Nasa’s extraordinarily detailed photo reveals what Earth looks like from a million miles away July 21, 2015 For the first time ever, humans can see what the entire sunlit side of the Earth looks like from a million miles away, and the quality is staggering. This morning, Nasa released a photo taken by a camera attached to its Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) satellite, which was sent up into space in [...]
Can’t stop eating? You may have a binge-eating gene July 21, 2015 It's not just greed that keeps some people heading for the snack cupboard – a certain gene could play a major role in our over-indulgence, according to researchers at University College London. Read more: Why diet is more important than exercise when you're trying to lose weight The gene, found at the FTO gene [...]
Five business sectors set to benefit from restored US-Cuba relations July 20, 2015 At midnight on Monday, diplomatic ties between the US and Cuba officially reopened after 54 years of political hostility. Read more: Now you can book a rental in Havana for the first time after lifting of 50-year trade embargo In 1961, relations were completely severed between the two countries, but today each re-opened its [...]
London mayor election 2016: Most people want to have the option of voting online July 20, 2015 The majority of Londoners would like the option to vote online in next year's mayoral elections. Read more: Who will be the next Boris Johnson? Runners, riders and potential candidates In a YouGov survey of 1,047 adults in the capital, 59 per cent of those already online said they would support its introduction to [...]
Scientists have identified a sixth taste, and it could be the reason we become fat July 20, 2015 Carrying a few extra pounds? Blame oleogustus – which scientists reckon is the "taste of fat", according to a new study in the journal Chemical Senses. In fact, along with sweet, salty, bitter, sour and savoury, the study suggests oleogustus should be factored in as a key part of the human taste palate. Read more: Fat [...]
Gold loses its gleam as talk of a US interest rate hike encourages investors July 20, 2015 Gold lost some of its shine this morning, as the precious metal's price fell four per cent to as low as $1,088.05 (£697) an ounce during early trading in Asia – its lowest level since March 2010. Additionally, the price of platinum dropped five per cent in its weakest trade since the global financial [...]
Greece could be about to enter a €2bn energy deal with Russia July 9, 2015 Greek energy minister Panagiotis Lafazanis has just revealed plans for a huge energy deal with Russia – a move that will undoubtedly fan the flames over in Brussels. Read more: European markets rise sharply on Greece hopes In a speech to energy executives in Athens today, he said Greece might sign a €2bn (£1.4bn) [...]
The healthiest people in the UK speak English “proficiently” as a second language July 9, 2015 In England and Wales, the healthiest people are the ones who have a firm grasp of English but don't speak it as their first language, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Using data from the 2011 census, they compared ability to speak English with the proportion of people falling into the “good health” [...]
The UK is finally catching up with US in biotech investment – venture capital funding more than doubled last year July 9, 2015 The amount of funding received by UK life science companies reached a 10-year high last year, indicating Britain is finally starting to catch up with the US in biotech. Read more: The UK's biotech drain: This is why London's most successful startups are heading to New York According to a report by the UK [...]
Metformin: The world’s first drug to increase life expectancy could go on trial next year July 9, 2015 A drug designed to treat diabetes has been found to delay the ageing process as well – and it could be trialled in humans as soon as next year. Read more: Britain’s ageing population could boost economic growth – if we adapt Metformin, which has been prescribed as a human diabetes medicine for decades, was [...]