Ants are able to detect the scent of cancer in urine, scientists have found.
It was earlier discovered that several types of cancer alter the smell of urine but experts have, for the first time, found ants to have this ability.
Findings published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences say the insects could be used as a cost-effective way to identify cancers in patients.
“Ants can be used as bio-detectors to discriminate healthy individuals from tumour-bearing ones," said study author Prof Patrizia d’Ettorre, of Sorbonne Paris Nord University in Paris, France.
“They are easy to train, learn fast, are very efficient and are not expensive to keep.”
This research builds on a previous study by Prof d’Ettorre and her colleagues in which they showed ants were able to “sniff out” human cancer cells grown in a laboratory.
For the current study, the researchers exposed 70 ants belonging to the species known as Formica fusca to urine from mice with and without tumours.
After three trials, the ants were able to tell the difference between the urine odour of healthy mice from that of mice with tumours.
Ants have a very sensitive olfactory system, the researchers said.
Products that contain cancer-causing chemical - in pictures
“We trained them with associative learning to associate a given odour — cancer — with a reward and, after very few trials, they learnt the association," Prof d’Ettorre said.
“This is more similar to a real-life situation than using cultured cancer cells. We were surprised by how efficient and reliable the ants are.”
From there, the researchers want to see if the ants can do the same with human urine.
Previous research has shown dogs can detect cancer through the smell of urine after being trained.
There are also electronic devices that can detect certain types of cancer — such as bladder, breast or prostate — from urine samples.
People with type 2 diabetes 'twice as likely to die from some cancers'
People with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to die from some cancers compared to the general population, a study has shown.
Patients with the condition have an increased risk of dying from pancreatic, bowel or liver cancers, researchers found.
Women with type 2 diabetes also face a higher risk of dying from endometrial cancer.
Overall, people with the condition have an 18 per cent increased risk of dying from cancer, says the study published in the journal Diabetologia.
Researchers from the University of Leicester said that cancer risk should be given “a similar level of attention” as other complications of type 2 diabetes, such as the increased risk of heart disease.
Hidden nitrates found in processed foods - in pictures
The study, funded by charity Hope Against Cancer, found that women with type 2 diabetes had a 9 per cent increased risk of dying from breast cancer, and the risk appeared to be increasing.
They suggested that it could be beneficial to extend breast cancer screening, which is currently offered to women aged 50 to 71 in England, so that younger women with type 2 diabetes could also be scanned.
The team examined data on 137,804 people in the UK with the disorder, who had an average age of 64, and tracked them for more than eight years.
During the follow-up period, more than 39,000 people involved with the study died.
Across the period studied, 1998 to 2018, researchers analysed trends in mortality among those in the study and compared them to people in the general population.
They found that cancer death rates among people with type 2 diabetes aged 55 years and 65 years decreased slightly during the study period.
But they increased among people aged 75 years and 85 years.
World Cancer Day: 12 celebrities open up about having the disease - in pictures
“If you’re living with type 2 diabetes, over time, high blood glucose, blood pressure and blood fat levels can cause serious long-term damage to the body, including to the eyes, heart, nerves and kidneys," Dr Lucy Chambers, head of research communications at Diabetes UK, said in response to the study.
“Type 2 diabetes is also linked to increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, and both conditions can have common risk factors.
“This research indicates that while people with type 2 diabetes in the UK tend to be living longer, deaths from some type of cancers appear to be increasing, particularly in older people with type 2 diabetes.
“These findings highlight the need for further research into cancer causes and prevention in this population.”
yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
How Alia's experiment will help humans get to Mars
Alia’s winning experiment examined how genes might change under the stresses caused by being in space, such as cosmic radiation and microgravity.
Her samples were placed in a machine on board the International Space Station. called a miniPCR thermal cycler, which can copy DNA multiple times.
After the samples were examined on return to Earth, scientists were able to successfully detect changes caused by being in space in the way DNA transmits instructions through proteins and other molecules in living organisms.
Although Alia’s samples were taken from nematode worms, the results have much bigger long term applications, especially for human space flight and long term missions, such as to Mars.
It also means that the first DNA experiments using human genomes can now be carried out on the ISS.
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
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Who are the Soroptimists?
The first Soroptimists club was founded in Oakland, California in 1921. The name comes from the Latin word soror which means sister, combined with optima, meaning the best.
The organisation said its name is best interpreted as ‘the best for women’.
Since then the group has grown exponentially around the world and is officially affiliated with the United Nations. The organisation also counts Queen Mathilde of Belgium among its ranks.
NATIONAL%20SELECTIONS
%3Cp%3E6pm%3A%20Falling%20Shadow%3Cbr%3E6.35pm%3A%20Quality%20Boone%3Cbr%3E7.10pm%3A%20Al%20Dasim%3Cbr%3E7.45pm%3A%20Withering%3Cbr%3E8.20pm%3A%20Lazuli%3Cbr%3E8.55pm%3A%20Tiger%20Nation%3Cbr%3E9.30pm%3A%20Modern%20News%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE SPECS
2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE
Engine: 1.8 litre combined with 16-volt electric motors
Transmission: Automatic with manual shifting mode
Power: 121hp
Torque: 142Nm
Price: Dh95,900
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.