Author: Andrew Rogers

Alcohol consumption is a major contributor to cancer across Europe, according to a new report by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) cancer research agency. Experts say stronger government measures to reduce alcohol use could prevent thousands of cancer cases and deaths each year. Within the European Union — the region with the highest alcohol consumption globally — alcohol was responsible for over 111,000 new cancer cases in 2020, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reported. Worldwide, alcohol-related cancers reached an estimated 741,000 cases that year, with men accounting for nearly 70% of them. The financial impact is also…

Scientists have created lab-grown embryo-like structures that produce human blood cells — a development that could pave the way for new regenerative medicine treatments using a patient’s own cells. The breakthrough, achieved by researchers at the University of Cambridge’s Gurdon Institute, offers insight into how blood forms during early human development and could eventually help generate blood stem cells for bone marrow transplants. “It was an exciting moment when the blood-red colour appeared in the dish – it was visible even to the naked eye,” said Dr Jitesh Neupane, the study’s lead author. The model embryos were made from human…

United Airlines is expanding its global reach with new seasonal flights using the Boeing 737 MAX. The airline now connects Newark to Split in Croatia, Glasgow in Scotland, Bari in Italy, and Santiago in Chile. These new routes aim to improve travel options for U.S. passengers while boosting tourism in Europe and South America. The introduction of these flights reflects United Airlines’ strategy to enhance international connectivity. Travelers from the U.S. will now have easier access to cultural and historic destinations in Europe and South America. Local businesses and tourism sectors in these cities are expected to benefit from the…

Microplastics are now found in our blood, lungs, guts, even our brains — about 5g on average per person. Scientists are only beginning to grasp what this means for health. Researchers in Austria found that microplastics can alter gut bacteria and chemical signals linked to depression and cancer. “Reducing exposure where possible is wise,” said Dr Christian Pacher-Deutsch. The particles, shed from packaging, clothes and tyres, are small enough to enter our organs. Studies in mice suggest they affect behaviour and brain health, while human research has found plastic in dementia patients’ brains and in arteries linked to heart attacks.…

AstraZeneca has reached a deal with Donald Trump’s administration to lower drug prices and avoid looming US tariffs. The British pharmaceutical company will sell certain medicines to the government’s Medicaid program at discounted “most-favored-nation” rates — matching the lowest prices available in other developed countries — in exchange for tariff relief. Trump announced the agreement from the Oval Office, calling it “a huge win for Americans,” while claiming it could make US drug prices “the lowest in the world.” AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot, who attended the event, admitted the negotiations had been “tough” and said Trump’s team “really kept me…

California has launched a state-funded universal child care program aimed at providing affordable early education for all children, regardless of family income. The initiative is designed to support working parents and ensure every child has access to quality learning opportunities from an early age. Officials emphasized that the program will make child care more accessible and affordable, helping families balance work and family responsibilities. By reducing financial barriers, the state aims to promote educational equity and give children a strong start in life. The initiative covers children from infancy through pre-kindergarten, offering a mix of center-based care and family child…

Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese imports from 1 November, accusing Beijing of “very hostile” actions over rare-earth export restrictions. The move reignites trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies, sending Wall Street tumbling on Friday. The S&P 500 dropped 2.7%, the Dow Jones fell 1.9%, and the Nasdaq slid 3.6%, with tech giant Nvidia losing almost 5%. China, which produces over 90% of the world’s processed rare earths, recently expanded export controls to include five new materials critical for electronics and clean energy technology. “I never thought it would come to this,” Trump said…

Researchers at the University of East Anglia say they’ve developed the first reliable blood test for chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The condition, marked by extreme exhaustion and often dismissed as psychological, currently has no definitive diagnostic test. Lead researcher Prof Dmitry Pshezhetskiy said the discovery could “transform how we diagnose and manage this complex disease.” The team, working with Oxford Biodynamics, found unique DNA folding patterns in blood samples from ME/CFS patients. The test showed 92% sensitivity and 98% specificity, meaning it accurately detects the illness and rules out false cases. “This is a significant step forward,” Pshezhetskiy said. “It…

New research shows about 90% of marine aquarium fish sold in the US come from wild populations. The study, led by Dr Bing Lin of the University of Sydney, found only 3% of fish were farmed, with most caught in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. “The trade is opaque from reef to retail,” Lin said. “Many consumers have no idea their fish are taken from the wild.” The global aquarium industry is worth over US$2bn and sells about 55 million marine animals each year. Among those traded are 45 species listed as threatened, including Banggai cardinalfish and clarion angelfish.…

Jaguar Land Rover has begun a phased restart of its factories after a crippling cyber-attack shut operations for over a month. The company said production would resume at key UK sites, including Wolverhampton, Hams Hall, and Solihull, starting Wednesday. Plants in Slovakia and other UK facilities will follow shortly as JLR rebuilds its global manufacturing network. Retail sales dropped 17% in the last quarter, with UK demand down more than 30%. “Our recovery is firmly under way,” said CEO Adrian Mardell. To help struggling suppliers, JLR launched a new financing scheme offering upfront payments to ease cashflow. The government has…