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NASA Picture of the Day: NGC 7822 in Cepheus
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Hot, young stars and cosmic pillars of gas and dust seem to crowd into NGC 7822. At the edge of a giant molecular cloud toward the northern constellation Cepheus, the glowing star forming region lies about 3,000 light-years away. Within the nebula, bright edges and dark shapes stand out in this colorful telescopic skyscape. The image includes data from narrowband filters, mapping emission from atomic oxygen, hydrogen, and sulfur into blue, green, and red hues.
Watch Iconic Fusion Energy Machine’s 100,000th ‘Pulse'
Historic fusion energy milestone achieved by UK Atomic Energy Authority machine in close collaboration with EUROfusion. Joint European Torus (JET) is largest and most powerful tokamak in the world. Fusion energy is crucial in addressing climate change through safe, sustainable and low-carbon energy supply.
Asteroid Flybys Over the next 7 Days
NameDateMin Dia. (m)Max Dia. (m)Rel. Velocity (mph)Miss Distance (miles)
(2019 NE2)20th Jan16035838,40722,589,612
(2018 BP)20th Jan20445710,93744,174,700
(2010 BK2)22nd Jan10523643,62817,797,152
85990 (1999 JV6)22nd Jan24655251,86540,806,659
(2021 PT)23rd Jan11024714,59025,648,400
(2016 AZ8)23rd Jan16035834,89220,420,599
(2022 AY1)24th Jan10623833,24222,581,792
(2005 LW39)24th Jan26459138,73345,892,257
438955 (2010 LN14)24th Jan16336417,85329,767,137
7341 (1991 VK)25th Jan1118250019,4865,947,044
(2019 CH1)25th Jan16737550,2666,704,041
(2019 AG13)25th Jan11024754,19132,390,512
(2012 VE46)25th Jan24254225,08839,470,449
455184 (2000 ED14)25th Jan18341129,89935,691,319
250680 (2005 QC5)26th Jan31570431,65838,396,912
(2019 OR1)27th Jan17038024,84538,823,174
(2000 QV7)27th Jan13931165,00439,518,707
264357 (2000 AZ93)27th Jan16336626,00813,284,727
(2021 NT1)27th Jan17839940,80123,791,430
World-First As NHS Begins Pilot Of Gene Testing To Prevent Common Diseases Like Heart Disease
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
A first-of-its-kind study investigating the use of genetic testing for the prevention of common diseases has now begun in the NHS. The HEART study (Healthcare Evaluation of Absolute Risk Testing) is focused on using genetic information to augment cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment by NHS GPs.
12:14 PM 19th January 2022
New Blood Cancer Gene Defect Can Be Treated With Existing Drugs
1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime - Photo by Timon Studler on Unsplash
A defective gene, normally found in blood cancers, could be treated with drugs already available for cancers with similar gene defects, scientists at Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Birmingham have revealed.
10:13 PM 13th January 2022
Government Launches New Scheme For Technologies Producing Hydrogen From Biomass
New programme will support the development of innovative new technologies that will generate hydrogen from biomass and waste.
9:05 PM 12th January 2022
Update On Affidx® Sars-CoV-2 Antigen Lateral Flow Test And Detection Of The Omicron Variant
Avacta Group plc (AIM: AVCT), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative cancer therapies and powerful diagnostics based on its proprietary Affimer® and pre|CISION™ platforms, provides an update on the performance of the AffiDX® SARS-CoV-2 antigen lateral flow test (LFT) with the Omicron variant.
8:38 PM 10th January 2022
Boosters Continue To Provide High Levels Of Protection
Latest data from UKHSA shows booster doses are continuing to provide high levels of protection against severe disease from the Omicron variant among older adults. Figures show that around 3 months after they received the third jab, protection against hospitalisation among those aged 65 and over remains at about 90%.
3:05 PM 8th January 2022
Calling Planet Earth To Lancaster Priory
A global attraction will spend three weeks in Lancaster this summer and inspire a brand new festival. The spectacular artwork depicting how the world looks from the moon will be hosted by Lancaster Priory from June 25-July 17.
12:34 PM 6th January 2022
Oral COVID-19 Antiviral, Paxlovid, Approved By UK Regulator
This new combination treatment is for people with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of developing severe COVID-19
12:41 PM 31st December 2021
James Webb Telescope Marks A New Dawn For Humanity
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a the culmination of millions of person-hours of highly skilled engineering effort across many countries - the UK included - and a colossal $10 Billion dollars of cold hard cash.
2:59 PM 24th December 2021
Five Ways To Spot A Phishing Email
Jamie Durham
IT Correspondent
image by Solen Feyissa on unsplash
In this next instalment with the Yorkshire Times, Jamie Durham takes a look at the practice of ‘phishing’, sharing how email users can identify and eliminate the dangers posed by this increasingly common — and potentially costly — tactic. It’s believed that over 50% of the global population are now using email platforms, sending a combined total of around 300 billion communications per day*.
2:00 AM 24th December 2021
5 Tips For Creating Secure Online Passwords This Festive Season
Jamie Durham
IT Correspondent
In this next instalment with the Yorkshire Times, Jamie Durham takes a look at online passwords, sharing how, by following a few simple tips, we can make these details harder to crack — keeping our personal information, and hard-earned cash, safe from hackers. For most of us, not a day goes by without us logging into our devices – whether that’s a smartphone, laptop, or tablet — and chec…
1:00 AM 18th December 2021
New Blueprint To Protect UK From Cyber Threats
Photo by FLY:D on Unsplash
A new National Cyber Strategy has been announced, setting out how we will protect and promote UK interests in rapidly evolving online world
10:28 AM 15th December 2021
Affidx® Sars-CoV-2 Antigen Lateral Flow Test Detects The Omicron Variant
Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash
Avacta Group plc (AIM: AVCT), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative cancer therapies and powerful diagnostics based on its proprietary Affimer® and pre|CISION™ platforms is pleased to announce that the AffiDX® antigen lateral flow test has been shown to detect the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in clinical samples.
9:44 AM 15th December 2021
First UK Cases Of Omicron Variant Identified
Two cases of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 identified in the UK
7:02 PM 27th November 2021
10 Time-Saving Computer Hacks You Didn’t Know You Needed – Part 2
Following on from the last instalment, Jamie Durham is back with more tech and IT tips, and here he shares the remaining five hacks that can help to speed up how we operate online.
5:00 AM 20th November 2021
UKAEA Awards £2.3m Of Innovation Contracts To Address Technical Challenges Of Fusion Energy
Fifteen organisations have secured UKAEA contracts to demonstrate how their innovative solutions and technologies can contribute to the development of commercial fusion energy. The contracts – worth between £50,000 and £250,000 - were funded by UKAEA’s new ‘Fusion Industry Programme’ and awarded through the UK Government ‘Small Business Research Initiative’.
10:10 AM 13th November 2021
10 Time-Saving Computer Hacks You Didn’t Know You Needed – Part 1
As we all lead busy lives both in and out of the work environment, time is often of the essence. We want – and need – things to be as uncomplicated and straightforward as possible, so that we can cram everything we need to into our day.
5:00 AM 13th November 2021
Booster Bookings To Be Opened A Month Early
Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash
From Monday 8th November, the National Booking System will allow someone to pre-book their booster appointment a month before they are eligible
3:35 PM 7th November 2021
UK Working With Global Partners To Clear Up Dangerous Space Debris
Image by WikiImages from Pixabay
The UK Space Agency is today announcing a range of different initiatives aimed at supporting safe and sustainable space operations.
11:30 AM 26th October 2021
COVID-19 Variants Identified In The UK - 23 October 2021
Latest updates on SARS-CoV-2 variants detected in the UK.
10:25 AM 23rd October 2021
National Flu And COVID-19 Surveillance Reports Published - 14 October 2021
Weekly national influenza and COVID-19 report, monitoring coronavirus (COVID-19) activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses.
2:17 PM 17th October 2021
What Can Happen In One Internet Minute?
Every minute 167 million videos are watched by TikTok users On YouTube 694,000 hours are streamed each minute, which equates to roughly a month in real-time On Amazon $283,000 are spent by customers every minute
4:15 AM 16th October 2021
New COVID-19 Study
An actuary from the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) is one of a group of scientists, clinicians and cross-government analysts who have published new research on further effects of COVID-19. The research featured in the British Medical Journal establishes which groups of the population could still be at risk from COVID-19 despite being vaccinated.
3:35 PM 27th September 2021
Six Simple Ways To Protect Your Personal Data When Using Public Wi-Fi
As the world has started opening back up, more people are heading out and about to their favourite coffee shops and restaurants – meeting friends and family, and enjoying a change of scene when working from the ‘remote office’.
4:00 AM 25th September 2021
First UK Manufactured Rapid Tests Deployed Across England
The first UK-manufactured lateral flow devices or LFDs are being rolled out to universities across England.
11:27 AM 24th September 2021
Thousands Of Patients To Benefit From Life-Saving COVID-19 Treatment
Thousands of vulnerable NHS patients in hospital due to COVID-19 are set to benefit from a ground-breaking new antibody treatment, the government has announced (17 September 2021). Ronapreve, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, will be targeted initially at those in hospital who have not mounted an antibody response against COVID-19.
4:01 PM 18th September 2021
JCVI Issues Updated Advice On COVID-19 Booster Vaccination
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has updated its advice on the COVID-19 vaccine booster programme. The vast majority of the UK population has received a COVID-19 vaccine since the vaccine programme was launched in December 2020 – including 89.1% of the population who have received a first dose and 81% who have received both doses.
12:45 PM 14th September 2021
Antioxidant Drug Reverses Process Responsible For Heart Attacks And Strokes
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
An antioxidant drug reverses atherosclerosis and could be used to prevent heart attacks and strokes due to clots, according to research funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and published today in JAHA: Journal of the American Heart Association. Atherosclerosis is the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries.
2:14 PM 8th September 2021
How To Supercharge Your Password Security – Part Two
Jamie Durham
IT Correspondent
Following on from his first instalment, Jamie Durham, founder of IT support firm Systemwork, continues sharing his top tips on how you can supercharge your password security. Previously, he explained about the benefits of ‘the sentence method’, removing personalisation, and increasing the number of characters, but this month, he focuses on additional security measures and tools, alongsid…
7:17 PM 19th August 2021
CFC Ban And The Nightmare Of A "World Avoided"
Without the global CFC ban we would already be facing the reality of a ‘scorched earth’, according to researchers measuring the impact of the Montreal Protocol. The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer bans chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons.
9:42 AM 19th August 2021
UK Space Industry To Benefit From New £1.5 Million Fund For Pioneering Space Tech
UK Space Agency has announced new funding to support ambitious plans for the exploration of space. Proposals could include ideas such as the utilisation of resources beyond Earth’s atmosphere, the use of nuclear power in space or the exploration the Moon, and Mars.
10:52 AM 30th July 2021
New Research Into Treatment And Diagnosis Of Long COVID
15 new studies across UK to expand research that will support thousands of vulnerable people Nearly £20 million for research projects will help improve understanding of long COVID and identify effective treatments Projects include the largest long COVID trial to date which will involve over 4,500 people Thousands of people suffering with long COVID will benefit from new research pro…
11:10 AM 18th July 2021
Almost 100% Of People Have Antibodies After Second Vaccine
Over 207,337 participants took part in a home surveillance study for COVID-19 antibodies between 12 and 25 May 2021 Almost 100% of people tested positive for antibodies 14 or more days after their second vaccine dose, highlighting the importance of getting both doses for the best possible protection as restrictions are eased Findings show vaccine uptake remained high in May Imperial…
9:59 AM 16th July 2021
How To Supercharge Your Password Security – Part One
Jamie Durham
IT Correspondent
Whether online shopping or paying household bills, these days many people have online accounts to make their day-to-day transactions simpler and quicker.
12:27 PM 14th July 2021
UK Exceeds 600,000 COVID-19 Tests Genomically Sequenced
More than 600,000 positive COVID-19 samples have now been genomically sequenced Sequencing provides invaluable data that will support decisions to relax social distancing in the future and help monitor for future variants and infectious disease threats Nationwide GenOMICC COVID-19 study has already identified genes that make people susceptible to severe COVID-19 symptoms, but volun…
9:12 PM 3rd July 2021
New Funding From UK Space Agency Will Kickstart Space Technology Projects
Government grants worth up to £15,000 each will help UK companies get their ideas for space-based technologies or research off the ground The call for Grants for Exploratory Ideas, part of the National Space Technology Programme aims to fund short, three-month long projects that support innovative space technology activities, encourage collaboration between industry and academia, and encourage…
7:30 PM 30th June 2021
Life Could Exist In The Clouds Of Jupiter But Not Venus
Figure 1. Image of Venus, showing the clouds, taken by the ultraviolet imager of the Venus Climate Orbiter Akatsuki (27 November 2018); credits: Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (Japan); image processed by Melina Thévenot:
Jupiter’s clouds have water conditions that would allow Earth-like life to exist, but this isn’t possible in Venus’ clouds, according to the groundbreaking finding of new research led by a Queen’s University Belfast scientist.
5:00 AM 29th June 2021
UK Surpasses 500,000 Coronavirus (Covid-19) Tests Genomically Sequenced
The UK has today (Sunday 27 June) surpassed over half a million genomically sequenced positive coronavirus (COVID-19) tests, as the UK’s testing programme continues to ramp up.
11:10 AM 27th June 2021
G7 Nations Commit To The Safe And Sustainable Use Of Space
Today at the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, delegates from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the USA, the UK and the EU pledged to take action to tackle the growing hazard of space debris as our planet’s orbit becomes increasingly crowded. One of the biggest global challenges facing the space sector is orbital congestion and space debris.
7:41 PM 13th June 2021
How To Help Stop Your Computer Running Slowly
One of the biggest pain-points for technology users is slow running speed. We’ve all been there – staring at a spinning loading icon and wishing for the programme or email to load quicker – and it can be painful. But, while some tech problems need the experts on hand to help resolve them, there are others which you can remedy – and prevent – yourself.
6:00 AM 11th June 2021
Solar Eclipse In The UK
Today on Thursday morning 10 June some parts of the world will witness a partial solar eclipse when the moon will block out the sun in an eclipse. A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and the earth and the moon fully or partially obscures the sun. If you happen to be in Northern Scotland today then you might be lucky enough to witness a partial solar eclipse.
9:03 AM 10th June 2021
Worms On A Mission To Research Muscle Loss In Space
Today (Thursday 3rd June), hundreds of tiny worms are being flown to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of an experiment to understand more about human muscle loss and how to prevent it.
2:59 PM 3rd June 2021
Life-saving Vaccination Programme To Hit More Major Milestones
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock to acknowledge success of UK’s biggest vaccine drive in history at G7 meeting of Health Ministers this week. New approved Janssen jab boosts armoury in helping to defeat global pandemic Three quarters of UK adults expected to have had first dose of a vaccine this week as UK set to hit another vital milestone The outstanding success o…
9:33 AM 31st May 2021
New DNA Research Could Help Combat Cancers
In a groundbreaking first, research led by Queen’s University Belfast has found thousands of ‘Achilles Heels’ or ‘cancer vulnerabilities’ in an analysis of more than 700 different cancer cell types. In future, this could lead to new ways to stop cancer cells in their tracks by using existing drugs, as well as proposing new targets for drug development.
9:42 PM 20th May 2021
New Research Shows How The Zebrafish Could Help Humans Reach Mars
zebrafish
New research led by Queen’s University Belfast has shown the zebrafish could help humans reach Mars by understanding how a form of hibernation, known as induced torpor (a state of reduced metabolic activity) may provide radio-protective effects.
1:20 PM 20th May 2021
COVID-19 Vaccines: Further Evidence Of Success
New evidence continues to show vaccination is highly effective in protecting against death and hospitalisation from coronavirus (COVID-19). New Public Health England (PHE) analysis shows for the first time that individuals who receive a single dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine have approximately 80% lower risk of death with COVID-19 compared with unvaccinated individuals.
8:06 PM 10th May 2021
Top Tips On How To Keep Your Identity Safe Online
In an age in which almost everything we do is online – from shopping, to banking, to conference calling – it’s no surprise that digital scams and cyberthreats are on the rise.
9:14 AM 7th May 2021
Project Investigating Long-term Effects Of COVID-19 On The Heart Is Awarded Grant
A project at Newcastle University investigating long-term inflammation of the heart following COVID-19 infection has been awarded a grant of almost £150,000 by national charity Heart Research UK. Around 10% of COVID-19 patients in the UK will suffer from so-called ‘long-COVID’, where symptoms continue for more than three months.
2:54 PM 5th May 2021
Astronomers Detect New Chemical Signature In An Exoplanet’s Atmosphere
An international collaboration of astronomers led by Queen’s University Belfast has discovered a new chemical signature in the atmosphere of an extrasolar planet, a planet that orbits a star other than the sun. Such advances are important if, in the future, we ever want to probe atmospheres of smaller rocky planets that resemble the Earth.
10:48 AM 27th April 2021
Online Privacy – What Role Could Blockchain Play In Reducing Identity Theft?
Jamie Durham
IT Correspondent
A Hacker at work. Image by Robinraj Premchand from Pixabay
Data protection and identity theft are hot topics in the IT industry at the moment, with an increasing number of individuals and businesses reporting incidents. In a broad look at the current cyber-threat landscape we can explore what bitcoin is and how the technology could help with cases of commercial and individual fraud and identity theft.
7:14 PM 23rd April 2021
First Flight On Mars
Richard Trinder
Editor
Ingenuity just before takeoff
The first flight of NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter was captured in this image taken by a pair of zoomable cameras aboard NASA’s Perseverance Mars earlier today. Ingenuity took off to a height of 3 metres, hovered for 20 seconds, rotated 90 degrees, hovered for a further 20 seconds, then descended safely to the Martian surface.
7:16 PM 19th April 2021
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