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![Illustration of the bacteria streptococcus pyogenes. The bacterial cells look like fluorescent light green-ish blue balls that are bunched together in a diagonal line across the image and in a cluster in the top-right-hand corner of the image. The background is undulating and a mixture of dark purple, green and yellow colors.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MUyZKK7VgGwjFyUQNCtNoc-320-80.jpg)
New, faster sepsis test could save lives, scientists say
By Emily Cooke published
Preliminary experiments suggest that a new test could diagnose bacterial infections that cause sepsis days faster than conventional approaches, with potentially lifesaving consequences.
![Close-up of a scar on the upper-right-hand-side of a person's chest. They appear to be wearing blue denim dungarees and one of the shoulder straps is falling down their arm to showcase the scar. The scar is red and darker than the skin around it and is a long, thin line.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jQN4jLzsYCx9DvwW32JxeK-320-80.jpg)
Why are scars permanent?
By Emily Cooke published
Scar tissue differs from normal skin in a few important ways.
![A photo of a white woman's hands; one hand is cupped and holding a blob of lotion while the other is poised to dip into the lotion](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tmRv9oydnuDL6u34XrBCbB-320-80.jpg)
PFAS can absorb through the skin, potentially threatening our health, study finds
By Oddný Ragnarsdóttir, Mohammed Abdallah, Stuart Harrad published
The chemicals are present in consumer products including skincare, cosmetics and waterproof clothing.
![A man stands in the snack aisle of a grocery store looking at bags of chips](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Qa6oqvQP6NAxbkEYFbWCte-320-80.jpg)
What are ultraprocessed foods?
By Christoph Schwaiger published
Ultraprocessed foods have been tied to various health risks — but what are they, exactly?
![A researcher is shown sat on a black swivel computer chair. They have their hands crossed over their lap and are looking at the camera. They are wearing a black sweatshirt, dark grey jeans, glasses and a light-grey beanie. There is lab equipment in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JJukpt3bAw5CZiryNdN8fH-320-80.png)
'We can't answer these questions': Neuroscientist Kenneth Kosik on whether lab-grown brains will achieve consciousness
By Emily Cooke published
So much is still unknown about consciousness, nevermind whether brain organoids will achieve it, explains a leading neuroscientist.
![Close-up of the hands of an elderly person that are crossed together over their lap. They are wearing a shirt with black and light blue stripes.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gwVZfGDoH4gbHJC74NxAka-320-80.jpg)
Could blocking this one protein extend human life span?
By Emily Cooke published
Blocking a pro-inflammatory protein extended the life span of mice by around 25%. Could it do the same in humans?
![a digital illustration of three T cells, immune cells depicted in light green and blue](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jNERS496ok844vcnhfYkDX-320-80.jpg)
Rare 'stiff person syndrome' treated with reconfigured cancer therapy
By RJ Mackenzie published
A case study shows how a therapy typically used for cancer could be adapted to treat a disorder that Céline Dion recently disclosed she has.
![Photo of a woman squeezing lotion from a tube into her hand](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/umDacXWwPPkbQFL6JZSqXB-320-80.jpg)
How worried should we be about PFAS, the 'forever chemicals'?
By Miriam Bergeret published
Recent studies suggest PFAS can pass through human skin and through the placenta. What does that mean for our health?
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