Author: BBC

The winner of a prestigious scientific photography competition has been disqualified following concerns raised by other scientists that it was fake.Nikon said the use of generative AI in the composition of the video broke the rules of its Small World In Motion contest, which accepts photos and video taken using powerful microscopes.The firm said the video “did not comply with the competition rules regarding generative AI”, but added it was not a judgement of the entrant’s professional reputation or scientific contributions.It said it would now look at the rules and procedures of the annual contest, which has been running for…

Because prostate cancer runs in his family, Rex regularly monitored his PSA levels.After a raised test result, further investigations confirmed he had incurable stage four prostate cancer.Rex underwent chemotherapy but said the treatment took a significant physical toll and he now lives with the side effects of hormone treatment, including intense fatigue.”I stopped doing a job I love as a GP practice manager,” he said.”By the time I went through chemotherapy, I couldn’t do the job that was needed.”Leaving work was one of the biggest practical changes brought about by his diagnosis, although he says his priorities remain firmly focused…

Artificial intelligence (AI) data centre company Firmus has scrapped its plans for what would have been one of Australia’s biggest-ever stock market listings.The Nvidia-backed firm said it had made the decision due to “recent market volatility and prevailing market conditions” and that going public would not be in the company or shareholders’ best interests.Firmus had initially announced plans for a stock market debut that valued the company at more than $30bn (£22.65bn).One investment firm told the BBC that it had decided not take part in the initial public offering (IPO) over concerns about its valuation.”Firmus will now pursue capital from…

On screen, even 2023’s smash-hit Barbie showed the iconic doll expressing frustration with her supposedly picture-perfect world.These depictions of women’s anger are helpful and healthy, Cox says.But when women act upon their anger in real life, they can face a social penalty.A 2020 study found women expressing anger at work were seen as less deserving of status and influence, while their male counterparts were not.So, can women express anger at work and still get ahead? Yes, says life coach Yann Dang, who specialises in coaching senior women in male-dominated fields.Women who people-please and don’t show negative emotion can progress to…

Samsung Electronics says it expects a nine-fold surge in its quarterly profits compared with a year earlier, driven by surging demand for memory chips used in artificial intelligence (AI) data centres.The tech giant estimates that its operating profit for the three months to the end of September will jump to 107.4tn won (£61bn; $80bn), its fourth quarter in a row of record earnings.Samsung is one of the world’s largest memory chip makers alongside local rival SK Hynix and Micron in the US, which produce chips crucial for AI firms like Nvidia.Samsung, which makes the Galaxy Fold and S26 smartphones, is…

When Poppy Russell died shortly after birth, her parents were left bereft.What followed made matters harder to bear – her mother was blamed for the death.An inquest would later conclude that Poppy’s death was preventable.But instead of walking away from the trust that had failed them, Neil and Katie Russell are now working with it to bring compassionate care back into the NHS.”We could have very easily been consumed by hate and anger and rage at what happened – and those feelings are still there,” said Katie. “But if no change comes from what happened to Poppy, then what’s the…

Augustus Doricko, the founder and CEO of Rainmaker, is quick to answer any questions on the consequences of how his company uses the silver iodide compound. It’s clear he’s been asked about chemical safety many times.He says Rainmaker releases this form of silver at 20 grams per flight, distributed across thousands of square kilometres. “The resultant increase in concentration on the ground is in the parts per quadrillion, way below the threshold laid out by the FDA [Food and Drug Administration] on what is allowable.”Rainmaker’s flights use drones to soar into clouds because without clouds, “we can’t do anything,” he…

Estimates suggest 170 million children and adolescents worldwide are obese. That includes 70 million children aged 5–9. Obesity prevalence in this age group has quadrupled since 1990, rising from 2% to 8%.In 2024, 35 million children under the age of five were overweight.Obesity increases the risk of many different diseases, including type 2 diabetes. Dr Luz De Rigil, Director of Nutrition and Food Safety at WHO, said: “For children under 10, WHO does not recommend obesity medicines, bariatric surgery or weight-management devices. This is a strong recommendation.”These might be appropriate for older children and adolescents when lifestyle approaches have failed…

Ofcom is investigating whether Meta breached its duties under the UK’s online safety laws with the launch of its “Instants” feature on Instagram.The tool – allowing users to take and share an instant image with close friends, that disappears once viewed – was launched on Meta’s photo-sharing app in May as “a new way to share photos in the moment”.But the regulator said the social media giant had not properly assessed risks posed by the feature prior to launching it – something it is required to do under the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA).A Meta spokesperson said in a statement…

Lawyers representing bereaved families questioned why it had taken several years for NHS England to act after concerns were first raised.Harry said day-to-day responsibility for following the guidance sat with individual trusts rather than NHS England.Counsel to the inquiry Teniola Onabanjo asked Harry if NHS England recognised that the enthusiasm for innovation might “outpace” the scrutiny of consent and ethics when it comes to camera technology.”I would expect every provider of mental health services to have their values and behaviours driven by a human rights approach to mental healthcare,” Harry said.A CQC spokesperson told the BBC: “Providers have a responsibility…