"The major barrier to resuming flight has been understanding tolerance levels of aircraft to ash, " the CAA said.

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Prior efforts had been a mixture of trial and error and hard work mixed with a basic understanding of the mechanics of flight.

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"Understanding how our bodies prepare for fight or flight is just one of the applications of their work, which has also opened the door for a wide range of new, more effective drug treatments with fewer side effects, " Poliakoff added.

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