50 articles from THURSDAY 25.11.2021

Action over variant shows government keen to avoid Christmas calamity of 2020

Analysis: variant provides test of whether relaxation of rules and booster push is effective policySouth Africa to be put on England’s travel red list Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageLast Christmas, as ministers rashly promised five days of festive family gatherings while a new variant gathered pace, Boris Johnson held out until the final hours until he bowed to the...

South Africa to be put on England’s travel red list over new Covid variant

Flights from six countries will be banned as officials review travel measures after scientists voice concern over variant Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageFlights from southern Africa will be banned, with six countries placed under England’s red list travel restrictions, after scientists raised the alarm over what is feared to be the worst Covid-19 variant yet...

What do we know about the new ‘worst ever’ Covid variant?

UK places South Africa on red travel list over B.1.1.529 variant picked up by scientists in countrySouth Africa to be put on England’s travel red listSee all our coronavirus coverageWhat is the new variant and why is it a concern?Scientists have detected a new Covid-19 variant called B.1.1.529 and are working to understand its potential implications. About 50 confirmed cases have been identified...

Loss of ancient grazers triggered a global rise in fires

From 50,000 years to 6,000 years ago, many of the world's largest animals, including such iconic grassland grazers as the woolly mammoth, giant bison, and ancient horses, went extinct. The loss of these grazing species triggered a dramatic increase in fire activity in the world's grasslands, according to a new study.

'Magic wand' reveals a colorful nano-world

Researchers describe a revolutionary imaging technology that compresses lamp light into a nanometer-sized spot. It holds that light at the end of a silver nanowire like a Hogwarts student practicing the 'Lumos' spell, and uses it to reveal previously invisible details, including colors, in nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes.