COVID: why are people testing positive on lateral flow tests then negative on PCR?

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Basilico Studio Stock/Shutterstock In the UK over the last few weeks, there have been a growing number of reports of people testing positive for COVID on a lateral flow test (LFT) but then negative on a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. This stands out because we’ve been led to believe that PCR tests are the “gold standard” and LFTs are crude mass-testing devices – that PCRs should pick up cases LFTs miss, not the other way around. A number of explanations have been put forward. Some have suggested a faulty batch of LFTs could be causing people to test positive when they don’t have COVID. Others have hypothesised a new variant could be circulating that isn’t detected by the standardContinue Reading

We used 60-year-old notebooks to find out why male hippos have bigger tusks than females

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Courtship behaviour of a male and female hippopotamus in Amboseli National Park, Kenya, showing the larger head and tusk sizes of the adult male on left. Graeme Shannon, Author provided Male hippopotamuses are an unusual size. Among mammals, males are usually much larger than females, but in hippos the sexes have surprisingly similar sized bodies. All except the jaws and tusks, which are much bigger in males. Our recent research, using data uncovered from 60 years ago on nearly 3,000 hippos, suggests that their semi-aquatic behaviour may play a key role in minimising the size differences between the sexes. Similar big mammals like elephants, lions and gorillas all display big differences in size between the sexes. The record-holding male southernContinue Reading

Japanese commuters photographed from behind, including several women.

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When I recently explained why teaching grammar in primary school still matters, Radio 4’s Today programme invited me to debate the importance of standard English. My opponent was Nevile Gwynne, a British private tutor, author and, as presenter Nick Robinson put it, a “stickler for the right sort of grammar”. Robinson asked that I explain my position, which is as follows: standard English should not be presented in the national curriculum as the only correct form, but as what it is, which is the socially most prestigious form. Saying it is the only correct way to speak puts those children who don’t speak that way from birth at a disadvantage. How so? Well, if your teacher tells you that “IContinue Reading

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A nyone who has had builders in over the last few months, with the associated availability nightmares, the doubled prices and the scarcity of materials, will feel sympathy with Eva Langret. Tomorrow, the artistic director of Frieze London opens the organisation’s first permanent gallery space at No. 9 Cork Street and until a couple of days ago, construction was still ongoing. Langret is unfailingly discreet, ensuring nothing registers on my tape recorder, but her bowed shaking head, when I ask her if it’s been a bit of a nightmare, tells a story. That’s before you factor in that she’s also in the middle of building a tent in Regent’s Park to house the now world-famous fair and the gazillions ofContinue Reading

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In: Politics

In 1993, Soviet Union president Mikhail Gorbachev used part of his Nobel peace prize money to help set up the newspaper Novaya Gazeta, buying the publication its first computers. Nearly 30 years later, the paper has another Nobel peace prize in its history. Dmitry Muratov, editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, was jointly awarded the prize with Filipina journalist Maria Ressa, “for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace”. The prize is a surprising and welcome show of support to Russia’s independent press, which has been under constant pressure during the 21 years of Vladimir Putin’s rule. Thanks to Gorbachev’s perestroika political reforms and liberation of the press during the 1980s, investigative journalistsContinue Reading

Locator map of Yemen showing proximity of Saudi Arabia and position of Iran.

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Recent statements from Iran and Saudi Arabia have provided hope that a pathway might be emerging to an end to the bitter seven-year civil war in Yemen which has killed an estimated quarter of a million people and left millions more homeless. On September 21, officials from Saudi Arabia and Iran – the Middle East’s two biggest powers and bitterest rivals – met at Baghdad airport for the fourth round of talks aimed at improving relations. Three other rounds of direct talks took place during the administration of moderate Iranian president Hassan Rouhani. There was a short hiatus in August while the new – and deeply conservative – president, Ebrahim Raisi, took office, but in recent weeks new momentum hasContinue Reading

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CRISTIANO RONALDO enjoys steak and chips after games, according to Portugal star Jose Fonte. The defender, 37, has played alongside Ronaldo at international level since 2014. 2 Cristiano Ronaldo’s eating habits have allowed him to stay in top physical condition That has given him an insight into the dietary behaviours of a man is who is renowned for his strict healthy eating. But it seems even CR7 even allows himself days off, enjoying “steak with chips and fried egg” after matches. Fonte told talkSPORT: “I’ve seen him eating a little bit of everything. “We always have a look at what he’s eating and what he’s doing. “You know he’s the best and you want to replicate what he’s doing becauseContinue Reading

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Champion National Hunt trainer Paul Nicholls will be armed with two ‘big guns’ at Chepstow today with Knappers Hill and Threeunderfive in the first two races; the Ditcheat complex is obviously ready for the ‘new’ season and punters should be aware because it is performing at 80%, according to calculation which determines by modus operandi. Unbeaten Knappers Hill, Champion bumper on my time-handicap, was the first-ever winner for this ‘online’ column way back in April at the Aintree Grand National meeting when given a sensational ride by Paul’s daughter, Megan, to land a heavy gamble; the Valirann gelding  contests a tasty debut over hurdles.  ‘No’ cert by any means but the likely winner obviously. Looking forward to this reappearance. TwilightContinue Reading

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ENGLAND return to action in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Andorra. And Paddy Power are offering brand new customers a completely risk free £20 bet on the action PLUS a massive 53/1 bet builder special. 1 Claim YOUR risk free £20 bet with Paddy PowerCredit: GETTY PADDY POWER – RISK FREE £20 BET* How to claim.. Paddy Power special Visit the Paddy Power website using this link HERE* Open a new account using promo code YSKAEE Deposit a minimum of £10 using a cards or Apple Pay Place a £20 Sportsbook bet. For the purposes of this promotion, your first ever bet will be counted as the qualifying bet If your qualifying bet is settled as a loser – Paddy PowerContinue Reading

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Employers will not be allowed to force people to retire before the State pension age under recommendations in the report of the Pensions Commission. It suggests the Government should introduce legislation that would align retirement ages in employment contracts with the State pension age. It would allow, but not compel, a worker to continue working until they hit a State pension age that will rise slowly over the next two decades. As The Irish Times reports, the proposal is one of a number made by the Pensions Commission, which was tasked with examining issues around the State pension age and its funding after the issue emerged as one of concern among voters at the last general election. Launching the report, Minister for SocialContinue Reading