Cunning bumblebees help plants produce flowers by nibbling away on their leaves in way that speeds up blooming, according to a new report. Bumblebees that wake up earlier in the year than normal due to climate change face a scarcity of pollen because flowers are yet to bloom, European researchers claim. They therefore bite the … Read more
Apple releases iOS 13.5 software update featuring support for its coronavirus contact-tracing system and a new way to unlock your iPhone while wearing a face mask iOS 13.5 sends users wearing protective masks straight to the passcode screen Before this Face ID had failed repeatedly before users could access their iPhone The update could prove safer … Read more
Hurricanes are getting faster and more dangerous due to climate change – with wind speeds of over 115mph 15 per cent more likely than 40 years ago Researchers examined 40 years of hurricane and climate data for their study They found the maximum sustained wind speed was up 8 per cent per decade The team … Read more
Researchers build the world’s fastest ‘soft’ robot, which can travel more than THREE TIMES faster than the previous record holder using movements that mimic a cheetah Researchers at North Carolina State University built a new ‘soft’ robot using silicone bands to mimic the gait of a cheetah It’s just 2.7 inches long but travels nearly … Read more
A new third type of test may offer a simpler way for healthcare workers to identify positive coronavirus cases. The two tests most commonly used are a PCR test, which looks for the virus’ genetic material to see if someone is currently infected, and an antibody test, which sees if someone has been infected in … Read more
Scientists find time passes nanoseconds faster at the top of skyscrapers than on the ground Researchers in Japan climbed the Tokyo Skytree to measure the passage of time They found that time passed four nanoseconds faster at the top of the tower The Skytree is the world’s tallest building, measuring 2,080 feet tall Previous research … Read more
Women’s blood vessels AGE faster than men’s which increases their risk of heart diseases at a younger age, study claims Women aged 30 with high blood pressure ‘more likely to have heart disease’ This is because their blood vessels and arteries are less efficient at that age Authors of study say finding may reshape way doctors assess heart … Read more
With more households staying at home to work and children off school due to the ongoing pandemic, internet and mobile speeds are more stretched than ever before. As a result, many may find their broadband is lagging and will be looking for ways to improve it. While telecoms companies are constantly monitoring traffic on their … Read more
The streets are so dead now you can hear the ambulance sirens from a long way off. And you hear them more and more. Yesterday, one came for an old lady at the end of my block, a squad of masked medics milling around the stretcher as she was wheeled into an ambulance and away … Read more
For the best internet speed while working from home during the coronavirus lockdown you should avoid using the microwave, according to Ofcom. The regulator has published seven tips for staying connected during the lockdown on its website including doing regular speed checks on your connection. There has been a spike in internet use as people … Read more