Author: Andrew Rogers

A major UK study has found that antidepressants vary widely in their physical side-effects, with some causing significant weight gain, while others lead to weight loss or changes in heart rate and blood pressure. Researchers from King’s College London and the University of Oxford analysed data from 151 clinical studies involving more than 58,000 participants, comparing 30 commonly prescribed antidepressants. They found weight changes of up to 4kg between different drugs. Patients taking maprotiline gained about 2kg on average, while those on agomelatine lost around 2.5kg. Nearly half of people on drugs like maprotiline or amitriptyline experienced weight gain, whereas…

The company operating Pizza Hut’s UK restaurants, DC London Pie, has entered administration, leading to the closure of 68 dine-in sites and 11 delivery-only locations across the country. The closures, which affect venues from Finchley Lido in London to Carlisle in Cumbria and Rhyl in north Wales, put 1,210 jobs at risk. However, there is some relief for staff as US parent company Yum! Brands — which also owns KFC and Taco Bell — has stepped in to acquire part of the business. In a pre-pack administration deal, Yum! bought 64 remaining Pizza Hut sites, preserving 1,276 jobs and ensuring…

Millions of young people could miss out on new and effective treatments because so few take part in medical research, according to new data showing that Gen Z is significantly underrepresented in clinical trials and health studies in England. Analysis by The Guardian found that 18- to 24-year-olds make up 8% of England’s population but only 4.4% of medical research participants, meaning they are often left out of crucial developments in healthcare. Between 2021 and 2024, only 32,879 young adults took part in 5,042 studies supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) — roughly seven per…

President Donald Trump proposed that the United States purchase beef from Argentina as a way to lower prices for American consumers. The plan is intended to address rising food costs and increase supply in the domestic market. Speaking at a recent event, Trump highlighted that U.S. beef prices have been steadily climbing and that importing beef from Argentina could help make it more affordable. “We want to make sure families across America can put dinner on the table without paying too much,” he said. Trump emphasized that the initiative is part of a broader effort to stabilize food prices and…

A new “smart” cancer treatment has shown remarkable results in shrinking head and neck tumours within just six weeks, offering new hope for patients with advanced disease. The drug, amivantamab, works through a triple-action mechanism and can be administered as a simple injection rather than lengthy infusions. It was tested in patients whose cancers had returned or spread after both immunotherapy and chemotherapy — a group with few remaining treatment options. Findings from the Orig-AMI 4 trial, presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology conference in Berlin, revealed that 76% of patients treated with amivantamab saw their tumours shrink…

Paramount Skydance will lay off about 2,000 employees in the U.S. starting the week of 27 October as part of a $2 billion cost-cutting plan led by new CEO David Ellison, Variety reported on Saturday. The job cuts come just months after Skydance Media completed its $8.4 billion merger with Paramount Global in August. Additional layoffs are expected internationally, with more details to be released in the company’s third-quarter earnings report on 10 November. A previous Variety report suggested Paramount was targeting between 2,000 and 3,000 job reductions by early November. As of December 2024, Paramount employed nearly 18,600 full-…

A long-acting HIV prevention jab is set to be approved for use in England and Wales, offering a major new alternative to daily pills for people at risk of infection. The injection, called cabotegravir (CAB-LA), is administered once every two months and provides pre-exposure prophylaxis (Prep) protection for HIV-negative individuals. In draft guidance published Friday, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) recommended the treatment for adults and young people who cannot take oral Prep. Already available on the NHS in Scotland, CAB-LA is expected to roll out across England and Wales about three months after final approval…

Nestlé has announced plans to cut 16,000 jobs over the next two years as part of a major restructuring effort aimed at boosting growth and efficiency. The move, which affects nearly 6% of the company’s global workforce, will see 12,000 white-collar roles and 4,000 manufacturing and supply chain positions eliminated. “The world is changing and Nestlé needs to change faster,” said Philipp Navratil, the company’s new chief executive. “This will include making hard but necessary decisions to reduce headcount over the next two years. We will do this with respect and transparency.” Navratil, who replaced Laurent Freixe last month after…

Rhizanthella is one of the most remarkable orchids on Earth — a plant that spends its entire life hidden beneath the soil. It never emerges above ground, produces no leaves, and survives by drawing nutrients from a specific fungus that connects to the roots of the broom bush (Melaleuca uncinata). First discovered by a farmer ploughing his field in Western Australia in 1928, Rhizanthella immediately fascinated botanists worldwide. Finding it remains an immense challenge today. Scientists must carefully search the right habitats and gently scrape away soil to reveal its tiny reddish flowers, which are enclosed in creamy-pink bracts and…

Barbara Corcoran, real estate entrepreneur and investor, has sold her Upper East Side penthouse for $13.5 million, achieving the deal just one day after listing. The sale closed $1.5 million above the asking price, reflecting the strength of New York’s luxury real estate market. The penthouse, located in one of Manhattan’s most sought-after neighborhoods, offers stunning city views and modern amenities that appeal to high-end buyers. Its swift sale highlights both the penthouse’s unique features and the continued interest in premium New York properties. Experts note that the sale demonstrates a surge in demand for luxury homes, particularly in Manhattan’s…