Author: Andrew Rogers

The first new treatments for gonorrhoea in decades have been approved in the US, raising hopes of a major breakthrough against drug-resistant strains of the infection. Gonorrhoea cases are rising worldwide, with an estimated 82 million infections a year and record levels in parts of Europe, including England. Health officials are increasingly concerned about resistance to existing antibiotics, prompting the World Health Organization to label the bacterium a priority pathogen. Last week, the US Food and Drug Administration approved two new antibiotics. Zoliflodacin, marketed as Nuzolvence, was cleared on 12 December, followed a day later by gepotidacin, developed by GSK.…

iRobot, 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. The US-listed firm said it had reached a restructuring deal with Picea Robotics, a subsidiary of its main supplier, which will acquire the business. The bankruptcy filing was made in Delaware and is intended to allow iRobot to continue operating while strengthening its finances. iRobot has struggled in recent years as profits declined following the pandemic, hit by supply chain disruptions and growing competition from cheaper rivals. Earlier this month, the…

Psychedelic treatments such as psilocybin may offer relief for people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), while cannabis appears ineffective, according to a new review published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research. The review, led by Dr Michael Van Ameringen of McMaster University, examined alternative treatments for OCD, a condition for which 40–60% of patients gain little or no benefit from standard therapies such as SSRIs and exposure therapy. After analysing published studies, conference data and preliminary findings, the researchers found stronger evidence supporting psychedelics than cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Van Ameringen suggested the difference may lie in how the substances…

Scientists have discovered genetic changes in polar bears that could help them cope with rising temperatures, offering rare evidence that climate change is influencing DNA in a wild mammal species. Researchers from the University of East Anglia analysed blood samples from polar bears in northern and south-east Greenland and found clear genetic differences linked to local climate conditions. Bears in the warmer south-east showed increased activity in so-called “jumping genes” – mobile DNA elements that can alter how other genes function. These changes affect genes linked to heat stress, ageing and metabolism, suggesting the bears may be adjusting to warmer…

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…

Researchers have documented northern resident orcas cooperating with Pacific white-sided dolphins to hunt salmon off the coast of British Columbia — a first-of-its-kind discovery. Using drones, underwater video and acoustic tags, scientists observed dolphins leading the chase, acting like “scouts” as they pursued large Chinook salmon. The orcas followed close behind, catching the fish and breaking them apart at the surface, while the dolphins scavenged the leftovers. Remarkably, the whales showed no aggression toward the dolphins despite normally guarding their kills. Acoustic data revealed alternating echolocation clicks from both species during dives, suggesting they may even be listening to each…

Humans rank 7th out of 35 mammal species for monogamy, according to a University of Cambridge study comparing the share of full siblings within populations. On average, 66% of human siblings share both parents, placing us above meerkats and gibbons, but still behind more loyal partners like Eurasian beavers at 72%. The study found monogamy varies widely across human societies, from as low as 26% in some ancient populations to 100% in others. Most mammals are far less monogamous — chimpanzees, dolphins and mountain gorillas all scored extremely low due to promiscuous mating systems. Scientists believe human monogamy likely evolved…

Health authorities in England have identified a newly evolved variant of mpox, discovered in a patient who had recently travelled to Asia. Genome analysis revealed that the virus is a recombinant form, containing genetic material from both the more severe clade 1 and the milder clade 2 strain responsible for the 2022 global outbreak. The UK Health Security Agency said it is still assessing how significant this new strain may be, noting that viral evolution is expected. While most mpox infections remain mild, officials urged those eligible to consider vaccination as a precaution. Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, spreads through…

Crystal Palace continued their impressive season with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Fulham, sealed by a late Marc Guéhi header that sent the visitors into the Premier League’s top four. It was the third time this year Palace have beaten Fulham under Oliver Glasner, leaving Marco Silva frustrated once again. Eddie Nketiah opened the scoring on his first league start of the campaign after a clever move led by Adam Wharton, before Fulham responded through a stunning Harry Wilson strike, curled with the outside of his boot after a slick one-two. Fulham pushed for more and twice came close, with…

While most travellers flock to Nepal’s Himalayas and Kathmandu, the lesser-known Terai lowlands offer an entirely different experience — one filled with dense wildlife, vast farmland, spiritual sites and remarkable hospitality rooted in the culture of the Tharu people. Staying in the village of Bhada through the Community Homestay Network, visitors live with local families who open their homes, kitchens and traditions to guests. During a festival called Auli — marking the end of the rice harvest — villagers cook together, prepare pickles, barbecue rice-field rats as part of a symbolic ritual, and gather around bamboo structures decorated with marigolds…