New research shows that the venom of Polybia Paulista, a Brazilian wasp, contains a powerful drug that attacks tumour cells without harming normal cells. It works by destroying lipids, which form the fatty tissue of certain cell surfaces.

Dr Paul Beales, of the University of Leeds, explains to Newsday how the venom kills cancer.

(Photo: The Polybia Paulista wasp. Credit: Prof. Mario Palma/Sao Paulo State University.)