Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a green way to create chitin, by using two forms of food waste - prawn shells and discarded fruit - and fermenting them.

Its name is Foxg1, it is a gene, and its unprecedented role is the protagonist of the discovery just published on the journal Cerebral Cortex. Foxg1 was already known for being a "master gene" able to coordinate the action of hundreds of other genes. As this new study reports, the "excitability" of neurons, namely their ability to respond to stimuli, communicating between each other and carrying out all their tasks, also depends on this gene.

An international team has discovered an effective method for controlling the frequency of confined light at the nanoscale in the form of phonon polaritons (light coupled to vibrations in the crystal). The results have now been published in Nature Materials.

Prof. ZHONG Zhicheng's team at the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering has investigated the electronic structure of the recently discovered nickelate superconductors NdNiO₂. They successfully explained the experimental difficulties in synthesizing superconducting nickelates, in cooperation with Prof. Karsten Held at Vienna University of Technology.

A two-week course of antiviral therapy with interferon beta-1b plus lopinavir-ritonavir and ribavirin, started within 7 days of showing COVID-19 symptoms, is safe and more effective at reducing the duration of viral shedding than lopinavir-ritonavir alone in patients with mild to moderate illness, according to the first randomized trial of this triple combination therapy involving 127 adults (aged 18 and older) from six public hospitals in Hong Kong.

Evidence continues to mount that the Neandertals, who lived in Europe and Asia until about 40,000 years ago, were more sophisticated people than once thought. A new study from UC Davis shows that Neandertals chose to use bones from specific animals to make a tool for specific purpose: working hides into leather.

Photosynthetic systems in nature transport energy very efficiently towards a reaction center, where it is converted into a useful form for the organism. Scientists have been using this as inspiration to learn how to transport energy efficiently in, for example, molecular electronics. Physicist Richard Hildner from the University of Groningen and colleagues have investigated energy transport in an artificial system made from nanofibres. The results were published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina show in a new report that the RNA interference machinery, normally thought to reside in the nucleus or cytoplasm, predominantly localizes to these apical junctions and influences cell biology in the colon. Interestingly, in colon tumors, this localization is dysregulated and may shift the balance of RNAs to promote tumorigenesis.

A new discovery in mice shows the innate immune system has 'memory,' previously thought to be a unique feature of the adaptive immune system. Blocking this memory prevented transplanted organs from being rejected, providing a way to more specific drugs that could lengthen organ transplant survival.

In recent years, giant viruses have been unearthed in several of the world's most mysterious locations, from the thawing permafrost of Siberia to locations unknown beneath the Antarctic ice. But don't worry, 'The Thing' is still a work of science fiction. For now.

In the ongoing struggle to address health care disparities in rural communities across the US, a recent study found that the perfect partner may be hiding in plain sight. The grange, founded in 1867, is a community-based organization that is likely familiar to anyone who's spent time in a small town. In addition to political advocacy on behalf of farmers, the grange's missions around community and family also align closely with the goals of public health.

A new study published in the Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists investigates the impact of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), the largest international cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas emissions in the world, on power plant fuel efficiency.

The direction of ocean currents can determine the direction of gene flow in rafting species, but this depends on species traits that allow for rafting propensity. This is according to a City College of New York study focusing on seahorse and pipefish species. And it could explain how high genetic diversity can contribute to extinction in small populations.

Although the clinical symptoms of SARS, H1N1, MERS, EVALI, and COVID-19 may be nonspecific, some characteristic imaging findings are emerging, says the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR). Careful evaluation of the distribution, lung zone preference, and symmetry of the abnormalities with an eye for a few unique differentiating imaging features can allow radiologists to offer a narrower differential diagnosis in pediatric patients, leading to optimal patient care.

The update comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed he would set out a lockdown exit strategy on Sunday.

The number of callers to the charity SANE’s telephone helpline has increased by 200 percent since the lockdown began.

One hospice ITV News spoke to is three days away from running out of protective gowns needed to treat patients with coronavirus.

The piece, called Game Changer, is on display in a corridor at Southampton General Hospital.

A fine end to the day with late sunshine & clear skies

A former Scotland rugby captain, who suffered life changing injuries in a car crash, is walking to raise money for the NHS.

Florian Schneider, co-founder of the pioneering electronic music group Kraftwerk, has died at the age of 73.

Mila Sneddon hasn't seen her father in seven weeks in order to keep her safe during coronavirus lockdown.

A North East based care provider, Wellburn Care Homes, has launched their own We Care badge aiming to show support for care workers.

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for "more than 200,000" coronavirus tests to be carried out.

Cold enough for a slight frost in places

Arrows fired from longbows could penetrate right through the human skull creating small entry and large exit wounds.

The company wants to ensure mourners can still say their goodbyes.

Survey finds people are appreciating their local parks, countryside and green belt more.

Half of parents with young children will struggle to make ends meet in the next three months, study suggests.

The Duchess of Cambridge has teamed up with the National Portrait Gallery to launch the Hold Still project.

Zoological Society of London warns it is facing a very challenging situation as its core income from London and Whipsnade zoos has dried up.

The likelihood of death from Covid-19 is significantly higher among England’s BAME communities than the general population, researchers say.

One in twenty businesses said they would be unable to viably operate as long as social distances measures are still enforced.

Zara Anne Radcliffe, 29, will appear in court accused of murdering 88-year-old John Rees and the attempted murder of three others.

Boris Johnson will chair a Cabinet meeting on Thursday and is expected to announce a lifting of some measures on Sunday.

While the Government’s aim is to return things to normal as far as possible, it is likely that some measures will remain in place.

Thursday’s front pages are dominated by anticipation of the easing of lockdown restrictions.

There have been no deaths reported from the virus in China for more than three weeks.

ITV Tonight is out with Merseyside Police to investigate the extraordinary impact the pandemic is having on their ability to combat crime.

The Bank of England said the economy could contract by as much as 3% in the first quarter.

Temperatures will reach highs of 23 Celsius (73F) and it will feel noticeably warmer along North Sea coasts.

A shipment of 400,000 gowns from Turkey which was part of a delayed consignment of PPE has been impounded after falling short of standards.

People from black backgrounds are four times more likely to die from coronavirus than people from white backgrounds, new statistics suggest.

From a rapid recovery to prolonged depression and everything in between, the range of possible outcomes from the coronavirus crisis is vast.

The big question is whether you want to focus on the 2020 bit of the Bank of England's illustrative scenario, which shows a 14% fall in GDP.

A report published in The Lancet appeared to show there was a link between Covid-19 and a deadly syndrome that affects some children.

The two firms have announced plans to bring together their mobile, broadband and pay-TV services.

Lockdown restrictions are set to be eased - Tom Clarke shares his reservations on the idea.

30 stores have already reopened and 71 shops will join them next week, including Birmingham.

The care home where she worked says they no longer needed the help of the UK’s youngest parliamentarian.