Tag Archives: Covid-19

Science: Nuclear War Threat, Climate Change, Coronavirus Origins

As the war in Ukraine intensifies, Vladimir Putin raised Russia’s nuclear readiness level. The team discusses what this means about the likelihood of nuclear war. They also explore the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the country.

The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report is out, and it focuses on impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. We hear from Swenja Surminski, head of adaptation research at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment.

New studies into the start of the coronavirus pandemic are confirming what we’ve long suspected – that the virus originated at the Huanan food market in Wuhan. The team discusses the latest findings.

Moles – the animals that make holes in your lawn – are non-binary. Just one of a number of amazing facts to come out of the new book ‘BITCH: A Revolutionary Guide to Sex, Evolution & the Female Animal’. Hear from the author Lucy Cooke, who is challenging the sexist basis of much of the thinking about female animals. 

Stonehenge may have been built as a giant calendar. Though the claim itself isn’t new, the team explores a new theory from the archaeologist Tim Darvill which explains how it would’ve worked.

Morning News: China’s Stance On Russia, Covid-Death Tallies, Corruption

After backing Russia’s grievances against NATO, China now finds itself treading a very fine line on Ukraine. 

There are often reasons to be suspicious of a country’s covid-death tally; we examine research showing how fraud can be spotted mathematically. And why women are less likely than men to be corrupt.

Covid-19: A Review Of The Best Rapid At-Home Tests

New high-tech Covid-19 tests promise better and earlier detection of the virus—similar to a PCR test. WSJ’s Joanna Stern (and her mannequin clone) tried out the Detect Covid-19 Test and Cue Health Monitoring System to see how they compare with rapid antigen tests. Photo illustration: Ryan Trefes/ WSJ

Covid-19: Review Of Latest Medicines & Treatments

News Analysis: Putin’s Russia, Performative Work, Soccer’s Elite

A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week, how to talk to Mr Putinthe rise of performative work (9:45) and the lingering effects of covid-19 on elite footballers (15:00).

Previews: New Scientist Magazine – January 8

Morning News: Omicron Infections Soar, Maxwell Guilty, Russia-Ukraine

The Omicron variant is behind the new record for daily infections in the United States, but there are scientists who say it isn’t as bad as some may think.

A jury found British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell guilty of facilitating the abuse of underage girls at the hands of wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein. And, President Vladimir Putin has requested a phone call with President Joe Biden amid heightened tension on the Russian border with Ukraine.

Morning News: Pandemic To Endemic, Addictive Video Gaming, Bangladesh

The lightning-fast spread of a seemingly milder coronavirus variant may represent a shift from pandemic to endemic; we ask how that would change global responses. 

 Concern about video-game addictiveness is as old as video games themselves—but the business models of modern gaming may be magnifying the problem. And newly publicised photographs shed light on Bangladesh’s brutal war for independence.

Morning News: Omicron Variant, Travel Columnist Career, Mistletoe History

Christmas – America’s mixed response to the Omicron variant comes down to geography, WSJ’s Scott McCartney looks back on his career, and why do we kiss underneath a parasite.

Cover Preview: Science Magazine – December 24