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13 articles from Guardian Unlimited Science

Nasal swab followed by antibody test may catch incorrect Covid-19 diagnoses

Use of dual testing could help as swabs miss around 30%-50% of infections, say UK researchersCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageTesting people twice for the coronavirus, with a nasal swab followed by an antibody finger prick test, would catch most of those people who fail to get the right Covid-19 diagnosis, researchers believe.Nose and throat swabs miss around 30% to...

The Guardian view on local lockdowns: devolve power, trust people | Editorial

Downing Street’s pandemic response is a toxic combination of control-freakery and incompetenceNot much about the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic looks effective with hindsight, but once the decision to go into a full national lockdown was taken, the instruction was at least delivered efficiently. “Stay at home” was a message clearly understood.Some Conservatives even...

More children diagnosed with mental illness amid Victoria’s second Covid wave

Exclusive: Data analysis of 3m patients also shows near eradication of flu and gastroThere has been a significant increase in anxiety, depression and eating disorders in young people aged up to 14 years old since Victoria’s second coronavirus wave began, data analysis of 3 million patients across general practices in Victoria and New South Wales has found.The study was led by Monash University,...

Whatever floats your boat? Scientists defy gravity with levitating liquid

Researchers use vibrations to make toy vessels bob about under floating layer of liquidScientists have turned the world upside down with a curious quirk of physics that allowed them to float toy boats the wrong way up beneath a levitating body of liquid.In a striking demonstration of the mind-bending effect, the boats seem to defy the laws of gravity as they bob about on the water above them with...

How upside-down floating boats defy gravity – video

Scientists have been able to float a toy boat upside down on a levitating body of water using a quirky rule of physics.Researchers believe the finding could have practical implications to separate waste from water and process mineralsWhatever floats your boat? Scientists defy gravity with levitating liquid Continue...

Two types of steroid found to save lives of some Covid-19 patients

Analysis of seven trials finds dexamethasone and hydrocortisone should be given in severe casesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageStudies around the world have confirmed that steroids can save lives in the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to new recommendations from the World Heath Organization that doctors should give them to severely ill patients.In June, the Recovery trial...

Don't blame 'selfish covidiots'. Blame the British government | Stephen Reicher

Pointing the finger in the wrong direction excuses those in power for failing to support people to stay at homeThe “covidiots” are back in the news – no longer crowded in parks, no longer crammed on to beaches, this time cavorting on flights back from their Greek holidays. The main culprit was a flight from Zante to Cardiff, where passengers were taking their masks off and wandering up and...

Top 10 books about space travel | Samantha Cristoforetti

The Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti chooses her favourite extraterrestrial reading, taking in fiction by Italo Calvino and Stanisław Lem alongside reportage and historyOne of the funny little things I noticed after having lived in space for a while is that, contrary to everyday experience on Earth, it took some effort to keep my arms pressed against my body. Had I remembered better my...

Covid lockdown eased in two of England's worst-hit areas despite surge in cases

Lifting of restrictions in Bolton and Trafford described as ‘completely illogical’ Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageRestrictions on social gatherings for more than half a million people in two of England’s worst-hit areas have been lifted, despite councils warning the government it was too soon to lift the measures.The government pressed ahead with the lifting of...

Coronavirus live news: US 'won't cooperate with WHO on vaccine' as Europe

White House condemns ‘corrupt’ international work on treatment; top UK doctor suggest Covid-19 could ‘fizzle out’; Hungary closes borders again. Follow all the developments liveSchools reopen across Europe as cases growUS refuses to cooperate with WHO on vaccineScotland rules holidaymakers returning from Greece must isolateFollow updates from Australia 12.33am BST The US refusal to...

Microplastic pollution devastating soil species, study finds

Researchers in China saw big reductions in organisms that play a crucial role in recycling carbon and nitrogenMicroplastic pollution causes significant damage to populations of soil-dwelling mites, larvae and other tiny creatures that maintain the fertility of the land, research has found.The study notes that discarded bags, cups, threads and other forms of plastic waste are concentrated more in...

US refuses to join international effort to develop Covid-19 vaccine

Decision is ‘real blow’ to Covax project, expert saysWhite House blames stance on role of WHO and ChinaThe US government has said that it will not participate in a global initiative to develop, manufacture and equitably distribute a vaccine for Covid-19 because the effort is co-led by the World Health Organization.The Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access Facility (Covax) is a plan developed by the...