Author: Andrew Rogers

Scientists have successfully grown embryo-like structures from human stem cells that produced blood cells — a major step forward for regenerative medicine and the future of lab-grown therapies. The research, led by Dr Jitesh Neupane at the University of Cambridge’s Gurdon Institute, recreated early stages of human development without using eggs or sperm. “It was an exciting moment when the blood-red colour appeared in the dish – it was visible even to the naked eye,” said Neupane. The model mimics the natural process of human embryogenesis, allowing researchers to study how blood and immune cells form and to model diseases…

Microplastics are now in our blood, lungs, guts – even our brains. Scientists estimate we each carry about a teaspoon of plastic inside us, and new research suggests it may be affecting our health. Austrian researchers found that exposing gut bacteria to microplastics changed their balance and chemical output in ways linked to depression and cancer. “Reducing exposure where possible is a wise precaution,” said Dr Christian Pacher-Deutsch. Microplastics come from packaging, clothes, tyres and cosmetics. They can slip into our bloodstream and organs. “We’re finding them in almost every tissue,” said Dr Jaime Ross, whose mice studies showed behaviour…

John Oliver, host of the popular show Last Week Tonight, recently focused on a controversial documentary that faced censorship in Israel. The documentary, The Bibi Files, examines the career of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israeli authorities attempted to ban the film, citing legal and political concerns. Oliver’s segment highlighted how the ban sparked debates about freedom of expression both in Israel and worldwide. The comedian stressed that censorship of political content raises serious questions about transparency and public accountability. The Bibi Files dives into Netanyahu’s political life, his rise to power, and the controversies surrounding his tenure. The documentary…

AstraZeneca has reached a deal with Donald Trump’s administration to sell some medicines at discounted prices to the US Medicaid program in exchange for tariff relief. Announced at the White House on Friday, the agreement mirrors a similar pact made with Pfizer last week. AstraZeneca’s CEO, Pascal Soriot, joined Trump for the announcement, saying the negotiations had been “tough” and had “kept me up at night.” Under the deal, AstraZeneca will match the lowest drug prices offered in other developed nations – the so-called “most-favored-nation” pricing. Trump claimed the deal could slash US prescription costs to “the lowest price anywhere…

Major U.S. online retailers have removed millions of Chinese electronics from their platforms after discovering that the products violated U.S. regulations. The move reflects a strong commitment to regulatory compliance and consumer safety. The action affects a wide range of electronics, including gadgets, accessories, and smart devices. Retailers say the removals were necessary to prevent prohibited items from reaching U.S. consumers. Industry observers note that this step is part of a broader effort to enforce import rules and safeguard the market. Retail companies are under growing pressure to ensure that products sold on their platforms meet safety and legal standards.…

Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese goods next month, accusing Beijing of “very hostile” actions after it tightened export controls on rare earth materials vital to US industries. The president said the new tariffs could take effect on 1 November “or sooner” and warned of additional countermeasures, including export limits on US software. “I never thought it would come to this,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Ultimately, though painful, it will be good for the U.S.A.” The threat sparked a sharp sell-off on Wall Street. The S&P 500 fell 2.7%, the Dow Jones dropped 1.9%, and…

Researchers in the UK say they have developed the world’s first accurate blood test for chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The condition currently has no diagnostic test, leaving many patients undiagnosed or dismissed for years. Led by Prof Dmitry Pshezhetskiy of the University of East Anglia, the study found a distinct DNA-folding pattern in ME/CFS patients’ blood. Testing 47 patients and 61 healthy adults, scientists achieved 92% sensitivity and 98% specificity. “This is a significant step forward,” Pshezhetskiy said. “For the first time, we can reliably identify ME/CFS.” The test, developed with Oxford Biodynamics, uses epigenetic markers that change over a…

New research shows 90% of marine aquarium fish sold by major US retailers are caught from the wild. The study, led by Dr Bing Lin of the University of Sydney, highlights murky supply chains “from reef to retail.” Globally, around 55 million marine animals are sold each year in a US$2.15bn industry, mostly sourced from the Pacific and Indian oceans. Among the 734 species studied, only 3% were fully farmed, while 45 threatened or declining species were also found for sale. “Many species slip through global trade rules and still end up on the market,” Lin said. Experts warn that…

Jaguar Land Rover has begun a phased restart of its factories, more than a month after a crippling cyber-attack halted production. The company said operations would resume across the West Midlands, including Wolverhampton’s engine plant and Hams Hall’s battery centre. Body, paint, and logistics operations in Solihull are also restarting, with Slovakia’s Nitra plant to follow shortly. Chief executive Adrian Mardell called it “an important moment,” adding, “Our recovery is firmly under way.” JLR’s global sales dropped 17% last quarter to 85,495 vehicles, with UK sales down over 30%. To support struggling suppliers, JLR launched a financing scheme offering faster…

Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Medicine for discoveries on immune tolerance. Their research revealed how the body prevents T-cells from attacking healthy tissue, avoiding autoimmune diseases. Sakaguchi identified regulatory T-cells — “the brakes of the immune system,” said Prof Adrian Liston. Brunkow and Ramsdell discovered the FoxP3 gene, essential for developing these T-cells. Mutations cause severe autoimmune disorders. Their work has inspired treatments to boost immune control in autoimmune disease and weaken it in cancer therapy. “This prize was long overdue,” said Prof Adrian Hayday.