Author: Andrew Rogers

Kylian Mbappé matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid scoring record with a late penalty against Sevilla.His goal sealed a 2-0 home win and lifted Real within one point of league leaders Barcelona.Jude Bellingham opened the scoring before Sevilla were reduced to ten men. In Italy, Juventus revived their title challenge by beating Roma 2-1 in Turin.The result left Roma fourth, one point ahead of fifth-placed Juventus. Bayer Leverkusen produced a rapid comeback to defeat RB Leipzig 3-1 away.Two first-half goals turned the match and moved Leverkusen into third place. Elsewhere, Freiburg edged Wolfsburg 4-3 despite a hat-trick from Dzenan Pejcinovic.Eintracht Frankfurt…

High in the mountains of the southern Peloponnese, Greece’s native fir forests are dying at an alarming rate – even in areas untouched by fire. Researchers say a dangerous mix of climate pressures is pushing these once-resilient trees past their limits. Greek firs have long been among the country’s hardiest species, able to withstand drought, insects and regular wildfires. So when forest researcher Dimitrios Avtzis surveyed a recent burn area, he was shocked to find vast patches of dead and dying trees where flames had never reached. Entire slopes of green forest were turning orange and brown. The damage, Avtzis…

About one in 10 people in the UK aged 70 and over may have brain changes linked to Alzheimer’s disease, according to the largest population-based study of its kind. The findings are not a diagnosis but suggest more than 1 million people could meet NHS criteria for anti-amyloid treatments, far more than current estimates. The study, published in Nature, analysed blood samples from nearly 11,500 people using a new biomarker test that can detect Alzheimer’s-related changes early. Researchers found prevalence increased sharply with age, rising from under 8% in people in their 50s and 60s to around two-thirds of those…

Scientists have discovered that the carnivorous pitcher plant Nepenthes khasiana uses a toxic nerve agent to incapacitate insects before digesting them. The plant secretes a sugary nectar along the rim of its pitcher-shaped traps, attracting ants and other insects. This nectar contains isoshinanolone, a nerve toxin that disrupts the insects’ nervous systems, causing sluggish movement, muscle weakness and excessive grooming. Many victims eventually lose coordination, fall into spasms and tumble into the pitcher, where they are digested. In addition to the toxin, the nectar includes sugars that absorb water and make the rim extremely slippery, increasing the chances that prey…

The first new treatments for gonorrhoea in decades have been approved in the US, raising hopes of a breakthrough against drug-resistant strains as global cases surge to more than 82 million a year. Health officials have warned that resistance to existing antibiotics has risen sharply, prompting the World Health Organization to label gonorrhoea a “priority pathogen”. Surveillance data shows resistance to key treatments such as ceftriaxone and cefixime has increased markedly since 2022. Two new antibiotics, zoliflodacin and gepotidacin, were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration this month. Zoliflodacin, sold as Nuzolvence, was shown in trials to cure…

The US company behind the Roomba robot vacuum has filed for bankruptcy protection and agreed to be taken over by one of its Chinese suppliers, after years of falling profits and rising competition. iRobot, which pioneered consumer robot vacuums 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 Picea, one of iRobot’s main suppliers, will acquire the company. The US-listed firm has struggled since the pandemic, hit by supply chain disruptions and an influx of cheaper rivals. Earlier this month, iRobot warned it…

A review published in The Journal of Psychiatric Research found that psychedelic treatments, specifically psilocybin, show promise in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), while cannabis has little effect. Dr. Michael Van Ameringen and his team reviewed existing evidence and concluded that psilocybin, which impacts the brain’s default mode network, is more effective than cannabinoids, which activate CB1 receptors but fail to provide lasting relief. Psychedelic clinical trials encourage patients to confront their OCD deeply, a method that contrasts with cannabis’ short-term relief. Preliminary results from trials suggest psilocybin helps reduce OCD symptoms and provides valuable insights into compulsive behaviors. However, legal…

Scientists have identified genetic changes in polar bears that could help them adapt to rising temperatures, offering new insight into how the species might cope with climate change. Researchers from the University of East Anglia found that polar bears living in south-east Greenland show different DNA activity compared with bears in the colder north. The study links warmer conditions to increased activity of so-called “jumping genes” – mobile DNA elements that can influence how other genes function. By analysing blood samples and local climate data, the team found that genes linked to heat stress, metabolism and ageing were more active…

The European Union’s planned ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035 is likely to be softened, according to a senior member of the European parliament, prompting warnings of backlash from environmental groups. Manfred Weber, president of the European People’s party, said the European Commission is expected to move away from a complete prohibition on combustion engines. Rather than enforcing a 100% zero-emissions requirement, carmakers would instead face a 90% reduction target for fleet-wide CO₂ emissions, allowing some hybrid vehicles to remain on sale beyond 2035. The proposed shift follows lobbying from Germany, Italy and much…

Scientists have discovered that northern resident orcas in British Columbia are cooperating with Pacific white-sided dolphins to hunt salmon — the first evidence of such a partnership. Using drones, underwater cameras and acoustic tags, researchers observed dolphins acting as “scouts,” chasing large Chinook salmon ahead of the whales. The orcas followed closely, then shared the surface scraps while dolphins fed on the leftovers. Remarkably, the whales — normally protective of their kills — showed no aggression. Audio recordings revealed alternating echolocation clicks from both species, suggesting they may be listening to each other to track fish more effectively. Researchers ruled…