UK launches world’s first early warning system for faster pandemic detection

The system will use genetic testing to identify infections quickly

Stem cells grown in space show new potential for treating diseases

Potential risks like DNA damage from space radiation require further study

First case of deadly mpox strain detected in the UK

Health officials assure the public that the risk remains low as tracing efforts begin

UK's fertility crisis with young people opting out of parenthood

Economic pressures and changing lifestyles are driving a dramatic decline in fertility rates

OpenAI’s Whisper AI may make errors in hospital transcriptions

Researchers found it unreliable in certain cases, especially with common pauses

Life expectancy in Scotland: A slow road to recovery

Despite recent progress, life expectancy remains below pre-pandemic levels

AI could double human lifespan, says Anthropic CEO

Dario Amodei explores AI’s potential to transform longevity and health breakthroughs

UK faces first natural population decline in nearly 50 years

Ageing population and low birth rates pose new challenges for the UK

Fast new mpox test promises to halt africa’s rising virus cases

This test uses PCR technology to detect the virus from skin samples

Space travel rapidly ages the human heart, study finds

Just one month in microgravity weakens heart tissue and triggers molecular changes

ECDC advises Africa-bound travelers to get vaccinated against mpox

The new strain, Clade 1b, spreads easily, raising concern for Europe-bound travelers too

WHO issues global health warning as deadly mpox outbreak surges in Africa

Health experts call for a swift, coordinated global response to contain the crisis

Global life expectancy on the rise: insights from the world population prospects report

UN's World Population Prospects 2024 shows recovery to better than pre-covid life expectancy

World's population is expected to peak at 10.3 billion in the mid-2080s

Some countries have already reached their peak population & others continue to grow

Volunteers emerge from year-long mars habitat, sharing insights on resilience

NASA plans to use the findings to prepare for future human missions

COVID-19 accelerates biological ageing, increasing it by 5 years

The coronavirus shortens telomeres, harming DNA protection

Tough desert moss might survive on Mars, giving hope for growing plants there

This type of moss could be used to help create a habitable environment on mars

Bird flu is spreading to other animals and may cause a pandemic in humans

The fatality rate for H5N1 is estimated to be around 50%

Mars mission and prolonged space travel could be bad for astronauts' kidneys

Possible factors of damage include radiation exposure and microgravity

New vaccine may offer broad protection against both known and unknown coronaviruses

Vaccine has shown the potential to protect mice against range of coronaviruses,

Oxford university shuts down the Future of Humanity Institute

Elon Musk-backed institute collapses after leader's past remarks and long-termism's controversies

Silicon Valley startup aims to extend human lifespan with mitochondrial transplants

Research aims to extend lifespan and unlock new levels of human health

South Korea has the world's fewest babies per woman, and the number keeps dropping

This is despite spending billions to encourage families to have more children

Tiny robot performs simulated surgery on the space station

From war zones to Mars, this droid could be the future of healthcare in remote locations

Clear skies, clear lungs: Asthma emergencies dropped as air quality improved during lockdown

Insights from Oxford study calls for continued action to improve air quality everywhere

Space travel throws a curveball at astronauts' guts, challenging their health

Understanding the adaptation is crucial for protecting them on long missions

First metal 3D printer heads to the ISS for on-demand manufacturing in space

Stronger tools and parts from recycled materials -a sustainable way for space exploration

Global Catastrophic Risk Institute releases annual report – accomplishments and plans for 2024

Facing losses and a new direction, GCRI tackled big world problems in 2023

A tiny robot arm, MIRA, is heading to the ISS to see if it can do surgeries in space

If it works well, MIRA could help keep astronauts healthy on long space trips

The world is closer to a global disaster, as indicated by the doomsday clock

It is a wake-up call, reminding us to take action before it's too late

Astronauts and the elderly might get special shots to keep their bones strong

The potential for human trials starting by 2025 suggests rapid progress

Frozen ancient viruses in the Arctic could spark the next global pandemic

Scientists develop monitoring strategies to mitigate the impact of frozen pathogens re-emerging

China's got a problem: there are more deaths than babies being born

Experts say China's population could shrink by half to 525 million by 2100

Life's curveballs can fast-forward your biological clock and make you look older

These age-jumps, measured by DNA changes, can actually reverse once the stressor fades

Canadians' life expectancy falls in 2022 for the third year in a row

COVID-19 takes a toll, seniors hit hardest, and Atlantic Canada sees highest jump

Animal-to-human diseases poised to kill 12 times more people by 2050

Urgent action needed to prevent the disease risk by addressing climate change & deforestation

Nestlé's Irish baby milk plant falls victim to China's declining birth rate

The trend of a shrinking population is beginning to have drastic consequences

AI holds the promise of longer lives, shorter workweeks, and economic growth

Jpmorgan CEO sees AI transforming healthcare, workforce, and global economy

Planetary boundaries broken, earth on path to environmental disaster

Findings serve as a wake-up call, urging immediate action to protect our planet

Novel Claromer compounds fight viruses by targeting their protective membranes

Inspired by human immunity, Claromers are revolutionary molecules which may overcome resistance in near future

COVID-19 continues to take a toll on Japanese life expectancy

Overall dropped by 0.42 years for men and 0.49 years for women in 2022 - second fall in a row

Air pollution intensifies Covid-19 impact, mirroring decade-older age

Scientists advocate for air pollution reduction, emphasizing its potential to improve health outcomes amidst pandemics and flu season

Diabetes medication metformin could lower long COVID risk by 41%, study suggests

Metformin may function as an anti-inflammatory and potentially reduce the viral load of SARS-CoV-2

European Union's population may have already peaked - dropped by half a million people between 2020 and 2022

Eurostat report explores the impact of ageing, migration, and birth rates on the EU's population landscape

Biological Age: A Dynamic Response to Severe Stress

Helping the body recover from stress could contribute to increased longevity

One drug to fight them all: A bold approach to stopping viruses

A single treatment could tackle multiple viral infections, transforming medicine

Falling birthrates alone will not solve the planet’s environmental problems, study states

Social and economic factors have a proven impact on birthrate

Navigating AI in Healthcare: The Opportunities and Challenges of Language Learning Models

Applications and risks of AI tools while considering ethical, legal, and regulatory implications

Shrinking population, with greater proportion being elderly, could rock China's economy

China’s population could peak at 1.4bn in 2025 then almost drop by half by the end of the century

Deaths from excessive alcohol intake surged in the UK during Covid pandemic

A 27% rise in alcohol-related deaths was reported during 2019-21, with more men affected than women

WHO renamed monkeypox as "mpox" to prevent stigma and racial stereotypes

Countries impacted most included the US, UK, Brazil, Spain, and France

Universal flu vaccine protects against all 20 strains of flu virus

Breakthrough innovation that simultaneously induces antibodies against multiple antigens

England and Wales see slight increase in life expectancy in 2021 - official figure to follow

Only 4 out of 31 countries studies have seen their period life expectancy recover since 2020

Fertility rate decline becomes a brewing crisis in South Korea

Billions of dollars spent as incentive is not convincing people to have children

Age Labs' COVID-19 test predicts severity for early patient care

The test has passed initial studies and is currently being validated in Norway's medical lab

Covid restrictions provided unique real-world experiment with reduced air pollution

Big drop in NO2 produced biggest benefit, less significant drops seen in PM2.5 and PM10

China's population may have peaked last year as birthrate falls

Government policies have not reversed long-term decline in population growth

Senolytic drugs improved survival rates in coronavirus-infected mice

Boosts immune response by clearing senescent cells; a potential treatment for COVID-19 in humans

Covid-19 hit hardest in men, cutting their life expectancy by over an year

Life expectancy will recover in the future, but with a 'slower growth'

Baby shortage in the country may lead to long-term economic stagnation

Worldwide 28% of countries adopt pronatalist policies to drive up the birthrate

A 12-week Better Health campaign to help you lose weight and stay active

Free support and guidance to shed those excess kilos gained during lockdown

US life expectancy dropped by 1.5 years in 2020, mostly due to COVID-19

Largest drop since world war II, mainly affecting Black and Hispanic Americans

UK recorded more deaths than births for first time in 40 years

Covid may not be the only reason; fewer births and older population also fuel death rates

US life expectancy records biggest fall due to covid pandemic

Health inequalities mainly affected life expectancy of minority groups

Robot Scientist uses AI to find cure for covid-19

Speeds up drug discovery process, allowing researchers to find new treatments for deadly diseases

Air purifiers in safari buses to protect passengers from pollution and pathogens

AirLabs' devices claims to remove coronavirus in the air - improves public transport during pandemic

Sweat sensor spots early signs of COVID-19 cytokine storms

Early diagnosis of respiratory infections with sweat sensor could enable early treatment to save lives

Heart gets smaller in long duration space missions

Despite exercising, reduced gravity causes heart atrophy in space travelers, likewise in long-distance swimmers

BioAge's anti-ageing drug to treat Covid-19 enters phase 2 trial

Reverses immune ageing and can prevent death from coronavirus infection in the elderly

Cancer vaccines based on mRNA technology will be available soon

Science behind developing Covid-19 vaccines could bring us cancer shots too

Virus comes back to life in a survivor of Ebola

Ebola survivor harboured the virus for 5 years & transmission could spark new outbreaks

Ghost towns getting recolonized by flourishing wildlife

Falling birth rate is a global concern; nature reserves reclaimed abandoned towns

Previous Covid-19 infection may be protective for 5 months

Some might get re-infected & transmit the virus - should stay at home

South Korea's falling birth rate is worrisome

A declining population is detrimental to the country's economy

A New COVID antibody test to check if you need a vaccine

This rapid test can assess your level of immunity and post-vaccine tolerability

Activewear brand Lorna Jane makes 'anti-virus' claims: taken to court

Such claims made by trusted companies without a scientific basis mislead the public

2020 might be the deadliest year for America

Life expectancy to drop by 3 years - greatest cut off since World War II

UV LED light - a new hope amidst the pandemic

Effective in killing human coronavirus - residential use not recommended due to hazardous effects

Robots to help tackle the coronavirus pandemic

No risk of spreading the virus or getting infected - will reinforce the health task-force

An AI tool that helps personalise COVID-19 treatment decisions

Has halved the mortality rates despite the second wave of the pandemic

Covid-19 has reverted life expectancy levels back to 2010

Coronavirus slashed the upward trend of life expectancy in England and Wales

Decoded - why travelling through space can make you older

Mitochondrial damage accelerates ageing on exposure to space radiation and microgravity

A drug that reverses ageing to help fight COVID

Elderly have a higher mortality risk with COVID - reversing ageing could reduce it

Supplement firm FutureYou Cambridge to acquire Prime Fifty

Prime Fifty's products will be sold along FutureYou Cambridge's supplements

Moon’s hidden water could sustain future Lunar missions

Discovery of water on the moon’s surface brings NASA closer to establishing a permanent base

Study finds patients with good vitamin D levels half as likely to die of coronavirus

Definitely no harm in taking normal levels of vitamin D supplements - and could save your life

Treating space induced muscle and bone loss in mice

We can probably take space holidays without worrying about muscle wasting in future

Nanoparticles might be the new vitamins

Space research suggests they might have a better antioxidant action than vitamins

Research Scholars Programme at Future of Humanity Institute - now open

Research long-term consequences in Oxford with world leading thinkers such as Nick Bostrom

Coronavirus gives extra incentive for smokers to kick the habit

1.5 times as many smokers quit in the last year than usual - a rare long-term benefit of the pandemic

Researchers estimate world population could crash by 2100

Decline in fertility rate may shrink the global population drastically

Israeli innovations tackle COVID-19 with protective sprays

From virus-blocking barriers to powerful disinfectants, new tools aim to enhance pandemic defences

The deadly link between air pollution and coronavirus

An analysis to answer whether quality of air affects rise in pandemic cases

New technology will be needed to perform surgery in space

With increasing space flights it's inevitable that complex procedures will be carried out in microgravity

Robotic scientists can do lab work faster

Does not mean that machines will be able to replace human scientists

Mathematics for morality: A new framework to steer AI away from unethical choices

New principle helps regulators and companies curb unethical AI decisions

The UK's Spaceguard Centre is a key player in tracking near-Earth objects

Space objects aren't in lockdown so glad someone is still keeping any eye out for existential risks

Answers to your questions about coronavirus antibody tests

Antibody tests, how they work, which one to choose: answers from the experts

More than 300,000 UK smokers quit in fear of coronavirus

The pandemic has caused a lot of people to rethink of their daily habits

Protect yourself from coronavirus as lockdown eased

Tips from New Scientist on returning to work and travelling around

Seeds can survive the travel through space and still grow

But it may reduce the "germination vigour" of the seeds a little bit

Artificial Intelligence efficiency improves faster than Moore’s law predictions

OpenAI will track these improvements publicly to provide more transparency

11,000 avoided deaths in Europe owing to cleaner air during lockdown

We need technology-driven, not pandemic-driven, solutions to air pollution

José Luis Cordeiro looks at the positive opportunities from Covid-19

Some interesting figures on how we are able to sequence new viruses faster and faster

Public Health England: Best to take vitamin D during COVID-19 lockdown

Advices on improving health should be considered especially in times of pandemic

Presence of coronavirus in sewage quantitatively reflects number infected

Quickly becomes inactive in faeces and sewage so there's no risk of infection

Mars mission health at risk: Astronaut brains may swell in microgravity

Although astronauts haven't reported these exact symptoms, long-term effects are still unknown

Probes intended to intercept asteroids for planetary defence

Threat of asteroid collision is real - who wants to be wiped out like the dinosaurs?

Genetic diversity, hoped to explain varied severity of COVID-19 symptoms

A look into DNA data from UK Biobank to answer many questions on the virus

FDA gives the green light for human trials against a new coronavirus therapy

May cause serious adverse effects if stem cells over attack normal lung cells

Proposed strategy to protect elderly from gerolavic infections like COVID-19

To benefit long term global health and longevity, and enhance economic recovery

COVID-19 advanced testing lab created by UC Berkeley scientists

In response to mass testing needs, they employ robotics and automation for accuracy and speed

Planning ahead to save Earth - moving big rocks out of Earth's pathway

We humans definitely don't want to end up like Dinosaurs did!

Half a million computers across the world unite to fight against COVID-19 virus

They need one million computers and it's your chance to be one in a million!

Top ten frequently asked questions about coronavirus

Quick answers from the BBC's coronavirus FAQ

ESA starts an oxygen plant to produce oxygen using Moon dust

One step closer to colonizing the Moon - how fast can we get there?

Kinsa's smart thermometer, an early warning device for COVID-19

Very beneficial as health sector sees where to prioritize testing

7 COVID-19 patients recovered, owing to stem cell therapy

A small study, but a big impact on the 7 participants who all recovered quickly

CloudMind robots used to protect staff in Wuhan field hospital

Able to monitor patients' vital signs and deliver medication remotely

A hospital in Italy resorts to 3D printing in desperate times

3D printing is a quick alternative when the product chains are getting delayed

Nanotech spray can prevent coronavirus from spreading

This is a long lasting disinfectant that lasts upto 5 years

IBM Watson will be better than other commercial artificial intelligence systems

Will artificial intelligence surpass human intelligence one day?

Intelligent robot reduces cross-infection risks for coronavirus

Besides preventing cross-infection for medical workers, robot prevents improper sample collecting

Lettuce grown in space vs one from Earth: very similar nutrient levels

Research suggests astronauts could soon produce their own food in space

AI system can recognize pneumonia due to Covid-19 in chest CT

There many CT images to analyse so this AI saves up times

No need to get panicked and buy hand sanitisers

They're more effective against coronavirus than norovirus - but must be at least 60% alcohol

Future of Humanity Institute launch its 2020 Summer Research Fellowship

You could really make your name generating research alongside the world's finest

Ethics report shows equal respect helps prepare for health emergencies

As is often the case, it's politicians who need to act before the spotlight is on them

Last opportunity to contain coronavirus outbreak

Not yet out of control - but asymptomatic patients could complicate prevention of outbreaks

5 key questions about coronavirus (Covid-19)

It's not going to wipe out humanity - and your individual risk is low

North Sea Enclosure Dyke to protect 25 million Europeans

Dams between Scotland, Norway, France and England as defense for rising sea level

Pharmaceutical companies developing vaccine for coronavirus in record time (video)

Inovio's Dr Kate Broderick explains how - starting with the DNA sequence

First US coronavirus patient treated using robot in isolation unit

Unit can expand to 10 units - but would be overwhelmed with a full-scale pandemic

Doomsday clock - 100 ticks away from midnight

Too close to our own end and still we are not doing enough to prevent it

UK toughens up precautionary measures against the new coronavirus

Symptoms quite similar to that of seasonal flu, takes 5 days to appear once infected

Manmade glacier stores water to be used during low rainfall

Melting of natural glaciers has become erratic due to climate change

Falling birth rates - a matter of concern in Russia

Can money correct the falling birth rates?

New coronavirus claims the second life in China

Are we heading towards a new pandemic?

A new coronavirus is preparing to wreak havoc in China

Patients are mostly vendors and buyers at Seafood market in Wuhan city of China

Nearly half of Denmark's energy production is clean!

This is a new power record for Denmark

Experts look at new techs to enable faster trip to Mars

Speed, maximum load, human safety, and power source, among the main factors considered

2020 could bring universal flu vaccine thanks to Israeli researchers

It's always better to be prepared beforehand for another possible pandemic

Climate change poses existential threat to civilisation

Floods, war and chaos would destroy hopes of finding a cure of ageing

Metabolism and mitochondria gene function impacted by spaceflight

Most changes reversed when back on Earth - but what about Mars microgravity?

China exports autonomous drones with lethal capabilities to the Middle East

Global firms working with China face criticism for potentially enabling unethical AI uses

DPhil Scholarships available at Oxford's Future of Humanity Institute

An amazing opportunity to work with some of the world's leading thinkers

Flu vaccine 2019 and everything you need to know about that

Flu can kill – it’s a good idea to get the jab every year

Potentially devastating asteroid skims by Earth almost undetected

Have you got your go bag ready in case of an unexpected disaster?

Independent panel says we're not prepared for growing global pandemic risk

Politicians quickly forget the risk once the last crisis is over

Top 10 movies that reveal Artificial Intelligence's impact on humanity

The movies highlight themes of survival, ethical dilemmas, and the implications of AI on humans

A space cable between the Earth and the Moon is much more cost effective

If this works, one day we will be able to build space colonies at the Lagrange point

James Lovelock predicts the Anthropocene may quickly be replaced by the Novacene

He doesn't think humans will merge with technology (Kurzweil style)

Two new Ebola drugs report a 90% survival rate

Thanks to this cocktail of 3 antibodies, Ebola no longer means impending death

Crude birth rate of England and Wales hits a new low

Total fertility rate is lower than many other years except 1977 and 1999 to 2002

Aerogel sheet demonstrates ability to make Mars fertile

For long term space voyages we will need to grow food and use local resources

We’ve managed to protect astronauts from health risks of space radiation

We'll have to limit health risks of space travel to colonise other worlds

Taking antibiotics could make your flu more deadly

Antibiotics should not be taken without a prescription of the doctor

Ebola spreads from Congo to Uganda - no sign of stopping

Not yet a global emergency – but could explode at any time

Pig Ebola spreads across Asia leading to culling of millions of pigs

If this mutated to infect humans it would be worse than Ebola

Over 1,000 deaths in new Ebola outbreak in DRC

Vaccine may be controlling outbreak for now, but could explode at any time

Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo - still not a global threat

No need to declare a “public health emergency of international concern”

AI advancements are changing society at an unprecedented rate

This possibility raises ethical and security concerns for the future

New telomeres lengthening treatment - space flight!

Unfortunately the effect disappears after returning to Earth

Computers and robots could automate 1.5 million jobs

Percentage of workers in primary industry massively reduced in last century - not necessarily a bad thing

Dangerous toxins accidentally released from labs every few days

All too easy to get lax about safety when you work with deadly materials every day

NASA reveals large meteor explosion in December 2018

This would have caused damage over a populated city

Small molecule oral drug could treat influenza A

Targets seasonal and pandemic strains of flu

Billionaires accumulating more wealth and youthfulness

Automation and longevity therapies may amplify social disparities

Nuclear fusion start-up investment tops $127 million

The solution to the energy crisis which is always 10 years away

Surprisingly difficult to blow up an asteroid

Unless completely obliterated they tend to reform

Most people against lethal autonomous weapons

Human Rights Watch concerned by who and where technology used in future

Hungary exempts women with four or more children from income tax

Additional benefits include mortgage help and childcare support

Sci-fi blockbuster imagines whole Earth migration

Concept of moving whole planets was imagined in 1937 novel Star Maker

UN reports massive growth in AI patents

No mention of artificial general intelligence (AGI) which will be the real revolution

Denmark's visionary waste-to-energy plant

Denmark is always ahead in the game of renewable energy

Flu resistant chickens in battle against next human pandemic

Hopefully in future we can make ourselves impervious to flu

China child restrictions leading to fall in population

More countries are having to plan for increasingly aged populations

Threefold increase in asteroid strikes over last 300m years

Now every million years... do due one any day now!

How do you die from the flu?

It's not just a bad cold - it killed 15,000 people in the UK last year

Do you want to give birth in space? Apply here!

Nice idea, but timelines are totally unrealistic, let alone the practicalities

Human cartilage tissue 3D bioprinted on ISS

One small step for man, one bioprinted leg for mankind?!

Photosynthesis fix boosts crop growth by 40%

More efficient photorespiration pathway could result in greater crop production

NASA's DART planning first planetary defense impact

We don't want to go the same way as the dinosaurs!

Japan annual birth rate nearly half a million below death rate

A stark example of how birth rate falls below in replacement level in advanced economies

Declining birth rate as a cause for celebration

AI, migration, a healthier old age show that countries don't need boomed populations for defending

Human-like intuition and creativity, now exhibited by DeepMind's AlphaZero

This improvisation was regarded as historical 'turning point' for AI

Greenhouse gases on the rise, even banned gases resurface

Better build underwater colonies at this rate before we all sink in to the sea

Worldwide decline in fertility rates

Half of countries now have a fertility rate below the 2.1 level required to maintain their population

Llama blood clue to beating all flu

Llama antibodies able to attack parts of flu virus that don't mutate

Is effective regulation of AI possible?

An author summarizes the possible challenges and complications that arise when trying to regulate artificial intelligences

Inventor plans to build a city under the sea

This expert engineer aims to fulfill his vision of the future through his inventions

Robots ahoy! Mapping Earth's surface

SEA-KIT may be the autonomous vessel to win the XPRIZE for best seabed mapping system

Prototype pandemic vaccine without the shot

A bandage-like strip with micro-needles may replace the usual methods for vaccination

Tech Can Sustainably Feed Cities of the Future

New infrastructure and controlled environments may allow greater production within urban areas

Killer robots' ban blocked by US and Russia at UN meeting

Autonomous weapons will be here in a few years and no treaty is in place for them

China Won't Share Its Samples of a Deadly Flu Virus

China refuses to share H7N9 samples making difficult developing a vaccine against it

What if the rich lived forever?

New research may promote social inequality by allowing the rich live forever

Fresh Ebola outbreak has potential to spread

New outbreak in an area of active conflict makes difficult to contain the infection

Nuclear bunker uses 42 buried school buses

This is Canada’s second largest fallout shelter

Can We Terraform Mars to Make It Earth-Like?

Experts found that there’s not enough CO2 in Mars to make it habitable

Pandemic could kill 900 million people

Lack of adequate response systems may result in the death of 10% of the population

How the rich plan to survive the apocalypse

Hoarding, and different forms of forced labor are among the future plans of the most powerful

AI researchers sign pledge against killer robots

Over 150 firms agreed against developing A.I-based weapons, governments should be next

New Telescope To Scan For Collision Course Asteroids

NASA's program will scan for all near-earth objects larger than 140 meters in diameter

The man who was fired by a machine

An error caused for an employee to be wrongfully fired by an automated system

NASA's plan to defend the Earth from asteroids

NASA is developing a detection and defence system against 50m to 140m asteroids

Has technology evolved beyond our control?

Technology has more power than ever but remains vulnerable to programming biases and errors

100 people needed to start trip to another star

With a minimum 630 years of traveling, 98 crew members will be needed to sustain a these ships

Will we ever colonise an asteroid?

An expert explains the challenges of sustaining life in an asteroid and ideas to overcome them

Nipah virus outbreak in India contained

Nipah virus outbreak has been contained with 17 deaths and no new cases

Could dog flu be the next pandemic?

The H3N8 Dog influenza virus found in China is not a risk for humans at the moment

NASA's plan for an aerial colony above Venus

HAVOC spacecraft will deploy helium balloons to float above the inhospitable Venus environment

US birth rates drop to lowest since 1987

Low birth rates are common in developed countries but it’ll lead to fewer young people in the workforce

Here's What the Next Pandemic Pathogen Might Look Like

Pathogens like Ebola and Zika are unlikely to cause a global pandemic disaster.

Pop up vaccine factories could curb pandemics

Big pharma is unwilling to invest in pandemic prevention.

Asteroid Almost Hit Earth Yesterday

Asteroid 2018 GE3 passed by Earth at half the distance to the moon.

Influenza pandemic could infect 43 million in UK

Influenza pandemic could kill almost a million people in the UK.

Running out of water as dams shrink

Early warning satellite system reveals countries with shrinking reservoirs.

New South Korea university lab could lead to killer robots

KAIST has partnered with defence manufacturer Hanwha Systems.

How to avoid catching a virus on a plane

Study provides blueprint for how a virus could move around a plane.

NASA plans to use nukes against a killer asteroid

NASA has designed Hypervelocity Asteroid Mitigation Mission for Emergency Response craft.

Disease X Could One Day Kill Millions

Disease X has been added to the World Health Organization's (WHO) list of maladies.

Elon Musk still thinks a Mars colony will save us from a future dark age

Elon Musk talks about all the ways humanity may be doomed in the future.

Lassa fever: The killer disease with no vaccine

Nigeria has been gripped by an outbreak of a Lassa fever.

AI cheats at video game to win

Researchers taught AI agents how to play old Atari video games.

World War 3 could be overdue

Current period of “peace” may feel remarkable to us but isn’t unusual.

Hunting Unknown Viruses To Prevent Next Pandemic

Scientists estimate still 1.6 million viruses to discover.

Using Statistics to Predict the Next World War

It’s been more than 70 years since the last major world war.

Prepping for the apocalypse in New Zealand

If you’re interested in the end of the world, you’re interested in New Zealand.

First ever human case of H7N4 bird flu

68-year-old woman from eastern China developed symptoms on 25 December.

Experimental Drug Kills Flu Virus in a Single Day

Shionogi claims its influenza virus treatment is faster-acting than any other flu drug.

Infectious disease outbreak could kill 30 million people in a year

Global Health Security Agenda program is coming ot an end.

Doomsday Clock moved to just 2 mins to 'apocalypse'

Doomsday Clock pushed forward by 30 seconds.

Humans Could Someday Colonize Jupiter and Venus

Mars One is hoping to establish a permanent human settlement on Mars.

Google invests in UK company developing universal flu vaccine

Vaccitech has raised £20m from investors including Google parent Alphabet.

Asteroid Hunter Tasked With Saving Earth from Killer Impacts

Rare for asteroids to survive passage through the atmosphere to cause damage.

What is 'Aussie' flu and should we be worried?

Aussie flu or H3N2 is an influenza A virus that appears to cause more severe infections in young children and the elderly.

New DNA vaccine could lead to a universal vaccine for the flu

Flu virus continually shape-shifts from year to year.

Will artificial intelligence become conscious?

Forget about today’s modest incremental advances in artificial intelligence.

The Virus That Conquered the World, 100 Years Later

Called “La grippe,” “three-day fever” and the “Spanish flu,” the influenza pandemic of 1918–1919 ravaged communities worldwide.

Seismologists produce new 10-year big quake forecast

Improved understanding of how larger earthquakes cluster in time and space.

US lifts ban on risky pathogen research

The US government has lifted its controversial ban on funding experiments that make certain pathogens more deadly or transmissible.

Why a drug for aging would challenge Washington

What if just one medical treatment could stave off heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s?

NASA Fails To Spot City Destroying Asteroid

Only spotted the day after it skimmed past the planet.

World's first floating city to be built by 2020

Seasteading is building autonomous, self-sustaining cities in international waters.

First international asteroid tracking exercise proves a success

An international team led by NASA has tested the International Asteroid Warning Network, which successfully tracked a potentially dangerous asteroid.

Swarm of Shoebox Satellites Will Predict Natural Disasters

Fleet of tiny satellites constantly monitoring our planet.

Why Eradicating Age-related Diseases is Unlikely to Create Immortal Dictators

Interesting analogy by Nicola Bagalà

A Timeline for Humanity’s Colonization of Space

Late 2017: Heavy Falcon Launch

UK population to pass 70m in 2029

According to the Office for National Statistics the UK's population is set to exceed 70 million in the middle of 2029.

Societal Benefits of Rejuvenation Biotechnology

Nicola Bagalàs thaugts on how biotechnologies would positively impact the whole of humanity and what would happen if rejuvenation biotechnologies to stave off age-related diseases were widely available?

H7N9 Influenza Could Be The Next Big Flu Pandemic

H7N9 is an avian flu that was discovered in China in 2013. Since its discovery, there have been multiple waves of infections in humans and in 2016 the infection rate started to increase much more than before. Of the infected, 40% has died.

Can We Stop A Global Pandemic?

Having killed at least 74 people in the last few weeks, the plague ravaging Madagascar has just jumped across the border and off the island.

Discovery of 50km cave raises hopes for human colonisation of moon

Japan’s space agency said it had discovered an enormous cave beneath the lunar surface that could be turned into an exploration base for astronauts.

12% chance tech-destroying solar flare could hit in next decade

In 1859, a powerful solar storm affected the Telegraph systems of the day.

Elon Musk Reveals More About Plan to Colonize Mars

Musk clarified that, though he has shared images of vast Martian cities in his presentations on Mars colonization SpaceX isn’t focused on building those cities itself.

Supervolcano warning time much shorter than thought

According to new findings presented at a geology conference recently the famously potent 'supervolcano' beneath Yellowstone National Park may roar back to life with even less warning than scientists previously thought.

House-sized asteroid narrowly misses Earth

NASA has estimated that "2012 TC4" is 15m to 30m long (45ft to 100ft) - and in space terms, the asteroid narrowly missed our planet.

Shortage Could Leave U.S. With Deadly Flu Pandemic

United States relies on foreign trade for many medical needs. About 30 essential items, these include hospital supplies like IV bags and everyday drugs, are made outside of the U.S.

Mars crews could be at risk from onboard microbes

Mars500 project simulated a 17 month mission to Mars in a 180sq metre capsule.

BBC app to investigate how flu pandemic spreads

The free app will anonymously collect vital data on how far users travel over a 24 hour period.

Asteroid mining could support space colonies

A team of researchers are planning to send robotic spacecraft into outer space, land near asteroids hurtling through the abyss and mine them for water, metals and other elements that will make colonizing space that much easier.

Scientists Urge Funding For Armageddon-style Asteroid Mission

Space agencies from around the world are dedicated to develop techniques for protecting Earth from asteroids that pose a collision hazard.

Three asteroids give Earth a close shave in a single week

Last week three never-before-seen asteroids were discovered whizzing by Earth significantly closer than the vast majority of passing space rocks.

Bill Gates thinks a pandemic could kill 30 million people

Bill and Melinda Gates in their recently released "Goalkeepers" report state that they see a pandemic as the greatest immediate threat to humanity on the planet.

Still Vulnerable 100 Years after Lethal 1918 Flu Pandemic

The 1918 influenza pandemic: the most devastating infectious disease in history took 50 million to 100 million lifes worldwide. Despite the progress of modern medicine we do not have such vaccines, which would be effective against a 1918-like virus.

How stars can nudge comets to strike Earth

A collision with a giant comet would be cataclysmic.

Killer robots - third revolution in warfare

100 leading robotics experts are urging the United Nations to take action.

Armageddon shop and what does it include

Preppers like to keep it secret, because of the fear of becoming target in extreme situation

Luxury apocalypse-safe bunkers

Able to withstand everything from extreme weather like tornadoes, to a full blown nuclear attack.

Three Mutations Could Turn Bird Flu Virus Into A Human Pandemic

H7N9 strain has infected over 900 people since 2013.

City could be built on on Mars by 2062

Elon Musk says a city of a million people could be established on Mars within decades.

Human Extinction By Insect Robots Likely By Century’s End

A nanoweapon deployed aboard an insect robot could be delivered just about anywhere.

Bill Gates warns tens of millions could be killed by bio-terrorism

The next epidemic could be a genetically engineered version of the smallpox virus or a deadly strain of the flu.

Should We Die?

Zoltan Istvan wants to be the one to decide when his life ends.

We are vulnerable to flu epidemic in next decade

Bill Gates says the world is a bit vulnerable right now.

First flu affects lifetime risk

Research finds there are only two types of hemagglutinin protein on surface of influenza A virus.

Influence of the "first flu"

UK expert said 2 hemagglutinin could explain different patterns in flu pandemics

Cheating death

Senescence is coming under scrutiny from doctors and biologists.

Impacts of Indefinite Life Extension FAQ

Gennady Stolyarov II addresses key questions about the effects of indefinite life extension.

If death becomes optional, will only the rich get to live forever?

They will not be old in mind or body, only in years.

Japan population shrinks by one million

0.7% fewer people than 5 years ago.

Transcending Overpopulation With a Bionic Future

The topic of overpopulation is flooded with both hype and misunderstandings.

The sociable hobbies that will help you live a happier, longer life

People’s long term health deteriorates rapidly after retirement.

Prepping for the collapse of society

Lisa Bedford – the “Survival Mom” – knows how to harvest as much drinkable water as possible from the pipes before the pressure’s gone.

Artificial Intelligence Chip For Mobile Devices

Current mobile AI offloads processing to the cloud because of power consumption.

Lifespans Are Long Enough? Most disagree

What are the ethical and social consequences of radically increasing lifespans?

Lack of UK Ebola strategy and procedure put lives at risk

House of Commons report says UK’s response was undermined by systemic delays.

Doomsday Clock stuck near midnight

Despite Iranian nuclear deal and the Paris climate change agreement the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’ Doomsday Clock remains unchanged at three minutes to midnight due to threats posed by nuclear war and climate change.

UK is ‘vulnerable’ to next Ebola outbreak

Science and Technology Committee says gaping hole in the country’s ability to manufacture vaccines.

Hawking: Humans at risk of lethal ‘own goal’

Nuclear war, global warming and genetically-engineered viruses are among the scenarios.

Phil Torres Establishes X-Risks Institute

X-Risks Institute to explore issues about the important relationship between advanced technologies and religion.

Digital brain fires like the real thing

Digital model of one third of a millimetre cubed of a rat’s brain includes 31,000 neurons, 37 million synapses and 207 different types of brain cells.

Ebola vaccine 100% effective

No new cases in 2,000 close contacts when vaccinated immediately compared to 16 cases if vaccinated several weeks later.

Global Risks 2015 Interconnections Map

Longevity will lead to Overpopulation

Article by Live Forever Club’s Adrian Cull considers 2 main strategies:

FLI awards $7M to explore artificial intelligence risks

Future of Life Institute (FLI) selects 37 global research teams to keep AI beneficial to humanity.

Will radical life extension be the abortion politics of 2050?

Both left and right ring politics may be split on the issue of life extension technology – god versus freedom.

We May be Systematically Underestimating the Probability of Annihilation

Monsters are out there – unknown unknowns and unintended consequences

Foreign Office study predicts society will collapse by 2040

If no actions taken (i.e. the world carries on with business as usual) catastrophic food shortages caused by climate change and other production shocks will generate riots resulting in total breakdown of society.

Staying alive: who pays for long life expectancy?

By 2030 most men and women can expect to live into their mid-80s.

News Summary April 2015

* lack of meaningful progress toward disarmament could undermine the Non-Proliferation Treaty

The human universe: Could we colonise the stars?

Three main hurdles: 1. nowhere in our solar system offers a suitable environment, 2. will need significant propulsion power, and 3. interstellar dust likely to damage crafts travelling to other suns.

Dog infects four humans with the plague, may involve human-to-human transmission

8 cases of the plague in humans each year on average but is currently treatable with antibiotics.

How Nepal’s earthquake was mapped in 48 hours

Over two thousand digital volunteers examine 14,700 km2 of satellite imagery to identify over 3,000 damaged buildings.

Counting the Economic Cost of Natural Disasters

U.S. Geological Survey estimates Nepal economic losses at 35% of GDP.

Yellowstone supervolcano just got bigger

New lower-crustal magma magma reservoir discovered with 4-5 times the size of know upper chamber.

James Abbott Green candidate

What scares me is… breakdown of society due to war/environmental collapse.

‘Mystery disease’ kills 18 in Nigeria

The 12 terrifying ways researchers think human civilisation is most likely to end

India swine flu outbreak ‘kills 75’

The H1N1 virus, which causes swine flu, first appeared in Mexico in 2009 and rapidly spread around the world.

Microsoft head dismisses threat of artificial intelligence

Eric Horvitz, head of Microsoft’s main research lab, has dismissed fears that AI could pose a threat to the survival of the human race

Elon Musk commits $10m to keep AI beneficial for humanity

Protecting his investments as well as the human race?

Breaches at UK labs handling potentially deadly diseases

100 safety incidents in 5 years including live anthrax being accidentally posted Grand Challenge announced by NASA to find all asteroids that threaten significant human populations – one of big ones that we may need to survive however immortal we make our

Stephen Hawking warns artificial intelligence could end mankind

Prof Stephen Hawking, one of Britain's pre-eminent scientists, has said that efforts to create thinking machines pose a threat to our very existence.

Citizen wage and why under 35s don’t need pensions

Scientists skeptical of Lockheed Martin’s truck-sized FUSION reactor breakthrough boast

Largest ever robot fleet will map the UK’s oceans

British scientists are hoping robots will be able to give the most detailed picture yet of life deep below the waterline.

Natural disasters displaced more people than war in 2013

Norwegian Refugee Council study claims 22 million people driven out of their homes by floods, hurricanes and other hazards

Powering Wireless Sensor Nodes with Ambient Temperature Changes

Stanford engineer aims to connect the world with ant-sized radios

A Stanford engineering team has built a radio the size of an ant, a device so energy efficient that it gathers all the power it needs from the same electromagnetic waves that carry signals to its receiving antenna.

Earth Monitoring DataBase Launched

Studying Epidemics in Virtual Worlds

1.3 million virtual residents represented by digital characters ran through 15 scenarios, with a variety of government reactions. Tracks the spread of diseases in virtual worlds to help predict what will happen in the real world.

Factors that make an infectious disease outbreak controllable

Two simple public health measures in controlling outbreaks are isolating symptomatic individuals and tracing/quarantining their contacts.

Climate Change on Mars

Severe episodic or catastrophic phenomena are much more common in nature than we have thought.

Sudden climate transitions during the Quaternary

Some and possibly most large climate changes (involving, for example, a regional change in mean annual temperature of several degrees celsius) occurred at most on a timescale of a few centuries, sometimes decades, and perhaps even just a few years