As research involving transplanting lab-grown human ‘mini-brains’ into animals to study neurological diseases continues to expand, experts warn the work with these brain organoids could result in a ‘Planet of the Apes’ scenario. The concern is animals could develop humanized traits and behave similar to the intelligent apes of the popular science fiction story. The … Read more
Two of the scientists behind Britain’s AstraZeneca jab could both make £26million today as the tech firm that developed it hits the US stock market. Oxford professors Sarah Gilbert and Adrian Hill both own 5.2 per cent of Vaccitech, which will later float on America’s Nasdaq exchange. The pair are alongside other scientists and investors who … Read more
Two of the scientists behind Britain’s AstraZeneca jab could both make £26million today as the tech firm that developed it hits the US stock market. Oxford professors Sarah Gilbert and Adrian Hill both own 5.2 per cent of Vaccitech, which will later float on America’s Nasdaq exchange. The pair are alongside other scientists and investors who … Read more
Human brains struggle to take ideas or elements away from designs, such as from a blueprint of a building – and instead tend to add more, a new study reveals. In experiments, participants tasked with making a Lego Duplo building stronger tended to add more bricks rather than take them away. In another computerised task, … Read more
Baby sea stars eat their siblings in what is an unexpected case of underwater cannibalism, according to scientists who accidentally observed the behaviour. Experts from William & Mary’s Department of Biology were trying to see how baby sea stars would react when a crab was introduced to their tank, but they started eating each other before … Read more
Guide dogs could soon be replaced by ROBOTS: Scientists develop four-legged bot that can lead blind people around obstacles and through narrow passages The robotic assistant was developed by researchers from California in the US It guides its handler by means of a leash, similar to how a real guide dog works The setup has … Read more
Members of the public are being asked by scientists to pull faces at their webcam or phone screen to learn more about a controversial technology. The site, called Emojify, was built to draw attention to ’emotion recognition’ systems and the downfalls of this powerful technology. Powered by artificial intelligence, it is is designed to recognise … Read more
Trials of vaccination passports will begin at some of the country’s most iconic venues next week, with crowds of up to 21,000 people allowed to gather for the first time in a year. Boris Johnson will tomorrow confirm a system of certification that will allow spectators at football matches and other sporting events, nightclubs and theatres. … Read more
The Netherlands is halting AstraZeneca coronavirus jabs for people aged under 60 after fresh reports of rare blood clots, Dutch health authorities said on Friday. The move comes after five new cases were reported in the Netherlands in women aged between 25 and 65 while the UK’s regulator last night announced it has just seen 30 … Read more
Scientists have found evidence that some face masks that are on sale and being used by members of the general public are laced with toxic chemicals. Preliminary tests have revealed traces of a variety of compounds which are heavily restricted for both health and environmental reasons. This includes formaldehyde – a chemical known to cause … Read more