Scientists should ditch ‘statistical significance’, say experts
A central tenet of science, the concept of “statistical significance”, should be abandoned, a group of influential experts claim.
Science
Particle robots recall royal ‘grey goo’ warning
Scientists call them “particle robots” but even their creators admit they share similarities with the “grey goo” that prompted a famous warning from the Prince of Wales.
Cancer trial making ‘real changes’ to survival rates for patients
A pancreatic cancer trial that aims to match patients with more targeted and effective treatments for their tumours has recruited its 100th patient.
Coffee compounds may slow growth of advanced prostate cancer – study
Compounds found in coffee may combat drug-resistant prostate cancer, research suggests.
£287,000 funding boost for Aberdeen Science Centre plans
Aberdeen Science Centre has received a six-figure funding boost from the Scottish Government.
Scientists call for global moratorium on editing inherited genes
Scientists from seven countries have called for a worldwide ban on the use of gene editing to stamp out inherited diseases or create “designer” babies.
Supercomputer to benefit from Hammond’s £200m science package
A £200 million package of funding for science projects including a supercomputer that “might even be able to come up with a solution to the (Brexit) backstop” has been announced in the Chancellor’s Spring Statement.
Hammond in £200m boost for scientific research
The Chancellor is to unveil plans for a £200 million investment in cutting-edge scientific research when he delivers his Spring Statement on Wednesday.
‘Proud’ female scientists mark International Women’s Day
Female scientists have warned there is still “work to do” to reach equality in the field, as they celebrated their achievements on social media on International Women’s Day.
Charities work together on brain science in bid to reduce conflict
Two charities have created a partnership to help young Scots better understand their brain science – and in turn improve mental and physical health and reduce conflict.
Life partners often unwittingly chosen with similar health risks, study reveals
People unwittingly tend to choose a partner who is likely to have a similar life expectancy, according to new research.
Watching TV could contribute to memory decline in over 50s, study suggests
Watching TV for just a few hours every night could contribute to memory decline in older people, new research suggests.
Global climate change targets unlikely to be met, research suggests
Global targets to limit climate change are unlikely to be met due to delays in changing the way people use land, according to new research.
Youngsters helping create new science lessons for north-east pupils
Schoolchildren in the north-east are helping younger pupils in a bid to secure a science award.
Hunt for Shackleton’s lost ship abandoned after submersible trapped in ice
The search for Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton’s lost Endurance ship has been called off, after extreme weather trapped an underwater vehicle in a sheet of frozen ice.
Breast pump feeding can pass harmful bugs on to babies, scientists warn
Using a breast pump can introduce the “wrong” kind of bacteria into babies and increase their risk of childhood asthma, a study suggests.
Programme for 2019 science festival tackling theme of ‘frontiers’
This year’s Edinburgh Science Festival is taking inspiration from the 50th anniversary of the moon landing with a programme themed around “frontiers”.
Fire at University of St Andrews was accidental, say police
A major blaze in a science building at the University of St Andrews began accidentally, police believe.
Brainy bees can do simple arithmetic, research shows
Bees have a grasp of basic maths and are able to add and subtract, a study has shown.
Plastics are being glued together in the ocean by bacteria, scientists find
Glue-like substances secreted by bacteria are sticking tiny particles of plastic together in the ocean to form larger masses, scientists have discovered.
‘Living the dream’: Museum curator’s boyhood space model inspires the internet
An almost 50-year-old Apollo 11 model made by a 12-year-old boy is going viral for a heartwarming reason: the model’s maker is now a curator at London’s famous Science Museum.
Minister asks innovators to work with him on post-Brexit relationship with EU
Universities and science minister Chris Skidmore has asked scientists to work with him on creating the UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU, amid heightened anxiety about the potential impact of no deal on research funding.
Doomsday Clock sticks at two minutes to ‘midnight’
The Doomsday Clock will remain at two minutes to midnight for the second year running, scientists have announced.
First step taken towards controlling heredity in mammals
A method of manipulating inheritance has been demonstrated in mammals for the first time, opening a new chapter of controversy in the field of gene editing.
Scotland ‘global leader’ in science and research, report indicates
Scotland is “punching above its weight” in the science and research sector, according to a new report.
New £20m drive to protect world’s oceans led by University of Strathclyde
A Scottish university is spearheading a £20 million programme aimed at tackling the current threats to the world’s oceans.
Periodic table to highlight scarcity of elements used in mobile phones
Chemical elements which make up everyday devices such as smartphones and TVs have been included in an “endangered list”.
Study explores potential of North Sea rocks to store renewable energy
Rocks in the seabed off the UK coast could act as stores for renewable energy on a large scale, a study suggests.
Periodic table found in university lab thought to be world’s oldest
A periodic table uncovered during a laboratory clear-out is believed to be the oldest in the world.
Air pollution exposure linked to increased risk of miscarriage, study finds
Pregnant women are at an increased risk of miscarrying if they are exposed to elevated levels of a type of air pollution, a study suggests.