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Two weeks ago, scientists in Botswana and South Africa raised the alarm about a new coronavirus variant with 32 mutations in the spike protein – the part of the virus that antibodies target. On Friday, the World Health Organization declared the new variant, named omicron, a variant of concern – one of just five variants to have achieved this dubious status.
Omicron appears to be spreading rapidly in Gauteng province in South Africa, and has been recorded in at least 13 other countries (a figure that will probably be wrong by the time this newsletter goes out). However, data on this new variant is scant. Ed Feil, professor of microbial evolution at the University of Bath, tries to shed some light on why the WHO acted even though it is “too early to say exactly what we are dealing with”. The world will be holding its
breath for the next few weeks as the data trickles in.
Meanwhile, scientists are exploring all avenues to find cures and prophylaxes for the coronavirus, the latest being an experimental chewing gum that aims to trap the virus before it gets into the lungs. Also, find out how (and why)
birdsong soundscapes are getting quieter.
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Clint Witchalls
Health + Medicine Editor (UK edition)
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World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
FABRICE COFFRINI / POOL
Ed Feil, University of Bath
Not much data, but lessons have been learned from the slow response to delta.
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Milles Studio/Shutterstock
Grace C Roberts, University of Leeds
US researchers have designed a special chewing gum to target SARS-CoV-2. But at this stage, it’s only been tested in a lab – not on real people.
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As bird populations decline globally, the soundscapes of our natural world become less diverse.
Simonas Minkevicius
Simon Butler, University of East Anglia; Catriona Morrison, University of East Anglia
Research from across Europe and the US shows that as biodiversity declines, the natural world falls more silent.
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Politics + Society
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Jan Germen Janmaat, UCL; Bryony Louise Hoskins, University of Roehampton
Understanding how early on in childhood political interest is sparked –– and what sparks it –– is crucial to giving more people a voice
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Chris Nash, University of Leeds
HS2 has been controversial from the outset, not least because experts don’t agree about its benefits. However, canceling the Leeds branch is to the region’s detriment.
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Beth Clarkson, University of Portsmouth; Alex Culvin, Leeds Beckett University; Ali Bowes, Nottingham Trent University
Recent developments in pay parity show a promising future for women’s sport.
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Christoph Bluth, University of Bradford
What does the new generation of offensive missiles mean for global security?
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Health + Medicine
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Nathan Bartlett, University of Newcastle
There’s not enough evidence yet to support the AstraZeneca CEO’s statement. But it is theoretically plausible.
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Marinka Steur, University of Cambridge; Nita Forouhi, University of Cambridge
We found a greater risk of heart disease with saturated fats from red meat and butter – but a lower risk with saturated fats from cheese, yoghurt and fish.
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Environment + Energy
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André Neto-Bradley, University of Cambridge; Nick Malleson, University of Leeds; Patricia Ternes, University of Leeds; Ruchi Choudhary, University of Cambridge
People in some areas are paying hundreds of pounds more to heat their homes every year.
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James Cheshire, UCL
Women’s rights activists used maps to highlight which regions hadn’t given women the vote: we can use the same tactics to push climate action.
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Business + Economy
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Arturo Bris, International Institute for Management Development (IMD)
Investors dumped assets en masse as news of the new COVID variant spread.
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Science + Technology
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Noah Wardrip-Fruin, University of California, Santa Cruz
Video games are everywhere. So who was the first person to come up with the idea of playing a game on a computer screen?
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Featured events
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— University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Nottingham
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— Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Royal Holloway University of London
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— Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Royal Holloway University of London
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— Lecture Theatre One, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, NR4 7TJ, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of East Anglia
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