Fireball that lit up UK skies likely to be piece of asteroid, say scientists
A fireball that lit up the skies over the UK on Sunday night is likely to have been a small piece of an asteroid entering the Earth’s atmosphere, scientists have said.
Science
John Mallard: Aberdeen professor who helped create first full-body MRI scan dies at 94
John Mallard, the pioneering Aberdeen physicist who helped create the world's first full-body MRI scanner, has died at the age of 94.
Nasa’s Perseverance rover sends back first colour images from Mars
Nasa’s Mars Perseverance rover has sent back its first colour images from the surface of the red planet.
No justification for UK science agency to be exempt from FoIs, say campaigners
Civil liberties and press freedom campaigners have said there is “no justification” for a new “high-risk” scientific research agency to be permitted to carry out its work in secret.
‘Facial blindness’ studied in large-scale research project
The largest-ever research project into the treatment of people with so-called “face blindness” has been launched.
Scientists handed ‘licence to fail’ with creation of bold UK research agency
Scientists will be given £800 million of public money to explore ideas that could fail as the UK strives to put itself at the centre of global innovation, ministers have announced.
Engineers release designs for ‘make at home’ 3D printed oxygen sensor
Engineers have released designs for a 3D printed blood-oxygen sensor that can be made at home.
Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine effective against South African variant, study suggests
The Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is effective against the coronavirus variant that emerged from South Africa, according to a new study.
Coronavirus antibodies last for at least six months after infection – study
Coronavirus antibodies last for at least six months after infection for the majority of people who have had the virus, according to a new study.
Paul Crutzen, who shared Nobel for ozone work, dies aged 87
Dutch scientist Paul J Crutzen, who won the Nobel Prize for chemistry for his work understanding the ozone hole and is credited with coining the term Anthropocene to describe the geological era shaped by mankind, has died.
Researchers discover royal purple fabric from biblical times
Scientists have discovered rare evidence of fabric dyed with royal purple dating from the time of King David and King Solomon.
Doomsday Clock remains at closest point ever to midnight
The Doomsday Clock has remained at 100 seconds, staying the closest to midnight it has ever been for the second year running.
Scientific discovery could aid those affected by deadly heart condition
A new scientific discovery could help thousands of people affected by a deadly heart condition, researchers have said.
What is the science behind Covid-19 and schools?
Boris Johnson is coming under pressure to reopen England’s schools before Easter.
Vaccine calculator: When can you expect your coronavirus jab?
An online calculator that tells users where they are in the queue for a coronavirus vaccine has gone live.
Fossil is ‘missing link’ between modern starfish and their ancestors – study
A 480-million-year-old fossil found in Morocco is a “missing link” between modern-day starfish and their ancestors, a scientist has said.
Guppy fish have evolved self-control, study claims
Just like humans trying to stick to New Year’s resolutions, guppies have varying levels of self-control, a study has suggested.
‘Major milestone’ as drug approved for newly diagnosed ovarian cancer patients
Thousands of patients in England newly diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer will now have access to a drug treatment to delay the progression of the disease – in what has been hailed as “a major milestone”.
Cheers! French wine and vines head home after year in space
The International Space Station bid adieu on Tuesday to 12 bottles of French Bordeaux wine and hundreds of snippets of grapevines that spent a year orbiting the world in the name of science.
Coronavirus introduced to the UK more than 1,000 times in early pandemic – study
There were more than 1,000 introductions of the novel coronavirus in the UK during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, scientists have found.
University once again accepting bodies donated for science
A university is to resume accepting bodies donated for medical science after the programme was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Boris Johnson struggles with names of Covid-19 drugs
Boris Johnson struggled with pronouncing the names of two tongue-twisting drugs that can significantly reduce the risk of death from coronavirus as well as time spent in hospital by up to 10 days.
‘Pandemic shows we cannot make it without science’ – Greta Thunberg
Climate experts are not being listened to despite the coronavirus pandemic highlighting the importance of following science, environmental activist Greta Thunberg has said.
Brexit deal: UK students will no longer take part in Erasmus but ‘sigh of relief’ on Horizon participation
The UK will no longer take part in the Erasmus programme, which has allowed hundreds of thousands of students to study at some of Europe's top learning institutions.
Teenagers in England ‘performed significantly worse’ in science, study finds
Teenagers in England are performing significantly worse in science than in 2015, an analysis has found.
Low steroid doses ‘may be linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk’
Low doses of a steroid may be linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, new research has suggested.
Test could pick out breast cancer patients at higher relapse risk – scientists
A low-cost test that measures a breast cancer patient’s response to short-term hormone therapy could help predict how likely the disease is to return, researchers believe.
‘Elegant’ wings are the secret to how birds fly in gusty winds, say scientists
The secret to how birds are able to fly in gusty winds lies in the “elegant mechanics” of their wings, scientists have found.
Aberdeen Science Centre announces date for reopening following major revamp
The revamped Aberdeen Science Centre will unveil its new look when it reopens next month.
New molecule created in quest to restore brain and spinal cord function
Brain and spinal cord function could be restored and repaired by a new molecule created by researchers, a study suggests.