Author: Andrew Rogers

A new ultrasound “helmet” may provide a non-invasive alternative to deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions, a study shows. The device can target brain regions 1,000 times smaller than conventional ultrasound, potentially treating Parkinson’s tremors without surgery. It could also help with Alzheimer’s, depression, Tourette syndrome, chronic pain, and addiction. Unlike DBS, which requires electrodes to be implanted deep in the brain, the helmet delivers precise mechanical pulses externally. Developed over a decade by teams at Oxford University and University College London, the helmet fits inside an MRI scanner and uses 256 sources to direct ultrasound…

Labour’s pledge to end badger culling by 2029 is achievable, but only with a major focus on testing and vaccination, according to a government-commissioned report. The review, led by Sir Charles Godfray, warns that without increased investment, ministers have only a “small chance” of eradicating bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in England by 2038. The disease costs taxpayers and the cattle industry around £150m annually, with more than 210,000 badgers culled since 2013. Godfray confirmed that badgers can spread bTB to cattle but said culling is not the only option. The report recommends non-lethal measures, including vaccinating badgers, microchipping cattle to track…

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) has launched a project to reintroduce lost species, including the large heath butterfly, bog bush cricket, and white-faced darter dragonfly, once common across Lancashire and Greater Manchester’s peat bogs. These insects depend on lowland peatlands, 96% of which have been lost due to human activity. LWT has been restoring 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 butterfly pollinates plants, the cricket helps break down plant matter and feeds birds, and the…

New Zealand is racing to protect its critically endangered birds, including the kākāpō, from H5 avian influenza before spring migration introduces the virus. With fewer than 250 kākāpō left, even a single outbreak could be catastrophic. In a world-first trial, the Department of Conservation vaccinated up to 10 captive birds from five species, including takahē, kakī, and tūturuatu. Using a licensed poultry vaccine, four species developed strong antibody responses lasting at least six months, offering hope for protecting core breeding populations and birds reintroduced into the wild. The programme requires careful timing: vaccinate too early, and immunity fades; too late,…

A new study has found that a simple cheek-swab test can identify children at risk of a potentially deadly heart condition up to five years before standard diagnosis methods would detect it. The condition, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), is typically genetic and responsible for more than 10% of sudden cardiac deaths in children. It occurs when abnormalities in the proteins between heart cells disrupt the heart’s structure and electrical activity, often striking without warning. Researchers discovered that the same protein abnormalities affecting the heart can also be seen in the lining of the cheeks. Using this insight, doctors developed a two-minute,…

Oscar Piastri delivered a masterclass performance at the Dutch Grand Prix, securing a dominant pole-to-flag victory and extending his lead in the drivers’ championship to 34 points. The 24-year-old Australian never wavered at the front, navigating light rain and three safety-car periods with unflappable composure. For teammate and title rival Lando Norris, the race turned into a nightmare. Chasing Piastri in second place with just seven laps remaining, Norris was forced to retire due to an oil leak that filled his cockpit with smoke. Sitting alone on the dunes beside the North Sea, the British driver absorbed the disappointment with…

A large new analysis has found that US paediatricians frequently prescribe ADHD medication to very young children immediately after diagnosis, rather than following recommended guidelines. Medical authorities advise that children aged four and five who are newly diagnosed with ADHD should first undergo six months of behavioural therapy before starting drug treatment. The study, published in JAMA Network Open and including over 9,700 children, revealed that 42.2% of these young patients received ADHD medication within one month of diagnosis, while only 14.1% started treatment after six months. Lead author Dr Yair Bannett, an assistant professor at Stanford University, called the…

The world’s first global systematic review suggests the shingles vaccine could lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in adults. Analyzing 19 studies, researchers found that vaccination was associated with an 18% reduced risk of cardiovascular events in adults aged 18 and older, with a 16% reduction for those over 50. Shingles, caused by the reactivation of the herpes zoster virus, can lead to painful rashes and severe complications such as long-term nerve pain, deafness, and in rare cases, blindness. The vaccine is typically recommended for older adults or those with weakened immune systems, but the study indicates potential…

A new study has found that ocean acidification could erode shark teeth, potentially leaving the apex predators less able to feed and affecting marine ecosystem stability. Sharks naturally grow multiple rows of teeth, with new ones quickly replacing lost or damaged ones, but rising ocean acidity may damage teeth faster than they can be replaced. Ocean acidification occurs as the oceans absorb carbon dioxide, lowering pH levels. By 2300, projections suggest ocean pH could drop from 8.1 to 7.3, a change that could have “profound implications for marine organisms,” the study said. To test this, researchers placed 60 naturally shed…

A new study in the Colorado Rockies has shown that wild bees actively select flowers to balance their intake of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Over eight years, researchers observed eight species of bumblebees and analyzed the pollen they collected, revealing wide variation in nutrient content and seasonal shifts. Spring flowers tended to provide protein-rich pollen, while late-summer blooms were higher in fats and carbohydrates. Individual bees adjusted their foraging as their colonies developed, reflecting changing nutritional needs. The study also found distinct nutritional niches among bee species: larger bees with longer tongues preferred high-protein, low-sugar pollen, while smaller bees favored…