Statistician says PM’s initial excuse for not self-isolating is part of pattern of pilot studies that lack transparencyCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageA scientist has cast doubt on the validity of a workplace pilot scheme used by Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak to initially avoid self-isolation, accusing the government of secrecy surrounding it and other research.On...

First human spaceflight of Blue Origin’s sub-orbital New Shepard rocket to launch in TexasHow billionaire space race could be giant leap for pollutionThe billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos will attempt his most ambitious delivery on Tuesday, when he accompanies an octogenarian aviation pioneer, a college student and his own brother Mark into space on a rocket that he funded and built...

Fragile health systems are at risk due to high numbers of medical staff leaving to work in richer countries, say expertsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe loss of frontline health workers dying of Covid around the globe, is being compounded in the hospitals of developing nations by trained medical staff leaving to help in the pandemic effort abroad, according to...

Four charts that show why the big unlocking could be coming too soonCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe government has technically hit its 19 July target of offering all adults in the UK a Covid-19 vaccine.But although all adults have been offered a first dose, not all of them have had it, and a significant number have had only one dose, not two. Only 68% of UK adults...

One rocket launch produces up to 300 tons of carbon dioxide into the upper atmosphere where it can remain for yearsLast week Virgin Galactic took Richard Branson past the edge of space, roughly 86 km up – part of a new space race with the Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos, who aims to make a similar journey on Tuesday.Both very wealthy businessmen hope to vastly expand the number of people in space....

Low in the south, the planets are slowly moving apart following December’s great conjunctionIf you missed it last month, this week offers night owls another chance to watch the moon cruise past the giant planets Jupiter and Saturn.Low in the south, Jupiter and Saturn are gradually moving apart following their great conjunction last December, when they appeared so close in the sky that they could...