Moving inductions to early morning could shorten labour by 6 hours 06. February 2026 (10:00) By matching uterine contractions up with the body’s natural circadian rhythms, inducing labour in the early morning is linked to shorter labour and fewer emergency c-sections(New Scientist)
The toxic burden of pesticides is growing all around the world 05. February 2026 (20:00) Pesticides are becoming more toxic and just about every country is using more of them year after year, despite a UN target to halve the overall risk by 2030(New Scientist)
Methane surge in 2020 was linked to lower pollution during lockdowns 05. February 2026 (20:00) A change in atmospheric chemistry during the covid pandemic resulted in methane concentrations spiking, raising concerns that cleaning up pollution could have similar knock-on effects in the future(New Scientist)
Bonobo's pretend tea party shows capacity for imagination 05. February 2026 (20:00) Kanzi, a bonobo with exceptional language skills, took part in a make-believe tea party that demonstrated cognitive abilities never seen before in non-human primates(New Scientist)
Fast-charging quantum battery built inside a quantum computer 05. February 2026 (18:00) An experiment with superconducting qubits opens the door to determining whether quantum devices could be less energetically costly if they are powered by quantum batteries(New Scientist)
Vegan toddlers can grow at the same rate as omnivores 05. February 2026 (17:06) Two-year-olds raised in vegan or vegetarian households don't necessarily have restricted growth, according to a study of 1.2 million children(New Scientist)
Nasal spray could prevent infections from any flu strain 04. February 2026 (20:00) An antibody that has the power to neutralise any influenza strain could be widely administered in the form of a nasal spray if a flu pandemic emerges(New Scientist)
