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The funeral for Tutu, who helped end apartheid in South Africa, will take place on Saturday.

Tens of thousands of people in Boulder County were forced to flee their homes on Thursday.

Effective from New Year's day, officials hope the law will prevent a billion items of single use plastics every year.

The long-time Hollywood star died on Friday at the age of 99 after an eight-decade film and TV career.

In line with his eco-friendly beliefs, the water-based process uses a tenth of the energy of cremation.

One of America's original screen stars, Betty White enjoyed a career spanning eight decades.

UK health officials said the latest data reinforces the importance of getting a third dose.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner's body will lie in state in a simple coffin for two days.

How Ghislaine Maxwell went from being the toast of high society to a convicted sex trafficker.

With the gong-giving season picking up steam, we look at the possible nominees for the big awards.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Protection is investigating two separate listeria outbreaks linked to packaged salads produced by Fresh Express and Dole, the agency said in a food safety alert.

Why developed countries have a surplus of vaccines while low-income ones are still struggling to battle Covid.

To ensure the promises of COP26 are kept, young campaigners are putting their faith in international courts.

Ernst Gotsch's method of agriculture increases, rather than decreases, biodiversity and wildlife.

Recent studies have shown variation in the gene-expression profile and phenotype of microglia across brain regions and between different age and disease states. But the molecular mechanisms that contribute to these transcriptomic changes in the human brain are not well understood. Now, a new study targets the methylation profile of microglia from human brain. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211228135848.htm

The beaches of the Indian Ocean island seem bereft of the beautiful shells popular with tourists.

A potential new route to the diagnosis and treatment of ARDS comes from studying how neutrophils -- the white blood cells responsible for detecting and eliminating harmful particles in the body -- differentiate what materials to uptake by the material's surface structure, and favor uptake of particles that exhibit 'protein clumping,' according to new research. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211227154424.htm

A Mexican fish species has been "brought back from extinction" after a decades-long rescue mission.

What will Britney do now she's free of her conservatorship, and who's releasing new music in 2022?

Where was the original site of the house where the Queen was born? And was it bombed in the war?

Despite the country's continuing economic crisis, both pupils and teachers are determined to continue with schooling.

Losing weight seems to be everyone’s long-term goal, but more physical activity could make a healthier difference in less time.

Some 5,000 wild cranes have died and hundreds of thousands of chickens and turkeys are being culled.

The argument began as the chamber debated constitutional reforms, including gender equality.

The judge in Ghislaine Maxwell's sex trafficking trial asks jurors to meet for an extra hour a day.

The creatures are attacking as their habitats shrink, a grim side-effect of Iran's water shortages.

Namibia wants to use its abundance of sunshine and wind power to make and export hydrogen.

A production of Antigone seeks to overturn prejudices about Africans arriving in Sicily.

A Bollywood ode to India's 1983 cricket world cup win recreates one of the greatest upsets in sports history.

More and more Afghan children are having to work to support their families, amidst an economic collapse.

Scientists have identified a key signal that the fetus uses to control its supply of nutrients from the placenta, revealing a tug-of-war between genes inherited from the father and from the mother. The study, carried out in mice, could help explain why some babies grow poorly in the womb. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211227154328.htm

Scientists have found a way to prove that biochemical signals sent from cell to cell play an important role in determining how those cells develop, findings that can help explain how stem cells differentiate and how cancer arises and proliferates, possibly leading to new treatments. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211223225444.htm

Scientists investigating the DNA outside our genes - the 'dark genome' - have discovered recently evolved regions that code for proteins associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211223225442.htm

Researchers have created an extraordinarily light version, or isotope, of magnesium. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211223161019.htm

Restoring hearing through cochlear implantation for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can help them understand spoken language and enhance social interactions, according to a new study. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211223143039.htm

It beat Chinese Korean War epic The Battle of Lake Changjin to be the highest grossing film of 2021.

Black and Jewish journalist Nadine Batchelor-Hunt travels to Israel to meet the Ethiopian community and explore this dual identity.

Foreigners in South Africa tell photographer Shiraaz Mohamed how they cope with xenophobia and crime.

He uses quintessential Australian larrikinism to skewer politicians, climate sceptics and others.

The story behind a face mask clip that restored a young man's dream of being a pilot.

The pandemic briefly renewed efforts to curb an infamous Indian habit - spitting in public.

US-based Tigrayan artist Gabrielle Tesfaye uses her work to share her feelings over the civil war.

Now wowing visitors at his museum, the famous spoon bender recalls his rise from poverty to stardom.

Crash Landing On You has been a big hit and now fans are travelling to the filming locations.

Socialites are becoming wary of what they post online in case Kenya's revenue authority comes calling.

Chen Ting is a mother of three and businesswoman who encourages other women to have more children.

Around the US, an estimated three million oil wells have been abandoned. They're more dangerous than we think.

Beachgoers in Morro Bay area are ordered to stay out of the water after an accident on Christmas Eve.

In his Christmas Day speech, the Pope said "immense tragedies" were being passed over in near silence.

Web services are restricted in the capital ahead of demonstrations against the military coup.

With rhetoric becoming harsh and fears of an invasion growing, Muscovites give their views on the crisis.

Artist Polly Verity loves the look and feel of paper and has been "lost in its landscape" for years.

No people were injured during the incident, but the wolf pack was killed due to safety concerns.

Hammam was WebMD's longtime editor-in-chief and senior vice president .

A father from Oregon uttered a term that is code for an obscenity directed at the president.

The cause of her death was triple-negative breast cancer. She was 50 years old. Hammam retired from a 22 year career at WebMD in June of 2021, after losing much of her eyesight to chemotherapy.

All those from the age of five must be jabbed, although people with medical reasons are exempt.

A variety of jobs expose people to formaldehyde, a strong-smelling gas used in manufacturing wood and chemical products, plastics and in other applications. A new study suggests that long-term exposure to formaldehyde during work may be associated with cognitive impairment later on. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211222185426.htm

The two-meter skull of an enormous new ichthyosaur species, Earth's first known giant creature, reveals how both the extinct marine reptiles and modern whales became giants. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211223143055.htm

The April shooting led to days of demonstrations against police killings of black men.

Two specific types-- modified alternate-day fasting and the “5:2 diet” were associated with significant weight loss and other heart benefits, but long-term data is lacking.

The actor speaks about his past "consensual" relationships with students from his acting school.

Quantum effects in superconductors could give semiconductor technology a new twist. Researchers have identified a composite material that could integrate quantum devices into semiconductor technology, making electronic components significantly more powerful. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211222152958.htm

Which factors determine how fast a quantum computer can perform its calculations? Physicists have devised an elegant experiment to answer this question. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211222151153.htm

Researchers report culturing methods for the pygmy zebra octopus, an emerging laboratory research organism. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211222104952.htm

Scientists predict that continued global warming under current trends could lead to an elevation of the sea level by as much as five meters by the year 3000 CE. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211222100824.htm

A genetic variation among some Greenlanders makes sugar healthy -- significantly more than for most people. According to a new study, gut bacteria and a unique diet that has nourished Greenlanders for millennia have provided them with a genetic variation that offers an incredible advantage. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211222100818.htm

A novel carbon-based biosensor is set to drive new innovations in brain-controlled robotics. The biosensor adheres to the skin of the face and head in order to detect electrical signals being sent by the brain. These signals can be translated into commands to control autonomous robotic systems. The sensor, made of epitaxial graphene grown onto a silicon carbide on silicon substrate, overcomes three major challenges of graphene-based biosensing: corrosion, durability and skin-contact resistance. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211222100804.htm

Microplastics -- tiny pieces of plastic less than 5 mm in length -- are everywhere, from bottled water to food to air. According to recent estimates, people consume tens of thousands of these particles each year, with unknown health consequences. Now, researchers have found that people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have more microplastics in their feces than healthy controls, suggesting that the fragments could be related to the disease process. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211222084024.htm

Researchers have discovered that Toxoplasma parasites lay dormant and undetected inside neurons (brain cells) and muscle cells by releasing proteins that switch off the cells' ability to alert the immune system. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211221212454.htm

Male elephants are more aggressive when fewer older males are present, new research suggests. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211221212451.htm

A new study finds the magnetic field generated by a tsunami can be detected a few minutes earlier than changes in sea level and could improve warnings of these giant waves. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211221133540.htm

Amid rising cases of the contagious Omicron variant, family members should test for COVID-19 before gathering for the holidays even if everyone who attends is vaccinated and boosted, says CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, MD.

Workers at the University of Hong Kong dismantle the sculpture commemorating the 1989 massacre.

People who get COVID-19 infections caused by the Omicron variant are less likely to need hospital care, compared with those infected by the Delta variant, according to two large new studies from the U.K. and South Africa.

Some of the same brain systems known to play a role in learning from trial and error also are engaged when people conform to social norms, scientists report in a new study. The findings are important, the researchers said, because changing one's behavior to align with one's peers can contribute to community-building or -- depending on the goals and values of the group -- societal breakdown. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211221104227.htm

As the Omicron variant spreads around Europe, countries tighten restrictions to brace for another wave.

The FDA was also expected to authorize an antiviral pill from Merck, but as of Wednesday afternoon, only Pfizer's had been authorized for use.

Israeli archaeologists discover a Roman-era gold ring bearing an early Christian depiction of Jesus.

The founder of the content subscription site is stepping aside to focus on new endeavours.

As Omicron soars, President Joe Biden offered reassurance to Americans who have followed gotten vaccinated and boosted, and delivered a stark warning to those who haven’t.

Researchers have created DNA-like magnetic nanostructures that form strong inter-helix magnetic bonds. These produce topological textures in the magnetic field, opening the door to the next generation of magnetic devices, and patterning magnetic fields on the nanoscale. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211220120631.htm

What you need to know about Russia's troop build-up along Ukraine's borders.

At least 14 people have died and tens of thousands evacuated their homes after torrential rain.

The Madagascar police minister was part of a team looking for survivors after a boat accident.

The concept of "quantum information" was not easy to be understood by the public because of its strong "technological concept" attributes, and lacked "consumption" enthusiasm.  However, with the promulgation of the country’s “14th Five-Year Plan” this year, the importance of “quantum information” to the country and to the industry has made it the “sweet pastry” of Zhongxing Pengyue. It is reported that the term "science and technology" has appeared 36 times in the full text of the "14th Five-Year Plan Proposal", and the "Proposal" has clearly pointed out: "We must target artificial intelligence, quantum information, integrated circuits, life and health, and brain science. We will implement a number of forward-looking and strategic national major scientific and technological projects in frontier fields." Among them, quantum information is second only to artificial intelligence, which shows to a certain extent its stra

The Tesla founder and world's richest person has been involved in a public spat over his tax bill.

Experts answer questions about the Omicron coronavirus variant.

A machine-learning approach developed for sparse data reliably predicts fault slip in laboratory earthquakes and could be key to predicting fault slip and potentially earthquakes in the field. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211217172804.htm

An investigation is underway regarding the alleged incident involving young pupils in Washington DC.

A new poll reveals nearly 2 of every 3 U.S. adults plan to change up their diet in 2022, either by eating less or cutting back on specific foods.

Earthquakes of similar magnitude can cause tsunamis of greatly varying sizes. This commonly observed, but not well-understood phenomenon has hindered reliable warnings of local tsunamis. This research provides new insight that connects the characteristics of earthquakes -- magnitude, depth where two tectonic plates slip past each other and the rigidity of the plates involved -- with the potential size of a resulting tsunami. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211217172801.htm

Researchers have discovered that a nanoparticle therapeutic enhances cancer immunotherapy and is a possible new approach in treating malignant pleural effusion (MPE). MPE is the accumulation of fluid between the chest wall and lungs and is accompanied by malignant cells and/or tumors. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211216145923.htm

A new study warns 1,500 endangered languages could no longer be spoken by the end of this century. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211216145917.htm

The Spanish singer is remembered by other members of the group for his unique voice and spirit.

Democrat Joe Manchin throws the Build Back Better Act into jeopardy, saying he will not vote for it.

Some marine species can help protect others from climate change by shielding them from heat, according to a new study. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211216145858.htm

The foreign secretary will become the UK's lead negotiator with the EU over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Only candidates deemed to be "patriots" by Beijing can stand in the legislative council election.

Germany follows France in banning British tourists and business travellers over Omicron concerns.

Non-essential shops, schools, bars and other public venues have been closed until at least 14 January.

With communications systems down, authorities say the scale of the storm's destruction is unclear.

Eyewitnesses allege the man had tried to commit a sacrilegious act at the Golden Temple in India.

The shadowy Russian mercenary group, allegedly linked to the Kremlin, has been accused of rights abuses.

Snow on the slopes of Mont Blanc is the best Chamonix has seen in years - but few Brits will enjoy it.

Sweeping changes put in place by China altered the way the city chooses its lawmakers this year.

The BBC’s Silicon Valley correspondent investigates how his report was used to steal life savings.

The election, set to be the most polarised in decades, pits a far-right candidate against a leftist.

Nearly 28,000 people have now crossed from France to England in small boats this year.

Britain's defence secretary says this is because Ukraine is not a member of the Nato military alliance.

Non-essential shops, schools, bars, restaurants and other public venues will be closed until at least mid-January.

American gymnast Simone Biles has been honoured with BBC Sports Personality of the Year's Lifetime Achievement award.

A Moroccan gardener convicted of the notorious killing of a French heiress is fighting to clear his name.

Kim Potter testified at her manslaughter trial about the "chaotic" fatal shooting of Daunte Wright.

Unlike our Sun, most stars live with a companion. Sometimes, two come so close that one engulfs the other -- with far-reaching consequences. When astronomers used the telescope Alma to study 15 unusual stars, they were surprised to find that they all recently underwent this phase. The discovery promises new insight on the sky's most dramatic phenomena -- and on life, death and rebirth among the stars. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211216145911.htm

Researchers have uncovered a surprising new explanation for why pedestrian bridges can suddenly start to wobble and sway: too many people crossing at once and simply trying not to fall over. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211215204114.htm

Phthalates are a ubiquitous family of chemicals that are used every day. In a new study, researchers have investigated how these compounds affect tissue development in the reproductive systems of female mice offspring. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211215204101.htm

Aiming to create a robotic gripper that can grasp with delicate strength, researchers combine adhesives based on gecko toes with a customized robotic hand. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211215204059.htm

New research provides a novel answer to one of the persistent questions in historical climatology, environmental history and the earth sciences: what caused the Little Ice Age? The answer, we now know, is a paradox: warming. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211215142052.htm

The new, tougher limits would require the replacement of remaining lead drinking water pipes as quickly as possible.

Past research linked disruptions in pregnancy hormones to an increased risk of problems such as impaired fetal growth, preterm birth and low birth weight.

Achieving consensus among countries in global climate negotiations is a long and complicated process. Researchers have developed a mathematical model that describes the achievement of the 2015 Paris Agreement and that may contribute to more efficient negotiations when striving for unanimity. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211215142050.htm

Researchers have demonstrated a new photodetector material that acts like a second skin layer and is up to 200% more stretchable than its original dimension without significantly losing its electric current. The researchers say the soft flexible photodetectors could enhance the utility of medical wearable sensors and implantable devices, among other applications. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211215142047.htm

A son's colourful tribute to his mother, Renay Mandel Corren, has been shared widely on social media.

Exposure to low levels of arsenic, cadmium, and titanium linked to increased risk of clogged arteries.

Research shows that bypassing a photosynthetic glitch common to crops like soybean, rice, and wheat, can confer thermal protection under heat stress in the field. source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211215132628.htm

Eva Andersson-Dubin has defended her sex offender ex in the past and denies knowledge of his crimes.

Security around some US schools is stepped up in response to supposed violent threats going viral.

A new study suggests using marijuana could wreak havoc with any other medications you take because the body uses the same set of enzymes to process them all.

The CDC panel voted unanimously to prefer the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines after hearing a safety update on cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, a condition that causes large clots that deplete the blood of platelets, resulting in uncontrolled bleeding.