Author: Andrew Rogers

Japan is developing the L0 Series, a magnetic-levitation (maglev) train built by Central Japan Railway Company, which has reached test speeds of 603.5 km/h, making it the fastest train ever developed. It is designed for the new Chuo Shinkansen line, cutting travel time between Tokyo and Nagoya to about 40 minutes, and eventually Tokyo to Osaka to around one hour. The technology relies on maglev, lifting trains above the track using magnets to eliminate friction. However, the project has already cost about £52bn (€60bn) and has been delayed until the mid-2030s. Despite its speed, experts say the L0 Series is…

Influencers linked to the online “manosphere” are convincing healthy young men that normal changes in mood, energy or libido mean they have low testosterone, according to a study published in Social Science and Medicine. Researchers analysed popular posts on TikTok and Instagram, finding that routine testosterone testing was promoted as essential to masculinity, despite being medically unnecessary for most young men. The lead author, from the University of Copenhagen, said normal experiences were often framed as medical problems, driving men towards tests, supplements and treatments with little evidence of benefit. Experts warned that unnecessary testing and treatment can carry risks,…

Plants growing close together can alert one another to environmental stress, improving their chances of survival. Experiments with thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) showed that crowded plants activated strong defence responses when exposed to intense light, while isolated plants suffered severe damage. Within an hour, densely packed plants switched on more than 2,000 genes linked to stress protection, whereas isolated plants showed little response. Researchers found that stressed plants released hydrogen peroxide, a chemical signal that travelled between neighbouring plants and triggered defensive gene activity. This study provides the first evidence that hydrogen peroxide can act as a warning signal passed…

Netflix has upgraded its $82.7bn (£61.5bn) offer for Warner Bros Discovery by making it an all-cash deal, aiming to speed up shareholder approval and block a hostile takeover bid from Paramount Skydance. The revised proposal keeps the valuation at $27.75 per share but removes shares from the structure, giving investors greater certainty and potentially allowing a vote as early as April. Netflix said WBD shareholders would still receive shares in a spun-off global networks business, including CNN and Discovery Channel, which Netflix is not buying. Paramount is continuing its $108.4bn hostile bid and has sought to challenge the Netflix deal…

Scientists have developed a DNA blood test that can predict how well patients with breast cancer will respond to treatment before therapy begins. The test analyses circulating tumour DNA released into the bloodstream by cancer cells. Researchers studied blood samples from 167 patients with advanced breast cancer, taken before treatment and again after four weeks. Patients with low or undetectable levels of tumour DNA were significantly more likely to respond well and have longer periods before their cancer progressed. The results were especially strong in patients with triple-negative breast cancer, where low tumour DNA levels were linked to much longer…

Newcastle United missed a chance to go fifth after a flat 0-0 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers.Despite dominating possession, Newcastle lacked creativity and failed to test José Sá regularly.Crosses and set pieces brought little threat against Wolves’ organised back five.Eddie Howe admitted Newcastle needed more attacking quality and a moment of brilliance.Wolves, improved under Rob Edwards, defended resolutely and offered limited counterattacks.Late saves from Sá denied Bruno Guimarães, preserving a deserved point.

Nvidia suppliers have reportedly stopped production after Chinese customs blocked shipments of the company’s H200 AI chips, even though the processors were approved for export by the United States. The move has added fresh uncertainty to already tense US-China tech relations. According to reports, Chinese officials have warned domestic firms against buying the chips and have not clarified whether the restriction is temporary or a full ban. The H200, Nvidia’s second most powerful AI chip, is in high demand in China and sits at the centre of strategic concerns over technology and security. Confusion has been compounded by US policy…

A controversial US-funded study on hepatitis B vaccines for newborns in Guinea-Bissau has been cancelled following widespread ethical concerns, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. The $1.6m trial, overseen by the US Department of Health and Human Services under Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, drew criticism for potentially withholding a proven vaccine from thousands of infants in a country with high hepatitis B prevalence. Africa CDC official Yap Boum said the study’s design raised serious ethical challenges and could only proceed if fully redesigned. Although some US officials suggested the trial might continue in a revised…

West Ham United are prepared to sell Lucas Paquetá this month only if a deal includes him being loaned back for the rest of the season, a condition meeting resistance from Flamengo. The Brazilian club saw an opening €35m bid rejected and are willing to increase their offer to around €40m, but are reluctant to agree to a loan-back, believing they could secure Paquetá more cheaply in the summer. West Ham are battling relegation and fear losing one of their most talented players would severely damage their survival hopes. Paquetá, however, has made it clear he wants to return to…

BP has said it expects to write down up to $5bn (£3.7bn) from its green and low-carbon energy businesses as it refocuses on fossil fuels under its new chair, Albert Manifold. The writedowns will mainly affect BP’s gas and transition businesses but are not expected to hit underlying profits when full-year results are reported in February. The move follows BP’s efforts to sell a stake in its solar arm, Lightsource, and its cancellation of hydrogen projects in the UK, Oman and Australia. Shares dipped after the announcement, compounded by weaker oil trading and falling crude prices. Brent crude averaged $63.73…