Australian Antarctic Division will drill 3,000 metres deep in bid to improve ancient climate records and future modelsAntarctic scientists are close to finalising a drilling location deep in the frozen continent’s interior that could reveal a continuous record of the Earth’s climate going back 1.5 million years.After almost a decade of work, scientists at the Australian Antarctic Division are...

My friend and colleague John Bishop, who has died aged 85, was a pioneer of molecular cell biology whose career bridged a remarkable era in life sciences – from genes to genetic engineering.Born in Edinburgh, to Mary (nee Oliver) and Robert Bishop, John was raised in the nearby town of Bo’ness, where his father was a shopkeeper. He won a scholarship to attend George Heriot’s school in...

With new variants of coronavirus popping up around the world what do the latest studies tell us?Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageWith new variants of the coronavirus taking hold around the world, and the administering of vaccines rollouts underway, we take a look at what is known about reinfection. Continue...

Reproduction number estimated to be between 0.7 and 0.9, suggesting epidemic is shrinkingThe reproduction number, or R value, of coronavirus has fallen below one for the first time since July and is estimated to be between 0.7 and 0.9 across the UK.In a sign that lockdown restrictions may be having an impact and the epidemic is shrinking, scientists advising the government gave their most...

NHS indicates vaccinators can move on to next cohort if they have done all they can to reach higher priority groupsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageGPs and other vaccinators can now give coronavirus vaccinations to people aged between 65 and 69 in England if they have done all they can to reach older and clinically vulnerable people in higher priority groups.NHS...

The society has announced the winners of its 2021 science photographer of the year competition. An exhibition of the winning images is the headline attraction at the Manchester science festival, which is taking place digitally from 12 to 21 February. A climate change category was introduced to the competition to reflect the theme of this year’s festival Continue...

Everyone in top four categories will have been offered first dose by weekend, says first ministerCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageWales is poised to become the first UK nation to have offered a Covid jab to everyone in the top four priority groups.The first minister, Mark Drakeford, said everyone in the four groups would have received an invitation to have the first...

Find backs theory that monument was dismantled and dragged over 140 miles to Wiltshire An ancient myth about Stonehenge, first recorded 900 years ago, tells of the wizard Merlin leading men to Ireland to capture a magical stone circle called the Giants’ Dance and rebuilding it in England as a memorial to the dead.Geoffrey of Monmouth’s account had been dismissed, partly because he was wrong on...