Warning over unforeseen side effect of government shutdown hitting middle-class families

More from Science & Technology

• A painful tail: Vets reveal the dog breeds most likely to suffer a tail injury - with Boxers topping the list

• Britain's top tea experts reveal the way you've been making your cuppa all wrong - including the secret ingredient you should always add in

• What is 'bluetoothing'? Nauseating new trend is fueling a surge in deadly disease

• Vodafone blackout CHAOS: More than 130,000 customers across the country have NO broadband, internet banking or phone signal amid major outage

• He predicted Trump's attempted assassination. Now his next prophecy will strike the heart of America if it comes true

• Mysterious 'dent' in Earth's magnetic field explodes in size

• How signs on your skin can reveal devastating health crisis weeks before it happens

• US warplane spotted circling drug-smuggling hotspot in mysterious pattern

• Last month was the third-hottest September on RECORD - with average global temperatures hitting a balmy 16.11°C

• Travel chaos as major US airports ground flights for HOURS

• Apple is rumoured to be launching THREE brand new products this week - here's what we expect to see

• Urgent warning to millions of Microsoft customers as support for Windows 10 ends TOMORROW - leaving users without any help if something goes wrong

• Discovery of secret tunnels below Egypt's Giza pyramids linked to forgotten underworld

• Shark Glossi review: I tested a two-in-one multistyler on my curly hair - I'll never pay for a bouncy blowdry again

• Scientists have uncovered a simple way to cure hair loss - as incredible before-and-after photos show the results in just 8 weeks

• Woman's best friend! Spending time with dogs slows ageing in women, study finds

• NASA unveils plan for astronauts to live on the moon - inside glass bubbles made from lunar dust

• Key climate tipping point is BREACHED for the first time - and scientists warn it will cause 'catastrophic harm' unless urgent action is taken

• Inside US town terrorized by legend of bone-chilling monster with no head and skin like a seal

• World's most unusual toilets pictured - including a 14,500ft seat in the clouds