Author: BBC

ContributedEdward was one of the first children in England to be given the gene therapy Zolgensma through the NHSA five-year-old boy who received the world’s most expensive drug as a baby has made “incredible progress” and can walk independently, his mother said.Edward, from Colchester, has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) which means he lacks a protein vital for muscle development.He was one of the first children in England to be given the gene therapy Zolgensma, which costs £1.79m for the one-off treatment, through the NHS in 2021.Mother Megan said Edward was her “pride and joy” and he had achieved milestones she…

Gold and silver have seen a rollercoaster end to a year in which their prices are on track to record their biggest annual gains since 1979.The price of gold soared by more than 60% this year to hit a record high of more than $4,549 (£3,378) an ounce before falling after Christmas to stand at about $4,330 on New Year’s Eve.At the same time, silver was trading at about $71 an ounce after hitting an all-time high of $83.62 on Monday.This year’s gains were driven by several factors including expectations of more interest rate cuts, gold purchases by central banks…

Meta says it is acquiring the Chinese-founded AI firm Manus as it looks to boost the capabilities of its tech.Bloomberg analysts and The Wall Street Journal suggested the purchase could be worth more than $2bn (£1.48bn).Meta said the deal would help improve its own AI by giving people access to “agents” – tools which can do complex things with minimal user interaction such as planning trips or making presentations.”Manus’s exceptional talent will join Meta’s team to deliver general-purpose agents across our consumer and business products, including Meta AI,” it said in a blog post.Barton Crockett, analyst at Rosenblatt Securities, told…

A woman says she felt “so guilty” for having skin cancer while pregnant with her son.Emma Giannuzzi, 36, from Rogerstone, Newport, used sunbeds regularly in her late teens and was diagnosed with melanoma twice – first at 23, and again during pregnancy after noticing a mole on her stomach, with tests after giving birth confirming the cancer.She is now urging people to opt for fake tanning products instead, warning of the dangers of sunbed use.According to the NHS, sunbeds are more harmful than natural sunlight because they emit concentrated UV radiation, increasing the risk of skin cancer, premature ageing, sunburn…

Gareth Wyn WilliamsBBC WalesGetty ImagesIn 2015, Wylfa’s last reactor was closed down and it began the long process of being decommissioned, ending 44 years of generationWhen the turbines fell silent at Wylfa exactly ten years ago today, Wales lost its last source of nuclear energy. But, for Anglesey, the decade since has been characterised by job losses, stagnant investment and an economy still trying to replace one of the island’s largest employers.Opened in 1971, it was the second Magnox power station in Wales after Trawsfynydd came online six years earlier, with seawater an ideal coolant due to its location on…

Osmond ChiaBusiness reporterGetty ImagesChina has proposed strict new rules for artificial intelligence (AI) to provide safeguards for children and prevent chatbots from offering advice that could lead to self-harm or violence.Under the planned regulations, developers will also need to ensure their AI models do not generate content that promotes gambling.The announcement comes after a surge in the number of chatbots being launched in China and around the world.Once finalised, the rules will apply to AI products and services in China, marking a major move to regulate the fast-growing technology, which has come under intense scrutiny over safety concerns this year.The…

A rising number of end-of-life patients in hospitals could affect the level of treatment carried out this winter, a group of regional NHS leaders have been told. A consultant in palliative care highlighted the impending “crisis” during an online internal meeting of health leaders in Sussex, a recording of which has been heard by the BBC.The consultant at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust described dilemmas facing hospital managers when some patients are having to be given end-of-life care in A&E corridors.The bleak assessment is likely to be echoed in other NHS regions as building winter pressures increase the challenge of…

PA MediaThe medieval David I silver coin was discovered in a wooded area near Penicuik, Midlothian, and has now been allocated to National Museums ScotlandThe earliest known coin to be minted in Scotland almost 900 years ago has been acquired for the nation after it was found by a metal detectorist.The medieval David I silver coin, discovered in a wooded area near Penicuik, Midlothian in 2023, has been dated to the second half of the 1130s.As required by law it was reported it to Treasure Trove and allocated to National Museums Scotland (NMS) by the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel.The…

Chris VallanceSenior technology reporterGetty ImagesOne in three adults in the UK are using artificial intelligence (AI) for emotional support or social interaction, according to research published by a government body.And one in 25 people turned to the tech for support or conversation every day, the AI Security Institute (AISI) said in its first report. The report is based on two years of testing the abilities of more than 30 unnamed advanced AIs – covering areas critical to security, including cyber skills, chemistry and biology.The government said AISI’s work would support its future plans by helping companies fix problems “before their…

A Worthing first responder is backing a campaign to address gender inequality in life-saving treatment during cardiac arrests.Research shows women are 27% less likely than men to receive CPR from bystanders. Campaigners say stigma and uncertainty about removing bras for defibrillator use are part of the problem.The initiative, called #BraOffDefibOn, was launched in 2022 to raise awareness and normalise bra removal when using a defibrillator. It aims to ensure women get the same chance of survival as men.Sally Holmes, a community first responder in Worthing, has delivered dozens of CPR training sessions this year. She says the goal is to…