b

Hydrogen blamed for interfering with nickelate superconductors synthesis

Prof. ZHONG Zhicheng's team at the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering has investigated the electronic structure of the recently discovered nickelate superconductors NdNiO2. They successfully explained the experimental difficulties in synthesizing superconducting nickelates, in cooperation with Prof. Karsten Held at Vienna University of Technology.




b

The Lancet: New triple antiviral drug combination shows early promise for treating COVID-19 in phase 2 randomized trial

A two-week course of antiviral therapy with interferon beta-1b plus lopinavir-ritonavir and ribavirin, started within 7 days of showing COVID-19 symptoms, is safe and more effective at reducing the duration of viral shedding than lopinavir-ritonavir alone in patients with mild to moderate illness, according to the first randomized trial of this triple combination therapy involving 127 adults (aged 18 and older) from six public hospitals in Hong Kong.




b

Neandertals were choosy about making bone tools

Evidence continues to mount that the Neandertals, who lived in Europe and Asia until about 40,000 years ago, were more sophisticated people than once thought. A new study from UC Davis shows that Neandertals chose to use bones from specific animals to make a tool for specific purpose: working hides into leather.




b

Burning out in silence

Russian companies still pursue authoritarian leadership styles, and employees often avoid articulating their concerns and complaints to management. Together with chronic stress and work-family imbalance, this can often result in emotional burnout. This is the conclusion of a study by researchers from North Dakota State University and HSE University.




b

Stroke evaluations drop by nearly 40% during COVID-19 pandemic

A study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has found that stroke evaluations fell by nearly 40% during a period of the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that many stroke patients are not seeking potentially life-saving medical treatment.




b

Neighborhood and cognitive performance in middle-age: Does racial residential segregation matter?

A study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that black subjects who were exposed to highly segregated neighborhoods in young adulthood exhibited worse performance in cognitive skills in mid-life. This outcome may explain black-white disparities in dementia risk at older age.




b

Forecasting urbanization

A new global simulation model offers the first long-term look at how urbanization -- the growth of cities and towns--will unfold in the coming decades. The research team projects the total amount of urban areas on Earth can grow anywhere from 1.8 to 5.9-fold by 2100, building approximately 618,000 square miles.




b

Plasma medicine research highlights antibacterial effects and potential uses

As interest in the application of plasma medicine -- the use of low-temperature plasma (LTP) created by an electrical discharge to address medical problems -- continues to grow, so does the need for research advancements proving its capabilities and potential impacts on the health care industry. Across the world, many research groups are investigating plasma medicine for applications including cancer treatment and the accelerated healing of chronic wounds, among others.




b

Promising study by Texas A&M scientists offers hope for Menkes disease patients

A Texas A&M AgriLife Research team has good news for patients with copper-deficiency disorders, especially young children diagnosed with Menkes disease.




b

To climb like a gecko, robots need toes

Researchers know the secret to geckos' ability to walk on the ceiling: their hairy toes. But how do they use their five toes per foot to adjust to gravity when running horizontally along walls. At UC Berkeley, biologists used high-speed cameras to record how geckos orient their toes with shifting weight, especially when encountering slippery or rough patches, and found a remarkable ability to adjust toe orientation to stick and peel while running full speed.




b

Individualized mosaics of microbial strains transfer from the maternal to the infant gut

Researchers have used a microbiome 'fingerprint' method to report that an individualized mosaic of microbial strains is transmitted to the infant gut microbiome from a mother giving birth through vaginal delivery. They detailed this transmission by analyzing existing metagenomic databases of fecal samples from mother-infant pairs, as well as analyzing mouse dam and pup transmission in a germ-free, or gnotobiotic, mouse model, where the dams were inoculated with human fecal microbes.




b

Seahorse and pipefish study by CCNY opens window to marine genetic diversity May 08, 2020

The direction of ocean currents can determine the direction of gene flow in rafting species, but this depends on species traits that allow for rafting propensity. This is according to a City College of New York study focusing on seahorse and pipefish species. And it could explain how high genetic diversity can contribute to extinction in small populations.




b

'Detailed' plans being drawn up to restart economy, Jenrick says as testing falls below 100,000 for fourth day

The update comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed he would set out a lockdown exit strategy on Sunday.




b

Debenhams accused of 'stealing' as retailer demands 90% discount on clothes from suppliers already at UK ports

ITV News has seen correspondence from Debenhams’ administrator to Bangladeshi suppliers demanding a 90% discount on garments orders.




b

Charity warns of 'mental illness timebomb' as calls increase by 200%

The number of callers to the charity SANE’s telephone helpline has increased by 200 percent since the lockdown began.




b

New Banksy artwork pays tribute to NHS heroes

The piece, called Game Changer, is on display in a corridor at Southampton General Hospital.




b

Former Scotland rugby captain takes on walking challenge to raise money for NHS

A former Scotland rugby captain, who suffered life changing injuries in a car crash, is walking to raise money for the NHS.




b

Care company launch own We Care badge to support workers during coronavirus pandemic

A North East based care provider, Wellburn Care Homes, has launched their own We Care badge aiming to show support for care workers.




b

'Almost criminal' coronavirus testing isn't available for everyone, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown says

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for "more than 200,000" coronavirus tests to be carried out.




b

Special front cover of The Big Issue created by Gruffalo illustrator

Characters created by Axel Scheffler from his popular books with Julia Donaldson are on the cover.




b

Many parents of young children will be in greater debt after pandemic – report

Half of parents with young children will struggle to make ends meet in the next three months, study suggests.




b

Duchess of Cambridge calls on budding photographers to capture life under coronavirus lockdown

The Duchess of Cambridge has teamed up with the National Portrait Gallery to launch the Hold Still project.




b

BAME groups ‘two to three times more likely to die from coronavirus’

The likelihood of death from Covid-19 is significantly higher among England’s BAME communities than the general population, researchers say.




b

Only half of businesses prepared to return to pre-crisis levels after lockdown lifts

One in twenty businesses said they would be unable to viably operate as long as social distances measures are still enforced.




b

Thai elephants return to villages due to fall in tourist numbers

The pandemic has meant more than 100 of the animals are walking as far as 95 miles to their homes.




b

'He spat at me and said have some of my corona': Policing Britain during the coronavirus lockdown

ITV Tonight is out with Merseyside Police to investigate the extraordinary impact the pandemic is having on their ability to combat crime.




b

Bank of England warns coronavirus could cause biggest economic slump in 300 years

The Bank of England said the economy could contract by as much as 3% in the first quarter.




b

Shipment of 400,000 delayed protective gowns from Turkey deemed unusable

A shipment of 400,000 gowns from Turkey which was part of a delayed consignment of PPE has been impounded after falling short of standards.




b

People from black backgrounds four times more likely to die from virus than people from white backgrounds, ONS finds

People from black backgrounds are four times more likely to die from coronavirus than people from white backgrounds, new statistics suggest.




b

Report appears to show link between Covid-19 and a rare inflammatory syndrome seen in children

A report published in The Lancet appeared to show there was a link between Covid-19 and a deadly syndrome that affects some children.




b

We’ve passed the peak - but Boris Johnson should remember that most accidents happen on the way down

Lockdown restrictions are set to be eased - Tom Clarke shares his reservations on the idea.




b

Nicola Sturgeon says lockdown must continue in Scotland but people may be allowed out more than once per day to exercise

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the lockdown period in the country should be extended.




b

Passengers told to wear face coverings and gloves at some of UK's busiest airports

Limited temperature screening will also be trialled at the airports in coming weeks.




b

Lockdown: Any easing of coronavirus restrictions in England will be 'very limited', No 10 says

The government will move with "maximum caution" when lifting coronavirus lockdown restrictions in England, Number 10 has said.




b

How effective will the UK Covid-19 contact tracing app be and will it protect your privacy?

Questions remain over the viability of the coronavirus contact tracing app that has been developed by the NHS's digital department, NHSX.




b

How can the globe avoid a future pandemic?

How is it possible to prevent a future pandemic if the origins of the novel coronavirus still remain unclear?




b

PM will set out roadmap on Sunday to easing lockdown 'with sensible changes' in England, Dominic Raab confirms

The briefing comes just hours after Scotland's First Minister has said the lockdown in Scotland should be extended.




b

Spread of coronavirus in hospitals and care homes is the big problem, writes Robert Peston

In the community, the rate of transmission is probably as low as 0.5/0.6, which means its progress through the population has been arrested.




b

Study begins into how coronavirus spreads and why some people are more affected than others

As part of the study, samples of blood, saliva and nasal swabs from healthcare workers in a bid to answer key questions about the virus.




b

Is the UK ready for the coronavirus lockdown to be eased?

Number 10 said the government will move with "maximum caution" when lifting restrictions in England, but some are worried.




b

Police chief calls on Premier League clubs objecting to neutral venues to 'get a grip'

Mark Roberts believes those who say the proposal compromises the integrity of the league need to look at the broader context.




b

Boris Johnson pays respects at Westminster Abbey ahead of VE Day celebrations

The Prime Minister was welcomed to the abbey by the Dean of Westminster, and lit a candle on the eve on the 75th anniversary of the Allied v




b

Legal proceedings launched against Andrew ‘over unpaid ski resort bill’

Le Temps newspaper says the chalet was bought in 2014.




b

Coronavirus lockdown faces test of long weekend before PM’s announcement

Officials will scrutinise the latest data on the spread of the disease, and ministers are expected to convene over the weekend.




b

UK remembers the end of World War Two on VE Day anniversary

Despite large-scale public events being unable to go ahead, tributes will be paid by members of the royal family.




b

Increase in driving blamed on ‘lockdown fatigue’

RAC data shows that drivers clocked up 23% more miles per day last week compared with four weeks earlier.




b

Lower paid essential workers ‘substantially constrained’ over childcare

The report stated that the groups identified are not an exhaustive list of essential employees.




b

At-risk workers must have right to be furloughed, says charity

Citizens Advice claims cancer patients are among those having to go to work despite being eligible for the job retention scheme.




b

Call to ‘grab chance’ to end overfishing in Europe’s seas amid lockdown

A drop in demand from overseas markets and restaurants at home means 2020 could be the first year without overfishing in European waters.




b

VE Day remembered as 'day of hope' and lockdown exit plans lead the papers

The marking of Victory in Europe and the coronavirus lead the Friday papers.