Articles by Charlotte Smith

Autotrader urges UK drivers to never park under these three types of trees

With autumn causing leaves to fall across the country daily, UK motorists could be parking their vehicles underneath some costly trees. In a fresh warning, car-selling specialists at Autotrader are reminding drivers which trees are the worst offenders when it comes to staining paintwork. Autotrader's LCV Reviewer Tom Roberts explains the importance of car care during the colder and wetter months . He said: "Many common UK trees, like oak and sycamore, release tannins and organic acids where their wet leaves land, and these substances can stain or corrode the paintwork on your car if they are not removed in time. "Larger cars like MPVs are at a higher risk of catching wet leaves, with their larger roofs providing more surface area for leaves to cling to. Simple precautions, like removing the leaves from the roof and body of your car and washing your car regularly, even in winter, can help stop this damage from happening, as well as being mindful of which kind of tree you’re parking under." The car specialist also reminds motorists parking under or near trees this autumn to regularly remove fallen leaves from their cars, rather than waiting for rain or a car wash to remove them. He said: "If you have no choice but to park under a tree, you should try to remove any fallen leaves regularly to prevent prolonged exposure to tannins and sap. "Also, be aware that removing hardened sap on your own can make the damage worse, so it’s best to visit a professional detailer to avoid further degradation to your car’s paintwork. Consider applying a protective layer of wax or sealant on the exterior of your car, as an extra line of defence. "Protecting your paintwork like this will not only hopefully help you avoid paying for costly repairs but will help the car maintain its value when the time comes to sell it on." Below is a list of his top 'worst offenders' to avoid parking under. Tom says that oak trees, one of the most common tree species in the UK, are well known for having particularly high levels of tannins. These are natural compounds that prevent decay in plants, but if wet oak leaves land on your car, these compounds can leach out and leave stubborn brown or yellow stains. "This can be even more problematic for cars with light coloured paintwork, where removing the stain can prove more difficult without professional treatment," he said. Sycamore trees aren’t native to the UK but are common. Tom says: "These leaves also leach tannins, which can result in brown spots on the paintwork of a car, but it’s the sap they produce that can be more problematic. "Becoming sticky with a substance called honeydew, which is produced by aphids feeding on the leaves, the sap can land on cars and create a breeding ground for mould, or the leaves falling create debris, which can also impact the paintwork." Maple trees, native to the UK, are found in both rural and urban areas. Similar to oak trees and sycamore trees, Maple tree leaves hold tannins that can stain car paint when wet, but like sycamore trees, it’s the sap they produce that predominantly causes car problems. Tom says: "Maple tree sap tends to harden and bond tightly to a car's paintwork when left for a period, becoming incredibly difficult to remove. If caught early enough, hot water and soap can be effective; however, once it has hardened, professional detailing may be necessary to remove it without damaging the car." Pine trees are less common in the UK, but Scots Pine is a native species and can be found around car parking areas in woodlands. Pine needles are notorious for their extremely sticky sap, according to Tom, which also hardens quickly, and can cause cracks in the vehicle’s clear coat – leading to rust and corrosion. Tom says: "Silver birch and downy birch trees are native to the UK and are found throughout the country. Wild cherry trees and black poplar trees can also be found around some parts of the UK. All these trees produce sticky sap that hardens quickly, but poplar sap can be particularly corrosive and thus damaging to car paintwork."

2 days ago

Technology

Boots selling 25 No7 products for £2.40 each in new Christmas deal - full list

Boots is giving shoppers the chance to treat themselves or someone special to a bundle of 25 No7 beauty products for a fraction of their usual cost. With October coming to an end next week, many people across the UK will start thinking ahead to Christmas , with some keen to get a head start on present shopping to spread costs. For anyone who enjoys No7 products, Boots' new 25 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar could be a stocking filler option. The calendar contains 25 individual items worth £236.34. However, Boots is selling all 25 items for £60 instead, which, when broken down, means customers are only spending £2.40 per product, which is a saving of £176.34. The calendar is full of a mixture of No7 goodies , from skincare to makeup . Some items are full-size while others are travel-size . Shoppers could keep all the items for themselves, or put some to one side to wrap as Christmas presents given the 'bargain' price. Boots says: "This Christmas, immerse yourself with a daily dose of beauty. With an ultimate collection of 25 irresistible skincare and gorgeous beauty treats waiting to be revealed behind each door." It adds: "Your luxurious countdown to Christmas has arrived." Inside, customers can enjoy what Boots claims to be its number one best-selling serum . Users can also "discover No7's most popular skincare and makeup products", including Future Renew Skincare. In terms of makeup, there are various No7 Pro Artist products, featuring matte muse lipstick, liquid blush, lip shine oil and more. If you are looking for a beauty advent calendar this Christmas, whether for yourself or to give someone close, there are other options to consider besides Boots. Superdrug is selling the Revolution The Superdrug Edit Advent Calendar for £40, which is full of items worth £102.43, but only costs £1.60 each in the deal. Debenhams has its Beauty Advent Calendar 2025 , which is worth over £700, on sale for £135 - down from £150. At Amazon, shoppers can get the Baylis & Harding Jojoba, Vanilla and Almond Oil Luxury 24 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar Gift Set for £37.34, down from £45. In the reviews for Boots' 25 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar many people have praised it for being a 'lovely' Christmas gift. One shopper said: "Ideal Christmas gift. Perfect for those you care for. Great price helps." A second said: "Great products in the advert calendar. Great Christmas gift idea, too." A third said, "Great price, great items, and a super-looking pre-Christmas Gift." Another said: "Fantastic value for money with amazing range of quality products... a Christmas 'must buy'." However, some people weren't too impressed. One customer was unhappy with the nail polish, writing: "Got this for Christmas and it’s already horribly gloopy and unusable. And when I’ve use it before it peels off really easily after a day or two." Someone else wrote about the primer: "I got it in a Christmas set, but every time I use it, it makes my skin red and blotchy, and I’m not sure why." A third mentioned the look of the calendar, saying: "Packaging is a huge disappointment. Not of the quality to be expected." But plenty of other people enjoyed the calendar. One customer said: "It’s amazing if you love No 7. Has everything I use plus more and fantastic value. Yeah, I brought this for myself to open now and top up my supplies at a great price!! Go for it." Another put: "Really good price and value for money, would definitely buy again." Someone else said: "Very nice gift set for any occasion- always like No 7 products, so this is perfect for me - bargain price too."

Oct 23, 2025

Technology

Breast cancer treatment breakthrough as new antibody offers hope

A newly developed antibody which restricts the growth of treatment-resistant breast cancers offers new hope for patients . It may be able to treat some of the most aggressive forms of the deadly disease, say scientists. The breakthrough gives new options for patients whose cancers no longer respond to existing therapies and those with triple-negative breast cancer , for which current treatments are limited. Researchers at King’s College London designed the new antibody that not only attacks the tumour cells directly but also harnesses the body’s own immune defences. They explained that the first of its kind "triple-engineered antibody" latches onto cancer cells on one end and draws in immune cells on the other. The Breast Cancer Now Research Unit at King’s College London has been in the vanguard of work to modify antibodies to boost their ability to activate immune cells for more than a decade. The team focuses on studying the patient’s immune system to design and test innovative antibodies that can activate the patient’s immune response. In the new study, published in the journal Cancer Research, lab experiments and animal models revealed that the modified antibody bound immune cells more strongly compared to current treatments. That activated the immune cells already present in the tumour to attack it, limiting the growth of tumours in triple-negative and treatment-resistant breast cancers. The research team also found that the modified antibody activated immune cells circulating in the bloodstream, which could boost the body’s overall ability to detect and fight cancer. Study first author Dr Alicia Chenoweth said: “By making a few key changes in the structure of the antibody, we found that it could activate the immune system much more powerfully than an unmodified antibody currently used in breast cancer treatment. Many of the immune cells in breast tumours are in a ‘suppressed’ state, difficult to activate with unmodified antibodies. "We found our triple-engineered antibodies were not only able to activate these immune cells to kill the cancer cells, but shifted these immune cells to a more ‘activated’ state overall.” Study leader Professor Sophia Karagiannis said: “By examining key immune cell receptors in breast tumours, including those tumours resistant to chemotherapy and immunotherapy, we have designed our antibody to make them interact better and harness the immune system in a way that has never been done or tested in cancer before. “If it proves successful, it could stimulate the immune system directly and address the significant unmet need we see in treatment resistant cancers including triple-negative breast cancer.” Triple-negative breast cancer accounts for around 15 per cent of all breast cancers. Prof Karagiannis explained that it lacks receptors for the hormones oestrogen and progesterone and the HER2 protein, which are often treatment targets in other subtypes of breast cancer. Because it lacks those targets, standard hormone therapies and drugs that target HER2 are ineffective, leaving patients with fewer treatment options and a higher risk of recurrence. Dr Simon Vincent, chief scientific officer at Breast Cancer Now, said: "This promising, early-stage research offers hope for more and better treatments for over 8,000 women who are diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer each year in the UK." He added: “We know how urgently these women need new treatment options, as this form of the disease can be more challenging to treat, may be more likely to return or spread in the first few years following treatment, and it affects younger women and black women more than other groups. By funding research like this, we’re driving progress towards ensuring everyone with breast cancer lives and lives well.” The King’s College team is now working towards developing immune-active antibodies that can be tested in patients in clinical trials. Further lab work is being conducted to optimise the therapy, including extending the antibody's life in the body and ensuring it can activate a broader range of immune cells. The research team say the new therapy has the potential to treat other cancers, as one of the antibody targets is also present in ovarian and endometrial cancers.

Oct 23, 2025

Technology

Amlodipine NHS 'caution alert' to anyone taking it for high blood pressure

The NHS has a word of warning on its website for anyone taking a common medication for high blood pressure . Otherwise known as hypertension, the medical condition impacts around one in three adults in the UK , and many might not even realise they have it. Since high blood pressure raises the chances of having a stroke, developing heart disease, or facing kidney issues, it's really important to treat it early. This is where antihypertensive medications come into play. As of 2025, amlodipine (a calcium channel blocker) and ramipril (an ACE inhibitor) are among the most frequently prescribed drugs in the UK. Amlodipine alone accounts for more than 30 million prescriptions each year . These medications are often taken for a long time or even a lifetime, and are usually prescribed if a patient is not able to lower their blood pressure naturally through a healthy diet and lifestyle, or if the medication is required due to genetic factors. Taking amlodipine can help to prevent future heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. It's also used to help with chest pain from heart disease (angina). Amlodipine works on high blood pressure by relaxing and widening your blood vessels. This reduces your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to circulate blood throughout your body. When you have angina, you typically experience chest pain because the arteries leading to your heart have become stiff and narrow. Amlodipine assists by enhancing the blood and oxygen flow to your heart. You can only get this medicine with a prescription. It comes in tablet form or as a liquid that you swallow. According to the NHS , amlodipine is typically taken once daily. You can choose any time of day for this, but it's best to stick to the same time each day. Amlodipine tablets and liquid can be taken with or without food. Make sure to swallow the tablets whole and have a glass of water with both the tablets and the liquid. If you find it easier, you can dissolve the tablets in a glass of water, but be sure to drink it all right away if you do that. When taking the medication, people should avoid one drink. A statement on the NHS website says: "Do not take amlodipine with grapefruit juice. Having large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice can increase how much amlodipine is in your body and make side effects worse. If you are affected, you may have to avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking amlodipine." "Having large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice can increase the concentration of amlodipine in your body and make side effects worse. If you are affected, you may have to avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking amlodipine. "Tell your doctor if you have any increased side effects, such as feeling dizzy, flushing or getting headaches , after eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice. Otherwise, you can eat and drink normally while taking amlodipine." You shouldn't mix amlodipine with grapefruit. Grapefruit contains substances that block the CYP3A4 enzyme in your liver and intestines. This enzyme helps break down amlodipine. If the medication is not broken down properly and the CYP3A4 enzyme is blocked, it means more amlodipine will stay in your system instead of being processed. This can cause higher amounts of amlodipine in your blood, boosting its effects and raising the chances of serious side effects like dangerously low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting. If you're on amlodipine, avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Don't hesitate to chat with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about how food or drinks might interact with your medication. Grapefruits are the main fruit to steer clear of while on Amlodipine, which includes red, pink, white, and Blanco types. Seville oranges (commonly found in orange marmalade), pomelos, and tangelos (a hybrid of tangerines and grapefruits) might produce similar effects, so it's advisable to avoid these fruits when using amlodipine. The NHS says: "Usually, treatment with amlodipine is long-term, even for the rest of your life. Talk to your doctor if you want to stop taking amlodipine. Stopping may cause your blood pressure to rise, and this may increase your risk of heart attack and stroke." If you're bothered by side effects, your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine. In an important note to patients, the health service adds: "Take amlodipine even if you feel well, as you'll still be getting the benefits of the medicine." These common side effects of amlodipine happen in more than 1 in 100 people. They're usually mild and only last for a short time. There are things you can do to help cope with them. Rest and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid drinking too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Headaches should usually go away after the first week of taking amlodipine. Talk to your doctor if they last longer than a week or are severe. If amlodipine makes you feel dizzy, stop what you're doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. Do not drive, ride a bike or operate tools or machinery until the dizziness passes. Try cutting down on coffee, tea and alcohol. It might also help to keep the room cool and use a fan. You could also spray your face with cool water or sip cold or iced drinks. This side effect should go away after a few days. If it does not go away or is causing you problems, contact your doctor. If this happens regularly after you take your medicine, try to take amlodipine when you can sit down (or lie down) when the symptoms are at their worst. It may help to cut down on alcohol, smoking, caffeine, and big meals, as these may make the problem worse. Speak to your doctor if you have a history of heart disease and the palpitations last a long time, get worse, or do not improve, or if you are worried. Raise your legs when you're sitting down. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and the side effects bother you or last for more than a few days. You can boost the health of your heart by making some key lifestyle changes. These will also help if you have high blood pressure or angina: If you have heart failure, it's recommended that you have the flu vaccine every year and the pneumococcal vaccine as recommended by your GP. Ask your doctor about these vaccinations. You can have them for free on the NHS. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for most people. Make sure you've had all the doses you are eligible for. Talk to your doctor if you think you might be in one of the at-risk groups.

Oct 9, 2025