All articles

Scientists think sleep is the brain’s rinse cycle, when fluid percolating through the organ flushes out chemical waste that accumulated while we were awake. But what propels this circulation has been uncertain. A study of mice, reported today in Cell, suggests regular contractions of blood vessels in the brain, stimulated by the periodic release of a chemical cousin of adrenaline, push the fluid along. · “This is excellent science,” says…

We’ve done it. The future is now. The world of Arthur C. Clarke is upon us, and how! The world’s first flying passenger motorcycle, called the Skyrider X1, has just been unveiled at CES in Las Vegas. It rides, it flies, it’s autonomous and it’s pretty darn wild. · The vehicle is built by Rictor, which is a sub-brand of Chinese company Kuickwheel – which focuses on eco-friendly and energy-efficient mobility options. Up until now, Rictor had just…

The debate over how to manage ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has gained momentum following a recent study suggesting that surgery might not be necessary for women diagnosed with the condition. · Often described as "stage zero breast cancer" or "a very early form of breast cancer," DCIS is not actually cancer but rather a cluster of abnormal cells contained within the milk ducts. · Despite its non-cancerous status, the use of terms like…

One evening as the summer of 1859 drew to an end, a telegraph operator in Washington received a tremendous shock. An arc of flame burst from Frederick W Royce’s head to the equipment on his desk, and he passed out. His set was ablaze. · Wireless operators were being affected all over the world. “Everywhere the instruments were jammed,” reported the Sydney Morning Herald. Sparks from telegraph wires even created minor forest fires. · The…

The best way to snap an athlete out of platitude autopilot in a press conference is to get them to vent about some technical complaint. Like everyone else, they have esoteric gripes about their workplace, and are happy to explain them in full when given the chance. During my time at the ATP Finals, a year-end tournament in Italy for the top of the men’s tour, I asked several players to reflect on the object they clobber all day. · Complaints…

As promised, newly minted electric powertrain startup Donut Lab has premiered its first batch of all-electric motors you can see straight through. The company has descended on the annual CES show with not one or two motors but a family of five, ranging from a tiny drone drive to a high-performance hypercar cornerstone the company crowns the world power and torque density king. Each motor promises to cut mass, boost torque and improve overall…

More than 130,000 people have been forced to evacuate as wildfires continue to rip through Los Angeles, causing devastation across many neighbourhoods. · Firefighters across Los Angeles are doing their best to put out the deadly blaze which has sadly killed five people, but why don’t they use ocean water? · The city is right on the coast next to the Pacific Ocean, so you’d think siphoning water from the sea would be the quickest and easiest way…

Crispy smashed potatoes make any brunch better – especially when teamed with bacon, bursting tomatoes and creamy scrambled egg. This is a filling but nourishing plate of food. And better still, it’s easy to rustle up. Cooking scrambled egg in the microwave is super speedy and you can achieve silky, luxurious folds of egg very easily in minutes. · Ingredients · For the smashed potatoes · 750g baby new potatoes:  · 4 tbsp vegetable oil · 2…

A police intelligence report reveals young offenders in New Zealand are forming youth gangs within Oranga Tamariki facilities, with cultural and community factors driving recruitment. · The report, Youth Recruitment into Gangs, highlights that some young Kiwis know more about Los Angeles gang culture than their own heritage and identifies practices like urban dirt biking in South Auckland as linked to gang activities. · The report shows…

On 10 January 1902, the world’s first state-registered nurses had their names entered in the new register. Topping the list was Ellen Dougherty of Palmerston North. · Early training of nurses in New Zealand was rather ad hoc. During the 1880s, some hospitals began to offer training and accommodation onsite to attract ‘respectable’ women into nursing. As more women entered the profession, there was increased demand for improved conditions for…