Author: Andrew Rogers

Scientists in the US have created human eggs from skin cells in a major step that could one day transform fertility treatment for women and same-sex male couples. The early-stage research, led by Prof Shoukhrat Mitalipov at Oregon Health and Science University, used a cloning-inspired technique to turn skin cell nuclei into eggs capable of being fertilised. While the process is still highly inefficient and produced embryos with chromosome abnormalities, experts say the proof of concept opens the door to new possibilities in reproductive medicine. The approach could eventually help women who are infertile due to age, illness, or cancer…

New Zealand’s only falcon, the kārearea, has been voted Bird of the Year in the country’s beloved annual poll, securing the title for the second time after first winning in 2012. Known as the nation’s fastest bird, the kārearea can reach speeds of up to 200km/h while hunting prey, which range from small mammals and lizards to birds larger than itself. With just 5,000 to 8,000 left in the wild, the species remains threatened, facing dangers from habitat loss, predators such as cats and stoats, and collisions with power lines and buildings. “The kārearea is just a stunning bird,” said…

Walk down any supermarket aisle in 2025 and you’ll find colourful cans promising “calm” or “focus.” These functional drinks – often infused with ashwagandha, lion’s mane mushroom, magnesium, or CBD – are marketed as quick fixes for stress, energy, and mental clarity. The trend has exploded. According to Grand View Research, the global market for functional beverages is set to hit $248.5 billion by 2030. In the UK, a broader shift away from alcohol is fuelling demand: a YouGov survey found that 44% of 18- to 24-year-olds now choose low- or non-alcoholic alternatives. “These products fit perfectly into today’s wellness…

Jennifer Lawrence was honoured with the prestigious Donostia Award at the San Sebastian Film Festival, becoming the youngest performer to receive it at 35. Reflecting on her career and the state of culture in the US, Lawrence said: “Our freedom of speech is under attack in America, including in the world of film, where we realise that we are all connected and need empathy and freedom.” The actress, who presented her new film Kill Me Love, urged young filmmakers to pursue their dreams and stressed the importance of watching films. She also highlighted the impact of female creators such as…

Early clinical trial results from Cambridge suggest that combining the diabetes drug metformin with the antihistamine clemastine can partially repair nerve damage in multiple sclerosis (MS). The CCMR Two trial, funded by the MS Society, recruited 70 patients with relapsing MS. Half received the drug combination while the rest were given a placebo for six months. Tests showed that electrical signals between the eyes and brain travelled faster in those on the treatment, indicating some repair to the protective myelin sheath around nerves. However, the effect – an improvement of just 1.3 milliseconds – was too small for patients to…

Women who miss their first breast cancer screening appointment have a 40% higher risk of dying from the disease, according to new research. Scientists at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden analysed data from around 500,000 women invited to their first mammogram between 1991 and 2020. Published in the British Medical Journal, the study tracked participants for up to 25 years and found that 32% did not attend their initial screening. These women were more likely to be diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer, less likely to attend later screenings, and faced a significantly higher breast cancer mortality rate: 9.9 deaths per 1,000…

The world’s oceans have crossed a dangerous threshold in acidity for the first time, threatening marine ecosystems and human food security, according to the 2025 Planetary Health Check by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. The report found that ocean surface pH has dropped by 0.1 units since the industrial era, a 30-40% rise in acidity driven by fossil fuel emissions. This shift disrupts the ability of marine organisms like corals, molluscs and shellfish to form skeletons and shells, with cascading effects on fish, whales and other species higher up the food chain. Oceans, which cover 71% of Earth,…

Amazon will shut all 19 of its Fresh stores in the UK, with five converted into Whole Foods outlets. The closures mark the end of its checkout-free shopping experiment, launched in 2021 in west London. The concept, which allowed customers to leave without scanning items, struggled after the pandemic as demand for contactless shopping declined. Amazon failed to compete with established supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s. The company did not confirm how many staff will be affected but said it would offer roles in other parts of the business. The move comes as Amazon shifts focus to its Whole…

Vodafone was warned by its franchisees that cuts to commissions were having a “massive impact” on their mental health four years before a group of 62 small business owners launched a £120m high court claim against the telecoms giant. Franchisees reported stress, anxiety and even depression following Vodafone’s 2020 decision to reduce fees paid for selling its products and services. The move came after months of uncertainty caused by the Covid pandemic and left many franchisees struggling to cover overheads. A survey conducted by a steering committee of Vodafone franchisees in September 2020 revealed widespread dissatisfaction, with respondents giving the…

European leaders are weighing the feasibility of a “drone wall” along the EU’s eastern border to counter the growing threat of Russian drones. The project, first championed by the Baltic states, gained momentum after EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and defence commissioner Andrius Kubilius called for coordinated action following Russian drones entering Polish airspace. At the centre of the initiative is Eirshield, a multilayered defence platform developed by Estonian firm DefSecIntel and Latvian company Origin Robotics. The system uses radars, cameras and AI to detect, track and intercept hostile drones, deciding whether to jam, disable or neutralise them…