First uncrewed mission of the Space Launch System now scheduled for November 2021Nasa has quietly made public that the development of its giant rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS), is now budgeted at $9.1 bn (£7bn). Ground systems to support the mission are budgeted at a further $2.4bn. As pointed out by Ars Technica, the new development cost represents a 33% increase in the cost of the...

With Covid-19 cases rising sharply, clarity and rigour are needed rather than visions of technological breakthroughsEven as the government imposed new restrictions to halt the surge in infections, the prime minister could not help claiming that life might look closer to normal by Christmas. Operation Moonshot – the pursuit of mass testing, to be deployed on a bigger scale than in any other...

Boris Johnson restricts gatherings in attempt to prevent second national lockdownCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageTough new rules that restrict gatherings to just six people could be in place until the spring to stop a winter surge of the virus, the government’s chief medical officer has warned.Prof Chris Whitty said the period “between now and spring is going to...

New guidelines aimed at ensuring AI research is of same quality as that in other fieldsThe first international standards for the design and reporting of clinical trials involving artificial intelligence have been announced in a move experts hope will tackle the issue of overhyped studies and prevent harm to patients.While the possibility that AI could revolutionise healthcare has fuelled...

White House adviser: ‘Hopefully, they’ll work it out’Drug maker AstraZeneca reviewing safety data after illnessThe White House coronavirus adviser Anthony Fauci said on Wednesday that AstraZeneca’s decision to pause global trials of its experimental coronavirus vaccine was “unfortunate” – but not an uncommon safety precaution in a vaccine development process.The UK drugmaker...

Tests have been paused after a UK volunteer became ill. How will it affect the search for a cure?Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageOne of the volunteers in the UK has become ill and it is crucial that the researchers find out whether this could be related to the vaccine. This is not uncommon in vaccine trials – and in fact it is said to be the second time it has...

Man says he would continue with trial despite being worried about a second injectionCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageA participant in the Oxford University coronavirus vaccine trial in the UK has said he is undeterred by a pause in the trial, which has been caused by an adverse reaction in one patient, and would continue to take part “in the name of science”.Joe...

UK health secretary admits it is not first time vaccine trial has been delayed Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMatt Hancock has said a pause to the Oxford coronavirus vaccine trial after a volunteer suffered an adverse reaction is not necessarily a setback.The UK health secretary said he was not overly concerned about the decision by pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca...

Is this the end for hopes of an early breakthrough in the race to find a coronavirus drug? The halt in development of the University of Oxford’s Covid-19 vaccine due to an adverse reaction in a trial participant has triggered fears of a delay in finding a solution to coronavirus restrictions.A spokesman for AstraZeneca, the company working with the academic team to produce the vaccine, said the...

Prof Catherine Bennett says it’s important for the public to understand how modelling data is being used to determine the lifting of restrictionsVictoria cases trend map; Full Australian Covid statsMelbourne stage 4 restrictions; Vic stage 3 rulesSign up for Guardian Australia’s coronavirus emailThe Victorian government has “taken a sledgehammer approach” to its roadmap out of lockdown...

Researchers in Andes find temperature a record for all birds and non-hibernating mammalsHummingbirds have scooped another record: they are not only tiny but can reach body temperatures below that of any non-hibernating mammal and any other bird.The hummingbird is among a number of small creatures, including certain bats, that can enter a state known as daily torpor, a phenomenon where they turn...

China’s leaders stage triumphant celebration of beating coronavirus; UK government to announce additional restrictions; AstraZeneca Plc and Oxford pause major vaccine trial for second time. Follow the latest updates‘Not a game’: Europe pleads with young people to halt Covid spreadGatherings of more than six to be banned in EnglandBrazil’s ex-president Lula condemns Bolsonaro over CovidUS:...