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9 articles from Guardian Unlimited Science

'Surrogate sires' could create specially bred livestock, say scientists

Trials on mice show how sterile animals can produce sperm deriving from elite breedersScientists have used gene-editing to create pigs, goats and cattle that can serve as so-called “surrogate sires” – male animals providing sperm that carry the genetic traits of elite donor animals – in a bid to tackle global food insecurity.For thousands of years, farmers have selectively bred livestock...

New Asian mosquito could bring malaria to African cities, warn scientists

Unlike endemic species, An. stephensi is adapted to urban areas, putting another 126 million people in dangerAlready grappling with the highest incidence of malaria with more than 90% of global cases, Africa should be wary of an Asian mosquito species that has the potential to spread the disease into the continent’s urban areas – subjecting an additional 126 million people to risk – a new...

Northern hemisphere breaks record for hottest ever summer

Past three months were 1.17C above 20th-century average2020 on track to be one of five warmest years, Noaa findsThis summer was the hottest ever recorded in the northern hemisphere, according to US government scientists. Related: Bigger than London, bigger than New York City: visualizing the size of fires in the US Continue...

People in England's 10 worst-hit Covid hotspots unable to get tests

Mobile testing unit fails to show up in Bolton, despite highest infection rate in UKCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coveragePeople in England’s 10 worst-hit coronavirus hotspots were unable to get tests on Monday, leading to claims of a “shambles”.Those trying to arrange a test in the areas with the highest infection rates were told that none were available at walk-in...

Scientists find gas linked to life in atmosphere of Venus

Phosphine, released by microbes in oxygen-starved environments, was present in quantities larger than expectedTraces of a pungent gas that waft through the clouds of Venus may be emanations from aerial organisms – microbial life, but not as we know it.Astronomers detected phosphine 30 miles up in the planet’s atmosphere and have failed to identify a process other than life that could account...

Global coronavirus report: WHO sees record daily rise in cases around world

India reports more than 94,000 new cases; Israel the first to reimpose national lockdown; encouraging signs in Australian state of Victoria Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe World Health Organization reported a record one-day increase in global coronavirus cases on Sunday, with the total rising by 307,930 in 24 hours.The biggest increases were from India, the United...

Just $5 per person a year could prevent future pandemic, says ex-WHO head

Cost would be billions, but represents a huge saving on $11tn response to Covid-19, estimates showCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageSpending $5 (£3.90) per person annually on global health security over the next five years could prevent a future “catastrophic” pandemic, according to a former head of the World Health Organization (WHO).It would cost the world...

Coronavirus live news: WHO reports record new global cases; Israel first country to reimpose national lockdown

WHO records more than 307,000 cases in 24 hours to Sunday; Victoria, Australia sees lowest case rise in nearly 3 months; Cases hit daily record in Czech Republic. Follow the latest updatesIsrael becomes first country to reimpose national lockdownOxford University resumes Covid-19 vaccine trialsTrump ally who tried to change Covid reports was ‘fighting deep state’Australian diplomats sent to...