Astronomers have for the first time discovered water in the atmosphere of a planet orbiting within the habitable zone of a distant star. The finding makes the world - which is called K2-18b - a plausible candidate in the search for alien life.Within 10 years, new space telescopes might be able to determine whether K2-18b's atmosphere contains gases that could be produced by living organisms.Details were published in the scientific journal .The lead scientist, Prof Giovanna Tinetti of University College London (UCL), described the discovery as "mind blowing"."This is the first time that we...…Astronomers have for the first time discovered water in the atmosphere of a planet orbiting within the habitable zone of a distant star. The finding makes the world - which is called K2-18b - a plausible candidate in the search for alien life.Within 10 years, new space telescopes might be able to determine whether K2-18b's atmosphere contains gases that could be produced by living organisms.Details were published in the scientific journal .The lead scientist, Prof Giovanna Tinetti of University College London (UCL), described the discovery as "mind blowing"."This is the first time that we...WW…

The government's new Joint Biosecurity Centre is to take a more prominent role in coordinating the response to Covid-19, the BBC understands.The JBC will be asked to develop novel ways to quickly identify and contain potential outbreaks.The government's scientific advisory group, Sage, will meet less often and its sub-groups will feed into departments.But some fear there may be insufficient expertise in the JBC for the job.A spokesman said a slimmed-down Sage would focus on longer-term concerns, such as the impact of winter. "Sage will continue to provide a single consensus view of...…The government's new Joint Biosecurity Centre is to take a more prominent role in coordinating the response to Covid-19, the BBC understands.The JBC will be asked to develop novel ways to quickly identify and contain potential outbreaks.The government's scientific advisory group, Sage, will meet less often and its sub-groups will feed into departments.But some fear there may be insufficient expertise in the JBC for the job.A spokesman said a slimmed-down Sage would focus on longer-term concerns, such as the impact of winter. "Sage will continue to provide a single consensus view of...WW…

UK scientists are to receive millions of pounds of government funding for a raft of studies to learn why people from an ethnic minority background are at greater risk from Covid-19.Six projects will analyse data on social circumstances, health and day-to-day activities, as well as investigating genetic risk factors.One will follow 30,000 health and social-care staff for a year.Researchers say there will be rapid action based on the findings.Prof Kamlesh Khunti, director of the Centre for BME Health at the University of Leicester, who is involved in three of the studies, told BBC News he...…UK scientists are to receive millions of pounds of government funding for a raft of studies to learn why people from an ethnic minority background are at greater risk from Covid-19.Six projects will analyse data on social circumstances, health and day-to-day activities, as well as investigating genetic risk factors.One will follow 30,000 health and social-care staff for a year.Researchers say there will be rapid action based on the findings.Prof Kamlesh Khunti, director of the Centre for BME Health at the University of Leicester, who is involved in three of the studies, told BBC News he...WW…

Medicines will be tested in the lungs of patients in intensive care in order to fast track new treatments for Covid-19. The "STOPCOVID" initiative at Edinburgh University is to use existing drugs provided by leading drug companies and smaller biotech firms.The team has unique expertise in administering drugs in the lung and assessing if tissues heal.The project has been given the backing of top scientific and medical advisors.The system involves sending medicines to the outermost portion of the lung, which are the areas that are damaged and inflamed among those with severe symptoms of...…Medicines will be tested in the lungs of patients in intensive care in order to fast track new treatments for Covid-19. The "STOPCOVID" initiative at Edinburgh University is to use existing drugs provided by leading drug companies and smaller biotech firms.The team has unique expertise in administering drugs in the lung and assessing if tissues heal.The project has been given the backing of top scientific and medical advisors.The system involves sending medicines to the outermost portion of the lung, which are the areas that are damaged and inflamed among those with severe symptoms of...WW…

Scientists have detected a new particle at the Large Hadron Collider at Cern.The discovery will help researchers learn more about the so-called "strong force" which holds the centres of atoms together.The existence of the new particle was theoretically predicted but this is the first time it has been identified.The details of the Xi-cc++ particle were presented at a high-energy physics conference in Venice.The study was carried out at the LHCb experiment and led by Dr Patrick Spradlin of Glasgow University. He said that the discovery would "shed light on a longstanding puzzle and open an...…Scientists have detected a new particle at the Large Hadron Collider at Cern.The discovery will help researchers learn more about the so-called "strong force" which holds the centres of atoms together.The existence of the new particle was theoretically predicted but this is the first time it has been identified.The details of the Xi-cc++ particle were presented at a high-energy physics conference in Venice.The study was carried out at the LHCb experiment and led by Dr Patrick Spradlin of Glasgow University. He said that the discovery would "shed light on a longstanding puzzle and open an...WW…

A paralysed man has been able to walk simply by thinking about it thanks to electronic brain implants, a medical first he says has changed his life. Gert-Jan Oskam, a 40-year-old Dutch man, was paralysed in a cycling accident 12 years ago. The electronic implants wirelessly transmit his thoughts to his legs and feet via a second implant on his spine. The system is still at an experimental stage but a leading UK spinal charity called it "very encouraging". "I feel like a toddler, learning to walk again," Mr Oskam told the BBC. He can also now stand and climb stairs. "It has been a long...…A paralysed man has been able to walk simply by thinking about it thanks to electronic brain implants, a medical first he says has changed his life. Gert-Jan Oskam, a 40-year-old Dutch man, was paralysed in a cycling accident 12 years ago. The electronic implants wirelessly transmit his thoughts to his legs and feet via a second implant on his spine. The system is still at an experimental stage but a leading UK spinal charity called it "very encouraging". "I feel like a toddler, learning to walk again," Mr Oskam told the BBC. He can also now stand and climb stairs. "It has been a long...WW…

Many countries are taking tough measures to crack down on the spread of coronavirus, including school closures, an end to mass gatherings and severe travel restrictions. But the UK has adopted relatively modest control measures.The differences can be partly explained by the fact some of these countries are further into their epidemics. But it's clear the UK has adopted a more nuanced approach.Computer simulations indicate the UK is in the early stages of its epidemic which is expected to rise sharply in four weeks and peak in 10 and 14 weeks' time. Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK government's...…Many countries are taking tough measures to crack down on the spread of coronavirus, including school closures, an end to mass gatherings and severe travel restrictions. But the UK has adopted relatively modest control measures.The differences can be partly explained by the fact some of these countries are further into their epidemics. But it's clear the UK has adopted a more nuanced approach.Computer simulations indicate the UK is in the early stages of its epidemic which is expected to rise sharply in four weeks and peak in 10 and 14 weeks' time. Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK government's...WW…

From sticking a magnet on a fridge door to throwing a ball into a basketball hoop, the forces of physics are at play in every moment of our lives.All of the forces we experience every day can be reduced to just four categories: gravity, electromagnetism, the strong force and the weak force.Now, physicists say they have found possible signs of a fifth fundamental force of nature.The findings come from research carried out at a laboratory near Chicago.The four fundamental forces govern how all the objects and particles in the Universe interact with each other.For example, gravity makes...…From sticking a magnet on a fridge door to throwing a ball into a basketball hoop, the forces of physics are at play in every moment of our lives.All of the forces we experience every day can be reduced to just four categories: gravity, electromagnetism, the strong force and the weak force.Now, physicists say they have found possible signs of a fifth fundamental force of nature.The findings come from research carried out at a laboratory near Chicago.The four fundamental forces govern how all the objects and particles in the Universe interact with each other.For example, gravity makes...WW…

Covid-19 could be causing lung abnormalities still detectable more than three months after patients are infected, researchers suggest.A study of 10 patients at Oxford University used a novel scanning technique to identify damage not picked up by conventional scans.It uses a gas called xenon during MRI scans to create images of lung damage.Lung experts said a test that could spot long-term damage would make a huge difference to Covid patients.The xenon technique sees patients inhale the gas during a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.Prof Fergus Gleeson, who is leading the work, tried out...…Covid-19 could be causing lung abnormalities still detectable more than three months after patients are infected, researchers suggest.A study of 10 patients at Oxford University used a novel scanning technique to identify damage not picked up by conventional scans.It uses a gas called xenon during MRI scans to create images of lung damage.Lung experts said a test that could spot long-term damage would make a huge difference to Covid patients.The xenon technique sees patients inhale the gas during a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.Prof Fergus Gleeson, who is leading the work, tried out...WW…

Coronavirus tests are to be carried out on more people in the government's monitoring programme to get a better idea of the spread of the virus.The Office for National Statistics' will test 150,000 people a fortnight in England by October, up from 28,000 now.The survey is separate from the to diagnose cases.For the survey, a representative sample of the general population is tested.That means it can provide estimates for the true spread of the virus.The diagnostic testing programme, which provides daily totals, largely relies on people with symptoms coming forward.Some people do not display...…Coronavirus tests are to be carried out on more people in the government's monitoring programme to get a better idea of the spread of the virus.The Office for National Statistics' will test 150,000 people a fortnight in England by October, up from 28,000 now.The survey is separate from the to diagnose cases.For the survey, a representative sample of the general population is tested.That means it can provide estimates for the true spread of the virus.The diagnostic testing programme, which provides daily totals, largely relies on people with symptoms coming forward.Some people do not display...WW…