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BEDROOM SPARKS: People who say they have experienced “fireworks” in the bedroom may not be completely exaggerating. 

Scientists have tracked the moment of conception and have captured “radiant zinc fireworks” when sperm meets egg.

A team of US researchers found that human life begins in a flash of light as an explosion of tiny sparks erupts from the egg at the exact moment of conception.

The size of these “sparks” is a direct measure of the quality of the egg and its ability to develop into an embryo, they added.

The scientists from Northwestern University in Chicago said that the discovery could help fertility doctors decide which are the best eggs to implant for IVF (in vitro fertilisation).

PROTEIN POWER: Scientists have made a discovery that could lead to new treatments for a deadly and incurable brain cancer.

Glioblastoma brain tumours are resistant to radiation, chemotherapy, and difficult to remove with surgery, and patients survive for an average of 16 months after being diagnosed.

But now researchers have found a “key player” protein in the brain tumour formation which means scientists can examine it as a possible target for future treatments.

The study, published in Nature Neuroscience, found that the protein OSMR is required for glioblastoma tumours to form.

“Being able to stop tumour formation entirely was a dramatic and stunning result,” said Dr Rudnicki, senior author of the study.

“It means that this protein is a key piece of the puzzle, and could be a possible target for future treatments.”

EARLY TO RISE: Flu vaccines are more effective when given in the mornings, research suggests. A study of 276 people found a better bodily response to vaccines if they were given before 11am, suggesting a higher level of protection.

The study, published in the journal Vaccine, saw over-65s vaccinated against three strains of flu, either during morning GP surgeries (9am-11am) or afternoon surgeries (3pm-5pm).

For two of the three strains, there was a significantly bigger increase in antibody concentration one month after vaccination for those receiving the jab in the morning, compared with those given the jab during the afternoon. For the third strain of flu, there was no significant difference between morning and afternoon sessions.