC suggests women generally begin sweating at a higher body temperature and tend to produce less sweat than men, making it a little harder for the body to cool itself. On average, women also have a slightly higher core body temperature and a higher body fat percentage, which can act as an extra layer of insulation and make it harder to lose heat. Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause can also affect how heat is experienced. Many women report that hot weather makes symptoms like hot flushes or fatigue worse, affecting around 80% of women according to the British Menopause Association. 

Of course, that doesn't mean every woman finds hot weather harder to cope with than every man. Age, fitness and existing health conditions all play a part too. But researchers say it's an important difference that's often overlooked when planning for hotter summers. 

Tell me more.
Social factors also shape who feels the biggest impact of extreme heat. Studies suggest women often still do a greater share of unpaid care and household work, meaning they can have fewer opportunities to rest or avoid the heat. Hot nights can make matters worse, with temperatures above 25°C shown to reduce sleep by at least 30 minutes on average.

Working mums can be particularly affected. If schools or nurseries close during a heatwave, it's often women who take on the extra childcare. Women carry out around 60% of unpaid care work in the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics, so this can add extra pressure to an already hot and tiring week.

What can women do to stay safe in the heat?
The good news is that many of the best ways to stay cool are fairly simple. The NHS recommends drinking plenty of water, closing curtains during the hottest part of the day, avoiding strenuous activity between 11am and 3pm and wearing loose, light-coloured clothing. If you're pregnant, going through menopause or taking medication that affects hydration, it's worth being especially mindful of the heat. If you're juggling childcare, experts also suggest planning outdoor activities for the cooler mornings and making use of air-conditioned public spaces like libraries or shopping centres if needed.

What are experts calling for?
Rather than one-size-fits-all advice, researchers say heat action plans should take into account the different ways people experience extreme heat. That could include improving heat warning systems, making sure schools and workplaces have better infrastructure for hot weather, and ensuring health advice takes into account groups who may face particular challenges. The aim is to make sure everyone can stay safe as the UK adapts to hotter summers.

🇨🇦 A 50% tariff on some Canadian goods is set to be introduced by Donald Trump next month, as the US and Canada continue talks on their trade relationship.

• The bigger story: The tariffs would apply to products including wine, honey, textiles, fishing equipment, jewellery and furniture, with goods covered by the North American trade agreement no longer automatically exempt. The move comes as the US and Canada negotiate the future of the trade deal, with the Trump administration accusing Canada of unfair trade practices. Canada has rejected those claims, saying the tariffs breach the North American trade agreement and that the move would impact businesses and consumers on both sides of the border. The tariffs are due to take effect on 19 August, although the new policy could face legal challenges.

🛡️ “Loyal wingmen” drones have been unveiled by new defence secretary Wes Streeting, who has called them a “groundbreaking moment for UK defence”.

🏛️ The World Architecture Festival 2026 shortlist has been revealed, with 416 projects up for the award.

📱 Under-15s in France will be blocked from social media under a new law that will come into effect in January 2027.

🌌 The Milky Way flipped when it collided with a dwarf galaxy 10 billion years ago, astronomers at Durham University have said. 

🧪 The EU’s food safety agency has reduced the safe daily intake level of so-called "forever chemicals”. 

🏄‍♀️ The world’s best surfing spots have been rounded up so you can find the perfect place to catch some waves!

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Trivia answer: C) Maps will be found at entrances of the European country’s beaches, showing where sunshades can and cannot be put up.

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