The new $23m loo better accommodates women with a tilted seat, new shape and redesigned funnels for urinationNasa’s first new space potty in decades – a $23m titanium toilet better suited for women – is getting a not-so-dry run at the International Space Station before eventually flying to the moon.It’s packed inside a cargo ship set to blast off late Thursday from Wallops Island,...
Covid pandemic sets back exploration that aims to shed light on origin of life on EarthCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageNasa has delayed the launch of its Dragonfly rotorcraft by 12 months. Citing budget pressures caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the agency’s planetary science division will now target 2027 to launch the mission to Titan, Saturn’s mysterious...
Researches find that athletes with larger gluteus maximus are more likely to be faster sprintersA large gluteus maximus - the muscle that forms the bottom - is key to athletes achieving top speeds on the track, according to a study.After examining the anatomy of elite athletes, researchers discovered that a large bottom is key for sprint performance. Continue...
Issues over production, efficacy and public trust mean restrictions may be needed for some timeCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageA successful vaccine for Covid-19 will not conquer the spread of the virus alone, with restrictions on daily life likely to continue for some time, a team of experts have said.Hundreds of teams of researchers around the world are working to...
Measures restricting travel out of Spanish capital disputed; Germany declares 11 European risk zones; Northern Ireland records worst daily case tollCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageResidents of Spain’s infection hotspot, Madrid, are to be barred from leaving except on essential trips under new rules to fight the coronavirus resurgence, Spain’s government said on...
According to a UN study published last year, smart assistants with female voices are often programmed with contrite and demure responses to verbal abuse or harassment, entrenching harmful gender biases. In the second of two episodes, Alex Hern takes a look at the sexualisation of female AI and robots, what this means for how we treat them, and asks how we can give them a feminist reboot Continue...
Northern Ireland’s cumulative cases per 100,000 double in a week; Neanderthal genes increase risk of serious Covid-19, study claims; Russia places huge bet on Covid vaccine. Follow the latest updates34m jobs lost in Latin AmericaMadrid lockdown loomsGermans embrace fresh air to tackle coronavirusIsrael bans mass protests as Covid lockdown tightensSee all our coronavirus coverage 12.56am BST The...
Effect seen across much of world will have profound consequences, warn scientistsThe climate crisis is heating up nights faster than days in many parts of the world, according to the first worldwide assessment of how global heating is differently affecting days and nights.The findings have “profound consequences” for wildlife and their ability to adapt to the climate emergency, the researchers...