Researchers discovered that a human protein called ANP32A helps the virus replicate in human cells. Understanding this mechanism may lead to the development of new antiviral treatments for seasonal flu and pandemics.
Researchers at Imperial College London have discovered two clusters of genes linked to human intelligence, which may influence cognitive functions such as memory and attention. The study provides new insights into the genetic basis of intelligence and may lead to future treatments for neurodevelopmental diseases.
Researchers at Imperial College London have genetically modified Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes to be infertile, using a gene drive technology that can spread the trait rapidly. The goal is to reduce the spread of malaria parasites, which infect over 200 million people annually and cause 430,000 deaths.
Researchers argue that investing in simple diagnostic tests like pulse oximetry can prevent pneumonia deaths and end disease epidemics in the under-fives. The tests could also detect infected individuals with malaria and Ebola, potentially eliminating these diseases.
A study published in The BMJ found that weekend births in England are associated with a higher rate of complications, including maternal infections and perinatal death. Researchers analyzed over 1.3 million births between 2010 and 2012 and found that rates varied according to the day of the week.
Researchers from Imperial College London have discovered a method to heat ions directly using high-intensity lasers, potentially leading to faster and more efficient fusion reactions. The technique, which uses electrostatic shockwaves to accelerate ions, could be used at many laser facilities worldwide.
A new €23 million initiative, EAVI2020, accelerates the search for an effective HIV vaccine by uniting leading researchers from across Europe and beyond. The project aims to develop protective and therapeutic vaccines through collaborative efforts.
Research reveals that fluctuating sea levels and global cooling led to a significant decline in the number of crocodylian species over millions of years. The study found that changes in climate had a major impact on these creatures, with many surviving only in warmer parts of the world.
Researchers call for improved early miscarriage diagnosis guidelines as a new study reveals the current standard may lead to misdiagnosis. A two-scan approach up to 14 days apart can improve accuracy and reduce false positives.
A new study has found a potential treatment for Parkinson's disease by targeting specific nerve cells, showing promising results in rats. The technique could lead to less invasive and more precise treatment options for patients.
Researchers at Imperial College London have created a fluorescent molecule that can reveal the presence of quadruplexes in living cells. This breakthrough could be a game changer to accelerate research into these DNA structures and identify new compounds that can bind to them, potentially leading to new cancer treatments.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a new seasickness treatment using a mild electrical current applied to the scalp. The treatment reduces responses in an area of the brain responsible for processing motion signals, helping prevent symptoms of motion sickness. Short-term use is expected to be safe and effective.
High levels of saturated fat in the blood can lead to monocytes migrating into tissues, exacerbating inflammation and tissue damage. This research suggests that maintaining high concentrations of saturated fats may worsen cardiovascular disease outcomes.
Researchers have identified a protein called sigma54 that controls bacterial defenses, including the production of resistant outer coats and defensive structures. Understanding how sigma54 works could lead to the development of new compounds that can kill bacteria, providing a potential solution to antibiotic resistance.
Scientists have discovered how earthworms digest plant material despite toxic chemicals produced by plants. The discovery highlights the importance of drilodefensins, molecules in the earthworm gut that counteract plant defenses.
Scientists discovered that the brain chemical GABA acts as a 'brake' to regulate wakefulness and sleep, leading to hyperactivity in mice without GABA. The study has implications for developing new drugs to promote better sleep and treat conditions like mania and bipolar disorder.
The increasing levels of fossil fuel emissions could dilute radioactive carbon-14 in the atmosphere, artificially raising its age. This could impact various applications of radiocarbon dating, including archaeology, art authentication, and neurological research, potentially affecting results by the 2020s.
Scientists have discovered a new variant of Group A streptococcus that produces more toxin and has lost its outer capsule, leading to increased severity of infections. The new variant is spreading globally, with reports from Japan, Canada, France, and Sweden, raising concerns about periodic upsurges in disease cases.
A UK trial has shown significant benefits in lung function for patients with cystic fibrosis who received gene therapy. The treatment involves replacing the faulty gene responsible for the disease and was found to be safe and effective. Further research is needed to improve its effectiveness before it can be used as a clinical treatment.
A study suggests that cortisol and testosterone levels in traders can lead to increased risk-taking behavior, potentially destabilizing financial markets. Researchers found that artificially increasing hormone levels shifted investment towards riskier assets.
Researchers at Imperial College London have identified a new genetic defect that causes severe obesity and type 2 diabetes in humans. The defect is associated with an impaired protein called carboxypeptidase-E, which regulates appetite, insulin, and reproductive hormones.
A new breath test has shown encouraging results in diagnosing esophageal and gastric cancer by detecting unique chemical compounds in exhaled breath. The test is 90% accurate and can be performed in minutes, compared to hours using traditional methods.
A new measurement and modelling tool can predict coronal mass ejections with more than 24 hours' notice, improving forecasting of geomagnetic storms that affect GPS technology, utility grids, and satellite systems.
A new study has found high levels of hepatitis C (HCV) infection across Africa, particularly in people infected with HIV. The report, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, found that around three per cent of people in sub-Saharan Africa have been infected with HCV infection, rising to 5.7 per cent in individuals with HIV.
A new study predicts life expectancy will increase for men from 79.5 to 85.7 years and for women from 83.3 to 87.6 years by 2030. Regional inequality in life expectancy is expected to rise, highlighting the need to help deprived districts catch up with affluent areas.
A study by Imperial College London identifies chemical markers in urine associated with body mass, providing insights into how obesity causes disease. The findings suggest that obesity has a 'metabolic signature' detectable in urine samples, pointing to processes that could be targeted to mitigate its effects.
Research reveals that selectively-logged tropical forests, which account for 30% of global rainforests, contain up to 64% dead wood, leading to increased carbon emissions. This study suggests that a large proportion of forests worldwide are less sinks and more sources of carbon dioxide.
A major study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that treatments for alcoholic hepatitis, including prednisolone and pentoxifylline, are ineffective at increasing patient survival. The study involved over 1,000 patients and found that mortality rates remained high despite treatment.
Researchers have discovered a protein called LEM that promotes the proliferation of cytotoxic T cells, which kill cancer cells and cells infected with viruses. The discovery could lead to new gene therapies designed to boost infection-fighting cells and provide a robust treatment for patients.
New research reveals that logging can cause significant declines in invertebrate diversity, but ecosystems can adapt to these changes by shifting responsibilities among species. In contrast, vertebrates are less diverse and more vulnerable to new challenges, making them a risky substitute for invertebrates.
Researchers at Imperial College London and Houston Methodist Research Institute have successfully delivered nucleic acids to specific areas of the body using nanoneedles, prompting the formation of new blood vessels in mice. This breakthrough technique shows promise for treating damaged organs and nerves by repairing themselves.
A new study by Imperial College London reveals that head injury patients exhibit changes in brain structure similar to those seen in older people. The researchers estimate that these patients are around five years older on average than their real age.
New research reveals that Ebola progresses quickly and is fatal for young children, with a lower chance of survival compared to adults. The study found that nearly 90% of children under one year old and around 80% of children aged one to four years who are infected have died.
Researchers used genetic analysis to trace the source of infection in a British patient with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). The study found that the patient caught the infection from a healthcare worker who had worked in South Africa, highlighting the need for effective infection prevention measures.
Researchers have discovered a valley beneath East Antarctica's most rapidly-changing glacier, accelerating melting and thinning of the Totten Glacier's ice shelf. Climate change is raising global sea levels, with the glacier potentially representing a major component.
A team of researchers used micro-CT scans to explore why making willow trees grow at an angle can vastly improve their biofuel yields. Tilted willows respond by producing a sugar-rich, gelatinous fibre that helps them stay upright.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a new technique called BASIC for creating artificial DNA, which combines the best features of existing methods while overcoming their limitations. The system enables fast and flexible assembly of genes with high accuracy, making it suitable for industrial-scale use.
Scientists at Imperial College London developed a test using human stem cells to predict severe immune reactions to new drugs. The test recreates the unique conditions found in blood vessels, making it a more reliable method than current tests.
A recent study published in the Lancet found that babies with severely restricted growth in the womb who were monitored using late ductus venosus changes had better neurodevelopmental outcomes than those who were monitored using other techniques. The researchers recommend that these babies should be supervised in specialist centers whe...
The NHS savings plan resulted in reduced use of procedures considered low-value. However, the application of these reductions was inconsistent across commissioning groups, with some trusts increasing their rates.
Researchers at Imperial College London discovered that certain sedatives work by 'switching on' neurons in a specific brain region, triggering deep sleep. The findings could lead to targeted remedies for insomnia and more effective anaesthetic drugs.
A study found that maternity hospital ratings did not influence the number of pregnant women attending top-ranked hospitals or avoiding low-ranked ones. Satisfaction levels also showed no significant improvement at worst-rated hospitals compared to others with similar satisfaction levels initially.
Researchers found that flash-heating experiments using NASA's Curiosity Rover instrument can destroy organic compounds if jarosite is present. This could impact the search for signs of life on Mars. The team is exploring ways to compensate for this effect, which has implications for future missions like ExoMars 2018.
A recent epigenetic study has identified over 30 genes that predispose individuals to allergies and asthma, providing potential new drug targets. The research also found biomarkers that may predict which patients will respond to existing therapies.
Research finds higher air pollution levels in England's most deprived neighborhoods, with ethnic minority areas also severely affected. The study highlights the need to reduce vehicle emissions in urban areas to address environmental inequality.
A study published in Nature Communications identified Sestrin 3 as a major regulator of the epileptic gene network, which could lead to more effective treatments. The researchers used novel computational and genetics techniques to analyze the activity of genes in epilepsy, providing new insights into the disease.
A new survey of 7,926 doctors reveals high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among those who have faced complaints or investigations. The findings highlight the need for a new structure that is transparent, fair, and has confidence from all parties to prevent negative consequences for patients.
A new study has identified genetic mutations in the titin gene that cause dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a leading cause of inherited heart failure. The study provides information that will help screen high-risk patients and develop therapies to prevent or treat heart disease caused by titin mutations.
A new study shows that focusing on biodiversity conservation can make current spending on threatened birds four times more effective. The research identifies the top 20 birds for safeguarding maximum biodiversity with minimum spend, including Botha's Lark, which currently receives no conservation spending.
Scientists found high variability in mid-depth Atlantic Ocean currents around 2,000 years before the last Ice Age ended. The team analyzed neodymium isotopes in coral fossils to gain insight into ocean circulation during the Ice Age.