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There is probably no ‘Planet Nine’ at the edge of the solar system, astronomers claim, after a study found unusual orbits used to predict its existence ‘may be an illusion’. Experts from the University of Michigan examined the results of a number of solar system surveys to look for evidence of the long-theorised ‘super Earth’ … Read more
The South African variant of coronavirus, known as B.1.351, has mutations on its outer spike proteins that change the shape of the virus in a way that makes it look different to the body than older versions of the virus. Because the immune system’s antibodies are so specific, any change in the part of the … Read more
Lockdown has been imposed on five Beijing neighbourhoods after two cases of the British Covid-19 variant were detected in the Chinese capital. The cases had ‘no genetic correlation with previously reported local cases and imported cases in Beijing’, the head of the Beijing health authority Pang Xinghuo told reporters, but are ‘considered to be variants of … Read more
Scanning sewage for new coronavirus variants is a viable strategy for speeding up detection of new strains which may be more infectious, a study has found. Wastewater analysis has previously been identified as a good way of spotting signs of local infection, but now Covid is rife around the world the focus has shifted towards … Read more
Most distant supermassive black hole known to science is detected by astronomers more than 13 BILLION light years from Earth Researchers used the ALMA telescope array in Chile to discover the quasar A quasar is a type of supermassive black hole that is releasing a lot of energy This object was discovered when the universe … Read more
No new cases of the South African Covid variant have been spotted in Britain over the past fortnight, in a glimmer of hope that the highly-contagious mutation has not yet taken root in the country. Two infections with the mutant form of Covid had been identified on British soil by December 23, Health Secretary Matt … Read more
Super-COVID IS in the US: Colorado man in his 20s with NO travel history becomes first American to test positive for the mutant strain first detected in the UK Governor Jared Polis revealed the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 was found in Colorado Case was detected in a man in his 20s who is now ‘in isolation in … Read more
Israel announces its third nationwide lockdown amid Covid spike days after four cases of new mutant British strain were detected in the country Israel’s third lockdown will start from 5pm on Sunday and will last for two weeks The measures are a response to a surge in infections and mutant British strain The lockdown may … Read more
A mutant strain of Covid-19 ravaging the United Kingdom has been detected in a ‘couple’ of returned overseas travelers to Australia, officials have confirmed. The variant, which British authorities say is 70 per cent more transmissible than the dominant strain, has led several European nations to close off direct flights from the UK. Italy, Belgium and … Read more
Traces of phosphine gas detected in the clouds above Venus could be an indication that the planet supports microbial life, a study has concluded. On Earth, phosphine — a colourless gas that smells like garlic, or decaying fish — is naturally produced mainly by certain microorganisms in the absence of oxygen. It can also be … Read more