We now have not just one but three COVID-19 vaccines shown to work with at least 60% efficacy – enough to make a significant difference to the course of the pandemic once they’re rolled out. But could even more effective vaccines be found?
While each of the three proven vaccine takes a slightly different approach, they all work by targeting the same part of the coronavirus, known as the “spike protein”. But researchers have found that we actually make the most antibodies in response to another part of the virus – the N protein. And new research suggests future vaccines that focus on this different protein might be effective for longer and even help protect against other
diseases.
There’s more good news in the form of research showing efforts to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 could actually reduce global warming even in the next 20 years. And we take a look at the evidence for how puberty blocking drugs, the subject of a recent court ruling, are known to affect the body.
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Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock
Sarah L Caddy, University of Cambridge
New research shows why the N protein might be a good target.
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Mika Baumeister/Unsplash
Christine McKenna, University of Leeds
Our new study shows that cutting emissions now will bring benefits sooner than expected.
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Keira Bell, one of the claimants in the High Court case, was prescribed puberty blockers at 16.
EPA-EFE/ FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA
Faisal Ahmed, University of Glasgow; Angela Lucas-Herald, University of Glasgow
So-called "puberty blockers" work by temporarily suppressing the action of a specific hormone in the body.
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Politics + Society
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Jayne Morriss, University of Reading
It is common to find uncertainty upsetting, confusing and frustrating.
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Paul Maddrell, Loughborough University
States are increasingly using assassination to guard against the twin threats of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.
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Health + Medicine
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Gill Thomson, University of Central Lancashire; Claire Feeley, University of Central Lancashire
Anaesthesia aims to relieve labour pains, whereas natural methods aim to help women cope with it. What does the evidence say about the options?
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Joseph Hall, Glasgow Caledonian University
The pandemic is exacerbating deficiencies that already existed in stroke care and support – here's what needs to be done.
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Business + Economy
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Olga Cam, University of Sheffield; Mohammad Rajjaque, University of Sheffield
Airbnb is taking a very bold step by issuing a multi billion dollar IPO during a global economic slowdown – something that was unthinkable a few years ago.
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Environment + Energy
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Amanda Cavanagh, University of Essex; Caitlin Moore, University of Western Australia
If a major new study is right, then even our most cautious climate projections have likely been optimistic.
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Science + Technology
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Guy Gratton, Brunel University London
Sound barrier-breaking fighter ace Chuck Yeager, who has died aged 97, epitomised a very different era of test pilots.
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University of Reading (online), Reading, West Berkshire, RG1 6UR, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Reading
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University of Reading (online), Reading, West Berkshire, RG1 6UR, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Reading
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East Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB11PT, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Anglia Ruskin University
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