Coronavirus capable of spreading through human contact, research suggests
Coronavirus appears to be capable of spreading from person to person and between cities, new findings suggest.
Science
Perfect coffee? Fewer beans, ground more coarsely, scientists say
Scientists believe they have come up with a formula for the perfect cup of coffee – it needs fewer beans which are ground more coarsely.
Public backs drone use if better regulated, report claims
The majority of people in the UK would support the widespread use of drones if stringent safety, security and monitoring measures existed, a new report has suggested.
Magnetised molecules used to monitor breast cancer
A scan that involves magnetising molecules can let doctors see in real time which regions of a breast tumour are active, new research suggests.
Scientists create ‘living concrete’ using sand, gel and bacteria
Scientists have developed what they call living concrete by using sand, gel and bacteria.
Gut bacteria could improve symptoms in Parkinson’s sufferers, study suggests
A common gut bacteria can slow and even reverse build-up of a protein associated with Parkinson’s, new research has suggested.
Machine keeps human livers alive for a week outside body
It may sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but scientists have developed a machine that can keep human livers alive for one week outside the body.
Nasa intern helps to discover new planet in first week at organisation
A school student interning at Nasa helped to discover a planet with two stars, the agency has announced.
Huntington’s disease drug trial helps patient ‘focus on the good’
One of the first people in Scotland to take part in a new trial for Huntington’s disease (HD) says the programme has taken him from a “real place of darkness”.
Brake dust ‘as bad as diesel exhaust fumes for immune system’
Metal particles released by worn-out brake pads may have the same harmful effects on the immune system as diesel exhaust fumes, according to new research.
Cool as a cuttlefish: 3D glasses help reveal strike patterns
While you wouldn’t expect to find yourself sitting next to a cuttlefish in the cinema, the world of 3D movies and glasses is not closed-off to the creatures.
Test using smartphone camera can diagnose UTIs in 25 minutes
Scientists have developed a test that uses a smartphone camera to diagnose urinary tract infections in 25 minutes.
Halving chemotherapy can still prevent testicular cancer return, trial concludes
Men with testicular cancer could be spared some of the side effects of chemotherapy after new research suggested their treatment could be halved.
Exoplanets discovery could reveal clues about Earth’s geology, astronomers say
Six new exoplanets orbiting very close to their stars could hold the key to understanding more about the Earth’s geology, astronomers say.
University student’s hand-cranked washing machines sent to refugee camp
Fifty new low-cost washing machines designed by a British university student are to be installed at an Iraq refugee camp this week.
Astronomers identify ‘food source’ that fuels supermassive black holes
Astronomers believe they have uncovered the mystery as to how ancient black holes grew quickly to become supermassive objects around 12 billion years ago.
Cannabis use linked to heart structure changes
Regular cannabis use could affect heart structure and function, new research suggests.
Rock sucker: Survival skill of insect below fast-flowing rivers revealed
Travelling up a river flowing as fast as three metres per second is no simple feat for any creature but certain insects have super strong suction organs that make it a walk in the park.
Overweight women can lower breast cancer risk by shedding pounds – study
Overweight women can lower their heightened risk of breast cancer by losing weight during middle age, research has found.
Research breakthrough raises hopes of cure for motor neurone disease
Scientists have identified cells key to motor neurone disease (MND) and hope the research breakthrough brings a cure a step closer.
The limits of ocean heavyweights: Prey availability helps curb size of whales
Some whales are huge, giant even, and are the largest creatures to have evolved on the planet.
Scientists modify plants to fight off widespread crop disease
Scientists have tested a new method to protect crops from disease by making the plants manufacture antibiotics derived from bacteria.
Tim Peake: Investment in R&D allows UK to reap rewards
Investment in science, and research and development is key for the UK to reap the rewards of future technologies, Tim Peake has said.
Dog years are a myth and puppies are middle-aged, scientists claim
The idea that dogs age seven years for every human year is a myth, scientists have claimed.
Sepsis alert system hailed for reducing deaths and hospital stays
Digital alerts which monitor patients for sepsis have resulted in a fall in deaths and hospital stays linked to the deadly condition.
Influencer pigeons sway the flock’s flight, study suggests
Most people associate influencers with social media nowadays but it seems there is a different form among birds guiding the flock.
Ultra-fast star found to be travelling at more than 3.7m mph
Astronomers have discovered an ultra-fast star travelling at more than 3.7 million miles per hour.
‘Smart needle’ could speed up cancer diagnosis rates, scientists say
A “smart needle” has been developed by scientists in the UK which could speed up cancer detection and diagnosis times.
Fingerprint test can tell if someone has used heroin, even after washing hands
Advanced technology that can tell whether a person has used heroin even if they wash their hands could help police identify drug users and dealers.
Astronomers find evidence of smaller black holes ‘hiding’ in Milky Way
Astronomers may have discovered a new class of black holes, smaller than any previously identified in the universe.