Author: Andrew Rogers

This Sunday, 7 September, Europe will witness a blood moon—a total lunar eclipse lasting around 82 minutes, the longest since 2022. The Earth will pass directly between the sun and the moon, casting its shadow fully across the lunar surface. Only red-hued light refracted through Earth’s atmosphere will illuminate the moon, giving it the iconic “blood” appearance. Throughout history, such events carried deep cultural significance. In Babylon, China, and Central America, blood moons were often seen as ominous portents of death, war, or divine punishment. By contrast, West Africa’s Batammaliba people interpret lunar eclipses as symbolic battles between the sun…

Max Verstappen set a new Formula 1 record to claim pole for the Italian Grand Prix, clocking 1:18.792 and averaging over 164mph. The Red Bull star edged out McLaren rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in a thrilling qualifying session. Verstappen’s performance marked a major turnaround after last year’s struggles at Monza, giving Red Bull fresh momentum under new team principal Laurent Mekies. Ferrari also impressed at their home race, with Lewis Hamilton making his Monza debut for the Scuderia and qualifying fifth, just behind Charles Leclerc, though a grid penalty will push him down to 10th. Norris narrowly avoided…

A new ultrasound “helmet” may provide a non-surgical way to treat Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions, a study suggests. Unlike deep brain stimulation (DBS), which requires electrodes implanted deep in the brain, the device uses mechanical pulses to target regions with unprecedented precision—up to 1,000 times smaller than conventional ultrasound. Developed by Oxford University and University College London, the helmet contains 256 sources and fits inside an MRI scanner. In tests on seven volunteers, researchers successfully targeted a tiny brain region, producing measurable effects in connected areas. Experts say similar precision could help Parkinson’s patients by reducing tremors and…

Labour could stop badger culling by 2029, but only with a major focus on testing and vaccination, according to a government-commissioned report. The review, led by Sir Charles Godfray, warns ministers have only a “small chance” of eradicating bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in England by 2038 without increased investment. The disease costs taxpayers around £150m a year, and more than 210,000 badgers have been culled since 2013. Godfray said badgers can spread bTB to cattle, but this does not automatically require culling. The report recommends non-lethal controls, including microchipping cattle and scaling up vaccination programs for both cattle and badgers. “We…

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) has started a drive to bring back the large heath butterfly, bog bush cricket, and white-faced darter dragonfly, once common across Lancashire and Greater Manchester’s peat bogs. These insects rely on lowland peatlands, 96% of which have been lost due to human activity. LWT has restored habitats by rebuilding water systems and replanting specialist vegetation, and is now appealing for £20,000 to complete the project. “These insects play vital roles in the ecosystem,” the trust said. The large heath butterfly pollinates plants, the bog bush cricket aids decomposition and serves as bird food, and the…

New Zealand is racing to protect its critically endangered birds, including the flightless kākāpō, from the deadly H5 avian influenza before spring migration brings infected birds to its shores. With fewer than 250 kākāpō remaining, even a single outbreak could be catastrophic. In a world-first trial, the Department of Conservation vaccinated up to 10 birds from five endangered species, including kākāpō, takahē, kakī, tūturuatu, and kākāriki. Using a licensed poultry vaccine, four species developed strong antibodies lasting six months, offering hope for protecting key breeding populations in captivity and managed island populations. New Zealand’s program comes amid global efforts to…

A simple cheek-swab test may allow doctors to identify children at risk of a potentially fatal heart condition up to five years before conventional diagnosis, new research suggests. The condition, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), is often genetic and is responsible for over 10% of sudden cardiac deaths in children. ACM occurs when abnormalities in the proteins between heart cells disrupt the heart’s structure and electrical activity, sometimes striking without warning. Researchers found that these protein changes can also be detected in the lining of the cheeks, leading to the development of a two-minute swab test. The findings were presented at the…

Oscar Piastri delivered a commanding pole-to-flag victory at the Dutch Grand Prix, widening his lead in the Formula 1 drivers’ championship, while teammate Lando Norris suffered heartbreak with a late retirement. From the first corner, the 24-year-old Australian led confidently, weathering light rain and three safety-car restarts to secure a flawless win. The result gives Piastri a 34-point advantage over Norris, a significant swing in the tightly contested title race with just nine rounds remaining. For Norris, the day ended in cruel fashion. Running second, the British driver’s cockpit filled with smoke due to an oil leak with only seven…

A new study in the United States has found that children aged four and five diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are often prescribed medication far sooner than guidelines recommend. Official guidance advises that young children should first undergo six months of behavioural therapy before starting drugs such as Ritalin or Concerta. The analysis, published in JAMA Network Open, included more than 9,700 children and revealed that 42.2% were prescribed medication within one month of diagnosis, while only 14.1% received it after six months or more. Dr Yair Bannett, the lead author and assistant professor of paediatrics at Stanford University, described…

A global systematic review has found that receiving the shingles vaccine is linked to an 18% lower risk of stroke or heart attack in adults. The research analyzed 19 studies, including observational studies and randomized trials, highlighting potential cardiovascular benefits beyond protection from shingles itself. Experts suggest the effect may be due to reduced inflammation caused by the virus, which can contribute to cardiovascular problems. While the findings are promising, further research is needed to confirm causation and understand the benefits across different age groups. The study adds to growing evidence that vaccines may help prevent not only infections but…