A new study by Imperial College London discovered a virus called vaccinia spreading four times more quickly than previously believed. The virus uses a novel mechanism to spread rapidly between cells, making it harder to target with antiviral drugs.
A new UK study has found no evidence of the XMRV virus in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), contradicting previous findings that suggested a link. The research suggests that CFS treatment using anti-retroviral drugs may not be effective.
Researchers from Imperial College London and UCL found evidence of ancient lakes on Mars using NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter images. The study suggests that Mars had warm and wet periods approximately 3 billion years ago, potentially creating habitats suitable for microbial life.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that young people under 18 are more susceptible to catching swine flu from an infected person in their household. However, the risk of transmission does not vary by age, with household contacts over 50 being the least likely to get infected.
Scientists have discovered a potential new way to combat malaria by disrupting the reproductive process of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. Removing or interfering with the 'mating plug' prevents successful reproduction and fertilization.
Scientists have ruled out meteorites as a source of methane on Mars, raising hopes that the gas might be generated by life on the red planet. Methane levels are replenished by an unknown source, with two plausible theories remaining: microorganisms producing methane as a by-product or reactions between volcanic rock and water.
Researchers at Imperial College London have identified TLR-2 as the trigger that leads to inflammation and damage in atherosclerosis, a condition causing heart attacks and strokes. Blocking this molecule could potentially treat atherosclerosis and reduce the risk of these diseases.
Researchers have identified the reaction inside the lungs that can trigger coughing when exposed to certain air pollutants and irritants. The study found that switching on receptor proteins called TRPA1 on nerve endings in the lungs triggers a cough reflex, which could potentially be treated by blocking these receptors.
Bird flu viruses require two simultaneous genetic mutations to infect humans, making human-to-human transmission unlikely. The study suggests that H5N1's high mortality rate in humans is due to its inability to infect the right cells, increasing the odds of it being less likely to cause a pandemic.
A new type of T-helper cell, called Th22 cells, has been discovered by researchers from Imperial College London. These cells play a special role in overseeing and coordinating immune cells that cause inflammation in chronic and allergic inflammatory diseases.
Researchers found that people who had previously built up immunity to the adenovirus used in the trial had a higher risk of infection with HIV after receiving the vaccine. The study suggests that other adenovirus-based vaccines, such as those for tuberculosis and malaria, may also be at risk due to the same immune system reaction.
Researchers at Imperial College London will develop new applications for metamaterials, including optical invisibility cloaks that render objects invisible to the human eye. The technology also enables flat lenses for imaging tiny objects smaller than the wavelength of light.
A new study published in Cancer Research found that a potential drug for lung cancer eliminated tumours in 50% of mice and stopped growth and resistance to treatment. The researchers are planning to take the drug into clinical trials to establish its effectiveness for patients with small cell lung cancer.
A common type of chronic diarrhoea, affecting one in 100 people in the UK, may be caused by a hormone deficiency. The study suggests that bile acid production is linked to decreased levels of Fibroblast Growth Factor 19 (FGF19) in people with the condition.
Researchers at Imperial College London are conducting a new trial with patients and healthy volunteers to test the digital 'plaster', a disposable device that monitors vital signs in real-time. The technology has the potential to free up doctors' time, improve patient health, and enable early detection of complications.
A £8.5 million collaboration will utilize miniaturized wearable sensors, computer modeling tools, and smart training devices to enhance British athletes' performance on the global stage. The ESPRIT project aims to provide coaches with unprecedented feedback about athlete physiological changes during training and competition.
A new project aims to provide healthy school meals using locally-sourced food, providing a reliable income for local farmers and improving rural economies. The initiative will help governments run school meal programmes in sub-Saharan Africa, benefiting millions of children facing poverty and hunger.
Research reveals 41% increase in unplanned hospital admissions for children under ten, primarily due to short stays of less than two days. The study highlights a potential link between parental access to out-of-hours primary care and the rise in hospital admissions.
A genetic study has identified a significant link between the TMPRSS6 gene and hemoglobin regulation, with potential implications for treating chronic hemoglobin problems. The research found a strong association between the gene and hemoglobin levels in 16,000 people of European and Indian Asian ancestry.
Scientists believe ancient fungi thrived in dead wood after forests were devastated, providing conditions for Reduviasporonites to proliferate across the planet. Fossil records show a massive spike in fungal population as the Permian period ended, suggesting a global catastrophe led to widespread forest loss.
Researchers found a six percent higher mortality rate for patients admitted on the first Wednesday in August compared to the previous Wednesday. The study of nearly 300,000 patients suggests a possible link between the influx of newly qualified doctors and increased mortality rates, but further research is needed.
A team of researchers has found a rare meteorite in the Western Australian desert and tracked its orbit using a new camera network. The meteorite is composed of basaltic igneous rock and is believed to have formed deep in the inner Solar System, providing clues about the origins of the Solar System.
A new technology, EpiCollect, uses mobile phone software to collect and record data, photos, and videos from users worldwide. The system maps findings using Google Maps, allowing researchers to quickly build up and share maps of species distribution or disease cases.
Researchers have identified the 'master gene' E4bp4, which drives blood stem cells to produce disease-fighting Natural Killer immune cells. The discovery could lead to new ways to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases by boosting the body's production of these frontline tumour-killing cells.
A new study found that bean plants' natural defenses against bacterial infections cause the bacteria to exchange DNA, potentially leading to the emergence of more pathogenic strains. This process could have significant implications for understanding the relationship between pathogens and their hosts.
Researchers found that pandemic H1N1 influenza binds weakly to receptors in the lungs compared to the upper respiratory tract. This may explain why people infected with the pandemic strain experience more severe symptoms. The study suggests monitoring changes in the virus's ability to infect cells to minimize its impact.
Scientists have discovered a genetic variation that impairs the body's muscle cells ability to use insulin effectively, leading to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The study highlights a potential new target for scientists developing treatments for this disease.
A new £6 million research programme aims to develop nanoplasmonic devices that can process information using light signals, potentially leading to faster data processing speeds. The project, funded by the EPSRC, is being conducted at Queen's University Belfast and Imperial College London.
Researchers developed a molecular sensor to measure zinc concentration and location in cells for the first time. The sensor revealed high zinc ions inside pancreatic cells where insulin is packaged, suggesting its involvement in type 2 diabetes.
A new study published in PLOS Pathogens shows that Leishmania parasites use a gel to persuade immune cells called macrophages to feed them instead of killing them. This trick enables the parasites to establish an infection and infect the skin, highlighting a crucial step in leishmaniasis transmission.
Researchers from Imperial College London and Pfizer Research and Development found that urine samples can be used to predict how individuals will respond to certain drugs. The study looked at acetaminophen levels in urine before and after consumption and found that compounds like para-cresol sulphate were indicators of drug metabolism.
Scientists have created detailed 3D computer models of ancient spider fossils, revealing physical traits that helped them hunt for prey and evade predators. The models show that one species was an ambush predator with spiked defensive features, while another had grasping claws to manipulate its prey.
A new chemical imaging technique, ATR-FTIR imaging, may improve current methods of assessing lesions in the arteries. The technique revealed precise composition and size of lesions and levels of elastin, collagen, and cholesteryl ester.
Researchers used high-speed microscopy to observe NK cell behavior when interacting with healthy or diseased cells, discovering that the cell's surface receptors determine whether it kills or leaves a cell alone. Understanding this process could lead to new ways of boosting immune defenses to treat disease.
Researchers have discovered significant differences in the quality of bone-like materials grown from different types of bone cells and stem cells. The study provides insight into how cell sources influence bone quality and brings us closer to developing materials for successful implantation.
Researchers say a standard calculation for estimating flu deaths may not accurately reflect true figures due to factors like underreporting and varying disease severity. The study highlights the need for more sophisticated data collection and analysis methods to provide healthcare planners with accurate predictions.
A study found that climate change is causing wild Soay sheep in Scotland to shrink in size, as milder winters make survival conditions less challenging. The 'young mum effect' also plays a role, where young ewes produce smaller offspring.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests that C-reactive protein, a commonly used marker for coronary heart disease risk, may not cause the disease. Researchers found no association between genetic variations in the gene coding for C-reactive protein and coronary heart disease risk. Ho...
Researchers at Imperial College London hope to raise awareness about the importance of reducing stress and anxiety in expectant mothers. Studies have shown that maternal stress can alter fetal brain development, leading to increased risk of emotional problems, behavioral issues, and lower cognitive development.
A new study published in Nature Medicine suggests that the signal molecule tenascin-C can trigger chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. High levels of tenascin-C in joints may cause the activated immune system to attack and lead to persistent inflammation.
Researchers studied DNA from 1,930 pneumococcus strains and found a link between bacterial recombination and antibiotic resistance. Bacteria that undergo sex with other species are more likely to develop resistance to antibiotics, making treatment increasingly difficult.
African bird species are at risk of getting stuck in environments that will become too hostile for them to survive due to climate change. The research found that natural features of the landscape, such as mountain ranges and tropical forests, create barriers that many birds cannot cross.
A study suggests that large meteorite bombardments approximately four billion years ago could have helped to make the early Earth and Mars more habitable for life by releasing water and carbon dioxide into their atmospheres. This process may have created a warmer and wetter environment that was conducive to the emergence of life.
The centre will analyse environmental factors affecting the UK population, focusing on vulnerable groups and potential health risks such as respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer. Researchers aim to measure the effects of pollutants on human health using new tools and methods.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in developing environmentally-friendly 'magnetic' refrigeration technology, which could provide a greener alternative to traditional gas-compression fridges and air conditioners. The new materials exhibit dramatic heating and cooling when a magnetic field is applied and removed.
Research suggests that avian influenza viruses struggle to grow and spread in the human nose due to its cooler temperature, making it less likely to cause respiratory illness. The study also found that mutated viruses with proteins from avian influenza viruses are unlikely to thrive at human nose temperatures.
Researchers found that the virus is spreading consistently with early stages of a pandemic, fatal in around 4 in 1,000 cases, and likely to cause secondary cases for every infected person. The epidemic is thought to have started in Mexico on February 15, 2009, with 23,000 people infected and 91 deaths by the end of April.
Scientists have designed nanosensors that can detect specific molecules, such as poisons and proteins, in transport screening situations or patients' blood samples. The sensors use a unique interaction between two metallic nanostructures to scatter light differently, allowing for highly sensitive detection.
A new study by scientists from Imperial College London and University of Oxford found that young adults with a genetic variant associated with Alzheimer's Disease exhibit changes in brain activity decades before any symptoms appear. The researchers used functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to compare the brains of healthy young...
A potential new HIV drug, D-1mT, shows promise in reducing viral loads in monkeys with simian immunodeficiency virus when used alongside Anti-Retroviral Therapy. The researchers hope this finding could lead to a new treatment for patients not responding to current treatments.