Author: Andrew Rogers

Max Verstappen delivered a stunning performance to secure pole position for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, setting the fastest lap in Formula 1 history. The Red Bull driver clocked 1:18.792, averaging more than 164mph, to edge out McLaren rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The result marked a dramatic turnaround for Verstappen, who last year described his car as an “undriveable monster” at the same track. With Red Bull struggling for form in recent months, the pole brought renewed optimism as the team adjusts to new leadership under Laurent Mekies following Christian Horner’s departure. Ferrari also impressed at their…

A new ultrasound “helmet” could transform how neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease are treated, replacing invasive procedures like deep brain stimulation (DBS). Developed by teams at Oxford University and University College London, the helmet can target brain regions with unprecedented precision—up to 1,000 times smaller than standard ultrasound methods. In early trials on seven volunteers, the device directed ultrasound waves at the lateral geniculate nucleus, achieving pinpoint accuracy and producing measurable effects in connected brain regions. Unlike DBS, which requires electrodes to be implanted deep in the brain, the helmet delivers mechanical pulses non-invasively while the patient wears it…

Labour’s pledge to end badger culling by 2029 is possible but will require a Covid-style focus on testing and vaccination, according to a new government-commissioned report. The review, led by Sir Charles Godfray, warns that without significant new investment, ministers have only a “small chance” of meeting the current target of eradicating bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in England by 2038. The disease costs taxpayers and farmers about £150m each year, with more than 210,000 badgers culled since 2013. Godfray said evidence confirmed that badgers can spread bTB to cattle, but stressed this does not mean culling must continue. Instead, the report…

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) has begun a project to bring back three rare species—large heath butterfly, bog bush cricket, and white-faced darter dragonfly—once common on the region’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 work. The insects play key roles in the ecosystem: the butterfly pollinates plants, the cricket aids decomposition and serves as food for birds, and the dragonfly controls smaller invertebrate populations. Senior nature…

New Zealand is racing to protect its critically endangered birds, including the kākāpō, from H5 avian influenza before migratory seabirds bring the virus ashore. With fewer than 250 kākāpō remaining, even a single outbreak could be catastrophic. In a world-first trial, the Department of Conservation vaccinated captive birds from five endangered species using an H5N3 poultry vaccine. After two doses a month apart, four species developed strong antibody responses lasting at least six months, offering hope for safeguarding breeding populations in captivity and on offshore islands. The challenge is timing: vaccination must occur just before migration to ensure immunity lasts…

A simple two-minute cheek swab can detect a potentially fatal heart condition in children up to five years before traditional diagnosis, according to new research. The condition, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), is usually genetic and accounts for over 10% of sudden cardiac deaths in children. It arises from abnormalities in the proteins connecting heart cells, disrupting both heart structure and electrical activity. Often, the condition develops silently and can strike without warning. Researchers at Great Ormond Street Hospital and St George’s, University of London discovered that the same protein changes affecting the heart are also present in the lining of the…

Oscar Piastri tightened his grip on the Formula 1 championship battle with a commanding win at the Dutch Grand Prix, while teammate and title rival Lando Norris suffered a devastating retirement just seven laps from the finish. The 24-year-old Australian delivered a flawless pole-to-flag performance at Zandvoort, surviving light rain and three safety-car restarts to secure maximum points. His calm display extended his lead in the standings to 34 points — a significant blow to Norris, who began the weekend just nine points adrift. Norris had been running comfortably in second when smoke began to fill his cockpit due to…

A major new analysis has found that US paediatricians are often prescribing ADHD medication to very young children far sooner than recommended. Current medical guidelines advise that children aged four and five who are newly diagnosed should first receive six months of behavioural therapy before starting medication. The study, published in JAMA Network Open and based on data from more than 9,700 children, revealed that 42.2% of young patients were prescribed medication within one month of diagnosis, while only 14.1% began treatment after the recommended six-month period. Lead author Dr Yair Bannett of Stanford University said the findings were “concerning,”…

A global systematic review has found that receiving the shingles vaccine is linked to an 18% lower risk of heart attack or stroke in adults. The study, the first of its kind, analyzed 19 trials and observational studies, showing cardiovascular benefits alongside protection against shingles. Experts suggest the effect may come from reducing inflammation caused by shingles, which is known to contribute to heart and circulatory problems. While the vaccine is currently recommended mainly for older or immunocompromised adults, the findings hint at potential benefits for younger populations as well. Health authorities, including NHS England, are expanding eligibility for the…

A new study warns that rising ocean acidification could damage shark teeth, threatening their ability to feed efficiently and destabilizing marine ecosystems. Researchers tested 60 naturally shed blacktip reef shark teeth in tanks simulating current ocean pH levels (8.1) and projected future levels (7.3). After eight weeks, teeth in the more acidic water showed double the damage, including root corrosion and weakened serrations. Lead author Maximilian Baum of Heinrich Heine University said the findings add to concerns about sharks’ survival as acidification combines with overfishing and prey loss. While sharks may adapt by increasing tooth replacement, even moderate drops in…