Author: Andrew Rogers

Researchers say testing menstrual blood could provide a simple alternative to cervical screening.A sanitary pad fitted with a blood strip can detect human papillomavirus, which causes most cervical cancers. Scientists in China compared pad-collected menstrual blood with clinician-taken cervical samples.The study involved more than 3,000 women aged 20 to 54 with regular periods. Results, published in BMJ, showed similar accuracy between both methods.The pad test detected serious cervical cell changes with 94.7% sensitivity. Researchers said the method could offer a non-invasive, home-based screening option.It may help reach women who currently skip clinical screening appointments. Cancer Research UK welcomed the findings…

A major review finds that most listed statin side-effects are not caused by the drugs.Researchers published the analysis in The Lancet after reviewing 19 trials with 124,000 participants.The study found evidence for only muscle pain, diabetes risk, and four minor side-effects.These included small liver test changes, mild liver abnormalities, urine changes, and tissue swelling.Researchers found no strong evidence for problems such as memory loss, depression, sleep issues, or nerve damage.They concluded that statin benefits far outweigh risks for most patients.Experts called for updated drug labels to reflect the evidence and support informed decisions.

Sellers promote unlicensed weight-loss drugs through giveaways on WhatsApp and Telegram.They offer injectable medicines like retatrutide as competition prizes. Retatrutide remains experimental and lacks approval anywhere in the world.Experts warn these promotions create serious health risks. Groups use countdowns and raffles to pressure users into fast decisions.Some prizes include other unapproved injectable substances. UK law allows weight-loss injections only with valid prescriptions.Unlicensed drugs cannot be legally sold or advertised. Some sellers disguise drug sales as fitness coaching programmes.Researchers say these tactics bypass safeguards and endanger public health.

Ultra-processed foods should face controls similar to tobacco, according to researchers from Harvard University, University of Michigan and Duke University.The study argues UPFs are engineered to drive addiction and overconsumption, mirroring cigarette design.Researchers highlighted health harms and marketing tactics that resemble past tobacco strategies.They published the findings in Milbank Quarterly.The authors called for tighter regulation, including marketing restrictions and industry accountability.Some experts warned against overreach, saying food differs from nicotine and needs nuanced policy.

Toto Wolff dismissed rival complaints about the legality of Mercedes’ 2026 engine.He insisted the power unit fully complies with Formula One regulations.Wolff said other manufacturers missed an opportunity and should focus on themselves.Rivals questioned Mercedes and Red Bull Racing over engine compression advantages.Audi, Ferrari, and Honda raised concerns with the FIA.Wolff said the FIA approved Mercedes’ design and backed its interpretation of the rules.He did not rule out protests after the Australian Grand Prix.

Researchers at the University of Sydney have recreated cosmic dust in a laboratory.The synthetic dust mimics particles formed around dying stars.Cosmic dust contains organic molecules that may have seeded early life on Earth.PhD researcher Linda Losurdo produced the dust using plasma inside a vacuum chamber.The process replicated space conditions with carbon-rich gases and high voltage.Scientists hope the work explains how meteorites gained organic material.The findings appeared in the Astrophysical Journal.

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply warned rising shipping costs could push up consumer prices in 2026.Procurement leaders reported growing supply chain disruption and sharp cost volatility.Shipping and logistics face the steepest increases, with many firms seeing double-digit rises.Costs for computers, transport equipment, and electrical machinery are also climbing.Companies such as Lenovo and Dell already raised some prices last year.The Freightos Baltic Index showed Asia–US shipping rates jump sharply in weeks.CIPS said geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainty risk making volatility permanent.

West Ham United banned a season-ticket holder after he held up an oversized anti-board banner.Joshua Wood received a five-match ban after lifting a banner reading “Time 2 Sell – Name Your Price”.The club cited a breach of stadium rules on banner size, not its message.Protests this season have targeted David Sullivan and Karren Brady.Wood said he did not bring the banner into the stadium and plans to appeal.

A Swedish trial found AI-supported breast screening cut later cancer diagnoses by 12% and improved early detection rates.Researchers studied 100,000 women using AI-assisted mammography or standard double readings by radiologists.The AI system flagged high-risk scans and reduced radiologist workload.The study, published in The Lancet, showed higher early-stage detection and fewer aggressive cancers.Lead author Dr Kristina Lång from Lund University said AI could support, not replace, radiologists.Cancer Research UK and Breast Cancer Now welcomed the findings but urged careful rollout.

Google DeepMind launched AlphaGenome, an AI tool designed to identify genetic drivers of disease.AlphaGenome predicts how DNA mutations disrupt gene regulation across different cells and tissues.The system can analyse up to one million DNA letters at once.Researchers trained the model using large public human and mouse genetics databases.Most inherited diseases and many cancers stem from regulatory DNA mutations.Scientists say the tool could accelerate discovery of disease-causing mutations.AlphaGenome may also support development of targeted gene and drug therapies.