scientists

Porton Down scientists trial smart watch that will be able to tell you if you have caught Covid

by

Secretive Porton Down scientists trial smart watch and other wearable tech that will be able to tell you if you have caught Covid Porton Down been researching if smartwatches could help detect coronavirus   Analysing data from the sensors, such as heart rate and blood oxygen levels  Hoping to identify patterns in those with coronavirus to … Read more

Scientists and NHS chiefs say Covid infections must drop below 1,000 a day before lockdown is lifted

by

Boris Johnson must wait until there are fewer than 1,000 Covid infections a day before lifting lockdown, NHS bosses and scientists have warned. Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, is set to write to the Prime Minister and urge him not to lift the restrictions yet or face another increase of infections. The figure … Read more

British scientists to fight new Covid variants by ‘second guessing’ future mutations

by

Britain is at the ‘forefront’ of developing vaccines to fight new Covid variants by ‘second guessing’ future mutations, the UK’s Vaccine Taskforce boss says, amid plans to offer jabs to all adults by May – not just the over-50s. Clive Dix told BBC Radio 4’s Today it was ‘absolutely’ possible to produce a vaccine that … Read more

Stroke victims to get hallucinogenic drug in first-of-its-kind study, scientists say

by

Stroke victims to get hallucinogenic drug DMT to stave off worst effects of life-threatening condition in first-of-its-kind trial, scientists say Hallucinogenic drug called DMT could help stroke victims, scientists say They argue the medication could trigger the rapid regrowth of lost neurons Medication will be tested in trials in the US possibly as soon as … Read more

‘Ice Age’ horse actually died a few hundred years ago, scientists say

by

Remains of a horse thought to be from the Ice Age are actually from just a few hundred years ago, a new study reveals.  The ‘Lehi horse’, uncovered from the city of Lehi in Utah, was thought to have lived in the Pleistocene Epoch – which lasted from about 2,580,000 to 11,700 years ago.   However, … Read more

Einsteinium: Scientists create and capture the 99th chemical element

by

Einsteinium, the elusive 99th element on the periodic table, has been created and captured, allowing some of its properties to be characterised for the first time. Not naturally occurring on Earth, the so-called ‘synthetic element’ was first discovered among the debris of the first-ever hydrogen bomb back in 1952. Since then, very few experiments have ever been … Read more

Scientists urge No10 to ensure Brits get their second dose of Oxford vaccine after 12 weeks

by

Matt Hancock was today urged to ensure every vulnerable Briton gets their second dose of Oxford University’s coronavirus vaccine within 12 weeks amid fears they may receive less protection if their top-up is delayed. A landmark study last night showed a single dose of the jab — made alongside drug giant AstraZeneca — was 76 … Read more

Promising antibody drugs might not work against new variants, scientists say

by

Antibody cocktail drugs that offered ‘great hope’ in treating Covid-19 are ineffective against worrying new variants of the virus, research suggests.  Lab tests found the experimental treatments, known as monoclonal antibodies, failed to neutralise strains one or more of strains which emerged in Kent, South Africa and Brazil. The drugs are derived from cloning a … Read more

Yellowstone hotspot dates back to at least 50 million years, scientists say 

by

The source of heat that powers the volcanic system of Yellowstone National Park in the western US dates back to at least 50 million years ago, scientists say.   Known as Yellowstone hotspot, this vast volcanic system has long been thought to have initiated about 17 million years ago.  It’s responsible for Yellowstone National Park’s famous volcanic … Read more

Chemical sensors in spinach can be used to fire off messages, scientists say 

by

Spinach plant sends email! Chemical sensors on Popeye’s favourite vegetable can be used to fire off messages, scientists say Scientists say they have taught the spinach plant ‘to communicate by email’ Discovery was made as part of a project to help detect hidden landmines Plants’ roots can suck up chemicals found in explosives, called nitroaromatics … Read more