Author: EUSci
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The ABCs of Life on Earth
Researchers at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Edinburgh, Wrocลaw University of Science and Technology, and the Polish Academy of Science, have challenged the popular RNA World hypothesis regarding the origin of life on Earth. The work, published in Nature, supports a mixed RNA/DNA model which could…
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Celebrating LGBT scientists: Audrey Tang
Audrey Tang is a Taiwanese software developer, and a transgender woman. In 2016 she was invited into the executive cabinet of the Taiwan government as a minister without portfolio, the youngest in Taiwanese history to do so at only 35 years old, and the first transgender member of the cabinet. Tang quickly took office as…
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Not Another Science Podcast
You must have heard the news by now: EUSci is relaunching our podcast. Rebranded and with new leadership, this one will be different. Today I had the opportunity to have a socially distant chat with the new host, Tom Edwick, and the new editor, Helena Cornu, of the shiny new Not Another Science Podcast, brought…
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An Alien in Our Sea: A look at the intelligence of an octopus
In 2016, one of my favourite sci-fi films Arrival was released, and – mild spoiler alert – it presented us with an alien species named the heptapods, who challenged human perception of the universe and life. Had these species originated instead from Earth, I wouldnโt blame you for assuming them to be related to the…
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A future without malaria?
The mosquito could easily be termed the โmost dangerous animal in the worldโ due to its capacity to act as a carrier for infectious diseases such as malaria, zika, chikungunya and dengue which have deadly effects on human life. Diseases such as these are responsible for the death of over a million people worldwide every…
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A Comeback for Nature: Is the Silver-Lining of the Pandemic Actually Green?
The hustle and bustle of modern city living have ground to a halt across the globe. With humans shut away indoors, nature is being left alone. The press touts a comeback for nature as the silver-lining of the coronavirus pandemic. In these desperate times, newly clear Venice waters give momentary relief amongst the tragedies depicted…
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Donald Trump ends US relationship with World Health Organisation
In a move which has been perceived by many as characteristically controversial, US President Donald Trump has announced that he is ending the United Statesโ relationship with the WHO. In an increasingly interconnected world, as global trade and travel continue to grow, it is perhaps inevitable that pandemics have become one of the biggest threats…
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Dogs to train as COVID-19 detectors
The world faces a global pandemic, and manโs best friend is joining the fight against infection. Dogs are being trained to sniff and detect coronavirus infections in humans before the onset of symptoms, to offer a speedy screening method for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. In recent weeks, we have all heard of the importance…
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Once Upon a DNA
Omar Shabana explores the ins and outs of the information in our DNA, and how we use it. 26 Million. Thatโs the number of alleged DNA testing kits to be sold by the 4 biggest genetic-testing companies by the end of 2018. These companies have had a very successful marketing strategy: a promise to show…
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Oldest galaxy disk yet to be observed: โWolfe Diskโ formed soon after the Big Bang
Astronomers have found a galaxy with a disk that formed just 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang โ early enough to challenge current ideas about galaxy formation. Massive disk galaxies, like our Milky Way, were expected to have formed around 3 or 4 billion years after the Big Bang. However, Marcel Neeleman at the…