Author: Andrew Rogers

A long-acting injection to prevent HIV is set to be approved for use in England and Wales, offering a major new alternative to daily oral medication. The treatment, known as cabotegravir (CAB-LA), is a form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) that can prevent HIV infection in people who are HIV-negative but at higher risk. Unlike daily PrEP pills, the injection is given once every two months. In draft guidance published on Friday, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended CAB-LA for adults and young people who cannot take oral PrEP. The jab is already available on the NHS…

Nestlé will cut 16,000 jobs — about 6% of its global workforce — over the next two years as part of a major cost-cutting drive under new chief executive Philipp Navratil. The layoffs will include 12,000 white-collar and 4,000 manufacturing roles as the company seeks to save 3 billion Swiss francs (£2.8 billion) by 2027. “The world is changing and Nestlé needs to change faster,” Navratil said, promising “respect and transparency” during the process. He replaced Laurent Freixe last month after the former CEO was dismissed for failing to disclose a relationship with a colleague. Nestlé, which owns brands such…

Hidden beneath the surface of the soil, Rhizanthella is a remarkable orchid unlike any other. This elusive plant spends its entire life underground, never producing leaves or emerging into the light. Instead, it survives by drawing nutrients from a fungus that connects to the roots of the broom bush (Melaleuca uncinata), forming a delicate underground network of dependence. The species first captured global attention in 1928, when a farmer in Western Australia unearthed it while ploughing a field. Nearly a century later, Rhizanthella remains incredibly difficult to locate. Botanists must identify suitable habitats and then carefully remove layers of soil…

Alcohol consumption is a major contributor to cancer in Europe, according to a new report from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) cancer research agency. Experts say that stronger government action to reduce drinking could prevent thousands of cancer cases and deaths every year. In the European Union — the region with the world’s highest alcohol consumption — alcohol was responsible for more than 111,000 new cancer cases in 2020, the report from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) revealed. Globally, alcohol use was linked to an estimated 741,000 cancer cases that year, with men accounting for nearly 70…

Scientists have successfully grown embryo-like structures from human stem cells that produced blood cells — a landmark step toward developing lab-grown blood for medical use. The team from the University of Cambridge’s Gurdon Institute says the discovery could one day allow doctors to create bone marrow transplants using a patient’s own cells, eliminating the need for donors and reducing rejection risks. “It was an exciting moment when the blood-red colour appeared in the dish – it was visible even to the naked eye,” said lead researcher Dr Jitesh Neupane. “This helps us understand how blood naturally forms in the embryo…

Global investment in nature-based water security solutions has seen a sharp rise, doubling since 2013. These solutions include wetland restoration, forest management, and green infrastructure projects. Experts say the increase is helping communities manage floods and droughts while protecting the environment. Nature-based approaches offer multiple benefits. By restoring wetlands, forests, and riverbanks, these projects reduce the impact of floods and improve water quality. They also help store carbon and preserve biodiversity, making them a key strategy in climate resilience. According to recent reports, countries and private investors are increasingly funding nature-based projects to secure water supplies. Investments have grown steadily…

Microplastics are now found in human blood, lungs, guts – even brains. Scientists estimate we may each carry around 5g inside us. Researchers in Austria recently found that exposing gut bacteria to microplastics changed their balance and chemical output, resembling patterns linked to depression and cancer. “Reducing microplastic exposure is a wise precaution,” said Dr Christian Pacher-Deutsch. Microplastics come from packaging, clothing, cosmetics and tyres. Some are tiny enough to pass into our cells. “They’re in almost every tissue studied,” said Dr Jaime Ross, whose research showed exposed mice developed brain changes similar to dementia. Plastic has also been found…

AstraZeneca has reached an agreement with Donald Trump’s administration to lower drug prices for Americans and sidestep looming US tariffs. Under the deal, the British-based pharmaceutical giant will offer discounted prices on several medications to the Medicaid program for low-income Americans. In return, the company will receive tariff relief — a move similar to a recent arrangement between the White House and Pfizer. “This will give us the lowest price anywhere in the world,” Trump said during the Oval Office announcement. AstraZeneca’s CEO, Pascal Soriot, who joined Trump for the event, admitted the negotiations “really kept me up at night.”…

Donald Trump has threatened to impose new 100% tariffs on Chinese goods from 1 November — or sooner — accusing Beijing of “very hostile” trade moves. The warning came after China tightened export controls on rare earth materials vital to US manufacturing, escalating economic tensions between the two nations. Posting on Truth Social, Trump said the tariffs would be “over and above” existing duties and part of “a massive increase” under consideration. “Perhaps the time has come,” he wrote, calling the move painful but ultimately “a good thing” for the US. The announcement rattled global markets. The S&P 500 fell…

Researchers say they’ve developed the first reliable blood test to detect myalgic encephalomyelitis, or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Currently, ME/CFS is diagnosed only through symptoms, often leaving patients undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years. The University of East Anglia and Oxford Biodynamics discovered distinct DNA-folding patterns unique to people with ME/CFS. Testing on 47 patients and 61 healthy adults produced a 92% sensitivity rate and 98% specificity. “This could transform diagnosis and management,” said lead researcher Prof Dmitry Pshezhetskiy. The findings, published in the Journal of Translational Medicine, mark a major step toward earlier, more accurate detection. Experts, however, urge caution.…