Author: Andrew Rogers

Researchers at Oregon Health and Science University have created human eggs from skin cells, offering a potential new path for fertility treatment. The process adapts cloning techniques first used to produce Dolly the sheep in the 1990s. Scientists transferred the nucleus of a skin cell into a donor egg with its nucleus removed, then fertilised the egg with sperm. A major challenge was reducing the chromosome count from 46 to 23, as found in natural eggs. By using a compound called roscovitine, the team triggered the eggs to shed half their chromosomes. Some developed into early-stage embryos, though many had…

New Zealand’s only falcon, the threatened kārearea, has been crowned Bird of the Year 2025 in a scandal-free edition of the country’s beloved avian competition. Known for reaching speeds of up to 200km/h in pursuit of prey, the kārearea is a powerful aerial hunter with sharp talons and striking dark eyes. It is also the country’s only remaining endemic raptor, with just 5,000–8,000 individuals left in the wild. “The kārearea is just a stunning bird,” said Emma Blackburn, chair of the Karearea Falcon Trust. “It’s our only remaining endemic raptor and a really important part of our ecosystem.” Despite its…

Functional beverages such as TRIP, Huel and a host of vitamin-infused concoctions are riding a wave of wellness culture. Their pastel cans and bold claims of “calm” or “focus” speak to consumers in search of quick fixes in an increasingly fast-paced world. But how much of what they promise is grounded in science? The global market for functional drinks is booming and could reach $248bn by 2030. Popular among younger generations moving away from alcohol, they often contain ingredients like ashwagandha, lion’s mane mushrooms, magnesium and L-theanine. Some research suggests these compounds may ease stress or improve attention, though results…

Jennifer Lawrence became the youngest performer to receive the Donostia Award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival, where she used her platform to warn that “our freedom of speech is under attack in America.” The 35-year-old Oscar winner presented her latest film Kill Me Love, calling it a turning point in her career and encouraging young filmmakers to persevere. She highlighted the importance of female voices in Hollywood, praising directors like Greta Gerwig for broadening perspectives. Lawrence joins past honorees including Penélope Cruz, Julia Roberts and Viggo Mortensen. Her award capped a festival marked by political protests, with filmmakers…

Early clinical trial results suggest that combining a common diabetes drug with an antihistamine may help repair nerve damage in multiple sclerosis (MS). The Cambridge-led CCMR Two trial tested metformin, a diabetes medication, alongside clemastine, an antihistamine previously shown to stimulate myelin repair. Myelin is the protective sheath around nerves that is attacked in MS, causing slowed or blocked electrical signals and progressive disability. Seventy people with relapsing MS took part, with half receiving the drug combination and half a placebo for six months. Tests showed that electrical signals between the eyes and brain travelled slightly faster — an improvement…

Women who skip their first breast cancer screening appointment face a 40% higher risk of dying from the disease, according to a major study from Sweden. Researchers at the Karolinska Institute analysed data from around 500,000 women who were invited to their first mammogram between 1991 and 2020. The findings, published in the British Medical Journal, show that 32% did not attend their initial appointment. Those who missed it were less likely to attend future screenings, more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage, and had higher mortality rates over 25 years. The study found 9.9 breast cancer deaths…

The world’s oceans have crossed a dangerous acidity threshold for the first time, scientists warned in the latest Planetary Health Check. The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research reported that surface pH has dropped by 0.1 units since the industrial era, a 30-40% rise in acidity. This is now the seventh of nine planetary boundaries that humanity has transgressed. The change, driven by fossil fuel burning, threatens corals, Arctic ecosystems, molluscs and the marine food web, raising risks for human food security and coastal economies. Scientists also fear reduced ocean ability to absorb heat and draw down carbon dioxide. The…

Amazon will shut down all 19 of its Amazon Fresh stores in the UK, just four years after opening the first location in London. Five of the stores will be converted into Whole Foods Market outlets, the organic grocery chain Amazon purchased in 2017. Launched in 2021, Amazon Fresh allowed customers to shop without tills, using an app alongside cameras and sensors to charge shoppers as they left. The concept failed to gain traction after the pandemic, with traditional rivals like Tesco and Sainsbury’s maintaining dominance. Amazon did not confirm how many staff would be affected but said employees would…

Vodafone franchisees warned in 2020 that commission cuts were affecting their mental health, four years before a group of 62 launched a £120m high court claim. A survey of 119 franchisees revealed stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and low trust in the company. The claim alleges Vodafone “unjustly enriched” itself at the expense of small business owners, some of whom reported personal debts over £100,000 and suicidal thoughts. Vodafone says it “strongly refutes” the allegations and describes the case as a “commercial dispute,” while also launching a fourth investigation into its franchising division.

European leaders are advancing plans for a “drone wall” to protect the EU’s eastern flank from potential Russian threats, responding to calls from the Baltic states. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the initiative as “the bedrock of credible defence,” while EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has proposed convening defence ministers to discuss implementation after recent Russian drone incursions over Polish airspace. The Baltic Drone Wall is a collaborative effort involving Poland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. At its core is Eirshield, a multilayered anti-drone system jointly developed by Estonia’s DefSecIntel and Latvia’s Origin Robotics. The platform uses radars,…