Author: Andrew Rogers

A simple cheek-swab test may allow doctors to detect a potentially fatal heart condition in children up to five years before traditional methods, according to new research. The condition, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), is often genetic and contributes to more than 10% of sudden cardiac deaths in children. It occurs when abnormalities in the proteins connecting heart cells disrupt the heart’s structure and electrical activity, sometimes striking without warning. Researchers at Great Ormond Street Hospital and St George’s, University of London have developed a two-minute cheek swab capable of identifying these protein abnormalities. Trials involved 51 children aged from three months…

Oscar Piastri took a commanding victory at the Dutch Grand Prix, strengthening his championship bid as teammate and closest rival Lando Norris was forced to retire with a late-race engine failure. Starting from pole, the 24-year-old Australian led confidently from the first corner and never relinquished control, even through light rain and multiple safety car restarts. His pole-to-flag triumph gave him a 34-point cushion in the standings, a major psychological and mathematical swing in the title battle. For Norris, the race ended in heartbreak. Running second with only seven laps remaining, smoke filled his cockpit before an oil leak forced…

A new study in the United States has found that children as young as four and five with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are often prescribed medication immediately after diagnosis, rather than starting with behavioural therapy as recommended. Medical guidelines advise that newly diagnosed young children undergo six months of behavioural therapy before beginning medication. The analysis, published in JAMA Network Open, included more than 9,700 US children. It revealed that 42.2% were prescribed ADHD medication within one month of diagnosis, while only 14.1% began treatment after six months. Lead author Dr Yair Bannett, an assistant professor of paediatrics at Stanford University,…

A global systematic review has found that the shingles vaccine is linked to an 18% reduction in the risk of stroke or heart attack in adults. The analysis, which included 19 studies of both randomized trials and observational research, suggests that vaccination against shingles could offer cardiovascular protection in addition to preventing the painful viral infection. Researchers noted that the vaccine may help reduce inflammation caused by shingles, a factor known to contribute to heart and circulatory problems. While the findings are promising, experts stress that further research is needed to confirm the protective effect and understand its impact across…

A new study warns that ocean acidification could erode shark teeth, leaving the predators less able to feed effectively and potentially destabilizing marine ecosystems. Researchers found that shark teeth exposed to projected future ocean pH levels suffered double the damage compared with today’s conditions, showing increased corrosion and dulled serrations. Ocean acidification, driven by rising CO₂ emissions, could lower average pH from 8.1 to 7.3 by 2300. The study, led by Maximilian Baum of Heinrich Heine University, tested 60 naturally shed teeth from blacktip reef sharks and found accelerated erosion under acidic conditions. While sharks might adapt by replacing teeth…

Wild bees actively select flowers that provide a balanced mix of protein, fats, and carbohydrates, according to a new study in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. Ecologists tracked eight species of wild bumblebees in the Colorado Rockies over eight years, mapping their pollen diets and analyzing the macronutrient content of different flowers. Researchers discovered that pollen protein levels varied dramatically, ranging from 17% to as high as 86%. Seasonal changes also played a role: spring flowers tended to be rich in protein, while late-summer blooms offered more fats and carbohydrates. Bees adjusted their diets accordingly, depending…

Surgeons in China have successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig lung into a brain-dead human recipient, where it functioned for nine days. The procedure, described in Nature Medicine, marks the first time such a transplant has been achieved and represents a significant step in the field of xenotransplantation, which aims to address the global shortage of donor organs. According to the World Health Organization, only around 10% of the worldwide demand for transplants is currently met. The lung, taken from a genetically altered Chinese Bama Xiang pig with six modifications, was implanted into a 39-year-old male recipient. Researchers reported that…

A large-scale study has found that following a Mediterranean-style diet can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia, even among people with strong genetic predispositions. The diet, rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and low in red and processed meats, was linked to slower cognitive decline over a 30-year period. APOE4 and the Role of Nutrition Carrying the APOE4 gene variant is one of the strongest known genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, tripling the risk with one copy and raising it up to 12 times with two. Yet researchers observed that those who adhered closely to a Mediterranean…

Antarctica, once a remote wilderness, is experiencing unprecedented human pressure. Visitor numbers have soared from fewer than 8,000 annually in the 1990s to over 124,000 in 2023–24, with projections suggesting up to 450,000 by 2034. Tourists arrive mainly on expedition vessels, with more than 80,000 people stepping onto Antarctic soil last season. While guidelines by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) limit shore landings and enforce biosecurity checks, each trip still generates around 5.44 tonnes of CO₂ per passenger. Researchers warn that the sheer volume of visitors is overwhelming safeguards and leaving a harmful mark on fragile ecosystems.…

Scientists have linked rising temperatures to falling positivity. A team analysed more than one billion social media posts from 157 nations. They discovered that once temperatures exceed 35°C, emotional tone becomes more negative. Poorer countries showed the steepest shift, experiencing far greater impacts than wealthier areas. The study, led by MIT and partners, scored posts for sentiment and connected them to local weather data. Results showed that in low-income regions negativity rose by 25%, while in wealthier ones it grew by 8%. Hot Weather and Behaviour Evidence of heat affecting behaviour is long-standing. Drivers react more aggressively in hotter conditions,…