Is it the beginning of the end for animal testing? – podcast

Twenty years after the first face transplant, patients are facing severe complications, with some dying and critical data about the procedure's outcomes missing. Isabelle Dinoire, the first recipient, experienced a life-altering event that left her unable to perform basic actions, highlighting the risks involved in such experimental surgeries.

Researchers have found that becoming a famous singer significantly increases the risk of early death, with lead singers in bands faring better than solo artists. An analysis of singers from Europe and the US revealed that those who achieved fame died nearly five years earlier than their less-known counterparts, indicating that fame itself, rather than lifestyle or job demands, plays a crucial role in this trend.

A recent study claims to have provided the first direct evidence of dark matter, a mysterious substance that has been theorized to clump around galaxies and form a cosmic web throughout the universe. This research, led by astrophysicist Prof Tomonori Totani, suggests a significant advancement in understanding this elusive component of the cosmos.

Scientists have identified five major epochs of human brain development, revealing that the adult mode does not commence until the early 30s. This conclusion is based on a comprehensive study involving brain scans of nearly 4,000 individuals aged from infancy to 90 years, highlighting four pivotal turning points at ages nine, 32, 66, and 83.