Extreme shortages of actinium are holding up the promising field of radiopharmaceuticals
Also in this newsletter: Olympic rail sabotage, the Taylor Swift effect, science round-up
Chan Siun-kuen left rural China in the slipstream of the revolution for a rapidly urbanising Hong Kong. His herb garden restores a connection to forgotten traditions and the healing power of plants
An entertaining account of the role that invisible gases have played in the modern world, from neon illuminations to carbon dioxide’s role in global warming
GSK’s Shingrix is latest drug to show potential for targeting previously untreatable brain disorders
Patrick Vallance calls for balanced approach to maintain access for groundbreaking research
Letter to prime minister seeks boost for new science and tech ‘supercluster’ after plans stalled under previous government
Scientists are increasingly concerned that the world’s oceans are approaching the limits of their capacity to absorb heat
National Audit Office report says strategy does not deliver value for money
Discovery expected to stoke debate about impact of seabed mining
Attorneys-general of 14 states seek to have extreme heat and smoke declared ‘major disasters’
Report finds focus on influenza, preparations for no-deal Brexit and ‘groupthink’ strategy hampered response to virus
Citadel founder purchases nearly complete specimen at Sotheby’s auction
Treatment based on science that helps axolotl salamanders restore lost limbs is now in human trials
Nasa is leading a global race to live and work on the lunar surface. But for all the investment there are no guaranteed rewards
There is concern that medications used widely for weight loss have not been tested for use by pregnant women
Use of Car-T for lupus could drive surge in demand for a treatment that was first approved for blood cancers
Lengthy simulation of life on Mars illuminates the universal features of work, including petty irritations with colleagues
Medical historian Beth Linker provides a timely account of 20th-century America’s obsession with good posture
New Labour government seeks to rebuild global reputation after damage done by Brexit
Ariane 6 rocket must pass multiple carefully orchestrated milestones before lifting off on its first flight on Tuesday
New compound increases strength of antidote for fentanyl and other lethal drugs
New agreement hands UK drugmaker control of developing jabs and provides cash injection for German group
Luiz Amaral, CEO of the Science Based Targets initiative, cites personal reasons for exit but move follows dissent
Federal health officials step up efforts to boost jab stockpiles in response to widening outbreak