Scientists have created a new way to make a rare sugar that tastes almost identical to table sugar but comes with far fewer health drawbacks. The result is a sweetener with fewer calories, minimal ... Read more Scientists have created a new way to make a rare sugar that tastes almost identical to table sugar but comes with far fewer health drawbacks. The result is a sweetener with fewer calories, minimal impact on blood sugar, and potential benefits for oral and gut health. It could offer a long-sought alternative to traditional sugar. [...] Show less

Sphenomorphus tamchucensis A. V. Pham, C. T. Pham, Ha, M. D. Le, Phan, Ho, M. Le & Nguyen, 2026. Tam Chuc’s Smooth Skink | Thằn lằn phê nô tam chúc  ||  DOI: doi.o... Read more Sphenomorphus tamchucensis A. V. Pham, C. T. Pham, Ha, M. D. Le, Phan, Ho, M. Le & Nguyen, 2026. Tam Chuc’s Smooth Skink | Thằn lằn phê nô tam chúc  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1266.176724AbstractA new skink species, Sphenomorphus tamchucensis sp. nov., is described from Ninh Binh Province, northern Vietnam, based on morphological and molecular evidence. The new species can be distinguished from other Sphenomorphus species by a combination of the following characteristics: size medium (maximal SVL 41.5 mm); primary temporals two; external ear opening without lobules; loreals two; supralabials seven; infralabials six; nuchals absent; midbody scales in 28 rows; dorsal scales smooth, in six rows across the back; paravertebral scales 58–63, not widened; ventral scales in 55–61 rows; 8–10 smooth lamellae beneath finger IV and 13–15 beneath toe IV; toes not reaching to fingers when limbs adpressed along body; dorsal surface of body and tail bronze brown with many tiny dark dots and a discontinuous dark vertebral stripe, from middle of neck to tail base; a black stripe, in two scales wide, running from nostril to eye and extending from posterior margin of eye along upper part of flank to middle of tail. In phylogenetic analyses, the new species is recovered as an independent lineage with no clear sister taxon and at least 17.85% genetic divergence from other congeners based on a fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene.Key words: COI, Kim Bang, molecular phylogeny, morphology, Ninh Binh Province, taxonomyHolotype of Sphenomorphus tamchucensis sp. nov. (IB R. 6455), adult male.A. In life; B. In preservative, dorsal view; C. In preservative, ventral view.Holotype of Sphenomorphus tamchucensis sp. nov. (IB R. 6455).A–D. Head; A, B. Lateral view; C. Dorsal view; D. Ventral view; E, G. Hands; F, H. Feet. Photographs: A.V. Pham.Sphenomorphus tamchucensis sp. nov.Diagnosis. The new species can be distinguished from other species of Sphenomorphus by a combination of the following characteristics: size small (SVL up to 41.6 mm); primary temporals two; external ear opening without lobules; loreals two; supralabials seven; infralabials six; nuchals absent; midbody scales in 28 rows; dorsal scales smooth, in six rows across the back; paravertebral scales 58–63, not widened; ventral scales in 55–61 rows; 8–10 smooth lamellae beneath finger IV and 13–15 beneath toe IV; toes not reaching to fingers when limbs adpressed along body; dorsal surface of body and tail bronze brown with many tiny dark dots and a discontinuous dark vertebral stripe, from middle of neck to tail base; a black stripe, in two scales wide, running from nostril to eye and extending from posterior margin of eye along upper part of flank and middle of tail.Etymology. The specific epithet tamchucensis refers to the type locality, Tam Chuc forest within Kim Bang SHCA, Ninh Binh Province, where the new species was discovered. We recommend “Tam Chuc’s Smooth Skink” as the common English name and “Thằn lằn phê nô tam chúc” as the Vietnamese name. Anh Van Pham, Cuong The Pham, Linh Thuy Ha, Minh Duc Le, Tien Quang Phan, Anh Ngoc Thi Ho, Minh Le and Truong Quang Nguyen. 2026. Sphenomorphus tamchucensis sp. nov. (Squamata, Scincidae), A New Skink from Vietnam. ZooKeys. 1266: 263-279.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1266.176724 Show less

Substantially increasing patient admissions.

Researchers have discovered a rare new type of diabetes that affects babies early in life. The condition is caused by changes in a single gene that prevent insulin-producing cells from working prop... Read more Researchers have discovered a rare new type of diabetes that affects babies early in life. The condition is caused by changes in a single gene that prevent insulin-producing cells from working properly. When these cells fail, blood sugar rises and diabetes develops, often alongside neurological problems. The findings help explain a long-standing medical mystery and deepen understanding of diabetes overall. Show less

Rag rugs, the kind Grandma used to make from worn-out sheets and bits of cloth, may seem like relics from a bygone era, but they hold valuable modern-day lessons.

Its GHGs wot dun it....this is where physics quietly left the room, and narrative building took its place.

"This jacket is not only warm and waterproof but looks good too. Great value for money"

Four astronauts undock from International Space Station, with the affected crewmember in a stable condition, says space agencyFour crew members have left the International Space Station (ISS) and ... Read more Four astronauts undock from International Space Station, with the affected crewmember in a stable condition, says space agencyFour crew members have left the International Space Station (ISS) and are heading back to Earth after a medical issue prompted their mission to be cut a month short in Nasa’s first medical evacuation.A video feed from Nasa showed American astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov and Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui undocking from the ISS at 2220 GMT on Wednesday, after five months in space. Continue reading... Show less

Hopeful progress at last.

When a Premier League player wants a car, Riccardo Leighton sorts it. The list of names he's worked with down the years would give any team a run for their money.