Author: Andrew Rogers

The carnivorous pitcher plant Nepenthes khasiana has been found to use a toxic nerve agent to help capture its prey. The plant secretes a sweet nectar along the rim of its pitcher-shaped traps to attract insects, especially ants, but the liquid contains isoshinanolone, a chemical that interferes with the insects’ nervous systems. Once exposed, ants become sluggish, lose muscle control and groom themselves excessively before falling into spasms, often tumbling headfirst into the pitcher where they are digested. In some cases, the toxin kills them outright. The nectar also contains water-absorbing sugars that make the rim extremely slippery, increasing the…

The first new treatments for gonorrhoea in decades have been approved in the US, raising hopes of tackling the rapid rise of drug-resistant strains of the infection. Gonorrhoea causes more than 82 million infections globally each year, with cases at record highs in England and rising sharply across Europe. Resistance to existing antibiotics has increased significantly, prompting the World Health Organization to label the disease a priority pathogen. Last week, the US Food and Drug Administration approved two new antibiotics. Zoliflodacin, marketed as Nuzolvence, was cleared on 12 December, while gepotidacin received approval a day earlier. Both have shown effectiveness…

iRobot, the US company behind the Roomba robot vacuum cleaner, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and agreed to be acquired by one of its Chinese suppliers, Picea Robotics. The US-listed firm said the restructuring deal will see it taken over by a Picea subsidiary, following years of financial pressure caused by supply chain disruptions and growing competition from cheaper rivals. Earlier this month, iRobot warned it could face bankruptcy. Chief executive Gary Cohen said the agreement would strengthen the company’s finances and combine iRobot’s design and research capabilities with Picea’s manufacturing expertise, positioning the business for the next…

A review of alternative treatments for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) has found that psychedelic substances, particularly psilocybin, show more promise than cannabis in reducing symptoms. The review, led by Dr Michael Van Ameringen of McMaster University and published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, examined published and preliminary evidence on psychedelics and cannabinoids for OCD. It noted that 40–60% of patients gain little or no relief from standard treatments such as SSRIs and exposure therapy. Researchers found stronger evidence supporting psilocybin than cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Psilocybin appears to affect the brain’s default mode network, which is linked to…

Scientists have identified genetic changes in polar bears that could help them adapt to rising temperatures, marking what researchers believe is the first statistically significant link between climate change and DNA shifts in a wild mammal. A study by the University of East Anglia found that polar bears in south-east Greenland show different genetic activity compared with those in colder northern regions. Researchers analysed blood samples and focused on so-called “jumping genes” – mobile DNA elements that influence how other genes function. The study found that these jumping genes were far more active in bears living in warmer, less icy…

European airlines are expanding their flight routes to smaller U.S. cities, offering travelers more options beyond major hubs like New York and Washington, D.C. British Airways, Lufthansa, and other carriers are leading this trend. Airline officials say the expansion responds to growing demand for diverse destinations and regional travel experiences. By connecting European travelers directly to cities such as Nashville, Portland, and Boise, airlines are supporting tourism beyond traditional hotspots. Travel experts note that new routes make it easier for visitors to explore lesser-known cities. This trend helps local economies by increasing hotel bookings, restaurant visits, and spending on attractions.…

The EU’s planned ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035 is set to be watered down, according to a senior MEP, in a move likely to anger environmental campaigners. Manfred Weber, president of the European People’s party in the European parliament, said the European Commission is expected to soften the rule so it no longer amounts to a total ban on combustion engines. Instead of requiring all new cars to have zero CO₂ emissions from 2035, manufacturers would be expected to meet a 90% fleet-wide emissions reduction target, allowing some hybrid vehicles to remain on…

Scientists have documented orcas and Pacific white-sided dolphins cooperating to hunt salmon off the coast of British Columbia — a behavior never recorded before. Using drones, underwater cameras and acoustic tags, researchers found that northern resident killer whales were following dolphins that acted like “scouts,” chasing large Chinook salmon ahead of the whales. In return, dolphins fed on scraps once the whales tore the fish apart at the surface. The whales showed no aggression, which surprised researchers since they normally guard fresh prey. Audio recordings revealed alternating echolocation clicks from both species, suggesting they may be listening to each other…

Humans have been ranked 7th out of 35 mammal species for monogamy in a new University of Cambridge study, placing us well above meerkats and chimpanzees — but still behind Eurasian beavers and other top-ranked species. Researchers compared genetic data to see how often siblings shared both parents. Humans scored 66% full siblings, while beavers reached 72%. At the bottom of the list were chimpanzees, dolphins and mountain gorillas, showing far more promiscuous mating patterns. The findings suggest humans evolved a relatively uncommon form of pair bonding among mammals — likely linked to paternal care and offspring survival. However, scientists…

Health authorities in England have identified a newly evolved mpox variant in a patient who recently travelled to Asia. Genome sequencing confirmed the virus is a recombinant strain, containing genetic material from two known mpox clades – clade 1, which is linked with more severe illness, and clade 2, the strain behind the global 2022 outbreak. The UK Health Security Agency said it is assessing the significance of the new variant, stressing that viral evolution is expected as different strains circulate. Officials urged eligible individuals to get vaccinated as a precaution. Mpox, formerly monkeypox, spreads through close contact with infected…