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39,462 articles from Guardian Unlimited Science

Trial shows more than 90% of women trying for baby lack essential nutrients

Most of those tested lack nutrients crucial for healthy foetal development as found in abundance in meat and dairy productsMore than 90% of women who are trying for a baby may have marginal or low levels of vitamins that are essential for a healthy pregnancy, according to researchers, who say the problem is likely to worsen as vegetarian diets become more popular.Tests on more than 1,700 women in...

The Guardian view on cystic fibrosis treatments: a rollercoaster ride for the sick | Editorial

Patients are facing shorter lives as drug companies are demanding prices that health services here and in other countries cannot payCystic fibrosis is a distressing disease, clogging the lungs of children who have to fight to breathe, and shortening lives. Parents – and young adults who also suffer from it – have been on a rollercoaster ride in the last few years. They have been taken to the...

The words of the year are here – and top dictionaries are in rare agreement

Merriam-Webster says ‘authentic’ saw a big jump in searches this year, thanks to discussions about AI and social mediaThe moment we’ve all breathlessly waited for is finally here: dictionaries are announcing their words of the year. Last week, the US’s most esteemed lexicon, Merriam-Webster, revealed its choice: “authentic”.In its announcement, the dictionary said the word had seen a...

Obelisk celebrating pioneering Lady Mary Wortley Montagu given highest listing

Aristocrat introduced smallpox inoculation to Britain, saving many lives, yet remains largely unknownIt is a monument that celebrates the achievements of someone who would, her supporters say, be far better known if she had been a man.But now a 300-year-old obelisk is being given one of England’s highest listings because of the remarkable story it tells of an overlooked medical pioneer. Continue...

Why are we still struggling to get contraception right? – podcast

As the pill becomes available over the counter and free of charge in England, Madeleine Finlay talks to science correspondent Nicola Davis about the problems women in the UK face in getting access to appropriate contraception, and how unwanted side-effects and lack of support have led to a rise in the popularity of fertility awareness-based methods. She also hears from Katie about her own journey...

‘Incredibly lucky’: Antarctic scientists examine world’s largest iceberg, three times the size of NYC

Samples have been taken of huge iceberg known as A23a, which calved off Antarctica 40 years ago and measures 4,000 sq km Antarctic scientists have been able to get an “incredibly lucky” inspection of the world’s largest iceberg – about three times the size of New York City – which calved off the icy continent nearly 40 years ago.The huge iceberg, known as A23a, was once attached to an...


MONDAY 4. DECEMBER 2023


‘Honestly, he kind of sucks’: why trash talking can feel good – and bad

Venting can help us bond, but it can also leave a sour taste in your mouth – where is the line, and why do we love doing it?It’s a rush to realize you dislike the same person as someone else. There’s a delicate, intoxicating dance: throwing out oblique criticisms and prowling around the edges until one person takes the leap and bravely says: “Honestly, they kind of suck.”Soaking up the...

Virgin Galactic shares plunge as Branson rules out further funding

British billionaire alarms investors by stating space tourism company has enough cash to operate ‘on its own’Shares in the space tourism group Virgin Galactic tumbled on Monday after its founder, Sir Richard Branson, ruled out further funding.The British billionaire alarmed investors by stating in an interview that the loss-making business has enough cash to operate “on its own”, weeks...

More than 1,000 climate scientists urge public to become activists

‘We need you,’ says Scientist Rebellion, which includes authors of IPCC reports on climate breakdown, as diplomats meet for Cop28Cop28 live – latest updatesWolfgang Cramer’s first involvement with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was in the 90s. He worked on the second assessment report, delivered in 1995, which affirmed the science of anthropogenic climate breakdown. At that...

I reversed my type 2 diabetes. Here’s how I did it | Neil Barsky

Modern medicine makes it seem as if drugs are the only way to deal with diabetes. But what if diet can be a solution?One gray Sunday in the middle of the Covid lockdown, I received an unwelcome call from my family doctor. Until then, for virtually my entire life, I had managed to stay out of a doctor’s office, except for routine checkups. My luck had run out.“I am sorry to disturb you on a...