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The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) will introduce a new Veterinary Medicines Packaging Monitoring System from 2 February 2026. This will change the way VMD evaluates and monitors veterinary drug packaging to ensure proper oversight while reducing regulatory burden on the veterinary health industry. By monitoring products already on the market, regulators can ensure adequate oversight without incurring unnecessary administrative burdens. Evaluation of veterinary drug packaging Every three months, VMD selects a group of veterinary drugs for packaging evaluation. These products are sourced from wholesalers and all packaging components are inspected. The assessment verifies that the packaging complies with the principles…
At the heart of modern quantum computers is a deceptively simple structure: the Josephson junction. Traditionally, this device is formed by placing two superconductors on either side of an ultrathin barrier. Despite their separation, superconducting electrons can act in unison and conduct electrical current with amazing precision and no loss of energy. This synchronous behavior underpins today’s most advanced quantum processors, and related advances were recognized at the highest level when they won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics. Now, an international team of physicists has published a report that casts doubt on a long-held blueprint. In a new study,…
simple factsName: Alfred JewelWhat is it: cloisonné jewelry wrapped in gold, with an inscriptionBirthplace: Somerset County, EnglandProduction period: 871-899 ADIn 1693, a farmer plowing his fields in North Petherton, south-west England, discovered an interesting piece of medieval jewelry made of gold, enamel, and crystal. However, what distinguishes this piece from others is the notable inscription around the edge. The jewelry has the inscription “AELFRED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN,” an Old English sentence meaning “Alfred ordered me to make it.”The Alfred Jewel, owned by the Ashmolean Museum at the University of Oxford, is estimated to have been made between 871 and 899,…
Common breast cancer treatments may soon become even more effective thanks to megestrol acetate, a synthetic hormone that mimics progesterone. New research from the University of Cambridge suggests that adding the drug to standard anti-estrogen therapy may not only reduce troublesome side effects such as hot flashes, but also slow tumor growth. The findings represent a major step forward for women with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer, potentially providing a gentler and more powerful treatment for the disease. Targeting ER-positive breast cancer Approximately 75% of breast cancers are classified as ER-positive. In these cancers, tumor cells rely on estrogen to…
Self-driving truck company Kodiak AI announced Monday that it will work with global automotive supplier Bosch to develop a hardware and software system that can provide self-driving capabilities to standard big rigs. The partnership, announced at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, could allow Kodiak to bring its self-driving technology to more trucks, more quickly. Kodiak, which develops self-driving trucks for highway, industrial and defense use, has already developed and designed self-driving systems with redundant systems for braking, steering, sensors and computers. In January 2025, Kodiak’s self-driving trucks began making unmanned deliveries for Atlas Energy Solutions in the…
A new portable device can directly detect food allergies and gluten in the diet with laboratory-level accuracy. Announced by Allergen Alert, this feature will allow people with food allergies or celiac disease to autonomously test food wherever they are. Unlike barcode scanners or apps that try to interpret food photos, this pocket-sized minilab utilizes patented single-use pouches derived from bioMérieux lab technology to miniaturize and automate every step of professional analytical testing. This new device provides a simple, reliable and accessible preventive solution to a major public health challenge, ushering in an era where enjoying a meal finally means inclusivity…
January 5, 2026Ravi LakshmananCryptocurrency/Financial Crime Ilya Lichtenstein, who was sentenced to prison last year on money laundering charges for his role in the massive hack of the virtual currency exchange Bitfinex in 2016, said he was released early. In a post shared on X last week, the 38-year-old announced his release by praising US President Donald Trump’s First Step Act. According to Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate search information, Lichtenstein is scheduled to be released on February 9, 2026. “I remain committed to making a positive impact on cybersecurity as quickly as possible,” Lichtenstein added. “To all the supporters, thank…
As Europe rushes to build a climate-neutral energy system, renewable hydrogen is increasingly seen as a key pillar of the continent’s decarbonization strategy. But while the focus has largely been on how quickly hydrogen can be produced, a much more complex problem is emerging. The question is: How can we transport hydrogen over long distances in an affordable and truly low-carbon way? A new study by the European Commission’s Joint Research Center (JRC) provides some of the clearest answers yet, comparing the economic and environmental performance of competing hydrogen delivery routes and revealing the best options to support Europe’s emerging…
Flutterwave, Africa’s largest fintech company, has acquired Nigerian open banking startup Mono in an all-stock deal worth between $25 million and $40 million, according to people familiar with the deal. This acquisition brings together two of Africa’s leading fintech infrastructure companies. Flutterwave operates one of the most extensive payment networks on the continent, and Mono, also known as “Africa’s Plaid,” has built an API that allows businesses to access banking data, initiate payments, and verify customers. Mono has raised approximately $17.5 million from investors including Tiger Global, General Catalyst, and Target Global. The deal would at least give investors a…
January 5, 2026Ravi LakshmananThreat Intelligence / Windows Security Cybersecurity researchers have revealed details of a new Python-based information stealer called VVS Stealer (also known as VVS $tealer) that can collect Discord credentials and tokens. Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 reports that the thief was allegedly sold on Telegram in April 2025. “The VVS stealer code has been obfuscated by Pyarmor,” researchers Pranay Kumar Chhaparwal and Lee Wei Yeong said. “This tool is used to obfuscate Python scripts to thwart static analysis and signature-based detection. Pyarmor can be used for legitimate purposes as well as for building stealth malware.” It’s being…