UK prime minister Boris Johnson has said a mass-produced antibody test for covid-19 that can be done at home will be a game changer - but this type of test has limitations

A blood test developed and checked using blood samples from 4000 people can accurately detect more than 50 cancer types

Following a healthy diet or exercising could impact how your brain ages, but the effects on cognitive skills later in life depend on specific gene variants that not everyone has

Cases of covid-19 have been slow to appear in developing economies, but now they are ramping up. Slums and refugee camps could be particularly vulnerable

A device that carries hot water down a tube into the gut may help manage diabetes by killing overgrown gut cells that release hormones key to metabolising food

With all the unknowns about covid-19, any numbers you hear about death tolls or how long restrictions will last should be taken not just with a pinch of salt but with a sack of it

Contagion was a film released in 2011 about a fictional pandemic of a virus called MEV-1 which kills between 25 and 30 per cent of those it infected. Here is our review of the film originally published in September 2011, now that it's on Netflix

There are three main strategies for leaving coronavirus lockdown, but each risks a dangerous second wave and further lockdowns if things don't go as planned

Does a cell surface protein explain why the coronavirus is more likely to kill people with diabetes or heart disease? Researchers are trying to find out

A study suggests high blood pressure in people over 75 doesn't seem to raise the risk of death, leading researchers to question the use of medications for it in older people

Metabolites from urine or blood samples can be used to predict how much a baby will grow six months ahead of time, which could improve interventions for chronic malnutrition

Fresh cases of Ebola have been detected just days before the deadly epidemic in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo was to be declared over

Following China’s switch to a two-child policy, there has been a slight rise in congenital anomalies, perhaps because parents are older on average at conception

Early in life, babies gain billions of viruses that target gut bacteria – but breastfed babies are less likely to pick up viruses that infect human cells

Conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome have been linked to viral infections, so it’s possible that the covid-19 virus may go on to trigger similar conditions

Three doctors reveal what it was like at the heart of Hubei province’s coronavirus crisis, as the epidemic peaked in Wuhan and spread elsewhere

Building muscle reduces the risk of cancer and stroke, boosts brainpower, burns through calories and more – it might even be better for you than cardio

Parasites are a huge global treat to human life, but some of them could actually help us treat disease. Parasitologist Charlotte Evans explores the secret lives of these frightening organisms.

Taking deep breaths and forcing a cough can help clear mucus, but these techniques are unlikely to prevent or treat coronavirus infections – here’s why

People from an ethnic minority are disproportionately affected by covid-19. Researchers say the reasons are rooted in existing social and healthcare inequalities

People born prematurely may have weaker hearts that recover less well after exercise, potentially explaining their increased risk of heart disease

We need to scale up testing efforts to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, and looking for signs of virus RNA in our sewage could provide a shortcut

We need to be very cautious about preliminary studies estimating how many people have already been infected by the coronavirus

Some dogs and cats may be passing gut microbes to their owners that withstand last-resort antibiotics, which can be needed to fight off pneumonia from a coronavirus infection

Half a million people taking part in the UK Biobank, which gathers genetic information for researchers to study, won't be told if they turn out to be genetically vulnerable to the coronavirus

The membership of the UK's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies has so far been kept secret, but a list of names will soon be published, the UK's chief scientific adviser has said

In a small trial, implanting electrodes into the brain helped women with severe anorexia gain weight and feel less anxious and depressed

Coffee has been linked to changes on our DNA that affect how active certain genes are. The finding may help explain some of coffee's touted health benefits

It can be difficult for doctors to assess the level of consciousness in people who have had serious brain injuries, but observing their reaction to strong odours may help

Many studies suggest coronavirus has low transmission rates among children, but there are still risks to reopening schools that were closed due to social distancing policies

The remains of three slaves found in Mexico contain the earliest signs of the hepatitis B virus and yaws bacteria in the Americas, suggesting transatlantic slavery introduced these diseases

Australia recorded just 229 flu cases this April, compared with 18,705 last April, probably due to lockdown measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus

We tend to overestimate our height and underestimate our weight to fit society’s ideals, or because we think we're still the same as our younger selves

Four coronaviruses cause around a quarter of all common colds, but each was probably deadly when it first made the leap to humans. We can learn a lot from what happened next

To figure out what makes some people more vulnerable to severe cases of covid-19, we need to rethink what we know about infection

Many countries are focusing coronavirus testing on people who have covid-19 symptoms. But regularly testing all essential workers would have more of an impact

A study of brain cells in a dish adds to growing evidence that Alzheimer’s disease can be caused by herpes viruses, but antiviral treatment may help stop it

Mouse neurons trapped inside cages grow long appendages to connect to each other. Trapping the cells allows us to precisely control their growth

The latest coronavirus news updated every day including coronavirus cases, the latest news, features and interviews from New Scientist and essential information about the covid-19 pandemic

"If we don't have all the information in front of us to help us make decisions, then how do we flatten the curve and stop the spread?"

"I think people are seeing that there is a problem. It's whether they are prepared to take that political risk to actually do something about it."

Just over 300 iPads, with fully paid data plans, will be going out to Saskatchewan Health Authority long term care homes to help residents stay in touch with their families.

Most reserves have set up security systems that include check stops and community monitoring for large groups and house parties.

Scientists are working hard to understand how age changes the immune system so that they can better protect seniors against current and future infectious diseases

The shipment of Ebola and henipavirus samples to Wuhan has given rise to groundless conspiracy theories involving Xiangguo Qiu. But there is no evidence whatsoever tying her to COVID-19

Host Aziz Ansari touched upon the Women's Marches, racism and immigration in his monologue.

Some of this year's Oscar nominees, including Andrew Garfield and Michael Shannon, react to news of their nomination.

What film critics have to say about this week's new releases.

Oscar-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi said Sunday he will not attend the Academy Awards on Feb. 26, “even if exceptions were to be made for my trip,” as protests over President Donald Trump's immigration ban spread to Hollywood's biggest global stage.

Alec Baldwin also returned to the 'SNL' stage as Donald Trump in the cold open.