Lab

Taiwan’s science academy fined for biosafety lapses after lab worker contracts COVID-19 | Science

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TAIPEI, TAIWAN—Academia Sinica, Taiwan’s most prominent academic institution, has been ordered to pay a fine for biosafety lapses after a research assistant at its Genomics Research Center contracted COVID-19 on the job in late 2021. Health minister Chen Shih-chung, who also heads Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), announced during a 20 January press conference … Read more

Early lab studies hint Omicron may be milder. But most scientists reserve judgment | Science

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The new SARS-CoV-2 variant exploding around the planet is forcing humanity to adapt at a breakneck speed. This week, countries across Northern Europe imposed stringent new measures to try to bring down soaring case numbers. On Saturday, The Netherlands issued a near-complete lockdown of public life and allowed residents to receive no more than two … Read more

Animal research: Tips from pet rat owners could improve lab rat welfare

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Owners’ insights on the behaviour of their pet rats could help researchers improve the welfare of rats in the laboratory Life 20 December 2021 By Christa Lesté-Lasserre A rat in a research laboratory fotografixx/Getty Images Laboratory rats might live better lives if they had cages that let them stand up, climb and romp about, according … Read more

News at a glance: A bold antitobacco plan, updated Arctic warming rates, and a COVID-19 infection from a lab | Science

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RESEARCH FACILITIES Tornado razes agricultural center A hub of agricultural research in the small city of Princeton, Kentucky, was among the many places left in ruins last week as a series of tornadoes ripped through the region, killing dozens. No employees of the University of Kentucky’s Research and Education Center were killed, and just one … Read more

Cancer studies: Investigation fails to replicate results of most lab research

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The reliability of early-stage cancer biology research is called into question by an investigation that concludes more than half of experimental results can’t be replicated by independent scientists Health 7 December 2021 By Helen Albert Lab-based cancer research isn’t always easy to replicate, according to a new investigation Anthony Kwan/Bloomberg via Getty Images An eight-year-long … Read more

Laughter Lab at London’s Cartoon Museum explores the science of humour

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By David Stock and Emily Bates What is it that really makes us laugh? To find out, New Scientist visited Laughter Lab, an exhibition and social experiment at London’s Cartoon Museum. Showcasing a wide selection of cartoonists from the museum’s collection, the exhibition explores our reaction to humour, “that thing that happens in your brain the moment before … Read more