Author: Andrew Rogers

The first new treatments for gonorrhoea in decades have been approved in the US, raising hopes of tackling the rapid spread of drug-resistant strains of the infection. Gonorrhoea causes an estimated 82 million infections globally each year, with cases rising sharply in Europe and England. Resistance to existing frontline antibiotics has increased significantly, prompting the World Health Organization to label the disease a priority pathogen. Two new drugs have now been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Zoliflodacin, approved on 12 December, cured more than 90% of genital gonorrhoea cases in clinical trials and can be taken as…

The US company behind the Roomba robot vacuum cleaner has filed for bankruptcy protection and agreed to be taken over by one of its Chinese suppliers. iRobot, which pioneered robotic vacuum cleaners in the early 2000s, said it had entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in Delaware as part of a restructuring deal with Picea Robotics, a subsidiary of its main supplier. The US-listed company said the agreement would allow it to continue operating while stabilising its finances. The company has struggled in recent years amid supply chain disruption, falling demand after the pandemic and growing competition from cheaper rivals. Earlier…

A new review suggests psychedelic treatments may help people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), while cannabis shows little lasting benefit. The study, published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research and led by Dr Michael Van Ameringen of McMaster University, examined alternative treatments for OCD, a condition where up to 60% of patients gain limited relief from standard therapies. After analysing published studies, conference data and preliminary trial results, researchers found stronger evidence supporting psychedelics such as psilocybin than cannabinoids like THC or CBD. Psilocybin appears to affect the brain’s default mode network, which is linked to rumination and overactivity in OCD,…

Scientists have identified genetic changes in polar bears that could help them adapt to rising temperatures, marking what researchers believe is the first clear link between climate change and DNA changes in a wild mammal. A study by the University of East Anglia found that polar bears living in south-east Greenland differ genetically from those in colder northern regions. The research focused on so-called “jumping genes” – mobile pieces of DNA that can influence how other genes behave. These were found to be far more active in bears living in warmer, less icy environments. Researchers analysed blood samples from bears…

The EU’s planned ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035 is set to be weakened, according to a senior MEP, in a move likely to provoke strong opposition from environmental groups. Manfred Weber, president of the European People’s party in the European parliament, said the European Commission is expected to soften the rule so it no longer amounts to a total ban on combustion engines. Instead of requiring all new cars to have zero CO₂ emissions from 2035, manufacturers would need to meet a 90% fleet-wide emissions reduction target, allowing some hybrid vehicles to remain…

Scientists have documented a surprising partnership off the coast of British Columbia: orcas and Pacific white-sided dolphins hunting salmon together. Northern resident killer whales usually hunt alone, but new drone and underwater footage shows them following dolphins acting as “scouts.” The dolphins chase large Chinook salmon ahead of the whales, then feed on scraps after the whales make the kill — and the whales show no aggression in return. Researchers ruled out other explanations, such as dolphins seeking protection or stealing food, and concluded the predators appear to be cooperating. Tag data also revealed alternating echolocation clicks from both species…

A new Cambridge University study has placed humans 7th out of 35 mammal species for monogamy, ranking above meerkats and gibbons but behind species such as Eurasian beavers and moustached tamarins. Researchers analysed genetic data to compare how often siblings shared both parents, finding humans averaged 66% full siblings, while beavers reached 72%. At the bottom of the list were highly promiscuous species like chimpanzees, dolphins and mountain gorillas. The study shows humans evolved an unusually strong tendency toward pair-bonding compared with most mammals, though social pressures, religion and serial monogamy still shape modern behaviour. Scientists say the real puzzle…

Health officials in the UK have identified a newly evolved variant of mpox after testing a patient who had recently travelled to Asia. Genome analysis showed the infection was a recombinant strain, formed from two existing mpox lineages: clade 1, known to cause more severe illness, and clade 2, the type responsible for the global mpox outbreak in 2022. The UK Health Security Agency said the discovery was not unexpected, as both strains continue to circulate internationally, but stressed that surveillance is important to understand how the virus may be changing. Experts are now assessing whether the combined variant poses…

Crystal Palace continued their impressive run under Oliver Glasner as Marc Guéhi scored a late winner to seal a 2-1 victory over Fulham, sending Palace up to fourth place in the Premier League. Eddie Nketiah marked his first league start of the season with a well-taken opener, finishing off a move sparked by Adam Wharton. Fulham hit back through a stunning Harry Wilson finish, combining beautifully with Raúl Jiménez before curling in with the outside of his boot. Fulham pushed for a second, hitting the post through Calvin Bassey and briefly thinking they had scored again before VAR ruled Samuel…

Far from the Himalayas and tourist-filled Kathmandu, Nepal’s Terai lowlands offer a very different experience — one rooted in wildlife, community and deep cultural tradition. Home to the Tharu people, this southern region near the Indian border is rich with national parks, farmland and Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. Here, tourism is more personal, thanks to a growing homestay network run largely by local women. In the village of Bhada, travellers can live with Tharu families through the Community Homestay Network, learning to cook traditional meals, share celebrations and immerse themselves in daily life. During one such stay, guests…