Author: Andrew Rogers

The US company behind the Roomba robot vacuum cleaner has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and agreed to be taken over by one of its Chinese suppliers, Picea Robotics. iRobot, which pioneered consumer robot vacuums in the early 2000s, said the deal with a Picea subsidiary forms part of a restructuring plan aimed at stabilising its finances. The company has struggled in recent years due to supply chain disruptions, rising competition from cheaper rivals and weakening demand after the pandemic boom. Chief executive Gary Cohen said combining iRobot’s design and research strengths with Picea’s manufacturing and technical expertise would…

Team USA finished the ISSF World Cup Final in Doha with a strong and confident performance. U.S. shooting athletes earned six medals in total, including two gold, two silver, and two bronze. The results marked a successful end to the international season and showed the team’s depth and consistency. The ISSF World Cup Final brings together the top shooters from around the world. Only athletes with strong results during the season qualify. Competing at this event means facing the highest level of pressure and precision. Team USA met that challenge with calm focus and steady execution. From the first day…

A new review suggests psychedelic treatments, particularly psilocybin, may be more effective for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) than cannabis-based therapies. The review, led by Dr Michael Van Ameringen of McMaster University and published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, examined alternative treatments for OCD, a condition in which up to 60% of patients gain little relief from standard therapies such as SSRIs and exposure therapy. After analysing published studies, conference data and preliminary findings, researchers found stronger evidence supporting psychedelics than cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Van Ameringen said the difference may lie in how the substances affect the brain.…

Scientists have identified genetic changes in polar bears that could help them adapt to rising temperatures, offering new insight into how the species may respond to climate change. Researchers from the University of East Anglia found that polar bears in south-east Greenland show distinct genetic activity compared with bears in colder northern regions. The study links warmer local temperatures to increased activity in so-called “jumping genes” — mobile DNA elements that can influence how other genes function. These genetic shifts are associated with heat stress, metabolism and ageing, suggesting the bears may be biologically adjusting to warmer conditions and changing…

The United States has launched the Trump Gold Card visa, a high-value program designed to attract global talent and premium travelers. The initiative highlights innovation in travel and immigration policy, though it has sparked public debate. Officials say the visa aims to encourage skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals to visit or relocate to the U.S. The program may also boost tourism, especially among affluent travelers seeking exclusive experiences. The Trump Gold Card visa offers applicants enhanced benefits, including expedited processing, longer stays, and access to certain business or investment opportunities. These features are intended to make the U.S. more…

The EU’s planned ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035 is set to be weakened, according to a senior MEP, in a move likely to provoke strong opposition from environmental groups. 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 need to meet a 90% fleet-wide emissions reduction target, allowing some hybrid vehicles to remain…

Scientists have documented orcas and Pacific white-sided dolphins hunting together off British Columbia — the first evidence of cooperative foraging between the two species. Northern resident killer whales, which rely almost entirely on Chinook salmon, were observed following dolphins that acted like “scouts.” The dolphins chased salmon ahead of them, allowing the whales to catch the fish. In return, the dolphins fed on leftovers when the whales tore the salmon apart at the surface. Researchers used drones, underwater video and acoustic tags to track the animals and found no signs of aggression. Instead, the whales consistently positioned themselves behind the…

A new Cambridge University study ranking mammals by monogamy has placed humans 7th out of 35 species, showing we are far more monogamous than most animals — though not as faithful as beavers, who placed ahead with a higher rate of full siblings. Humans recorded 66% full siblings, compared with 72% in beavers and 60% in meerkats. At the bottom were chimpanzees, dolphins and mountain gorillas, reflecting much more promiscuous mating systems. Researchers analysed genetic data from human and animal populations to compare how often offspring share both parents. While human societies vary widely, the study suggests our species evolved…

The draft 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) released by Congress includes a key provision granting federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. It also allows the Secretary of the Interior to place tribal land in trust, providing a framework for long-term support and development. Federal recognition would formally acknowledge the Lumbee Tribe as a sovereign nation. This status opens access to federal funding, healthcare programs, educational grants, and economic development initiatives. The tribe has sought recognition for decades, and its inclusion in the NDAA represents a major milestone. The land-trust authority allows the Secretary of the Interior…

Health officials in England have identified a newly evolved mpox strain in a person who recently returned from Asia. Genome testing showed the virus is a recombinant form, combining features of two circulating mpox types:• Clade 1 – historically linked to more severe illness• Clade 2 – responsible for the 2022 global outbreak, usually milder The UK Health Security Agency says the discovery is not unexpected, as both clades are still spreading in different parts of the world. Experts are now analysing whether this new variant spreads more easily or causes more serious disease. Mpox is related to smallpox and…