Long March-5 rocket has been rolled into position for ignition expected this monthChina is preparing to launch its lunar sample return mission, Chang’e-5. On Tuesday the 57-metre Long March-5 rocket was rolled into position at the Wenchang spacecraft launch site in south China’s Hainan province.This will be the fifth launch of the Long March-5. According to the China National Space...

Trial suggests that tocilizumab improves outcomes for critically ill patients, say researchersCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageA drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis appears to help patients who are admitted to intensive care with the most severe coronavirus infections, researchers say.Tocilizumab, a medicine that dampens down inflammation, improved outcomes for...

Putting mass Covid testing in place before financial support for those required to self-isolate is putting the cart before the horseCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageAll eyes are fixed on vaccines, waiting and yearning, but when immunisation arrives, testing and tracing will long remain essential to keeping the virus suppressed due to the staggered rollout of the...

Further trials required but ‘delight’ after early data reveals strong immune response in over-70sCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageOxford University’s scientists have said there is no rush to publish efficacy results from their Covid vaccine trial, playing down expectations that some of the 100m doses the UK has ordered may be available by Christmas.Prof Andrew...

There’s now evidence that ignoring social distancing rules could help more lethal strains of Covid-19 to win outCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageLetting the virus that causes Covid-19 circulate more-or-less freely is dangerous not only because it risks overwhelming hospitals and so endangering lives unnecessarily, but also because it could delay the evolution of the...

Study says efforts to prevent spread of disease, such as social distancing, reduce virulence Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageA deeply entrenched idea, that newly emerged agents of disease inevitably evolve to become more benign over time, is scientifically unfounded, according to new research.They can, in fact, become more virulent depending on the conditions, and the...

Request will be made at WTO meeting in order to allow mass production of treatmentsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe UK will be asked to reconsider its opposition to waiving intellectual property rights for Covid-19 vaccines and treatments at a World Trade Organization meeting on Friday, a move that would allow mass production of treatments and inoculations against...

Phase 2 trial data shows strong immune response in over-70s and better tolerance in older adultsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe University of Oxford is expected to release data on the efficacy of its coronavirus vaccine candidate in the coming weeks, with the latest trial results suggesting it produces a strong immune response in older adults.The ChAdOx1 nCov-2019...

The second part of Ian Sample’s 2016 interview with Prof Sir Roger Penrose, which includes a quantum theory of consciousness and the age-old question of whether mathematics is invented or discovered Listen to the first part of the conversation here.We’ll be back next week with two new episodes – see you then! Continue...

The CSIRO research vessel, Investigator, has captured vision of a meteor breaking up over the ocean off Tasmania's southern coast. The meteor was filmed at 9.21pm AEDT on November 18 on the ship's 24/7 livestream camera. The ship is currently mapping the ocean floor 100km south of Tasmania, near the Huon Marine Park Continue...