9 h. ago Illinois panel's first meeting over federal misconduct focuses on chemical agents

A commission formed to document alleged harassment and abuse by federal agents amid an immigration crackdown in the Chicago area has focused its first public hearing on the wide use of chemical agents

Science

47 h. ago Plantwatch: Pitcher plant’s sweet nectar is laced with toxic nerve agent

Nepenthes khasiana oozes an enticing liquid on the rim of its pitchers that tempts its prey into a deadly trapA carnivorous pitcher plant has recently been found to use a chemical nerve agent to drug its prey and lead them to a deadly end, being consumed in digestive juices at the bottom of the pitcher traps.The pitcher plant Nepenthes khasiana oozes an enticing sweet nectar on the rim of its pitchers for visiting insects, particularly ants, to feed on to lure them into the trap. But the nectar is laced with a toxic nerve agent called isoshinanolone, which strikes at the ant’s nervous system, leaving it with sluggish movements, weakened muscles, and causing it to groom itself excessively. Eventually the prey falls upside down in spasms, with the nerve agent sometimes killing it outright. But apart from isoshinanolone, the nectar also contains three types of sugars that can all absorb water and make the rim of the pitcher especially slippery, so the prey is more likely to slide down ...

Events

3 d. ago Tell us: have you ever had an allergic reaction caused by your clothes?

Synthetic fabrics, particularly from fast fashion retailers, can be treated with a range of hazardous chemicals which can cause an allergic reaction. If you think this is happened to you, we’d like to hear from youHave you suffered any personal health repercussions you suspect may have been caused by your fashion purchases?Research has shown that synthetic fabrics, particularly from fast fashion retailers, are often treated with a range of hazardous chemicals - including dyes containing heavy metals such as lead, antimicrobial agents, and anti wrinkle treatments - that can cause allergic reactions such as skin irritation or respiratory issues in some people. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Bondi beach shooting live updates: federal cabinet meeting to discuss terror attack; antisemitism envoy says calling out hate is ‘not enough’

Alleged shooters in terror attack named as father and son as NSW health minister says death toll may riseAmid the horror of the shooting, one video has emerged showing incredible bravery – a bystander rushing one of the gunmen from behind to wrestle the firearm off him.Praised a hero, he is being identified by some media as a 43-year-old fruit shop owner from the Sutherland Shire. Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago Asian benchmarks mostly decline as investors anticipate US rate cut

Asian shares are mostly lower, trading in a narrow range ahead of a Federal Reserve meeting that’s expected to result in the third cut to interest rates this year

Economics

1 week ago Supreme court to decide legality of Trump’s order to restrict birthright citizenship – US politics live

Court didn’t announce a date to hear oral arguments but it will likely be in the next few months Lauren Gambino and Melody SchreiberAfter a delay and an unusually contentious meeting, a federal vaccine advisory panel is expected to vote today whether to change the longstanding recommendation that all newborns be immunized against hepatitis B. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Key US panel to vote on changing infant hepatitis B vaccine recommendation

ACIP vote follows two postponements and contentious meeting and comes as RFK Jr pushes for vaccine delayAfter a delay and an unusually contentious meeting, a federal vaccine advisory panel was expected to vote on Friday whether to change the longstanding recommendation that all newborns be immunized against hepatitis B.The first day of the meeting of the advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP) on Thursday was marked by heated debate over restricting access to the hepatitis B vaccine for infants and a decision to defer the vote by a day to give members more time to review the wording. The panel, which advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on how to use vaccines, had twice before postponed the vote. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Kennedy's vaccine advisory committee meets to discuss hepatitis B shots for newborns

A federal vaccine advisory committee is meeting in Atlanta to discuss whether newborns should still get the hepatitis B vaccine on the day they’re born

Politics

4 w. ago Family feared to have died from food poisoning during Turkey holiday were 'most likely' killed by hotel chemical agent, investigators say

The family of four had become violently sick at their hotel in Istanbul last Wednesday, just two days after travelling there from Hamburg, Germany .

Events