An Indonesian volcano which triggered a deadly tsunami 16 months ago has erupted again, spewing a column of ash up to 15km into the sky. Scientists said Anak Krakatau, a volcanic island between Java and Sumatra, was continuously erupting until Saturday morning, making it the longest eruption there since its devastating collapse in 2018. ... Read More »
Coronavirus vaccine could be ready by September, says Oxford professor working on trials
An Oxford professor has claimed that a vaccine for Covid-19 could be ready by autumn. Sarah Gilbert is a professor of vaccinology at the University of Oxford and leads a team of researchers in developing a vaccine for the coronavirus, which has so far infected more than 1.7 million worldwide. The ... Read More »
Coronavirus could double number of people going hungry
Exclusive: multinationals write to G7 and G20 urging leaders to keep borders open to trade and avert global food crisis Food supplies across the world will be “massively disrupted” by the coronavirus, and unless governments act the number of people suffering chronic hunger could double, some of the world’s biggest ... Read More »
Is Europe beating the virus? Experts urge prudence
Even with the death toll still climbing, Europe’s home confinement measures to combat the coronavirus appear to be bearing some fruit. The initial flood of hospital admissions is starting to slow and infection rates in some countries are flattening. Some are beginning to hope that lockdowns could be eased soon. ... Read More »
How did coronavirus start and where did it come from? Was it really Wuhan’s animal market?
It’s likely Covid-19 originated in bats, scientists say. But did it then jump to pangolins? In the public mind, the origin story of coronavirus seems well fixed: in late 2019 someone at the now world-famous Huanan seafood market in Wuhan was infected with a virus from an animal. The rest ... Read More »
Coronavirus vaccine: Engineered virus tested on mice offers hope for protection against Covid-19, scientists say
A new study on mice offers hope for a vaccine against coronavirus, according to the researchers behind it. The latest research successfully protected mice against a lethal dose of Mers, a very close relative of the new coronavirus that causes Covid-19. Scientists suggest that the same delivery method could work ... Read More »
Coronavirus hits men harder. Here’s what scientists know about it
The early evidence leaves little doubt that Covid-19 poses a greater risk to men – but are the reasons biological or cultural? he coronavirus crisis seems to be placing everything under a harsh, unforgiving spotlight: economic inequality, the vulnerabilities of healthcare systems, the fragility of globalisation and the challenges of ... Read More »
When will a coronavirus vaccine be ready?
Human trials will begin imminently – but even if they go well and a cure is found, there are many barriers before global immunisation is feasible Even at their most effective – and draconian – containment strategies have only slowed the spread of the respiratory disease Covid-19. With the World ... Read More »
Scientists ask: could summer heat help beat Covid-19?
Balmy days are coming, with temperatures forecast to reach 20C in some regions. The warm weather will bring welcome respite to lockdown Britain – and put pressure on authorities trying to control crowds and gatherings. However, scientists also believe warm weather could bring new insights into the virus by showing ... Read More »
Coronavirus: How To Clean Your Groceries And Stay Safe When Food Shopping
With lockdown conditions imposed on the UK, the majority of the nation’s daily routines have come to halt with activities such as food shopping being kept to a bare minimum. Some of the biggest public concerns surrounding the outbreak so far have been related to supermarkets, from whether essential groceries and household items will remain in good supply to how ... Read More »