Guardian readers respond to John Harris’s piece on understanding the reasons behind vaccine hesitancyJohn Harris may be correct to frame the avoidance of vaccination by a significant portion of the UK population as the consequence of mistrust in authority or government (Understanding, not judgment, should shape our response to those who remain unjabbed, 2 January). However, I and many millions...
Three screenings at this year’s Göteborg festival will ‘transform the audience’s state of mind’ with a live hypnotist on stageThe Göteborg film festival is no stranger to stunts. It has previously featured screenings for a single audience member at a North Sea lighthouse, as well as “coffin screenings” in which lucky viewers were interred inside a sarcophagus to enhance their sensory...
Almost 60% of over-12s have had their booster or third dose, but the drive has experienced a slowdown since ChristmasCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageOfficial data shows the number of people getting boosted in the UK fell to just over 100,000 on Sunday, compared with highs of more than 900,000 before Christmas when on some days people were queueing for hours to get...
A Duke University study nine top rated products contained PFAS, which has been linked to cancer and other health problemsAnti-fogging sprays and cloths often used to prevent condensation on eyeglasses from wearing a mask or on face shields may contain high levels of potentially toxic PFAS “forever chemicals”, according to a new study led by Duke University.Researchers tested four of the...
British Army physiotherapist ‘Polar Preet’ skied 700 miles across Antarctica in 40 days, five days ahead of schedulePreet Chandi, thought to be the first woman of colour to complete a solo crossing on Antarctica, has finished her expedition to the south pole almost a week ahead of schedule.Chandi or “Polar Preet”, endured temperatures of -50C as she skied 700 miles across Antarctica in 40...
My lab has found significant microclot formation in long Covid patients. Unfortunately, these are missed in routine blood testsOne of the biggest failures during the Covid-19 pandemic is our slow response in diagnosing and treating long Covid. As many as 100 million people worldwide already suffer from long Covid. That staggering number will eventually be much higher, if we take into account that...
Minister says change in England would reflect ‘accuracy and amount of lateral flow tests’ and not staff shortagesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe UK government is understood to be preparing to announce that people in England will no longer have to take PCR tests to confirm their coronavirus infection after a positive lateral flow test.The care minister, Gillian...
There are hopes this outbreak will not be as deadly as the devastating wave in April 2021, which saw crematoriums overwhelmedCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageIndia is in the midst of a Covid third wave, officials have said, as the spread of Omicron has led to a doubling of cases in recent days and curfews being imposed on cities across the country.“India is clearly...
Contrary to what Charles Darwin once argued, emotions enhance our process of reasoning and aid decision-makingCharles Darwin created the most successful theory in the history of biology: the theory of evolution. He was also responsible for another grand theory: the theory of emotion, which dominated his field for more than a century. That theory was dead wrong.The most important tenet of his...
Marine geoscientists study glacial sediments to determine where to install turbines at seaThe last of Britain’s glaciers melted 10,000 years ago, but the way they shaped the landscape still affects our lives today. Locations of towns and cities have been determined by which direction those giant rivers of ice flowed; tourists flock to see the picturesque lakes and hills sculpted by their brute...
Remains of some of the 163 children at Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo to be examined using X-ray The 200-year-old secrets of the child mummies of the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo in northern Sicily are to be revealed by a British-led team of scientists using X-ray technology.Dr Kirsty Squires, of Staffordshire University, will head a first attempt to tell the stories of some of the 163 children...
Study finds test works on people with concerning signs such as unexplained weight loss or fatigueScientists have developed a blood test that could help detect cancer in people with nonspecific symptoms such as unexplained weight loss or fatigue.If validated, the test could enable cancer patients to be identified earlier, when they are more likely to respond to treatment, and help flag up who could...