UK trial across three countries finds that giving patients chemotherapy before surgery was more effectiveGiving bowel cancer patients chemotherapy before surgery cuts the risk of it coming back by 28%, according to the results of a trial experts are hailing as “fantastic”.As many as one in three patients diagnosed with the disease see it return after surgery, a figure described as “far too...

Research suggests if trend continues, view of Orion’s belt will disappear due to glow from artificial lighting“There is no light in earth or heaven / But the cold light of stars,” wrote the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.But for myriad writers and artists, that source of inspiration could be fading as research has revealed light pollution is rapidly reducing the number of stars visible to...

Patients in England, Scotland and Wales missed out on starting blood pressure-lowering drugs, British Heart Foundation saysThousands of people are at risk of avoidable heart attacks and strokes, experts have warned, after nearly 500,000 people in England, Scotland and Wales missed out on starting blood pressure-lowering drugs during the pandemic.Researchers said that thousands of people could...

Re-engineered bacteria able to target drug-resistant infections in mice, research findsGenetically modified bacteria could be used to treat intractable lung infections, according to research aiming to combat the threat of antibiotic resistance.The research, in mice, showed that a re-engineered bacteria could be used to target drug-resistant infections and make them susceptible to antibiotics that...

Oak and beech 15th-century vessel is being returned to Welsh city where it was found in riverside mud in 2002The final pieces of what has been compared to a huge, heavy – but also very delicate – 3D medieval puzzle are being returned to the Welsh city where they were found in riverside mud two decades ago.Now experts can look forward to putting back together the 2,500 or so pieces of timber...

British multinational to spend huge sums on schemes that do not bring genuine carbon reductions, analysis showsMore than 90% of rainforest carbon offsets by biggest provider are ‘worthless’Greenwashing or a net zero necessity? Scientists on carbon offsettingCarbon offsets flawed but we are in a climate emergencyThe fossil fuel firm Shell has set aside more than $450m (£367m) to invest in...

Scientists have predicted the return of the El Niño climate phenomenon later this year. Its arrival will result in even higher global temperatures and supercharged extreme weather events. Ian Sample speaks to environment editor Damian Carrington about what we can expect from El Niño and whether we’re preparedAccording to early forecasts, the El Niño climate phenomenon will return this year,...