Stonefish venom research may hold key to treating stings described as ‘worse than childbirth’

Study reveals toxicity of the world's most venomous fish is potent enough to cause cardiac arrest and paralyse other muscles

New research into the venom in stonefish - the world's most venomous fish - may lead to better treatments for beachgoers who are stung when they unwittingly step on them.

Though reef stonefish don't look like heartstoppers, their venom is potent enough to cause cardiac arrest and paralyse other muscles, scientists at the University of Queensland and Ghent University in Belgium have found.