Author: Andrew Rogers

A major review finds most statin side-effects listed on labels are not caused by the drugs. Researchers analysed 19 trials involving 124,000 people, with four and a half years average follow-up, and published the findings in The Lancet. Evidence supported only muscle pain, diabetes risk, and four minor effects, including liver test changes and tissue swelling. The study found no link between statins and memory loss, depression, sleep problems, or nerve damage. Lead author Christina Reith said benefits clearly outweighed risks for most patients. Senior author Rory Collins called for rapid updates to drug labels. Experts said clearer information could…

Hidden-market sellers promote unlicensed weight-loss drugs through giveaways on WhatsApp and Telegram.The Guardian found groups advertising retatrutide, an experimental drug without approval. Posts pressure users with 24-hour deadlines and promise free entry.Experts warn these tactics pose serious health risks. One group offered injectable drugs including retatrutide and melanotan II.None hold UK approval, and experts warn of possible harmful side effects. UK law allows weight-loss injections only with valid prescriptions.Unapproved drugs cannot be legally sold or advertised. Another seller disguises drug sales as fitness coaching.Platform owners say they ban illegal drug sales.

Researchers argue ultra-processed foods resemble cigarettes more than real food and need stricter regulation.They say manufacturers design UPFs to encourage addiction and overconsumption.The study came from teams at Harvard University, University of Michigan, and Duke University.It was published in Milbank Quarterly on 3 February.Authors compared UPF marketing to historic tobacco tactics that delayed regulation.They called for limits on advertising, stronger oversight, and industry accountability.Critics warned the comparison risks oversimplifying complex nutrition and health effects.

Toto Wolff dismissed rival claims over the legality of Mercedes’ 2026 engine.He said Mercedes followed the rules and communicated clearly with the FIA.Rivals questioned engine compression methods used by Mercedes and Red Bull Racing.Wolff said other manufacturers missed an opportunity and should focus on themselves.Mohammed Ben Sulayem backed the engine’s legality.Wolff did not rule out protests after the Australian Grand Prix.

U.S. life expectancy reached a record high in 2024, according to new CDC data. Americans now live an average of 79 years, marking the highest life expectancy ever recorded in the country. Experts say declines in major causes of death have contributed to this improvement. The data highlights significant reductions in deaths from heart disease, certain cancers, and other chronic conditions. Public health initiatives, improved medical care, and healthier lifestyles are credited for these gains. Experts note that access to preventive care, better nutrition, and increased awareness of health risks play key roles in extending lifespan. Life expectancy is a…

Researchers say lab-made cosmic dust could reveal how life’s building blocks reached Earth.At the University of Sydney, physicist Linda Losurdo recreated cosmic dust from scratch.Cosmic dust forms around dying stars and carries organic CHON molecules essential for life.Losurdo simulated space conditions using vacuum tubes, gases, and high-voltage plasma.Scientists hope the work explains why meteorites contain organic matter.Experts say the method could help model early life formation on planets.

The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply warned soaring shipping costs could push up consumer prices in 2026.Rising transport, energy, and raw material costs are straining global supply chains.Procurement teams report growing disruption risks at the highest level in two years.Shipping and logistics show the steepest increases, with many costs rising over 10%.Prices for computers, electrical machinery, and transport equipment already climbed.CIPS said volatility now looks permanent, not temporary.Geopolitical tensions, tariffs, and policies linked to Donald Trump are adding pressure to global trade.

West Ham United banned season-ticket holder Joshua Wood for five matches after he held an oversized protest banner.The banner read “Time 2 Sell – Name Your Price” and targeted owners David Sullivan and Karren Brady.The club cited stadium regulations on banner size, not the message itself.Wood said he did not bring the banner into the ground and plans to appeal.

A Swedish trial found artificial intelligence reduced later breast cancer diagnoses by 12% and improved early detection.Researchers studied 100,000 women in national screening programmes between 2021 and 2022.Women receiving AI-supported mammography showed higher early cancer detection rates.The AI system flagged high-risk scans and helped radiologists prioritise suspicious cases.The study appeared in The Lancet.Lead author Dr Kristina Lång from Lund University said AI could ease radiologist workloads.Experts stressed AI should support, not replace, human clinicians.

Google DeepMind launched AlphaGenome, an AI tool designed to identify genetic mutations that drive disease.The system predicts how DNA changes disrupt gene regulation across different tissues and cell types.AlphaGenome can analyse up to one million DNA letters at once.Researchers trained it on public human and mouse genetics databases.The tool targets mutations linked to cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and mental health conditions.Scientists say it could speed up drug discovery and gene therapy design.Experts describe AlphaGenome as a major step toward understanding the non-coding genome.