Author: Andrew Rogers

People who drink a couple of teas or coffees a day appear to have a lower risk of dementia, scientists say. A large US study found that those who regularly consumed two to three cups of caffeinated coffee or one to two cups of caffeinated tea had a 15–20% lower dementia risk over decades than non-drinkers. They also showed slightly better cognitive performance and slower decline. Researchers analysed health data from more than 130,000 participants followed for up to 43 years. The findings, published in Journal of the American Medical Association, showed no similar benefit from decaffeinated coffee. Lead author…

BP faces investor pressure as it prepares to publish weaker full-year results this week.Analysts expect profits of about $7.5bn after falling oil prices cut earnings.Incoming chief executive Meg O’Neill must present a clear strategy after years of turbulence.Shareholders led by Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility, including Nest, want limits on oil and gas spending.Activists at Follow This demand plans for declining fossil fuel demand.BP restarted fossil fuel investment after scaling back renewables, starting seven new projects last year.Critics warn these projects risk long-term losses as clean energy grows and demand falls.

Researchers say menstrual blood testing could provide a convenient alternative to cervical cancer screening.A sanitary pad fitted with a blood sample strip can detect human papillomavirus, which causes most cervical cancers.Women could use the test at home instead of attending a clinic. The study, published in BMJ, analysed data from more than 3,000 women in China.Researchers compared menstrual blood samples with clinician-collected cervical samples.The pad-based test showed similar accuracy in detecting serious cervical cell abnormalities. Scientists say the method could help reach women who avoid traditional screening.However, experts stress the approach remains in early research stages. Cancer Research UK welcomed…

A major review finds most statin side-effects are not caused by the drugs. Researchers published the analysis in The Lancet after examining 19 trials with 124,000 participants. Evidence supported muscle pain, diabetes risk, and four minor effects, including liver test changes and swelling. The study found no strong evidence for 62 listed effects, such as memory loss, depression, or sleep problems. Lead author Christina Reith said statins did not increase common complaints compared with non-users. Senior author Rory Collins urged updates to drug labels to reflect the evidence. Experts said the benefits of statins far outweigh the small risks for…

Hidden-market sellers promote unlicensed weight-loss drugs through WhatsApp and Telegram competitions.They offer injectable medicines like retatrutide as prizes. The Guardian found groups urging users to enter giveaways within 24 hours.Experts warn these tactics create serious health risks. Retatrutide remains experimental and lacks approval anywhere in the world.Other prizes include unapproved peptides and tanning drugs. UK law allows weight-loss injections only with valid prescriptions.Selling or promoting unlicensed medicines is illegal. Some sellers disguise drug sales as fitness or coaching programmes.Researchers say these practices dangerously bypass medical safeguards.

The UK tourism industry is showing optimism after Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent visit to China. Officials and business leaders believe the trip could lead to more Chinese tourists and stronger cultural exchanges between the two countries. Industry experts say renewed engagement with China is likely to boost travel bookings and tourism spending in the UK. Hotels, attractions, and transport services could all benefit from the expected rise in visitors from China. Starmer’s diplomatic visit focused on strengthening people-to-people connections, trade, and cultural cooperation. Tourism stakeholders view this as a positive sign that travel between the UK and China will…

Ultra-processed foods should be regulated like cigarettes because they promote addiction and harm health, researchers said.Scientists from Harvard University, University of Michigan and Duke University compared UPFs to tobacco products.They said manufacturers design both to maximise consumption and stimulate reward pathways.The study, published in Milbank Quarterly, linked UPFs to widespread public health harm.Researchers criticised “health washing” claims such as “low fat” or “sugar free”.They urged marketing restrictions, legal action and stronger industry accountability.

Toto Wolff dismissed rival complaints about the legality of Mercedes’ 2026 engine.He insisted the design fully complies with regulations set by the FIA.Wolff said rival manufacturers missed an opportunity and should “focus on themselves”.The dispute centres on engine compression ratios that rise under thermal expansion.Mercedes and Red Bull Racing deny exploiting any loopholes.Mohammed Ben Sulayem backed the engine’s legality.Wolff accepted rivals may still protest after the Australian Grand Prix.

Researchers say lab-made cosmic dust may explain how organic matter reached early Earth.Thousands of tonnes of cosmic dust hit Earth yearly, mostly burning up in the atmosphere.At the University of Sydney, Linda Losurdo recreated cosmic dust from scratch in a laboratory.She simulated space conditions using vacuum tubes, gases, and high-voltage plasma.Cosmic dust carries CHON molecules, the chemical building blocks of life.Scientists debate whether these molecules formed on Earth or arrived from space.The work could clarify how meteorites acquired organic material.The study appeared in the Astrophysical Journal.

Consumer goods prices could rise sharply as global shipping costs continue to surge, an industry body warned.The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply said cracks are forming in global supply chains.Procurement leaders expect higher costs for computers, electrical machinery, and transport equipment in 2026.Shipping and logistics face the steepest increases, with many firms reporting double-digit cost rises.Rising energy, transport, and raw material prices are adding pressure across global trade.CIPS said volatility now looks permanent, not a temporary post-pandemic disruption.