118 articles from FRIDAY 10.9.2021
Dame Sarah Gilbert: UK Covid booster jabs not necessary for all
Oxford jab scientist suggests extra doses should go instead to countries with low vaccination ratesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageOne of the leading scientists behind the Oxford vaccine for Covid-19 has said she does not support a widespread booster jab campaign in the UK as immunity among fully vaccinated people is “lasting well”.Prof Dame Sarah Gilbert, who...
Upside-down rhinos and nose-clearing orgasms: 2021's Ig Nobel winners announced – video
Groundbreaking studies into how well beards soften punches to the face, the benefits of transporting rhinoceroses upside down, and orgasms as a nasal decongestant have taken out one of the most coveted awards in science: the Ig Nobel prize. Not to be confused with Nobel awards, the Ig Nobels celebrate the quirkier realms of science, rewarding research that first makes people laugh and then...
Pfizer accused of holding Brazil ‘to ransom’ over vaccine contract demands
Leaked supply document reveals clauses to protect US pharma company from legal action in the event of serious side-effectsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coveragePfizer has been accused of holding Brazil “to ransom” over demands to shield itself from possible vaccine side-effect lawsuits in its contract to supply the country with 100m Covid jabs.In its $1bn (£700m) deal...
‘Maybe the guy’s a masochist’: how Anthony Fauci became a superstar
The US diseases expert has been spoofed by Brad Pitt and lauded as the ‘sexiest man alive’. Now the pop culture phenomenon is the focus of a documentaryBeer and bobbleheads. Candles, colouring books, cupcakes and cushions. Dolls, doughnuts, hoodies, mugs and socks. T-shirts and yard signs that declare “Dr Fauci is my hero” and “In Fauci we trust”.Anthony Fauci, an 80-year-old...
Details of rare bronze age coffin found in golf course pond revealed
Size of telephone box, coffin thought to be 4,000 years old and includes well-preserved axe among remains Golfers are forever trying to avoid everything from bunkers, the rough and water to other players’ putting lines. In Lincolnshire the hazard was almost an incredibly rare telephone box-sized early bronze age coffin.Historic England on Friday revealed details of a remarkable discovery as...
‘Revolutionary’ lung cancer drug made available on NHS in England
Patients in England first to benefit from Sotorasib after drug proven to halt growth of tumours for seven monthsLung cancer patients in England will become the first in Europe to benefit from a “revolutionary” new drug that can halt the growth of tumours by targeting the so-called “Death Star” mutation.The medication, Sotorasib, will be fast-tracked to NHS patients after it was proven in...
How to photograph the moon on your phone or camera with the right settings
Guardian Australia picture editor Carly Earl explains the dos and don’ts of taking pictures of the moonWhen a full moon rises, many people will pull out their mobile phones to try and take an Instagram-worthy picture, but unfortunately the moon is really challenging to get a great photo of.Two reasons: it is very far away and unless you have a telephoto lens (which makes the moon appear closer...
Boosters condemned as COVAX reigns in supply forecast
WHO urges rich nations to halt plans for COVID-19 booster shots as vaccine supplies to poor countries fall short.
Research on beards, wads of gum wins 2021 Ig Nobel prizes
Beards aren't just cool and trendy—they might also be an evolutionary development to help protect a man's delicate facial bones from a punch to the face.
California wildfires at risk of sparking as wind blows in
A weather system approaching northwest California was expected to bring dry lightning and blustery winds by late Thursday, unleashing a risk of new wildfires as thousands of firefighters have been making headway against existing blazes.
Biden administration targets 20% drop in aviation emissions
US President Joe Biden's adminstration on Thursday unveiled measures that aim to reduce aviation emissions by 20 percent by 2030 in its latest initiative to combat climate change.
The seismic zone worrying quake-hit Mexico
A 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck southern Mexico this week originated near a section of a fault that experts worry has been building up tension for more than a century.
Reconfigurable metasurfaces provide nanoscale light control
Researchers have designed electromechanically reconfigurable ultrathin optical elements that can be controlled and programmed on a pixel-by-pixel level. These versatile metasurfaces could offer a new chip-based way to achieve nanoscale control of light, which could lead to better optical displays, information encoding and digital light processing.
New spacesuit technology for moon and Mars exploration tested where Apollo astronauts once trained and tested spacesuits
The NASA Haughton-Mars Project (HMP) and collaborating organizations SETI Institute, Mars Institute, Collins Aerospace, and Ntention are announcing the successful field testing of new spacesuit technologies for future astronaut science and exploration operations on the Moon and Mars.
Upside down rhinos and nose-clearing orgasm studies win Ig Nobel prize
Research from the more unusual realms of science is recognised every year at this alternative awards ceremony Groundbreaking studies into how well beards soften punches to the face, the benefits of transporting rhinoceroses upside down, and orgasms as a nasal decongestant were honoured on Thursday night with one of the most coveted awards in science: the Ig Nobel prize.Not to be confused with the...