How fast can vaccination against covid-19 make a difference?
Jan 23rd 2021HOSPITALS AROUND the world are, once again, buckling under a torrent of covid-19 patients. In places as far apart…
Viruses hitch lifts on some bacteria, the better to kill others
Jan 16th 2021NOWADAYS, PATHOGENIC bacteria are generally dealt with using antibiotics. But some researchers argue that bactericidal…
Two arthritis medicines prove effective for covid-19
Jan 14th 2021GOOD NEWS from covid-19 wards is hard to come by. A relentless surge in infections is overwhelming hospitals around…
A Japanese forestry firm wants to put wooden satellites into orbit
In space, wood has advantages over artificial materialsJan 13th 2021THE SPACE age was built on clever materials. The business…
Removing space junk
Jan 12th 2021HUMAN BEINGS are messy. They tend to leave rubbish behind them wherever they go—and to expect someone else to clear…
Balinese temple monkeys are sophisticated thieves
They prove that human beings are not the only species able to negotiate a dealJan 11th 2021IF YOU visit Uluwatu temple in Bali,…
Elon Musk’s latest adventure
Dec 3rd 2020IF ALL GOES well, Elon Musk’s plan to conquer the universe will soon take another step forward, with the flight…
How do proteins fold?
Nov 30th 2020TO UNDERSTAND LIFE, you must understand proteins. These molecular chains, each assembled from a menu of 20 types…
Britain becomes the first country to license a fully tested covid-19 vaccine
Dec 5th 2020ON DECEMBER 2ND Britain became the first country to permit the general use of a fully tested covid-19 vaccine. The…