Author: Andrew Rogers

Autism should not be regarded as a single condition with one underlying cause, according to new research showing clear biological differences between people diagnosed in early childhood and those diagnosed later in life. The international study, published in Nature and based on genetic data from more than 45,000 autistic people in Europe and the US, found that those diagnosed before the age of six tended to have distinctive genetic profiles and early-emerging social and communication difficulties that remained relatively stable over time. By contrast, those diagnosed after the age of 10 were more likely to develop increasing behavioural and social…

Researchers in the US have created human eggs from skin cells, a development that could transform IVF treatment. The work at Oregon Health and Science University could help women who are infertile due to age, illness or medical treatment, as well as same-sex male couples. The process uses somatic cell nuclear transfer, first applied in the cloning of Dolly the sheep. Scientists inserted nuclei from skin cells into donor eggs with their own nuclei removed, then fertilised them with sperm. To reduce the chromosome count from 46 to the 23 normally present in eggs, the team used a compound called…

New Zealand’s fastest bird, the kārearea falcon, has soared to victory in the 2025 Bird of the Year competition – a rare scandal-free edition of the poll known for past controversies. The kārearea, capable of reaching speeds of 200km/h while hunting, is the country’s only native falcon and a vital part of the ecosystem. With only 5,000–8,000 remaining, the species is classed as threatened, facing dangers from predators such as cats and stoats, habitat loss, and collisions with power lines and buildings. “The kārearea is just a stunning bird,” said Emma Blackburn, chair of the Kārearea Falcon Trust. “It’s our…

Functional drinks promising “calm” and “focus” have become a staple of supermarket shelves, their colourful cans packed with trendy ingredients such as ashwagandha, Lion’s Mane mushroom and magnesium. Marketed as quick fixes for stress and fatigue, these beverages are part of a booming industry projected to hit €212bn by 2030, fuelled by a growing shift away from alcohol and a wellness-obsessed culture. Brands like TRIP have built their identity on sleek design and CBD-infused blends, adding compounds such as L-theanine and botanicals to suggest mental health benefits. While some ingredients do have promising evidence — ashwagandha and L-theanine have shown…

Jennifer Lawrence received the prestigious Donostia Award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival, becoming the youngest performer ever to win the honour. At 35, the Oscar-winning actress was recognised for a career that has spanned blockbusters such as The Hunger Games and Don’t Look Up, as well as socially impactful documentaries produced through her company Excellent Cadaver. Before the ceremony, Lawrence used her platform to voice concerns about the state of culture in the United States. “Our freedom of speech is under attack in America, including in the world of film,” she told reporters, urging empathy and creative independence.…

Early trial results suggest that combining a common diabetes drug, metformin, with the antihistamine clemastine may partially repair nerve damage in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The University of Cambridge-led CCMR Two trial involved 70 patients with relapsing MS. Half received the drug combination while half were given a placebo for six months. Tests showed electrical signals between the eyes and brain travelled faster in those taking the drugs, pointing to improved myelin repair – the protective coating around nerves that is attacked in MS. However, the improvement was small – just 1.3 milliseconds – and not enough for patients…

Women who skip their first breast cancer screening appointment are at a 40% higher risk of dying from the disease, according to a major study of half a million women in Sweden. Researchers at the Karolinska Institute tracked women invited to their first mammogram between 1991 and 2020, monitoring them for up to 25 years. Results, published in the British Medical Journal, showed that 32% did not attend their initial screening. These women were more likely to be diagnosed with advanced-stage breast cancer and less likely to attend future screenings. Over 25 years, breast cancer mortality was 9.9 deaths per…

The world’s oceans have failed a major planetary health check for the first time, with scientists warning that rising acidity caused by fossil fuel burning has pushed marine ecosystems beyond safe limits. The 2025 Planetary Health Check from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research reported that ocean surface pH has dropped by 0.1 units since the industrial era, a 30–40% increase in acidity. This has dire consequences for cold-water corals, tropical reefs and Arctic marine life. When carbon dioxide enters the sea, it forms carbonic acid, which reduces calcium carbonate, essential for organisms such as corals, clams and molluscs.…

Amazon will shut down all 19 of its Amazon Fresh stores in the UK, just four years after opening its first grocery shop in London. Five of the sites will be converted into Whole Foods Market outlets, the organic grocery chain Amazon acquired in 2017. The Fresh stores, launched in 2021, used cameras and sensors to allow customers to walk out without visiting a till, with purchases automatically charged via an app. While the concept gained traction during the pandemic, demand waned as restrictions eased, and Amazon struggled to compete with UK supermarket giants such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s. The…

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.