Author: Andrew Rogers

A return to traditional Nepali foods could help reverse the country’s growing type 2 diabetes crisis, researchers say. In Nepal, about one in five people over 40 has diabetes, while medication remains largely unaffordable. Doctors now hope that simple dietary changes and community support can offer an effective alternative. Studies show that meals based on lentils and rice, known as dal bhat, have helped many patients achieve remission. A pilot study in Kathmandu saw 43% of long-term diabetes patients reverse the condition on a calorie-controlled traditional diet. A larger community trial has reported similar results within four months, with modest…

People who drink tea or coffee daily show a lower risk of dementia, scientists report.Researchers analysed health data from more than 130,000 US adults followed for up to 43 years. Those who drank two to three cups of caffeinated coffee or one to two cups of tea daily had a 15–20% lower dementia risk.Caffeinated coffee drinkers also showed slightly less cognitive decline than non-drinkers. The study appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association.No protective effect emerged for decaffeinated coffee. Lead author Yu Zhang from Harvard University said the results could not prove cause and effect.Caffeine drinkers may differ…

BP faces mounting pressure to outline a clear strategy as it prepares to publish full-year results expected to show weaker profits. Analysts forecast earnings of about $7.5bn, down from nearly $9bn last year, after falling oil prices hit fourth-quarter results. Incoming chief executive Meg O’Neill must reassure investors after BP shifted back toward fossil fuels and approved seven new oil and gas projects. Shareholder groups including Follow This and the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility want limits on future fossil fuel spending and clearer plans for declining demand. Citi said BP’s recent share performance suggests a possible change in narrative,…

Researchers say menstrual blood testing could offer a simple, non-invasive alternative to cervical cancer screening. A sanitary pad fitted with a blood sample strip can detect human papillomavirus, which causes most cervical cancers. The test can be used at home and may help reach women who skip clinician-led screening. A large study in China compared menstrual blood samples with clinician-collected cervical samples. Researchers studied more than 3,000 women between 2021 and 2025. Results, published in BMJ, showed similar accuracy for detecting serious cervical cell abnormalities. The pad-based test detected 94.7% of CIN2 cases, matching clinician samples closely. Experts say the…

A major review finds that most listed statin side-effects are not caused by the drugs.Researchers published the analysis in The Lancet after reviewing 19 trials involving 124,000 people.The study confirms statins reduce heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular deaths.Evidence supports only muscle pain, diabetes risk, and four minor side-effects.These include liver test changes, mild liver abnormalities, urine changes, and tissue swelling.Researchers found no strong evidence for memory loss, depression, sleep problems, or nerve damage.Lead author Christina Reith said benefits clearly outweigh risks for most patients.Experts called for updated labels to counter misinformation and support informed decisions.

Hidden sellers promote unlicensed weight-loss drugs through WhatsApp and Telegram giveaways.The Guardian observed groups advertising retatrutide, an experimental drug without approval. Posts pressure users with 24-hour deadlines and free-entry claims.Experts warn these tactics create serious health risks. One group offered retatrutide, Glow pens, and melanotan II as prizes.None of these injectable products hold UK approval. UK law allows weight-loss injections only with prescriptions from licensed providers.Another seller disguises drug sales as fitness coaching. Telegram and Meta say their rules ban illegal drug sales.

Researchers say ultra-processed foods resemble cigarettes more than real food and need tougher regulation.A report from Harvard University, University of Michigan, and Duke University found UPFs are engineered to drive addiction and overconsumption.The study links UPFs to widespread health harms and compares industry tactics to historic tobacco practices.Authors warn marketing claims like “low fat” can delay regulation, similar to filtered cigarette advertising.They urge measures such as marketing restrictions and stronger industry accountability.Some experts caution against direct comparisons but agree UPFs pose serious public health risks.

Toto Wolff dismissed rival claims about engine legality and urged teams to focus on themselves.He said Mercedes operates fully within the regulations.Rivals questioned whether Mercedes and Red Bull Racing gained an advantage through thermal expansion.Other manufacturers raised concerns with the FIA before testing.Wolff said rivals missed an opportunity and searched for excuses.He did not rule out protests after the Australian Grand Prix.

Researchers at the University of Sydney have created cosmic dust in a laboratory.PhD candidate Linda Losurdo produced the dust to study how life’s building blocks formed.Cosmic dust carries organic molecules essential for life.Scientists debate whether these molecules formed on Earth or arrived via meteorites.Losurdo recreated space conditions using vacuum chambers and energized gas mixtures.The process formed plasma that condensed into dust-like particles.The dust mimics material released by dying stars.Researchers compared its infrared signature with real cosmic samples.The work may explain why meteorites contain organic matter.The findings appeared in the Astrophysical Journal.

The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply warned that soaring shipping costs could push up prices for consumer goods this year.CIPS said cracks are forming in global supply chains, hitting computers, electrical machinery, and transport equipment.A late-2025 survey showed supply chain disruption fears at a two-year high.Shipping and logistics saw the steepest rises, with 22% reporting costs up more than 10%.Computer and electronics prices have already climbed, with brands raising prices by about 15%.Spot shipping rates between Asia and the US jumped nearly 30% in weeks.CIPS said volatility now looks permanent, driven by tariffs, geopolitics, and tensions involving Donald Trump.