‘Kinder’ treatment for childhood brain cancer to be offered by NHS in England
Dabrafenib with trametinib can halt growth of some tumours for more than three times as long as standard chemotherapy, study showsThe NHS is to offer children with brain tumours in England a groundbreaking new targeted drug therapy to tackle the disease – a development charities are hailing as the biggest breakthrough in decades.Gliomas are the most common type of brain cancer in children but experts say the standard treatment of chemotherapy can be brutal and gruelling, and also carries the risk of side-effects such as weight loss, seizures and headaches.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - April 24, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Andrew Gregory Health editor Tags: Cancer Children's health National Institute for Health and Care Excellence England NHS UK news Society Medical research Science Source Type: news
‘An enigma’: scientists finally learn what giant prehistoric shark looked like
Full and part skeletons found in Mexico reveal body shape and anatomy of Ptychodus as well as its likely dietFossil experts say they have gained unprecedented insights into a type of enormous prehistoric shark, after finding complete skeletons of the creatures.The specimens, discovered in small quarries in north-eastern Mexico within the last decade, belong toPtychodus–a creature that roamed the seas from around 105m to 75m years ago.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - April 23, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Nicola Davis Science correspondent Tags: Fossils Sharks Evolution Mexico Marine life Science World news Source Type: news
Voyager 1 transmitting data again after Nasa remotely fixes 46-year-old probe
Engineers spent months working to repair link with Earth ’s most distant spacecraft, says space agencyEarth ’s most distant spacecraft, Voyager 1, has started communicating properly again with Nasa after engineers worked for months to remotely fix the 46-year-old probe.Nasa ’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which makes and operates the agency’s robotic spacecraft,said in December that the probe – more than 15bn miles (24bn kilometres) away – was sending gibberish code back to Earth.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - April 23, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Oliver Holmes Tags: Space Astronomy Science Nasa World news Source Type: news
The personality audit: should we ask friends for their brutally honest feedback on our flaws?
There can be a big gap between self-perception and how our loved ones see us. Is it ever a good idea to seek the truth?Name: Personality audit.Age: People have worried about what other people think about them since the beginning of time.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - April 23, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Guardian Staff Tags: Friendship Family Life and style Psychology Source Type: news
Soiled nappies and karate: AI-rendered Putin biopic to be released
Polish director Besaleel ’s film will feature an AI-rendered Russian president and footage shot by Ukrainian film-makers during the Russian invasionThe “world premiere” of a new biopic of Russian president Vladimir Putin featuring an AI-rendered central character, has been announced for 26 September.In a statement released via PR Leap, Polish studio AIO said the film, titled Putin, will be released in 35 countries, and describes itself as “up close and personal with the Kremlin leader’s story”.First announced in May 2022, Putin is the English-language debut of Polish director Besaleel, also known as Patryk Vega...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - April 23, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Andrew Pulver Tags: Film Vladimir Putin Artificial intelligence (AI) Poland Ukraine Computing Consciousness Culture Europe Human biology Neuroscience Psychology Technology World news Biopics Source Type: news
Hardwired to eat: what can our dogs teach us about obesity? – podcast
Labradors are known for being greedy dogs, and now scientists have come up with a theory about the genetic factors that might be behind their behaviour. Science correspondent and flat-coated retriever owner Nicola Davis visits Cambridge University to meet Dr Eleanor Raffan and Prof Giles Yeo to find out how understanding this pathway could help us treat the obesity crisis in humansContinue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - April 23, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Presented by Madeleine Finlay with Nicola Davis, produced by Madeleine Finlay, sound design by Joel Cox, the executive producer was Ellie Bury Tags: Science Animal behaviour Dogs Obesity Genetics Pets Animals Biology Source Type: news
Australian taxpayers paid $466,000 for training of nation ’s first female astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg
With Bennell-Pegg unlikely to go to space anytime soon, there are questions about the value of the spending by the cash-strapped Australian space programFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet ourmorning and afternoon news emails,free app ordaily news podcastAustralia ’s first female astronaut, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, graduated from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) training program on Monday night.She may be unlikely to take a giant leap into space anytime soon, but is on a mission to bolster the space industry and inspire women and girls.Sign up for Guardian Australia ’s free morning and afternoon...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - April 23, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Tory Shepherd Tags: Australia news Science Space European Space Agency Source Type: news
Perception of when old age starts has increased over time, shows study
As people get older, they revise the age they consider to be old upwardsNone of us are getting any younger, but it appears the age at which we are considered old has moved upwards over the generations.What ’s more, as adults get older, they shift the goalposts further still, a study has shown.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - April 22, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Nicola Davis Science correspondent Tags: Ageing Older people Science Society Psychology World news Source Type: news
Try something new to stop the days whizzing past, researchers suggest
Researchers find memorable images make time feel slower because we are trying to gather more information about themIf every day appears to go in a blur, try seeking out new and interesting experiences, researchers have suggested, after finding memorable images appear to dilate time.Researchers have previously found louder experiences seem to last longer, while focusing on the clock also makes time dilate, or drag.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - April 22, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Nicola Davis Science correspondent Tags: Memory Science UK news US news Source Type: news
Starwatch: another chance to see moon ’s conjunction with Spica
Brightest star in constellation Virgo is due to appear very close again to almost fully illuminated moonIf you missed the conjunction between thealmost full moon and the star Spica last month, here ’s another chance to see it.The chart shows the view looking south-west from London at 04.00 BST on the morning of 23 April. The moon will be full with 99.3% of its visible surface illuminated, and it will be passing very close to Spica, the brightest star in the constellation of Virgo.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - April 22, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Stuart Clark Tags: Astronomy The moon Space Science Source Type: news
Locum psychiatrists providing poor care in Scotland, campaigners say
Scottish NHS boards have spent more than £125m since 2019 to provide temporary cover amid drop in consultant numbersMental health campaigners have protested about the significant use oftemporary locum psychiatrists in Scotland, alleging that it leads to substandard and harmful medical care.Peter Todd, a campaigner based in Caithness in the north of Scotland, said the heavy reliance on locum psychiatrists by the NHS was a sign of a growing crisis in mental health services across the country.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - April 21, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Severin Carrell Tags: Scotland Mental health NHS Doctors Psychology UK news Source Type: news
Physicist Claudia de Rham: ‘Gravity connects everything, from a person to a planet’
The scientist on training as a diver, pilot and astronaut in order to understand the true nature of gravity, and what happens at the centre of a black holeProf Claudia de Rham is a theoretical physicist atImperial College London, developing and testing “new models and paradigms” at the intersection of gravity, cosmology and particle physics. She has just published her first book,The Beauty of Falling: A Life in Pursuit of Gravity, charting her lifelong attempt to understand the “true nature” of the force around her, which has seen her train as an astronaut, diver and pilot.In your book, you say you have been “cha...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - April 21, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Charlotte Lytton Tags: Gravity Physics Space Imperial College London Science Source Type: news
Medical device companies pay millions to NHS while pushing products, says study
Pharmaceutical equipment firms are funding NHS staff and training while promoting salesMedical device companies are paying millions of pounds to hospitals in the UK to fund staff places, as well as training and awareness campaigns, while pushing sales of their products, including implants, heart valves and diagnostic equipment, a new report reveals.An analysis of disclosures by medical device companies found that between 2017 and 2019 they reported €425m (£367m at today’s rates) in payments to healthcare organisations in Europe, according to the study in the journalHealth Policy and Technology.Continue reading... (Sou...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - April 21, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Jon Ungoed-Thomas, Shanti Das and Aneesa Ahmed Tags: Pharmaceuticals industry Business Medical research NHS Society Hospitals Health Technology Science Source Type: news
Chris Packham joins environmental activists in mock funeral procession
BBC nature presenter delivers eulogy at protest aimed at ‘scaring people a bit’ about the loss of biodiversity in the UKThe BBC nature presenter Chris Packham has joined hundreds of environmental activists in a mock funeral procession for nature to spotlight biodiversity loss in the UK.The procession aimed to sound “code red for nature” and highlight the UK’s position as “one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world”, organisers said. It was planned to coincide closely with Earth Day on 22 April.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - April 20, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Mabel Banfield-Nwachi Tags: Wildlife Extinct wildlife Chris Packham Television & radio Nature documentaries Extinction Rebellion Environment Science Culture Source Type: news
Hilary Cass warned of threats to safety after ‘vile’ abuse over NHS gender services review
The paediatrician, who has been advised to stop using public transport, describes ‘straight disinformation’ about reportThe doctor behind a landmark review of the NHS ’s gender identity services for children and young people has said fears had been raised about her personal safety amid online abuse after the report’s release.Dr Hilary Casstold the Times she wished to address the “disinformation” circulating about the findings and recommendations handed down by the Cass review when it was published on 10 April.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - April 20, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Sammy Gecsoyler Tags: Transgender Health Doctors NHS UK news Medical research Society World news Science Source Type: news
