Author: Andrew Rogers

A simple cheek swab may soon transform the way doctors detect arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), a genetic heart condition responsible for more than 10% of sudden cardiac deaths in children. Researchers from Great Ormond Street Hospital and St George’s, University of London unveiled findings at the European Society of Cardiology congress in Madrid, showing that the two-minute swab can reveal signs of ACM up to five years before current diagnostic methods. The condition, caused by protein abnormalities between heart cells, disrupts both the structure and electrical activity of the heart. These microscopic changes can also be observed in the lining of…

Oscar Piastri strengthened his grip on the Formula 1 title race with a commanding victory at the Dutch Grand Prix, while his McLaren teammate and closest rival Lando Norris suffered a devastating retirement just seven laps from the finish. The 24-year-old Australian was flawless from pole to flag at Zandvoort, surviving light rain and three safety-car restarts to take a dominant win. His victory, combined with Norris’s misfortune, opens up a 34-point lead in the drivers’ standings with nine races remaining. Norris had looked set to finish second and limit the damage in the championship battle when disaster struck. An…

A new US study has found that paediatricians are frequently prescribing ADHD medication to 4- and 5-year-olds immediately after diagnosis, despite guidelines recommending six months of behavioural therapy first. The analysis, published in JAMA Network Open and covering more than 9,700 children, showed that 42.2% of young patients received drugs such as Ritalin or Concerta within one month of diagnosis. Only 14.1% began medication after the recommended six-month therapy period. Lead author Dr Yair Bannett of Stanford University called the trend “concerning,” stressing that behavioural approaches have a strong positive impact on both children and families. Experts say early detection…

A major new study suggests that the shingles vaccine may do more than protect against painful rashes—it could also reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events. The world’s first global systematic review and meta-analysis found that adults who received the herpes zoster vaccine had an 18% lower risk of heart attack or stroke, with a 16% reduction observed in people over 50. Researchers analyzed 19 studies, including observational research and one randomized controlled trial, and the findings will be presented at the European Society of Cardiology congress in Madrid. While the results are promising, experts caution that most of the…

A new study warns that ocean acidification may erode sharks’ teeth, threatening their ability to feed and destabilizing marine ecosystems. While sharks naturally replace lost teeth with new rows, rapidly acidifying seas could damage enamel faster than replacement can keep up. Researchers found that teeth exposed to projected future pH levels (7.3, down from today’s 8.1) suffered about twice as much corrosion and serration damage after just eight weeks. The findings suggest sharks could struggle to catch prey efficiently in the future, compounding pressures from overfishing and habitat loss. Although some experts believe sharks may adapt by replacing teeth more…

Wild bees deliberately visit different flowers to regulate their intake of protein, fats, and carbohydrates, according to a new long-term study. Researchers from Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden tracked eight bumblebee species in the Colorado Rockies over eight years, creating a detailed nutritional map of their pollen sources. By analyzing pollen samples, scientists found striking differences in nutrient content: some flowers offered as little as 17% protein, while others contained up to 86%. Seasonal changes also influenced pollen makeup, with spring blooms providing protein-rich pollen and late-summer flowers offering more fats and carbohydrates. Nutritional Needs and Conservation The…

For the first time, surgeons have transplanted a genetically modified pig lung into a brain-dead human, with the organ functioning for nine days. The procedure, carried out in China and reported in Nature Medicine, represents a new milestone in xenotransplantation, a field aiming to address the global organ shortage. Currently, only about 10% of the worldwide demand for transplants is met. The pig lung, taken from a donor with six genetic modifications, was transplanted into a 39-year-old male recipient. The lung remained viable without signs of hyperacute rejection or infection, but within 24 hours began to show fluid buildup and…

A long-term study has found that following a Mediterranean-style diet may help reduce the risk of dementia, even for people with a strong genetic predisposition. Researchers identified the APOE4 gene variant as a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. Having one copy of APOE4 can triple the risk, while two copies can increase it up to twelvefold. Diet as a Protective Factor The study, published in Nature Medicine, tracked more than 5,700 participants over three decades, analyzing their diets, genetic profiles, and cognitive performance. Results showed that those who regularly consumed a Mediterranean-style diet…

Once one of the world’s least-visited regions, Antarctica is now experiencing a tourism boom. Fewer than 8,000 people visited each year in the 1990s, but in the 2023–24 season more than 124,000 made the journey, and projections suggest this could rise to 450,000 by 2034. Researchers warn that the continent’s fragile ecosystems are under growing threat from both tourism and expanding scientific operations. Toxic metals in soil and snow have risen tenfold in areas with human presence, while ships, planes and research bases leave behind carbon emissions and pollution that accelerate snow melt. Environmental Consequences and Urgent Solutions Tourism’s impacts…

New research shows that extreme heat can darken our moods. Scientists studied over a billion social media posts worldwide. They tracked emotional tone in relation to daily temperatures from more than 150 countries. When the thermometer climbed above 35°C, negative moods surged, particularly in low-income regions. The investigation included 1.2 billion posts from X and Weibo across 157 countries. Each message received a sentiment score between negative and positive. Hotter conditions consistently reduced positivity, with stronger effects in poorer areas than in wealthier ones. Anger, Violence, and Heat Links between temperature and aggressive behaviour stretch back decades. Drivers show more…