Humans Exonerated of Killing Off the American Giant Animals
We may however have delivered some megafauna species the coup de grâce, especially after a magnetic pole reversal caused global mayhem 42,000 years ago
Science & Health
Pfizer Seeks U.S. Approval for COVID-19 Vaccine to Be Stored at Higher Temperatures
If approved, the less onerous storage requirements would provide significant logistical relief for vaccine roll-out worldwide, particularly in lower-income countries that lack ultra-cold storage capabilities
Scientists Extract DNA Over a Million Years Old From Frozen Mammoths
First shock from genetic analysis of three ancient mammoths: Siberia had two lineages of steppe mammoth. Second surprise: The North American mammoth was a hybrid
The Superspreaders Behind Top COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories
Their claims were explosive. Their evidence was weak. These are the superspreaders
Strange Life Found on Seafloor in the Dark, Beneath Antarctic Ice Shelf
Clinging to Antarctic rock, a small sedentary animal was discovered where none were thought to be able to survive
Hurricane Wind-speed Doubled and Other Climate Change Briefs
Squirrels are heading for the hills, a problem with trees, a snag in measuring climate change at 'Ground Zero,' and wet Israel
Germany Tightens Border Checks to Keep Out Virus Variants
Infection rates in Germany have been declining steadily in recent weeks but officials are concerned about the possible impact of variants first discovered in Britain and South Africa
Fruit Flies in Space Ruin Dreams of Colonizing Mars
As the UAE spacecraft orbits around Mars – mazel tov – it’s a good time to revisit how plausible life in outer space really is
Explained Where Did COVID-19 Come From? The WHO's 4 Theories After the Wuhan Probe
The WHO’s leading animal disease expert, said the team conducted scientific investigations into four main scenarios about how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, spread into humans
New Figures Suggest Russia Had Third Highest COVID-19 Death Toll in 2020
Russian authorities imposed a lockdown during the first wave of the pandemic last year, but resisted doing so again in September when the daily number of cases began to rise
South Africa Adjusts AstraZeneca Vaccine Roll Out to Assess Efficacy
South Africa said on Sunday it would put on hold its use of the AstraZeneca shot after research showing it was only minimally effective in preventing mild-to-moderate illness against a variant in the country
New Variants Raise Worry About COVID-19 Virus Reinfections
How long immunity lasts from natural infection is one of the big questions in the pandemic
Countdown to 'Catastrophe:' Inside Europe's Fight for COVID Shots
'This is a catastrophe,' French ambassador Philippe Leglise-Costa told a Jan. 27 meeting, according to a diplomatic note seen by Reuters
Chinese Covid-19 Whistleblower Doctor Honored on Death Anniversary
The 34-year-old ophthalmologist was one of eight whistleblowers who local authorities punished early on for 'spreading rumors' about a SARS-like virus in a social media group
How Climate Change May Have Driven COVID’s Emergence
A boost to forests in otherwise clement conditions was expected, but their contribution to the spread of aviating mammals and zoonotic diseases was not quite as obvious
First Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Arrive in Afghanistan From India
The vaccines were produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII), which is producing the AstraZenecca/Oxford University vaccine for mid- and low-income countries
Study Suggests Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine Less Effective Against S.African Variant
Britain and many other countries have begun rolling out the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to try to stem the spread of the pandemic disease
Study: Russia's Sputnik V Vaccine Appears Safe, Effective
Researchers said that based on a fall trial involving about 20,000 people in Russia, the vaccine is about 91% effective and appears to prevent inoculated individuals from becoming severely ill with COVID-19
U.K. Virus Variant Has Developed Concerning New Mutation
The E484K mutation, which occurs on the spike protein of the virus, is the same change as has been seen in the South African and Brazilian variants
Collapse of Greenland Ice Sheet to Raise Sea Level Faster Than Expected
Estimates of ‘just’ 90 centimeters sea level rise by 2100 ignore Antarctica’s slower but hefty contribution, warns oceanographer John Englander
Fresh Data Show Toll South African Virus Variant Takes on Vaccine Efficacy
The new findings raise questions about how highly-effective vaccines from Pfizer Inc with partner BioNTech, and Moderna Inc will fare against new variants
Naked Mole Rats Have Their Own Tower of Babel, Science Surprised to Learn
Different colonies of naked mole rat speak different dialects, scientists discover, and suspect it’s because the little rodents despise each other
U.K. Surpasses 100,000 COVID Deaths in Grim New Milestone
Britain has the fifth highest toll globally and reported a further 1,631 deaths and 20,089 cases on Tuesday, according to government figures
The Real Zombie Threat as the Arctic Thaws and Other Climate Briefs
This week's climate change briefs bring grim news for gray whales, those planning their vacation in 2100, and reveal the zombie threat we should be worried about
Mexico’s President Says He’s Tested Positive for COVID-19
López Obrador, 67, has rarely been seen wearing a mask and continued to keep up a busy travel schedule taking commercial flights
COVID-19: What We Know About the California Virus Variant Surging in L.A.
A roundup of some of the latest COVID-19 scientific studies
Pfizer Requests S.Korea Approval for COVID-19 Vaccines Ahead of February Rollout
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said it aims to reach a decision within 40 days after cutting its previous deliberation period of up to 180 days to fast-track the approval
Germany to Extend Lockdown to mid-Feb on Fears of COVID Variants
New infections have been decreasing in recent days and pressure on intensive care units has eased slightly, but virologists are worried about the possible spread of more infectious variants of the virus
A New COVID-19 Challenge: Mutations Rise Along With Cases
So far, COVID-19 vaccines seem to remain effective, but there are signs that some of the new mutations may undermine tests for the virus and reduce the effectiveness of antibody drugs as treatments
Expained What Exactly Is the WHO Coronavirus Team in Wuhan Looking For
China has firmly rejected calls for an independent outside investigation. The head of the WHO recently expressed impatience with how long China took to make necessary arrangements
World Travel Body Rejects Compulsory COVID-19 Shots
Some policymakers have proposed immunisation should be compulsory for air travel as the world steps up the battle to curb the spread of COVID-19
Bleak Start to New Year for Britain as It Enters Third Lockdown
All schools, non-essential shops, hospitality closed as highly contagious new COVID variant spreading fast
