Author: Andrew Rogers

A new ultrasound “helmet” may provide a non-surgical alternative for treating neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, Tourette syndrome, depression, and chronic pain. Unlike deep brain stimulation (DBS), which requires electrodes to be implanted into the brain, the helmet delivers mechanical pulses externally, precisely targeting regions up to 1,000 times smaller than standard ultrasound. A study published in Nature Communications demonstrated that the device could focus on areas 30 times smaller than previous deep-brain ultrasound systems. The helmet, worn inside an MRI scanner, contains 256 sources and was tested on seven volunteers. Researchers successfully modulated a tiny region of…

Labour could halt the badger cull, but only by adopting a Covid-19-style focus on testing and vaccination, according to a government-commissioned report. The review, led by Sir Charles Godfray, warns that ministers have only a “small chance” of eradicating bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in England by 2038 without more investment. bTB, which spreads between badgers and cattle, costs taxpayers and farmers around £150m a year, and over 210,000 badgers have been culled since 2013. Godfray said badgers can transmit the disease to cattle, but culling is not the only option. The report recommends non-lethal controls, including microchipping cattle to track movements…

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) has begun a drive to reintroduce three rare species to the region: the large heath butterfly, bog bush cricket, and white-faced darter dragonfly. Once common across Lancashire and Greater Manchester’s peat bogs, these insects are vital to the local ecosystem. The species’ habitats—lowland peatlands—have been reduced by 96% due to human activity. LWT has been restoring these areas by rebuilding water systems and replanting specialist vegetation, and is now seeking £20,000 to complete the project. “These insects all play vital roles in the peatland ecosystem,” the trust said. The butterfly aids pollination, the cricket breaks…

New Zealand is racing to protect its critically endangered birds, including the kākāpō, from H5 avian influenza before migratory seabirds bring the virus to the region. Fewer than 250 kākāpō remain, and an outbreak could push them to extinction. In a world-first trial, the Department of Conservation vaccinated 10 birds from five species with 500 or fewer individuals, including the kākāpō, takahē, kakī (black stilt), tūturuatu (shore plover), and one kākāriki species. Using the H5N3 poultry vaccine, four species developed strong antibody responses lasting at least six months, protecting captive breeding populations vital for restocking wild birds. The next step…

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.…