NEWSROOM
mRNA breakthrough offers new hope against H.I.V.
The same mRNA technology that propelled Covid-19 vaccines may hold the key to curing H.I.V., according to Australian scientists. Researchers at the Doherty Institute in Melbourne used mRNA to coax dormant H.I.V. out of immune cells — a critical step in the long-sought “shock and kill” strategy for eradicating the virus.
While the method has yet to be tested in animals or humans, it underscores mRNA’s potential beyond vaccines. The same delivery system might one day be used to treat genetic diseases or supply missing proteins.
The discovery comes amid growing uncertainty over the future of H.I.V. research. The U.S. government recently cancelled major federal funding for vaccine initiatives, including a $258mn programme involving Duke and Scripps institutes. Prevention programmes have also been cut and funds for state-level H.I.V. efforts paused.
Public health experts have warned this could reverse decades of progress. Globally, H.I.V. still infected 1.3 million people in 2023.
France to introduce sweeping smoking ban
A country renowned for its stereotype of artists smoking on café terraces will ban smoking on beaches, in parks, and near schools from 1 July.
The new restrictions extend smoke-free initiatives launched by more than 1,600 local councils. Under the new rules, anyone caught smoking in banned areas could face a €135 fine. The government aims to create a “tobacco-free generation” by 2032.
Daily smoking among adults in France is at its lowest since the 1990s, with 23% reporting regular use. Among 17-year-olds, the rate has dropped from 25% in 2017 to 16% today. The expansion of smoke-free zones is seen as a key tool in continuing this decline.
The move has broad public backing, with a recent survey showing 78% support for banning smoking in new public spaces. France attributes around 200 deaths a day to tobacco use, with an estimated annual cost of €156bn. Cigarette butts are also a major environmental pollutant, with up to 25,000 tonnes discarded annually.
The ban will not cover e-cigarettes, which are used by 6% of teenagers.
New brick-stacking method cuts air pollution in Bangladesh
A new study has shown that simple, low-cost changes in how bricks are stacked could significantly reduce air pollution in Bangladesh, one of the most polluted countries in the world.
During the dry winter months, thousands of kilns across the country fire clay bricks using coal, releasing thick black smoke. These kilns, often near schools and densely populated areas, contribute up to 40% of harmful fine particulate matter in the air.
Researchers studying 276 kilns found that better airflow through zig-zag stacking and more consistent coal feeding improved combustion and cut fuel use by 23%. This led to a 20% drop in both carbon emissions and air pollutants. Kiln owners also saw savings of up to $40,000 per season and improved brick quality.
Despite efforts to modernise, more than 90% of Bangladesh’s 30 million bricks per year are made in traditional kilns, which are cheaper to build but highly inefficient. Most of these kilns are unregulated and some operate illegally close to schools, exposing children and workers to dangerous levels of pollution.
The researchers are now working with the government to expand these practical reforms. With more than 8,000 kilns in operation, wider adoption could make a measurable difference in the country’s air quality and public health.
Heat pump planning rule lifted in push to cut emissions
A rule requiring heat pumps to be installed at least one metre from a neighbour’s property has been lifted in England, to boost uptake of the low-carbon technology.
The change – part of the Warm Homes Plan– is aimed at making installations easier for the country’s six million terraced homes. Previously, homeowners had to seek planning permission, which added delays of up to ten weeks and deterred those replacing broken gas boilers.
But high upfront costs of heat pumps remain the biggest obstacle, particularly for older housing where pipework upgrades and insulation may also be needed. Heat pumps are more energy-efficient than gas boilers and emit fewer greenhouse gases, especially as the UK’s electricity grid becomes greener.
The planning reform also eases rules around the number and size of units allowed per property. Households in conservation areas may still require permission. In 2021, terraced homes made up nearly a quarter of English households.
Social housing projects like Sutton Dwellings in Chelsea have already adopted heat pump networks, but such schemes often rely on limited government grants. Renters remain dependent on landlords to make the switch.
The government says it is exploring new financing models, including subscriptions, and plans to consult on electricity pricing reforms to make cleaner heating more affordable. From 2030, landlords will face mandatory energy efficiency upgrades.
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