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The new variant of coronavirus has scientists much more worried than previous changes to the virus. That’s partly because some of the mutations affect the famous “spike protein” that gives the virus its crown-like appearance.
Why is the spike protein so important? Because it’s responsible for binding the virus to our cells so it can invade them and reproduce. And it’s also the target of the main COVID-19 vaccines.
There’s no doubt that the new variant has caused chaos in the UK, upending Christmas plans and leading to concerns about potential food shortages. If you’re worried about being pressured to break the rules, here’s some advice on how to manage expectations.
If you value the work we do to keep you updated about the latest developments on the coronavirus crisis and more, please consider making a donation. It will help us keep on bringing you vital insights from experts into 2021 and beyond.
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Megan Clement
Commissioning Editor, COVID-19
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Say hello to Spike.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Connor Bamford, Queen's University Belfast
It's the part of coronavirus that helps the virus get into your cells – and also the target of the leading vaccines.
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Authors urge UK government to come clean to public about food shortages.
Leoanna/Shutterstock
Tim Lang, City, University of London; Erik P Millstone, University of Sussex; Terry Marsden, Cardiff University
With the UK government creating hostilities with the EU, its hopes of switching to other food sources would take years to settle.
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Now that restrictions are tighter in a number of areas, avoiding paying the price in 2021 may be more achievable.
Shyntartanya/Shutterstock
David Comerford, University of Stirling; Elaine Douglas, University of Stirling; Olivia Olivarius, University of Stirling
The social pressure of declining rule-breaking invitations will be considerably higher this year.
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Health + Medicine
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Jonathan Pugh, University of Oxford
The pilot of mass testing people in Liverpool failed to pick up over half of cases, but this isn't the end of the road for antigen testing.
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Adam Taylor, Lancaster University
Both types of meat have their benefits.
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Politics + Society
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Dimitrios Buhalis, Bournemouth University
Restrictions around the world are preventing optimism about 2021 travel plans
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Pamela Cox, University of Essex; Ruth Lamont, University of Manchester
Research shows giving the commissioner greater oversight of complaints could help deliver justice for those failed by the system.
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Environment + Energy
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Joseph Hamm, University of Leeds
Wildlife tourism is big business – until a pandemic halts international travel.
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Andrew Cruden, University of Southampton
A planned battery project in Essex will be ten times larger than the UK's current biggest battery.
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Business + Economy
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Howard Yu, International Institute for Management Development (IMD); Angelo Boutalikakis, International Institute for Management Development (IMD)
As massive companies buy up their competition with ease, the answer may be to ban them from sectors all together
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Arts + Culture
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Eamonn O'Neill, Edinburgh Napier University
Hemingway’s response to death and disease was very different from the parody that circulated earlier this year.
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Science + Technology
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Godfrey Kyazze, University of Westminster
Some microbial groups could be using positive energy to influence their metabolism.
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Featured events
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East Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB11PT, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Anglia Ruskin University
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Online, York, York, YO10 5DD, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of York
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East Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB11PT, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Anglia Ruskin University
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Lecture Theatre 1, Richmond Building, Portland Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3DE, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Portsmouth
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