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8 articles from Guardian Unlimited Science

Sir Arnold Wolfendale obituary

Astronomer royal and physicist who greatly advanced understanding of cosmic raysSir Arnold Wolfendale, the 14th astronomer royal, who has died aged 93, did much to advance understanding of cosmic rays, the stream of charged particles from outer space that continuously bombard the Earth’s atmosphere. For this purpose he assembled a strong team at Durham University, making it one of Britain’s...

Why the delay? The nations waiting to see how Covid vaccinations unfold

Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Japan are among those that won’t start vaccinating for months, in part to see how other populations react to the jabCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThey are the nations that have been held up as shining examples of coronavirus management. In Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan, daily Covid infections are in the single digits and...

Pfizer vaccine protects against new Covid variants, study suggests

Blood sample tests from 20 people show vaccine is effective against UK and South Africa variantsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech appears to protect against viruses carrying at least one of the key mutations found in two coronavirus variants that are causing rapid spread across the UK, according to a study.However, further...

Fears Covid vaccines would not work against South Africa variant led to travel curbs

Minister says extra check on travellers introduced as ‘we simply cannot take chances’Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageFears that Covid vaccines will not work against the new South African strain of the virus have prompted the introduction of testing for new arrivals into England and Scotland from abroad, the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, has said.Outlining the...

Food for thought? French bean plants show signs of intent, say scientists

Many botanists dispute idea of plant sentience, but study of climbing beans sows seed of doubtThey’ve provided us with companionship and purpose during the darkest days of lockdown, not to mention brightening our Instagram feeds. But the potted cacti, yucca, and swiss cheese plants we’ve welcomed into our homes are entirely passive houseguests. Aren’t they?Research suggests that at least one...

Identical twins are not so identical, study suggests

Research finds they differ by an average of 5.2 early mutations, adding new perspective to nature-versus-nurture debatesGenetic differences between identical twins can begin very early in embryonic development, according to a new study that researchers say has implications for studying the effects of nature versus nurture.Identical – or monozygotic – twins come from a single fertilised egg...

MPs call for more transparency over Covid decisions

Commons science committee MPs urge ministers to publish all evidence considered by SageCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMPs have called for greater transparency over Britain’s decision making in the coronavirus crisis amid concerns that policies are being drawn up without proper scrutiny.The government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) routinely...