December 2022

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Big News
Christmas COVID prep. As Winter settles across the UK, discussions have been taking place about how we prepare and manage the inevitable rise in both seasonal cold and flu and COVID cases. While all legal restrictions have eased in the UK, experts are still warning of the damage a fourth wave could cause; a risk which is exaggerated due to the existing pressure on the NHS and the upcoming nurses strikes. The UK isn’t alone with the growing threat caused by COVID resurgence. Some models predict that, despite attempts to restrict the virus's spread, China could see almost one million COVID deaths over the next few months. The UK might fare better, thanks to existing immunity from previous waves. It's possible that we will instead suffer from smaller scale outbreaks, indicating we are on the first steps to COVID becoming endemic. Despite the short term optimism we will likely be discussing the impacts of COVID for the next decade.   

Looking back and forward. As 2022 wraps up a lot of science news is either looking  back at what we have accomplished or looking forward to what we might achieve in the year to come. 2022 was witness to developments across the scientific spectrum, in astronomy that ranged from the launch of the  Artemis I space mission to the first images from the James Webb telescope. In the technology sector headlines focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), while healthcare saw advances in cancer treatments and gene therapy. Looking forward, much of this work is expected to carry on into 2023 and beyond. The James Webb Space Telescope should continue to generate spectacular images of the universe, and the Artemis I mission appears to be on schedule. In healthcare thanks to the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines we can expect to see more progress in mRNA technology and next year could also be the year we see the approval and clinical use of CRISPR gene-editing therapy. 2023 looks set to be another exciting year for science and technology news. 

Little News: 
Fusion breakthrough. In news that spans applied physics, engineering and sustainable energy, a team of scientists researching nuclear fusion have managed to achieve “ignition”. In nuclear fusion this involves getting more energy out of a fusion reaction than was put in by a laser. It may not sound like a grand achievement but it is one that has been years in the making, and acts as a proof-of-principle experiment to confirm that nuclear fusion could be used to develop an energy generating reactor. This work is still in its infancy, and people have been quick to point out that we can’t rely on this as the solution to clean energy and that any significant breakthrough could be decades away. Even if that is the case, this progress still lays the foundation for what could be the answer to the inevitable energy crisis that humanity faces.

What I’ve been enjoying this month
Discworld. In the run up to Christmas I enjoy making a list of the books that I want to read in the year ahead. Currently top of my list is the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. It’s a series that I read growing up and always enjoy returning too. I’m incredibly biased but, in my opinion, this series has something for everyone; from cutting satire to wacky adventures, moving characters and a beautifully detailed world. I’m also partial to some of the merchandise, which also usually ends up at the top of my Christmas list. If you do heed my advice and dive into the Discworld series you can theoretically start anywhere in the series, but I highly recommend starting with either Mort or Guards!Guards!

Enjoy the Holiday season and I look forward to seeing next year!

P.S: If you want to read more content from me then check out my recent fiction.