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Africa’s fairy circles in grasslands are formed by a plant that releases a toxic sap into the soil when it dies, a new study reveals. Between southern Angola and northern South Africa, there are hundreds of thousands of these circles, ranging in diameter from seven to 50 feet (2-15 metres). Researchers are convinced they have … Read more
Scientists discover SEVEN worrying homegrown coronavirus variants with nearly identical mutations in the US Scientists have discovered seven coronavirus variants with nearly identical mutations to their spike proteins in the US Two have gained ground in Louisiana and Mississippi, but the variants, known by their 677 mutations have been spotted in numerous states Scientists aren’t … 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
Washington, DC has reported its first cases of two highly contagious ‘super COVID’ variants that are sweeping the United States. Dr Laquandra Nesbitt, director of the District of Columbia Department of Health, announced on Thursday that three residents are confirmed to have the UK variant and one patient has the South African variant. Nesbitt said … Read more
Matt Hancock finally unveiled England’s draconian new quarantine programme for Britons arriving home from Covid hotspots abroad. The long-awaited and much debated scheme will see travellers arriving back from 33 Red List nations forced to stay in hotels for 10 days at their own expense before being allowed to go home. The action has been … Read more
Impala escapes from the jaws of a crocodile only to be ambushed and killed by waiting leopard WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT Angela and Craig Weeks recorded the clip at Kruger National Park, South Africa It showed young impala successfully struggling free from the jaws of a crocodile But it was then pursued and killed by a hungry leopard … Read more
Results suggesting the Oxford University Covid vaccine doesn’t stop people falling mildly unwell with the South African variant are not a ‘reason for alarm’, the lead scientist behind trials of the jab said today. Professor Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, hinted that evidence from Oxford’s own human trials in South Africa strongly indicated … Read more
The Prime Minister has been urged to toughen border controls after a passenger arriving from South Africa revealed she walked through Heathrow unchecked. Sharon Feinstein, who lives in Islington, north London, claims she walked through the terminal following a trip to Johannesburg, where the mutant strain is rife. Ms Feinstein landed yesterday after visiting her … Read more
French health minister Olivier Veran has received the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine today as he praised the jab for providing sufficient protection against ‘nearly all the variants’ of the coronavirus. Veran was seen on French television with his shirt off while being inoculated at a vaccination centre in the city of Melun near Paris. It comes after South … Read more
A booster jab that will help tackle the South African variant of coronavirus should be ready by the autumn, scientists said yesterday. The promise of an improved formulation will be necessary because the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine has a ‘minimal’ effect against the variant in reducing the number of cases, according to preliminary research. Government sources said … Read more