Author: Andrew Rogers

A simple two-minute cheek-swab test may be able to detect a potentially fatal heart condition in children up to five years before conventional diagnosis, according to new research. The condition, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), is usually genetic and accounts for over 10% of sudden cardiac deaths in children. It occurs when abnormalities in the proteins between heart cells disrupt both the heart’s structure and its electrical activity. Often, ACM develops silently, striking without warning. Researchers from Great Ormond Street Hospital and St George’s, University of London discovered that these protein abnormalities can also appear in cells from the cheek lining. This…

Oscar Piastri produced a masterclass performance at the Dutch Grand Prix, claiming a dominant pole-to-flag victory and opening a significant gap in the Formula 1 drivers’ championship. The 24-year-old Australian remained unflappable through light rain and three safety car restarts, controlling the race from start to finish and securing a 34-point advantage over his teammate and title rival Lando Norris. For Norris, the weekend turned into a nightmare. With just seven laps remaining and running in second, an oil leak forced his McLaren to retire. The British driver climbed out and sat alone on the dunes beside the North Sea,…

A new US study has found that children aged four and five are often prescribed ADHD medication immediately after diagnosis, despite medical guidelines recommending six months of behavioural therapy first. The analysis, published in JAMA Network Open, included data from more than 9,700 children. Lead author Dr Yair Bannett, an assistant professor of paediatrics at Stanford University, described the findings as “concerning,” noting that starting treatment with behavioural therapy has significant benefits for both children and families. ADHD, which affects an estimated 11.4% of US children aged three to 17, can lead to distraction, forgetfulness, hyperactivity, restlessness, and learning difficulties…

The first global systematic review suggests that receiving the shingles vaccine could reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke by up to 18% in adults. Researchers analyzed 19 studies, including randomized trials and observational data, and found the protective effect was present across age groups, with slightly lower benefits in those over 50. Shingles, caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, can trigger inflammation in the body, which is known to contribute to cardiovascular problems. By preventing shingles, the vaccine may indirectly lower this risk. Experts caution, however, that most current evidence is observational, and more research is…

Sharks could face major challenges feeding themselves in the future as ocean acidification threatens to erode their teeth, researchers warn. Shark jaws are lined with multiple rows of teeth, which are constantly replaced as they are lost. However, rapidly acidifying oceans could damage teeth faster than they are replaced, potentially reducing feeding efficiency and impacting marine ecosystem stability. Ocean acidification occurs as oceans absorb increasing amounts of carbon dioxide, lowering pH levels. Projections suggest that by 2300, ocean pH could drop from around 8.1 to 7.3, with “profound implications for marine organisms,” the study said. To test the effects, researchers…

A new study from the Colorado Rockies shows that wild bees strategically select flowers to balance their intake of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Over eight years, researchers observed eight species of bumblebees, collecting pollen samples to analyze their nutrient content. Protein levels varied widely, from 17% to 86%, and the nutrient composition shifted through the seasons, with spring flowers being more protein-rich and late-summer blooms higher in fats and carbohydrates. Bees adjusted their foraging as their colonies grew, reflecting changing nutritional needs. Larger bees with longer tongues preferred high-protein pollen, while smaller bees targeted pollen richer in carbohydrates and fats.…

Surgeons in China have successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig lung into a brain-dead human recipient, where it remained functional for nine days. The procedure, reported in Nature Medicine, represents a major milestone in xenotransplantation—a field aimed at addressing the global shortage of donor organs. According to the World Health Organization, only around 10% of the worldwide need for transplants is currently being met. The lung, taken from a Chinese Bama Xiang pig with six genetic modifications, was implanted into a 39-year-old male recipient. Researchers found that the organ functioned over a 216-hour period without triggering hyperacute rejection or infection.…

A new study suggests that following a Mediterranean-style diet could help lower the risk of dementia, even for people with 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. Genetic Risks and Diet’s Protective Role One of the strongest genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease is the APOE4 gene variant. Carrying one copy triples the risk, while two copies increase it up to 12 times. However, researchers found that people with two copies of APOE4 benefited most from adhering to a…

Antarctica, long considered Earth’s last great wilderness, is increasingly under pressure from human activity. Visitor numbers have surged from fewer than 8,000 annually in the 1990s to more than 124,000 in 2023–24, with projections suggesting up to 450,000 by 2034. Researchers from Chile, Germany, and the Netherlands spent four years travelling 2,000 kilometres across the continent and found that areas with human activity now contain ten times higher concentrations of toxic metals such as nickel, copper, and lead than four decades ago. Tourism, along with expanding research bases, not only emits greenhouse gases but also introduces pollutants that accelerate snow…

Scientists have confirmed that extreme heat influences how people feel and behave. By analysing over a billion social media posts, they observed emotional patterns tied directly to rising temperatures. Once the heat crossed 35°C, negativity increased, with stronger effects in poorer regions than in wealthier ones. The research team, including MIT experts, assigned sentiment scores to online posts from 157 countries. They compared each score with local temperature data. Findings showed that low-income countries experienced far greater mood declines than high-income societies, illustrating unequal burdens of climate change. Behaviour in Hot Conditions Research over decades links heat to irritability and…