Research shows that diseases traditionally associated with wealth are now prevalent in middle-income countries, while obesity and high blood pressure are rising in poorer nations. The study suggests improved diagnosis and lifestyle changes in wealthy countries may be driving the shift.
Researchers discovered genetic changes enabling H5N1 bird flu to replicate in mammalian noses, paving the way for more effective vaccines against human transmission. The findings suggest that specific mutations can mediate the spread of bird flu between humans.
Researchers grew and analysed stem cells from patients with von Willebrand disease to identify the cause of the disease in individual patients, enabling more effective treatments. The technique may also be used to treat diseases of the heart, blood and circulation, including haemophilia.
A study by Imperial College London found that adults in India who work in smokefree environments are more likely to live in a smokefree home. The implementation of smokefree legislation has been associated with reduced second-hand smoke exposure at home, highlighting the effectiveness of such laws.
A new study by Imperial College London found that hospital staff satisfaction is closely tied to the quality of patient care. The research suggests that hospitals with lower mortality rates tend to have more satisfied staff, and that non-clinical staff are just as likely to be satisfied as clinical staff.
Researchers found that handedness plays a key role in controlling the Vestibular-Ocular Reflex (VOR), a primitive reflex involving eye movement. The study suggests that higher-order brain functions govern this reflex, contradicting previous assumptions of its low-level control.
A study in Seychelles found that environmental education programs for children led to increased parental knowledge of wetlands and environmentally friendly behaviors. Parents of children who participated in these programs were more likely to conserve water, reduce waste, and adopt eco-friendly habits.
A new £2million project at Imperial College London aims to improve patient care in the NHS by bringing together data from GPs and hospitals. Researchers will analyze and link health data to demonstrate better treatment options and care, enabling a clearer picture of health trends.
A study found that certain gut microbes convert melamine into toxic cyanuric acid, accelerating kidney stone formation. This conversion process is key to understanding melamine-induced kidney failure in humans.
Researchers successfully identified individual whale sharks in 85% of cases using public photographs, comparable to professional photographer identification rates. The study suggests that citizen-sourced photos can be a valuable tool for tracking whale shark populations and monitoring conservation efforts.
Scientists at Imperial College London have discovered a new way to treat Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections in children. By boosting the accumulation of T cells and selectively attracting regulatory T cells, they aim to reduce inflammation and fight infection.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a rapid method to create new parts for biological factories, which could lead to the mass production of sophisticated devices and unlock their potential in society. This breakthrough brings scientists one step closer to an 'industrial revolution' in synthetic biology.
The international collaboration found that 20-27% of people studied were infected during the first year of circulation, with higher rates in children and lower rates in older adults. The study estimated that up to a quarter of the world's population may have been infected.
A new study suggests that maintaining a healthy environment for haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is more effective than targeting leukaemia stem cells (LSCs). This approach could lead to earlier and more targeted treatment of leukaemia by reducing competition between healthy and cancerous cells.
A new study found a substantial reduction in childhood asthma hospital admissions after the introduction of smoke-free legislation in England, with a 12.3% decrease in the first year. The law led to an equivalent of 6,802 fewer hospital admissions over the first three years.
A new study from Imperial College London found that cleaning jobs are strongly associated with an increased risk of developing asthma. Researchers tracked over 9,000 people born in Britain and found that nine percent developed asthma by age 42, with workplace risks responsible for one in six cases.
Researchers have identified a genetic trait that enables willow trees to produce more biofuel when grown at an angle, increasing yields by up to five times compared to naturally growing trees. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more productive and sustainable bioenergy crops.
Researchers aim to develop better ways to treat patients by eliminating all cancer cells and avoiding disease relapse. They will study how cancer cells evade treatment by hiding in protective compartments inside the body.
Researchers at Imperial College London discovered a key role for IL-33, a molecule that influences embryo implantation, in women who experience repeated miscarriages. The study suggests targeting these molecules could lead to new treatments for preventing miscarriage.
The UK government has allocated £21.5 million of public funding to commercialize graphene, a 'super material' with exceptional properties. Researchers at Imperial College London will explore ways to apply graphene in aerospace design, medical technologies, and other high-tech industries.
The study reveals that high blood pressure is the leading cause of death globally, followed by smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. The analysis suggests that addressing these risk factors can help reduce disease burden and improve public health.
Researchers developed a simple formula to predict a child's likelihood of becoming obese in childhood based on their birth weight, parents' body mass index, household size, mother's professional status, and smoking during pregnancy. The formula proved accurate in predicting obesity risk in infants born in Finland and other countries.
A study by Imperial College London and Brunel University researchers found that stroke patients with spatial neglect performed better when offered a financial reward. The findings suggest new behavioral therapies for stroke patients and highlight a brain system that can be targeted by drugs.
A new system can identify a single target molecule from millions of water molecules within milliseconds by trapping it on gold nanoparticles. The technology has potential uses in detecting illegal substances and pollutants, offering a compact, reusable, and easy-to-assemble solution.
Researchers at Imperial College London have identified a way in which Salmonella bacteria counteract human cell defenses. The study found that Salmonella injects a protein that prevents cells from recycling transport carriers, effectively cutting off the supply line of toxic enzymes.
Researchers at Imperial College London confirm the life-saving role of specialist heart attack centres through a new study. The findings show that primary angioplasty reduces death rates from heart attacks by 22% when bias is accounted for, highlighting the importance of making these centres widely available.
A new study maps England's heart disease rates, showing a growing gap between rich and poor communities, especially among those over 65. The research highlights the need for targeted interventions to address social determinants of health and improve cardiovascular care in vulnerable populations.
The UK Government has imposed a ban on importing foreign ash trees due to the risk of fungal disease Chalara. Researchers argue that the nursery trade and plant buying public need to be more aware of biosecurity risks, and that public debate is needed to establish tougher international regulation.
Scientists at Imperial College London developed a prototype ultra-sensitive sensor that can detect biomarkers for diseases like prostate cancer and HIV with the naked eye. The technology is ten times more sensitive than current gold standard methods and could be significantly cheaper to administer.
Researchers have discovered a new potential treatment for malaria that rapidly kills the blood-borne Plasmodium parasites. The molecules identified can target all stages of the parasite's life cycle, offering hope for an effective cure within ten years.
Children's hospital admissions for acute throat infections increased by 76% between 1999 and 2010, according to new research. The study found that short hospital stays accounted for the majority of admissions, but suggested that improved healthcare access could reduce unnecessary hospitalizations.
Researchers have uncovered a rare fossil called Kulindroplax, the missing link between two mollusc groups, and modelled it in a 3D computer animation. The study provides unprecedented detail, enabling scientists to understand the relationship between aplacophorans and chitons.
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that free bus passes encourage older people to walk frequently and take more journeys by active travel. This can lead to improved mental wellbeing, mobility, and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, falls, and fractures.
A study suggests that influenza can be transmitted before symptoms appear in ferrets, a model commonly used for flu research. The findings have significant implications for pandemic planning strategies and the control of epidemics.
A study by Imperial College London found that white matter structure in karate experts' brains correlates with their punching ability. The research suggests fine-tuning of neural connections in the cerebellum enables black belts to coordinate movements accurately.
A systematic analysis found that most developing countries have made limited progress towards halving childhood hunger by 2015. The study estimates that the global developing world has less than a 5% chance of meeting this target, with significant improvements seen in Asia and Latin America.
A new study found that sharp declines in vaccine uptake led to an increase in polio cases in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The introduction of more effective vaccines has proven ineffective without sufficient coverage, highlighting the need for improved vaccination programs to eradicate polio globally.
Scientists have reprogrammed amniotic fluid cells into a more versatile state similar to embryonic stem cells. The findings suggest that stem cells derived from donated amniotic fluid could be stored in banks and used for therapies, providing a viable alternative to the limited embryonic stem cells currently available.
Researchers have found that 'broken heart syndrome,' a condition causing temporary heart failure after severe emotional stress, may actually protect the heart from extremely high levels of adrenaline. The study suggests a switch in the heart's response to adrenaline might have evolved to prevent overstimulation.
A computer program using Darwinian natural selection and public feedback creates sophisticated pop tunes. The algorithm, called DarwinTunes, evolves through generations of music, with listeners consistently ranking more evolved music as more appealing.
Researchers have developed a super-sensitive test that can detect signs of a disease in its earliest stages, enabling more reliable diagnosis. The new biosensor test uses nanoscopic-sized gold stars to detect specific molecules associated with diseases like prostate cancer.
Fungal infections destroy over 125 million tonnes of crops annually, equivalent to $60 billion in damages. New fungal diseases also threaten the extinction of over 500 species of amphibian and endangered animals, posing a significant threat to global food security and biodiversity.
Researchers at Imperial College London found that allowing heart muscle cells to rest can reverse structural changes caused by heart failure. This discovery could lead to new treatment strategies without the need for serious procedures like LVAD implants.
Researchers have developed a honeycomb pattern of nano-sized magnets that can store computable information and reduce interactions between neighboring magnets by two-thirds. The arrays can be read by measuring their electrical resistance, enabling potential for faster and more efficient computing.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a way to 're-wire' DNA in yeast, creating a new type of biological wire that can be easily re-engineered. This breakthrough enables the creation of potentially complex biological machines with applications in pollution monitoring and cleaner fuels.
A groundbreaking gene therapy trial for cystic fibrosis will begin in March, involving 130 adults and children with the disease. The trial aims to assess whether repeated doses of gene therapy can improve symptoms and lung function in patients.
A study published in Nature suggests that faulty fat sensor GPR120 may contribute to obesity and liver disease. Mice deficient in GPR120 are more prone to developing these conditions when fed a high-fat diet, highlighting the protein as a promising target for new treatments.
Researchers found that hospitals with better patient ratings tend to have lower death rates and readmission rates. Hospitals rated as cleaner also have lower rates of MRSA infections. The study suggests that NHS Choices ratings may provide useful information for patients making care choices.
Researchers analyzed Martian soil samples and found no microscopic clay particles, suggesting the soil has had a very arid history. The team estimated that liquid water on Mars was present for at most 5,000 years since its formation, making it unlikely for life to maintain a foothold on the surface.
A new genetic study has found a strong link between the body clock hormone melatonin and type 2 diabetes. Carrying rare genetic mutations in the MT2 gene increases a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes six times, suggesting a direct link between melatonin regulation and insulin release.