Two studies published in scientific journals provide the most detailed picture yet of how psilocybin affects brain activity. The research suggests that psilocybin suppresses activity in 'hub' regions of the brain, leading to a state of heightened perception and memory vividness.
Researchers have developed a way to create stronger and more efficient continuous wave T-rays, which can detect biological phenomena such as increased blood flow around tumorous growths. The new technology could lead to innovations similar to the 'tricorder' scanner used in Star Trek, enabling faster and more convenient medical scanning.
A new study found that weight loss surgery, particularly gastric bypass, has a significant beneficial effect on glucose control for patients with type 2 diabetes. Only 41% of patients achieved complete remission using stringent criteria, while other types of surgery had lower success rates.
Researchers at Imperial College London found that UK's discarded wrapping paper and Christmas cards can be turned into high-grade biofuel, powering vehicles with lower greenhouse gas emissions. The study suggests that using this technology could provide a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
Researchers found that treating iron deficiency may help prevent potentially lethal blood clots, as low iron levels are strongly associated with higher levels of factor VIII and increased risk of pulmonary emboli/deep venous thromboses. The study suggests a potential new risk factor for blood clots in the general population.
A new method for measuring artery narrowing could eliminate the need for a drug in assessing patients for a coronary stent. The investigational technique, termed instant wave-Free Ratio (iFR), produced similar results to existing methods and is being developed by Imperial College London and Volcano Corporation.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a way to predict the impact of climate change on animal populations, body size and genetics. By analyzing data from 15 years of wolf population trends, they created a mathematical model that can be applied to other species with similar environmental data.
Research from Imperial College London found that premature babies show multiple biological signs of risks to future health, including higher blood pressure and excess fat tissue. Monitoring preterm babies into adulthood is crucial for early detection of disease.
Researchers at Imperial College London have successfully created logic gates using harmless gut bacteria and DNA, paving the way for biological computing devices. The new biological logic gates can be connected to form more complex components, potentially leading to applications in sensors, cancer detection, and pollution monitoring.
A faulty molecular switch, SGK1, has been found to be associated with infertility and miscarriage. High levels of the protein are common in women with unexplained infertility, while low levels increase the risk of miscarriage. The research suggests that a temporary loss of SGK1 during the fertile window is essential for pregnancy.
A new study has identified 42 genetic regions associated with liver function, providing a better understanding of liver damage and disease. The research, involving over 61,000 people, may lead to new treatments that can improve liver function and prevent liver damage.
A study by Imperial College London found that foam therapy is over four times more cost-effective and quicker than laser treatment for varicose veins. Foam therapy allows patients to resume normal activity sooner and causes less pain.
Researchers at Imperial College London discovered that removing cholesterol from HIV's membrane prevents the virus from damaging the immune system. This finding could lead to the development of an effective HIV vaccine by boosting the adaptive response and weakening the innate immune system's overreaction.
Researchers at Imperial College London and the University of Oxford used 'optical' laser tweezers and a super-resolution microscope to observe the inner workings of white blood cells, including Natural Killer cells. The study provides new insights into how these cells deliver deadly enzyme-filled granules to kill diseased tissue.
Researchers have identified the key features in yeast cells that allow them to colonize human tissue, paving the way for new treatments. A new class of medicines and vaccines is being developed to combat drug-resistant fungal infections.
A genetic cause of extreme thinness has been identified for the first time, with people having extra copies of certain genes being more likely to be underweight. Half of children with a duplicated part of chromosome 16 have been diagnosed with failure to thrive and a quarter have microcephaly.
A new analysis of the ASCOT trial has found that statins prescribed to patients in 2003 still lower mortality rates from infections and respiratory illnesses eight years later. The study also shows no significant difference in cancer deaths, but reduced cardiovascular disease fatalities.
A study published in Nature Genetics identified six new genetic variants associated with type 2 diabetes in South Asians. The research found that people of South Asian ancestry are up to four times more likely to develop the disease, affecting around 55 million worldwide.
Research by Imperial College London found that babies and toddlers with congenital heart disease have higher levels of toxins in their blood after surgery, leading to longer intensive care stays. The study suggests a link between gut bacteria, bacterial fragments called endotoxins, and poor clinical outcomes.
A report by public health researchers suggests that government subsidies for top-grossing US films with tobacco imagery can undermine tobacco prevention campaigns. The study estimates that £338 million of tax credits in Britain went to US-produced films with tobacco imagery between 2003 and 2009.
Researchers at Imperial College London have created 3D virtual fossil models of two ancient types of harvestmen, which lived on Earth over 300 million years ago. The 3D models reveal that these ancient creatures were surprisingly modern in appearance, with some species still living today exhibiting similar characteristics.
A recent study published in Pediatric Research found that mothers with a higher pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) have fatter babies with more fat in their liver cells. The researchers measured the amount of fat in 105 babies' livers and bodies, finding increased liver cell fat and total fat across all BMI ranges. This study suggests...
Researchers have identified the key sugar molecule SLeX on the outer coat of human eggs that enables them to capture sperm. This discovery has significant implications for understanding fertility and developing new treatments for infertility and sub-fertility.
A study published in Thorax journal found that sensory nerves detect allergens and trigger a 'late asthmatic response' several hours after exposure. Researchers discovered that anticholinergic drugs like tiotropium could alleviate symptoms, offering new potential treatments for asthma patients.
A new study reveals that female mosquitoes cannot detect the fertility status of their mates, making it difficult to control mosquito populations and prevent the spread of malaria. Researchers found that females will mate with both fertile and spermless males, leading to a loss of reproductive opportunities.
Researchers found that a bear bile-derived compound, UDCA, can alter the electrical properties of myofibroblasts to prevent arrhythmia in both fetal hearts and adult hearts after a heart attack. This could lead to new treatments for obstetric cholestasis and post-heart-attack complications.
A new analysis confirms that localized reactive badger culling increases the risk of infection in nearby herds. The study found that the presence of any reactive culling activity within one kilometre of a herd more than doubled the risk of bovine TB, even after adjusting for the number of confirmed outbreaks nearby.
A major international study reveals that the number of adults with diabetes has reached 347 million, more than double the number in 1980. The prevalence of diabetes has risen or remained unchanged in virtually every part of the world over the last three decades.
Scientists at Imperial College London have developed a new method to make proteins form crystals using 'smart materials' that remember the shape and characteristics of the molecule. This technique should assist research into new medicines by helping scientists work out the structure of drug targets.
Researchers have measured the electron's shape for the first time, finding it to be almost perfectly spherical. This breakthrough could help explain the universe's lack of antimatter and refine fundamental theories of physics.
Scientists have discovered a protein involved in drug resistance in breast cancer, which could be targeted for new treatments. Blocking the production of this protein in human cells made them more responsive to anti-oestrogen drugs.
Scientists have identified MMP-1 as a key enzyme responsible for destroying lung tissue in tuberculosis, leading to the development of drugs that can prevent this damage. The findings suggest that existing MMP inhibitor drugs may be effective in reducing deaths from TB.
A new study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases found that UK immigration screening procedures fail to detect over 70% of latent tuberculosis (TB) cases, with better selection of immigrants to screen increasing detection rates to over 90%. Treating people at an early stage can prevent them from developing active TB and becoming...
Researchers introduce genetic changes into mosquito populations, paving the way for a genetically modified malaria-free mosquito species. The technology could lead to dramatic reductions in malaria-carrying mosquitoes and provide a safe public health tool.
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease face a sixfold greater risk of death from Clostridium difficile infection if admitted to hospital, according to a new study. The researchers recommend proactive screening for IBD patients on admission to protect them from serious illness.
A study of over 47,000 people found that a genetic variation in the AUTS2 gene is associated with lower alcohol consumption, suggesting its role in regulating drinking behaviour. The researchers also investigated animal models and found that blocking a related gene increased sensitivity to alcohol.
Scientists suggest that bombardments of micro-meteorites on Earth and Mars four billion years ago led to catastrophic cooling effects, making it hard for early life to thrive. The influx of sulphur dioxide into the atmospheres of both planets could have plunged them into an Arctic winter, lasting millions of years.
A new review suggests that conservation efforts should focus on protecting vulnerable species and habitats rather than those with lower extinction risk. The proposed 'vulnerability assessment' would use a wider range of data to provide a more accurate picture of which species are most at risk.
The study provides geological evidence to support the idea that the first solid material in the Solar System was fragile and extremely porous. Researchers analyzed an asteroid fragment and found that it had been subjected to shocks in space, possibly during periods of turbulence, which compacted the rock into a harder state.
Researchers identified a protein called EspC that triggers a stronger immune response in people infected with TB bacteria, making it a promising new vaccine candidate. The protein could also be used to improve diagnosis of TB and underpin next-generation diagnostic blood tests.
A study of 90 animal thigh bones reveals how trabeculae lattice structure supports loads in different species, leading to potential development of new, lightweight materials. The research found that trabecular struts vary in geometry depending on animal size, and could be used to create stronger, lighter bodywork for vehicles.
Researchers aim to identify all possible shapes across three, four, and five dimensions, linking them like the periodic table links chemical elements. They expect to develop a better understanding of geometric properties and relationships between shapes.
Researchers found that implementing policies a few weeks into an outbreak is as effective as starting at the beginning in reducing flu impact. This approach can reduce societal costs and resurgence after intervention lifting.
Babies born to HIV-infected mothers have lower antibody levels, making them more susceptible to illnesses like pneumonia and meningitis. Vaccination shows promise in boosting their immune response.
A recent study published in PLoS Medicine found that Zimbabwe's HIV epidemic has declined dramatically, with the percentage of infected individuals dropping from 29% to 16% between 1997 and 2007. The researchers attribute this change to improved public awareness of AIDS deaths and a subsequent fear of infection.
Professor Darren Crowdy, a leading expert in complex analysis, has won the Cherry Ripe Prize for his work on applying mathematical concepts to solve real-world problems. He will be giving a series of public talks in Australia, highlighting the importance of complex numbers in science and engineering.
The study reveals that global obesity rates have nearly doubled since 1980, with women more likely to be obese than men. Average levels of total blood cholesterol fell in Western countries, but increased in East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific region. High-income countries achieved large reductions in uncontrolled hypertension.
A giant-scale ecological study, SAFE Project, aims to understand how deforestation and forest fragmentation impact biodiversity and carbon cycling in tropical Asia. Scientists will investigate the impact of agricultural development on the ecosystem's ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
Researchers discovered that orchids' adaptability to different pollinators and fungi allows them to coexist without competing for resources. The study found that shifts in pollination traits were crucial for speciation, while shifts in fungal partners contributed to coexistence.
The Large Hadron Collider's CMS detector has conducted the first full run of experiments, producing energies similar to those present in the Universe's first instants. Researchers are optimistic about confirming or ruling out Supersymmetry as a solution for dark matter, which makes up approximately 25% of the universe's mass.