Author: Andrew Rogers

Alcohol consumption is a major driver of cancer in Europe, according to a new report from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Experts say that stronger government policies to limit alcohol use could prevent thousands of cancer cases and deaths every year. In the European Union—the region with the world’s highest levels of alcohol consumption—alcohol was responsible for more than 111,000 new cancer cases in 2020, the IARC review found. Globally, alcohol was linked to an estimated 741,000 cancer cases, with men accounting for nearly 70% of them. The economic burden is also severe.…

Scientists have successfully grown embryo-like structures that produced human blood cells, marking a significant advance for regenerative medicine and future blood therapies. Researchers at the University of Cambridge’s Gurdon Institute created the models from human stem cells — without using eggs or sperm — to study how blood and heart cells form in the earliest stages of development. “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 discovery could one day allow doctors to grow compatible blood cells…

Microplastics are everywhere – in our blood, lungs, guts and even brains. Researchers estimate the average person carries about a teaspoon of plastic inside them. Austrian scientists found that microplastics can disrupt gut bacteria in ways linked to depression and cancer. “Reducing exposure is a wise precaution,” said Dr Christian Pacher-Deutsch, who led the study. Microplastics come from packaging, clothes, cosmetics and tyres. They’re tiny enough to enter cells. “We’re finding them in almost every tissue,” said Dr Jaime Ross, whose research showed mice exposed to microplastics had brain changes similar to dementia. Human studies have found plastic in the…

The United States has restarted military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine after the two nations agreed to a 30-day ceasefire with Russia. This move comes as a major effort to reduce tensions and promote stability in the region. The aid package includes defensive weapons, tactical support, and critical intelligence to help Ukraine maintain its security during the ceasefire period. U.S. officials emphasized that the assistance aims to support Ukraine’s defense and ensure that the ceasefire holds. The 30-day ceasefire is the first of its kind since hostilities escalated earlier this year. Ukrainian and Russian forces have agreed to halt…

Donald Trump announced a new deal with AstraZeneca to lower prescription drug costs while granting the company tariff relief. The British-based drugmaker agreed to sell several medicines to the U.S. Medicaid program at discounted “most-favored-nation” prices — matching the lowest rates offered in other developed nations. The agreement mirrors one struck last week with Pfizer. Both are part of Trump’s broader push to pressure drug companies into cutting prices or face 100% tariffs. “For many years, Americans have paid the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs,” Trump said in the Oval Office. “This deal could bring us the…

OpenAI has taken a bold step to strengthen its artificial intelligence capabilities by securing a multibillion-dollar partnership with AMD. The deal includes OpenAI acquiring a 10% stake in AMD for $270 billion. Alongside this, OpenAI plans to purchase tens of billions of dollars’ worth of AMD chips to support its rapidly growing AI projects. The announcement immediately affected AMD’s stock performance, causing shares to surge by 34%. Market analysts see this as a strong vote of confidence in both companies’ technological and commercial strategies. Investors are optimistic that this collaboration will accelerate AI development while boosting AMD’s long-term market value.…

The United States and the European Union have taken a major step to strengthen trade relations. Leaders from both sides agreed on a new framework that aims to lower tariffs, improve cooperation on technology, and set higher environmental standards. This move is seen as a milestone in transatlantic relations. Under the new trade framework, both the U.S. and the EU plan to reduce import and export tariffs on key goods. Lower tariffs are expected to increase trade volumes, helping businesses in both regions. Economists predict that this could support job growth and boost economic activity across industries ranging from manufacturing…

Donald Trump has warned he will impose 100% tariffs on Chinese goods from 1 November, accusing Beijing of “very hostile” actions. The threat came after China tightened export controls on rare earth materials — essential for U.S. technology and manufacturing industries. “Perhaps the time has come,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, saying the tariffs would be “painful but good in the end” for the U.S. The move reignites trade war fears between the world’s two largest economies, just months after both sides eased earlier tariff hikes. Markets tumbled following Trump’s announcement. The S&P 500 fell 2.7%, the Dow Jones dropped…

Researchers in the UK say they’ve developed the first reliable blood test to detect myalgic encephalomyelitis, or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The team from the University of East Anglia and Oxford Biodynamics found unique DNA-folding patterns in ME/CFS patients’ blood. Testing 47 patients and 61 healthy volunteers, they achieved 92% sensitivity and 98% specificity — a major diagnostic breakthrough. “This is a significant step forward,” said lead researcher Prof Dmitry Pshezhetskiy. “It could transform how we diagnose and manage ME/CFS.” The test uses epigenetic markers, which can change during life, to identify disease signatures more accurately than genetic testing. However,…

A new study has found that about 90% of marine aquarium fish sold in the US are caught from the wild. Researchers say the $2.15bn global trade, involving 55 million animals each year, remains largely hidden from consumers. “From reef to retail, the supply chain is murky,” said Dr Bing Lin of the University of Sydney, who led the study. The analysis of 734 species found only 3% were farmed, while 45 threatened species – including Banggai cardinalfish – were sold. Many species bypass global trade regulations under the Cites convention, leaving endangered fish vulnerable to overexploitation. Lin said better…