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6 articles from Guardian Unlimited Science
'Absolutely gargantuan': astrophysicist explains largest cosmic explosion ever witnessed – video
Scientists at Southampton University say they accidentally stumbled upon the largest explosion ever recorded in the cosmos. Known as AT2021lwx, Philip Wiseman, a lead researcher at the university says his team believed it happened around 8bn years ago. Wiseman said it was only detectable from the earth because of the sheer magnitude of the explosion, which they believe was caused by a giant gas...
Saturn regains status as planet with most moons in solar system
Discovery of 62 new moons restores ringed planet’s lead after it was briefly overtaken by JupiterSaturn has regained its crown as the planet with the most moons in the solar system, just months after being overtaken by its fellow gas giant Jupiter.The leap-frog comes after the discovery of 62 new moons of Saturn, bringing its official total to 145. Jupiter, which added 12 moons to its tally in...
Call for psychosis treatment overhaul after evidence of autoimmune trigger
Patients to be treated with medicines used for arthritis and lupus in relaunch of pioneering UK trialOne of the UK’s leading psychiatrists is calling for an overhaul of the diagnosis and treatment of psychotic disorders following evidence that a small but significant fraction of cases could be triggered by an autoimmune response.Speaking before the relaunch of a groundbreaking trial in which...
Banana appeal: Australia’s first genetically modified fruit sent for approval
Cavendish made to resist fungus threatening variety worldwide is seen as safety net for growers if industry wiped outGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastScientists have submitted Australia’s first genetically modified fruit – a Cavendish banana – to regulators for approval, saying it has been engineered to withstand a deadly fungus that poses a threat to...
Astronomers capture largest cosmic explosion ever witnessed
Fireball ‘100 times the size of the solar system’ thought to have been caused by gas being sucked into supermassive black holeIt started as an unremarkable flicker in the night sky. But closer observations revealed that astronomers had captured the largest cosmic explosion ever witnessed, an event thought to have been triggered by a giant cloud of gas being gobbled up by a supermassive black...
US Covid emergency status ends as officials plan ‘new phase of managing’ virus
Vaccines and medication will remain available for free ‘while supplies last’ but most Americans will have to pay for testingThursday marked the end of Covid-19’s public health emergency status in the US, concluding more than three years of free access to testing, vaccines, virtual accommodations and treatment for the majority of Americans.The end of the emergency designation comes just weeks...