Scientists slam ‘indefensible’ axing of Nasa’s $450m Viper moon rover
In an open letter to the US Congress, experts say decision will undermine lunar exploration for the next decade Thousands of scientists have protested to the US Congress over the “unprecedented and indefensible” decision by Nasa to cancel its Viper lunar rover mission. In an open letter to Capitol Hill, they have denounced the move, […]
Special treat for stargazers as Perseid meteor shower set to light up night sky
Perseids will be at their height Sunday night into Monday – and viewers will be able to spot a flurry of shooting stars If you’ve been waiting to make a wish, this weekend may be your best opportunity to spot a shooting star. The Perseids – a meteor shower visible from late-July to mid-August each […]
UK shortage of drug used to prevent brain damage in alcoholics
Experts say addiction patients are being treated as second-class citizens as ‘essential’ Pabrinex is withdrawn Doctors have warned that a severe shortage of an “essential” medicine used to help protect alcoholics from degenerative brain conditions could disproportionately affect “some of the most vulnerable” in society. Pabrinex, a multivitamin injection, is used to protect heavy drinkers […]
Wildlife boosted by England’s nature-friendly farming schemes, study finds
Areas where farmers provide good habitats show notable increase in butterflies, bees, bats and breeding birds Butterflies, bees and bats are among the wildlife being boosted by England’s nature-friendly farming schemes, new government research has found. Birds were among the chief beneficiaries of the strategy, particularly ones that largely feed on invertebrates. An average of […]
ISS astronauts on eight-day mission may be stuck until 2025, Nasa says
Two astronauts who left Earth in June remain at International Space Station after issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule Two US astronauts who blasted into space for an eight-day mission in June may be stuck on the International Space Station until next year if their Boeing Starliner cannot be repaired for them to return home, Nasa […]
NHS to offer ‘life-changing’ gene therapy for blood disorder thalassaemia
Treatment may be offered to hundreds with severe form of disease, most often found in people of Mediterranean, Asian and Middle Eastern heritage People living with a rare genetic blood disorder in England will be offered a “life-changing” new treatment on the NHS, in what has been described as a historic moment. Casgevy, which is […]
Deep space radar site in Wales to go ahead to protect UK from ‘space warfare’
Ministers say network of 27 radar dishes in Pembrokeshire crucial to defend against ‘increasing belligerence in space’ Plans for a network of radars tracking deep space activity to help protect the UK from “space warfare” are to go ahead in Pembrokeshire, despite the opposition of local campaigners. The 27 radar dishes planned for the St […]
Opioid painkillers put millions at risk of addiction or dependency – study
Research finds one in three people taking the drugs show signs of becoming dependent, and one in eight are at risk from misuse Millions of people are addicted to, or at risk of becoming dependent on, prescription opioid painkillers, according to international research. The study found that one in three people taking prescribed opioid analgesics, […]
All-night streetlights make leaves inedible to insects, study finds
Scientists believe artificial light may be affecting natural ecology of plant life by creating extended photosynthesis Streetlights left on all night cause leaves to become so tough that insects cannot eat them, threatening the food chain, a study has found. Scientists noticed that trees in urban ecosystems showed far less damage than those in more […]
Vaccinating badgers more effective than culls in stopping bovine TB, study finds
Percentage of badgers with bTB fell to zero in Cornish study, raising hopes of end to cull of 210,000 badgers since 2013 A large-scale vaccination programme could help eradicate bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in badgers, according to a first-of-its-kind study with “really promising” results for cattle farmers, whose herds have been devastated by the disease. Over […]