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When the last COVID-19 restrictions are lifted in England later this month, there could be 100,000 new infections a day, the UK health secretary has warned. Such a high infection rate would raise the risk of the coronavirus mutating and dangerous new variants emerging.
But this risk isn’t limited to infections in humans. Outbreaks among animals could also raise the variant risk, writes Sarah Caddy. Studies show that pets catch the coronavirus relatively infrequently, but that other farmed species, like mink, can catch and spread the virus much more easily. It’s therefore very important we monitor how the virus is reproducing not just in people, but in the animals around us too.
When people take drugs, some of them are excreted and end up in water courses, where they then affect wildlife. Fish can become hooked on addictive drugs, such as meth, or may even change sex if exposed to hormones found in the pill.
And in a survey of academics specialising in British history and politics, Theresa May has been scored as the joint worst post-war prime minister. She and Anthony Eden were ranked the least successful of the 14 leaders who have held the post.
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Rob Reddick
Commissioning Editor, COVID-19
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V. Belov/Shutterstock
Sarah L Caddy, University of Cambridge
Early results from several studies have found that pets can pick up COVID-19 from their owner – but they are unlikely to be dangerous as a result.
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Kletr/Shutterstock
Matt Parker, University of Portsmouth; Alex Ford, University of Portsmouth
Chemicals in drugs can be excreted unchanged, infiltrating waterways via sewage and effluent.
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An ill-starred administration: Theresa May was the lowest-rated post-war prime minister, alongside Anthony Eden.
EPA-EFE/ Facundo Arrizabalaga
Kevin Theakston, University of Leeds; Mark Gill, King's College London
But academics also had a pretty low opinion of Boris Johnson's performance as PM so far.
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Environment + Energy
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Elizabeth Lewis, Newcastle University; Edouard Davin, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich; Ronny Meier, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich
Mass tree planting could affect precipitation patterns.
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Business + Economy
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Alejandro Riaño, City, University of London
The new flagship policy of the leading opposition party has been tried before, and it's not compatible with the new UK free tradde agreements.
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Arts + Culture
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Sean Lang, Anglia Ruskin University
The late Princess of Wales has become a vehicle for others to reflect their own feelings.
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Benedict Carpenter van Barthold, Nottingham Trent University
Reactions to the new figure embody the problems that come with recreating the images of modern icons
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Politics + Society
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Paul Reilly, University of Sheffield
Social media has played a central role in the mobilisation of violent protests in Northern Ireland. Here's how to follow along responsibly.
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Gavin Evans, Birkbeck, University of London
The posturing is bound to continue. But at the age of 78 Jacob Zuma's long day in the sun is over.
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Featured events
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Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Cardiff [Caerdydd GB-CRD], CF10 3BA, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Cardiff University
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University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Essex
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Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Cardiff [Caerdydd GB-CRD], CF10 3BA, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Cardiff University
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University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Essex
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