Humans develop fine motor skills later than other primates because we have bigger brains that take longer to develop, biologists in Switzerland reveal. Although ‘a big brain equals great dexterity’, humans have to wait relatively longer to develop full dexterity, allowing us to tie shoelaces, hold a pen or use cutlery. Researchers at the University … Read more
More than 90% of coronavirus patients DO develop antibodies to the virus that last for at least three months, study finds Researchers at Mount Sinai Health System looked at more than 19,000 patients in New York who had previously contracted coronavirus At least 92% were found to moderate to high levels of antibodies that attach … Read more
Pensioners who can identify distinctive smells like roses, lemons, turpentine and paint-thinner are half as likely to develop dementia, a study has revealed. In a study of nearly 1,800 participants tracked for a decade, US scientists found that a decline in the ability to smell was an early indicator of the syndrome. A keen sense of … Read more
Water-repellent surfaces that mimic insects’ wings could be used to develop PPE that is resistant to coronavirus-laden saliva droplets Analysis of insect structures reveals a previously undiscovered nanostructure Scientists hope this could be used to create water repellent coatings Would be useful in developing PPE which is impervious to saliva droplets By Joe Pinkstone For Mailonline … Read more
Herd immunity against Covid-19 could develop if just 10 per cent of the population catches the disease, a study has claimed. Scientists say if a vaccine was developed it would need 60-70 per cent coverage to work — but this threshold could be significantly lower for natural immunity. The concept of herd immunity hinges on … Read more
There are an estimated 170 million pieces of so-called ‘space junk’ – left behind after missions that can be as big as spent rocket stages or as small as paint flakes – in orbit alongside some US$700 billion (£555bn) of space infrastructure. But only 22,000 are tracked, and with the fragments able to travel at … Read more
National herd immunity to the coronavirus could build up with just four out of 10 people catching the disease, scientists claim. Researchers say that immunity among the most socially active people in a country could protect those who come into contact with fewer others. Previous estimates have suggested around two thirds (60 per cent) of … Read more
No use hiding your age: Scientists develop an eye scanner that can detect and track biological ageing in humans for the first time by analysing proteins in their lenses The team created an eye scanner that can tell someone’s ‘real’ or biological age There is no universal method for tracking a person’s biological age, authors … Read more
Only 10 per cent of people who are infected with the coronavirus develop antibodies, a professor claims. Professor Karol Sikora, an advisor to the World Health Organisation, said the majority would have a negative result on an antibody test, even though they have had the coronavirus. Governments have pinned their hopes on antibody testing to … Read more
Researchers at Columbia University in New York City say they have developed a new coronavirus test that will be able to deliver results in just 30 minutes. It will be significantly faster than tests available at other US hospitals and medical clinics, which take between two to seven days to confirm results. What’s more, the team … Read more