Microplastics have been found in our blood, lungs, guts – even our brains. Scientists estimate the average person may carry around 5g of plastic inside them, but its effects remain unclear. Researchers in Austria found that microplastics can alter gut bacteria in ways linked to depression and bowel disease. “Reducing exposure is a wise precaution,” said Dr Christian Pacher-Deutsch. These particles, shed from packaging, clothes and tyres, can slip into our organs and cells. “We’re finding them in almost every tissue,” said neuroscientist Dr Jaime Ross, whose studies show they may affect brain health. Some research links microplastics to higher…
Author: Andrew Rogers
Andrew Rogers
Andrew Rogers is a freelance journalist based in the USA, with over 10 years of experience covering Politics, World Affairs, Business, Health, Technology, Finance, Lifestyle, and Culture. He earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Florida. Throughout his career, he has contributed to outlets such as The New York Times, CNN, and Reuters. Known for his clear reporting and in-depth analysis, Andrew delivers accurate and timely news that keeps readers informed on both national and international developments.
The U.S. economy grew at an annualized rate of 3.8% in the second quarter of 2025, marking the fastest pace in almost two years. This surge reflects strong consumer activity and a sharp rise in investments in technology and intellectual property. Consumer spending, a key driver of the economy, rose 2.5% in Q2, exceeding earlier predictions. Americans increased purchases across multiple sectors, including retail, travel, and digital services. This robust spending helped fuel broader economic expansion and supported a positive outlook for the remainder of the year. Investments in intellectual property jumped 15%, the highest since 1999. Software development and…
AstraZeneca has reached a deal with Donald Trump’s administration to lower prices for some of its medicines in exchange for tariff relief. The British drugmaker will sell certain drugs at discounted rates to the U.S. government’s Medicaid program, adopting a “most-favored-nation” model that matches the lowest prices offered in other developed countries. Trump announced the agreement from the Oval Office on Friday, saying it would help make prescription drugs “the lowest price anywhere in the world.” AstraZeneca’s CEO, Pascal Soriot, who attended the event, described the negotiations as “tough” and said the talks “kept me up at night.” The deal…
Amazon has introduced a new wave of AI-powered features across its devices, bringing advanced capabilities to products like the Kindle. These upgrades allow users to receive book summaries and ask questions about characters, creating a more interactive and personalized reading experience. The AI enhancements mark a significant step in Amazon’s strategy to integrate artificial intelligence into consumer electronics. By providing tools that help users quickly understand content, the company aims to make reading more accessible and engaging for a wide audience. Kindle users can now receive concise summaries of books, allowing them to grasp key themes and ideas without reading…
Donald Trump has warned he will impose 100% tariffs on Chinese imports from 1 November, accusing Beijing of “very hostile” trade tactics. The US president’s threat followed China’s decision to tighten controls on rare-earth exports — critical materials for electric vehicles, semiconductors, and aircraft engines. Posting on Truth Social, Trump said: “One of the policies we’re calculating is a massive increase of tariffs on Chinese products.” He added that the US could also impose export controls on “any and all critical software.” Financial markets reacted sharply. The S&P 500 fell 2.7%, the Nasdaq dropped 3.6%, and Nvidia shares slid nearly…
Researchers in the UK say they’ve developed the first reliable blood test for diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The test, created by scientists at the University of East Anglia and Oxford Biodynamics, identifies a unique DNA-folding pattern in blood samples. It correctly detected ME/CFS in 92% of cases and ruled it out in 98%, according to results published in the Journal of Translational Medicine. “This is a significant step forward,” said lead researcher Prof Dmitry Pshezhetskiy. “For the first time, we can reliably identify ME/CFS.” The discovery could speed up diagnosis and improve care for patients who often wait years…
A new study has revealed that 90% of marine aquarium fish sold by major US retailers are taken directly from the wild. Researchers found most species come from reefs in the western Pacific and Indian oceans, with little transparency from “reef to retail.” “The trade is opaque and murky all along the supply chain,” said Dr Bing Lin from the University of Sydney, who led the study. The global aquarium fish industry moves about 55 million animals annually and is worth more than US$2 billion. Among fish sold online were 45 species listed as threatened or declining, including Banggai cardinalfish…
Jaguar Land Rover has begun a phased restart of production after a major cyber-attack shut down its global operations. The hack, which struck on 31 August, forced factory closures and cut sales by 17% last quarter. Production resumes this week at sites in the West Midlands, including Wolverhampton, Hams Hall, Solihull, and Castle Bromwich. Plants in Nitra, Slovakia, will follow soon, with Halewood updates expected shortly. Chief executive Adrian Mardell called the restart “an important moment,” adding, “Our recovery is firmly under way.” JLR also launched a financing scheme to pay suppliers early, easing cashflow for small firms hit by…
Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Medicine. They were honored for discovering how the immune system prevents attacks on the body’s own cells. Sakaguchi identified regulatory T-cells — “the brakes of the immune system,” said Prof Adrian Liston. Brunkow and Ramsdell found the FoxP3 gene, vital for these cells’ development and for preventing autoimmunity. Their work revealed how balance in the immune system protects against disease. “These discoveries transformed immunology,” said Prof Marie Wahren-Herlenius. The findings now guide treatments for autoimmune diseases, transplants, and cancer.
George Russell dominated the Singapore Grand Prix from pole to flag. “That’s how you do it,” he said after crossing the line. His Mercedes ran flawlessly, securing his second win of the season and boosting his contract talks. Behind him, chaos erupted at McLaren. Lando Norris forced his way past teammate Oscar Piastri at the start. “He just barged me out of the way,” Piastri shouted over the radio. Norris brushed it off. “Hard but fair,” he insisted. Russell led cleanly while Verstappen’s Red Bull settled into second. Norris held third, Piastri fourth. The McLaren garage fell silent. “We’ll review…
