A study by Imperial College London calls for targeted health education campaigns for HCV among injecting drug users, citing a lack of awareness and risk of transmission. The researchers found that many users share paraphernalia, leading to under-reported cases.
Researchers found that RSV can remain dormant in lung tissue for over 100 days after initial symptoms disappear, suggesting a possible link to recurring wheezing and childhood asthma in infected children.
Researchers at Imperial College London have discovered a link between chromosome 'caps' and the prediction of rare bone marrow diseases. The study found that shorter telomeres in chromosomes can indicate an increased risk of disease severity and early onset, providing a potential new mechanism for understanding disease anticipation.
Researchers at Imperial College London have discovered a key to tackling obesity in humans by studying the thermal regulation system of newborn lambs. The study found that a molecular switch controls the transformation of brown fat into normal white fat, and that activating this switch could potentially lead to new weight loss techniques.
Sub-Saharan Africa must focus on expanding and intensifying smallholder agriculture backed by manufacturing exports to meet Millennium Development Goals. The region's agricultural growth has stagnated for 30 years, making it crucial to address practical challenges facing farmers and private investors.
A field experiment in Belize found that removing a beetle and a fly significantly lowered parasitism and increased abundance of insect species with shared natural enemies. This confirms the theory of apparent competition, crucial for understanding tropical forest biodiversity.
UK public health experts warn that Britain is not doing enough to stop people from smoking, with nearly a third of adults still smoking compared to 20% in Australia. The UK has yet to adopt comprehensive tobacco control strategies like smoke-free policies in public places and workplaces.
Research from Imperial College London finds that African cotton markets benefit from a balance between competition and coordination. The study reveals that concentrated, market-based systems have been successful in meeting common challenges while maintaining reasonable prices to consumers.
Sir John Skehel's 30-year research on the influenza virus has led to a deeper understanding of how it infects cells and evolves to evade the immune system. His discovery has helped develop antiviral drugs targeting viral surface proteins, saving millions from global flu outbreaks.
Scientists develop materials that respond magnetically to THz, infra-red, and visible radiation, enabling applications in biological and security imaging. The discovery marks a significant step towards creating perfect lenses that can focus features smaller than the wavelength of light.
Researchers from Imperial College London and CNRS-Inserm-Strasbourg University have developed a technique to capture the protein-making factory, or ribosome, in action using cryo-electron microscopy. This will help scientists understand how many antibiotics interfere with the final steps of protein synthesis.
Imperial College London researchers have discovered the detailed mechanism of the photosynthetic water-splitting reaction, enabling the potential for industrial-scale hydrogen production. This breakthrough could provide a promising alternative to fossil fuels and address global energy demands.
The new Mathematics Institute will focus on addressing pressing global issues through mathematics, including epidemics, cosmology, and finance. It will attract top researchers and young talent from around the world for collaborative projects.
Researchers found that exposing mice to Notch signal and donor material before transplantation stimulates an immune response, significantly increasing transplant acceptance. The approach targets T suppressor cells, promoting their expansion and reducing T helper cell activity.
The Schistosomiasis Control Initiative will support Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Zambia and Tanzania in treating 15 million people with praziquantel and albendazole over four years. The initiative aims to deliver treatment to 3 million children and reduce the parasite's impact on African communities.
A recent study published in Public Library of Science Biology has identified the GAD2 gene as a strong candidate for human obesity. The research suggests that an active form of this gene contributes to excessive hunger and eating behaviors, particularly in individuals with a higher risk of obesity.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a novel flu treatment that can eliminate symptoms by targeting the overactive immune response. The treatment, which works by selectively reducing the response of active T white blood cells, has shown promising results in mice and may offer new hope for pandemic prevention.
Researchers at Imperial College London have discovered that targeting eosinophils can disrupt airway scarring and remodelling, a process contributing to chronic asthma. The study's findings suggest a potential breakthrough for developing more effective asthma treatments.
A study found that obese individuals have lower levels of the naturally occurring gut hormone PYY3-36, which limits appetite. Infusing PYY3-36 reduced calorific consumption in both lean and overweight volunteers by around a third for 24 hours.
Researchers found that Prochlorococcus cyanobacteria traps atmospheric carbon dioxide and stores it in the deep sea through photosynthesis. The study reveals iron's critical role in this process, which could help combat global warming by increasing ocean levels of iron.
Researchers have developed a new test that can accurately record baby's heart rates in the womb in just 20 minutes, allowing doctors to monitor health and detect potential arrhythmias. The technique uses sophisticated filtering and signal processing technologies to pick out the baby's heart signal from background interference.
A new theory suggests that human metabolism operates like a pinball machine, influencing drug toxicity and disease development. The researchers used metabonomics to study global human metabolism and its interactions with drugs, environment, and gut microflora.
Researchers from Imperial College London and UCLA have visualized the structure of lactose permease, an enzyme in E. coli that pumps lactose into cells. The structure data reveals a possible mechanism of action for this protein family, which plays critical roles in depression, stroke, and diabetes.
A new system allows for continuous monitoring of mortality rates in general practices, helping identify unusual trends and potential areas for improvement. The tool can aid in spotting high-quality care by highlighting low mortality rates.
Using neurofeedback, students at London's Royal College of Music showed significant improvements in their musical performance across various areas. The most promising results came from the alpha/theta training protocol, improving performances by up to 17%.
Researchers predict fewer asteroids with diameters over 200 meters will hit the surface, approximately once every 160,000 years, and many more will explode in the atmosphere, lowering the hazard posed by impact-generated tidal waves or tsunamis.
Scientists at Imperial College London have developed a biofeedback system that provides instant visual feedback on rowing technique, helping rowers harmonize their movements and avoid lower back pain. The research has shown significant benefits in reducing injuries and improving performance in the sport.
A newly discovered light detection system in the eye helps set the body's internal clock, regulate general activity levels, and control pupil size. This system is based on a molecule sensitive to blue light called opsin, which works differently from traditional rod and cone systems.
A team of researchers from Imperial College London has identified a protein called HSP27 that could help reduce cell death in the brain, potentially slowing down neuro-degenerative diseases. The study used transgenic mice with high levels of HSP27, which showed reduced mortality and neuronal cell death.
Researchers identified four binding sites on HSA for thyroxine attachment, improving diagnosis of thyroid disorders. The study sheds light on familial dysalbuminemic hyperthyroxemia, a rare condition misdiagnosed as an overactive thyroid gland.
A new study by Imperial College London reveals that improvements in medical technology and care have significantly contributed to the decline in traffic-related fatalities in the UK. The research found that advancements in areas like genetics, body imaging, and microsurgery have saved an estimated 700 lives annually.
The study found that the fatality rate for patients over 60 was significantly higher (43.3%) compared to those under 60 (13.2%), with an average admission to death time of 36 days. Public health measures, including hospital quarantine and contact tracing, helped slow the outbreak.
The study, published online in the Lancet, found that atorvastatin significantly reduces the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes in people with high blood pressure. The results are great news for those suffering from high blood pressure, as the drug also lowers cholesterol levels.
Researchers have developed a novel method to correct genetic mutations causing abnormal splicing, potentially treating genetic diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy. This technique uses short RNA oligos to recruit signals that influence splicing, allowing proper gene expression and normal cell development.
A study found that selective hunting of male saiga antelopes for their horns is driving the species closer to extinction. The sex ratio has become severely imbalanced, with females outnumbering males by a ratio of 100:1, leading to reproductive collapse and population decline.
Researchers at Imperial College London have established a 'proof of principle' that prion diseases might be prevented using monoclonal antibody therapy. The treatment, which involves administering antibodies to mice infected with scrapie prions, appears to delay the onset of clinical disease indefinitely.
A recent study suggests that newer mobile phones with improved handhold technology pose less risk to medical equipment. The researchers argue that a complete ban on mobile phone use in hospitals is no longer justified, and that patients' personal devices should be allowed in certain areas.
A recent study by Imperial College London found that genetically modified mosquitoes (GM) lose their test marker gene rapidly when interbred with unmodified mosquitoes, posing challenges for malaria control. The researchers suggest using crossing regimes to minimize deleterious mutations and improve the competitiveness of GM mosquitoes.
Scientists at Imperial College London have discovered a unique method of viral transmission by the HTLV-1 leukaemia virus. The virus infects cells and transfers itself to other cells without releasing particles, evading the immune system and paving the way for potential new treatments.
Scientists have discovered that heterochromatin is dynamically wrapping and unwrapping around DNA, regulating gene expression. This revelation could help understand diseases linked to inappropriate 'switching', such as cancer and inherited disorders.
Researchers have visualized the molecular structure of succinate dehydrogenase, a key enzyme in cellular respiration, revealing its anti-aging function. The study shows that the enzyme's three-dimensional shape prevents the formation of destructive oxygen atoms, which can cause cellular aging.
Researchers have found a link between improved memory and the use of neurofeedback, with volunteers showing a significant increase in recall from 70.6% to 81.6%. Neurofeedback allows individuals to watch their brain activity and learn to control it, leading to improved cognitive performance.
Researchers will develop an attosecond laser system to capture electrons in motion, shedding light on atomic behavior and molecular interactions. The system's pulses will last 200 attoseconds, allowing for the first time to measure and probe dynamic processes at the atomic scale.
The Rosetta Plasma Consortium will monitor Comet Wirtanen over a long period, studying the structure of its 'bubble' of plasma and comparing it to its nucleus size. The instruments, built by researchers from various countries, are designed to detect and measure the properties of diffuse plasma in space.
Scientists have identified a third light detection system in the eye, which is linked to the melanopsin gene. This discovery could explain why we stay awake during the day and may lead to new therapies for disorders such as jet-lag and Seasonally Affective Disorder (SAD)
Scientists have identified a four-stage process to determine gene identity in complex diseases, using methods such as linkage analysis and sequence analysis. This will help establish definitive proof of gene involvement, benefiting research on conditions like Alzheimer's and Type 1 Diabetes.
Scientists have developed a novel system to manufacture glycosylated proteins in E. coli, enabling the production of complex human proteins like Factor VIII and erythropoietin. This breakthrough opens up new avenues for research and industry applications.
Scientists have created a new blood test for coronary artery disease using Metabonomics, which measures magnetic properties of molecules in blood. The test is minimally invasive and could be widely available within two years.
Researchers suggest delaying RSV infection could lower the risk of infant hospitalization due to bronchiolitis and subsequent wheezing and asthma. Delayed infection also led to enhanced interferon gamma production and less severe lung disease during re-infection in mice.
Researchers at Imperial College London discovered that Toxoplasma gondii's myosin A gene is essential for its gliding motion and host cell invasion. The motor enables the parasite to penetrate cells within 10-30 seconds, allowing it to replicate safely.