Type 1 diabetes: A patient cured thanks to cellular therapy in China
Chinese scientists have managed to reverse type 1 diabetes in a patient thanks to a stem cell transplant, marking a significant advance in the treatment of this disease.…
Understanding the genetics of coffee: a breakthrough to protect the future of Arabica
The recent sequencing of coffee DNA has led to a number of discoveries, rendering future innovations to protect coffee production possible.…
Ketamine use is on the rise among young British people
Doctors in the UK are warning about the growing use of ketamine by young people and the extremely harmful health effects of this narcotic, recently brought to light by Elon Musk and Matthew Perry.…
New ant species named after Voldemort, the Harry Potter villain
Scientists have discovered a new species of ant in Australia, and have named it ‘Leptanilla voldemort’ after the notorious villain from the Harry Potter series due to its slender and pale appearance. But behind the exciting discovery is a complicated naming process, hindered by advances made in technology.…
In Kenya, British soldiers forced into unprotected sex with sex workers
British soldiers training in Kenya have organized initiation ceremonies where young recruits are coerced into having unprotected sex with sex workers.…
Could Venus harbor life without water?
A new experiment unexpectedly shows that amino acids can survive in highly concentrated sulfuric acid, indicating that a form of life, different from carbon-based life forms on Earth, could potentially exist in Venus’ sulfuric clouds.…
Cannabis legalization: is Germany balking?
The law on the legalization of cannabis should soon come into force in Germany, but many Länder ministers are urging for revisions and advocating for a delay in its implementation.…
18 months after its creation, New Zealand decides to abolish Māori Health Authority
The coalition government of New Zealand has pushed through an urgent process of abolishing a policy granting health autonomy to the Māori people. The bill exposes a wider scheme to reverse Indigenous and environmentally progressive policies put forward by the previous Labor government.…
In Norway, 700,000 people are dependent on nasal sprays
Norway is facing an unexpected health crisis as a staggering 700,000 people have found themselves tangled in the grip of dependency - not to illegal substances, but to over-the-counter nasal sprays, a common remedy for nasal congestion.…
Kazakhstan’s unified time zone sparks health and economic debate
A working group of scientists and experts have recommended unifying Kazakhstan into a single time zone for health and economic advantages. The entire country will soon observe UTC+5, thereby discontinuing the current UTC+6 in the eastern regions, including the country’s capital, Astana. However, not all citizens are happy with the decision…
Will reduced genetic diversity bring Camembert and Roquefort cheese to extinction?
Two traditional French cheeses are under threat due to a lack of genetic diversity as a result of years of asexual reproduction. If the Camembert is to survive, consumers will have to become accustomed to variations in texture, taste, and color.…
Screen time guidelines for children deemed “unrealistic” by media researchers in Sweden
Guidelines published by the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend severely restricting children’s screen time to promote children’s health. Media researchers in Sweden, however, have dismissed the guidelines as "unrealistic" and contributed to the ongoing debate with a study on the digital everyday life of families with young children.…
In Thailand, free condoms distributed via vending machines
Soaring cases of syphilis in Thailand prompt government department to rethink how to gain the attention of sexually active Thai people.…
Unwanted loneliness in Spain: 1 in 4 young people feel alone
A rescent study by Ayuda en Accion reveals a significant problem of unwanted loneliness among Spanish youths, highlighting gender, sexual orientation, and economic disparities in the social media era.…
A Korean airline will weigh its passengers to obtain better estimates… and improve their safety
Asiana Airlines has announced they will be weighing passengers, to obtain data and to comply with Korean safety standards. Studies have shown passenger weight has been changing over time and that incorrect information poses safety risks.…
Australia raises standards for cosmetic surgery: psychological assessment required
People looking to receive any cosmetic surgery procedure will need to have a mental health assessment prior to it. Such was one of the new rules limiting the cosmetic surgery industry in Australia, motivated by research linking mental health issues with desire for cosmetic surgery.…
In Sweden, the case of a time when a fertility doctor used his own sperm for inseminations
A journalistic investigation revealed that a village doctor in Sweden used his own sperm to inseminate women in the 1970s and 1980s, when insemination was not yet regulated by the law. The doctor said that he was trying to help after the law allowed children to know the identity of their biological father.…
New Zealand to roll back “generational” smoking ban
New Zealand had large-scale plans to enforce a tobacco ban that would reduce smoking by 95% by 2025. The new Prime Minister of New Zealand has said he plans to cancel the ban, citing a number of possible "unintended consequences" as the reason.…
In Hong Kong, suicides amongst youths have risen to an alarming rate, report finds
With 27 suicides of people under 19 so far this year, Hong Kong politicians and local experts vow to offer grants and create numerous measures in bid to promote greater mental health awareness.…
Rocket which crashed into moon last year said to be Chinese
Researchers at the University of Arizona claim that the uppermost stage of the Chinese Long March 3C rocket crashed onto the moon’s far side last year, leaving a double crater on the surface.…
Japan bans cannabis derivative HHCH after people who ate gummies felt sick
Japan officially considered HHCH, a synthetic molecule similar to cannabis, as a drug after several people recently fell seriously ill eating gummies containing HHCH. Its consumption and marketing will be fully banned from December 2.…
Giant African snails: A pet for some, a potential carrier of dangerous infections for humans study says
A team of researchers from the University of Lausanne took on the task of examining a growing popular and exotic pet: the giant African snail. They found that this snail is a potential carrier of infections for humans, while owners can be seen sharing posts on social media touching their pets.…
Taliban drug ban of opium has far-reaching consequences
The Taliban’s ban of opium production in April 2022 is showing results now. Previously the largest exporter of opium, Afghan farmers must find substitute crops to survive, as the rest of the world may have to find substitutes for opiates.…
The first baby born in Europe after two mothers shared the pregnancy
In Spain, a baby was born after two mothers shared the same pregnancy. A first in Europe.…
Chimpanzees to be added to the shortlist of menopausal animals
A 21-year study of chimpanzees showed that females are subject to menopause, an uncommon trait among mammals. This raises questions about the evolution of chimps and by extension, of humans.…
All you should know about the EU-wide ban on flavored “heated tobacco products”
"Heated tobacco" users across the European Union significantly increased in a couple of years. But they are not able to purchase "flavored" products anymore as they now have to carry a neutral flavor to be legal.…
The right to be forgotten for Czech cancer survivors
The Czech Republic agreed with insurance companies on legislation to provide the right to be forgotten for people cured of cancer. They would not be denied health insurance or pay more for mortgages because they used to fight against cancer.…
Evidence found from royal tombs of First Dynasty of Ancient Egypt suggests no ritual human sacrifice
Tombs next to the tomb of Queen Meret-Neith from the first dynasty of Ancient Egypt challenge the idea that human sacrifice was part of the royal burials during that period. The discoveries fuel speculation the queen was the first pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. Traces of wine in perfectly sealed 5,000-year-old jars were also found.…
In the Czech Republic, the government backpedals on doubling hospital overtime for doctors
After the Czech government doubled the amount of voluntary hours overtime in hospitals, over 5,000 Czech doctors threatened to do no work overtime in December, forcing the ministry of health to review the amendment.…
In the Netherlands, the risk of developing cancer rises to 1 in 2 Dutch people
A study from the Integrated Cancer Center of the Netherlands (IKNL) highlights that about half of the Dutch population could be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. But the risk of dying of cancer has not increased.…
For the first time, Colombia will include boys in a vaccination program against papillomavirus
Colombia for the first time includes boys in a vaccination program against the papillomavirus as it has been recently shown that 1 in 3 men are infected and risk transmitting the infection to women.…
Breast milk: A potential screening method for breast cancer?
A Spanish study shows breast milk could potentially improve breast cancer identification in new and soon-to-be mothers, allowing for early detection and timely treatment.…
UK study calls out misconduct in healthcare: 1 in 3 female surgeons victim of sexual assault
A new study in the United Kingdom reveals every third female surgeon endures some form of sexual assault in the workplace, including rape.…
A nationwide ban on smoking in cars with children inside coming soon in Germany?
The federal government of Germany plans a nationwide ban on smoking inside closed vehicles in the presence of pregnant women or children. The initiative is not new but never became a reality at the federal level.…
Germany needs to dispose of 755 million expired face masks bought during the COVID-19 pandemic
Germany gets rid of hundreds of millions of expired surgical and FFP2 masks that cannot be used or placed on the market anymore. They will most likely be incinerated.…
In Japan, lawmakers pass a Dementia Basic Act for elderlies to live with “hope and dignity”
With an aging population, Japan seeks to improve the care of people with dementia.…
In Oslo, cocaine use among high school students doubled in two years
In Oslo, a survey of over 25,000 high school students shows a large majority doesn't do drugs. But cocaine use doubled in two years.…
A dentist in Indonesia arrested for performing hundreds of illegal abortions
Abortion in Indonesia is authorized only in a few cases, and hundreds of thousands of women have an abortion clandestinely.…
15 years in the making, Belgium approves an action plan against harms of abusive use of alcohol
Fifteen years after Belgian authorities started discussing it, a plan to reduce the harms related to abusive consumption of alcohol in the next two years has been finally validated. It includes 75 actions. People under 18 cannot buy spirits anymore.…
Pokemon Pheromosa inspires name of new cockroach species found in Singapore
The Pokemon Pheromosa inspired the name of a new species of cockroach found in Singapore.…
For the first time in Switzerland, few selected people can legally buy cannabis for recreational use
As part of the scientific pilot program Weed Care, a few people in Switzerland can buy cannabis for recreational use legally for the first time.…