A landmark study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that treating critically ill COVID-19 patients with rheumatoid arthritis drugs tocilizumab and sarilumab can significantly improve survival and reduce time in ICU, with a 8.5% reduction in mortality.
A new study found no association between COVID-19 infection and stillbirth or early neonatal death in pregnant women. However, the research did reveal a higher risk of preterm birth among those with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. The study analyzed data from over 4000 pregnant women in the UK and US.
Researchers have found that subglacial lakes in Antarctica may be more hospitable to life than thought, thanks to geothermal heat. This heat can stimulate convection currents, allowing for dynamic flow and potentially supporting microbial life. The discovery opens up new avenues for exploring similar environments on icy moons and planets.
Researchers found that dragonflies frequently perform upside-down backflips to regain their balance. They also observed a similar response in unconscious dragonsflies, suggesting a component of passive stability.
A new study finds that swapping car travel for walking, cycling, and e-biking just one day a week can save up to a quarter of personal CO2 emissions from transport. Active transport reduces carbon footprints in cities, even in those with high walking and cycling rates.
A recent 18-year study by Imperial College London reveals that cancer is now the leading cause of death among people with diabetes in England. Death rates from heart disease and stroke declined significantly during this period, but improvements were more modest for cancer-related deaths.
New data analysis from Imperial College London reveals that adults aged 20-49 are the main driver of COVID-19 transmission in the US. Despite school reopening, these age groups continue to sustain and spread the virus, highlighting the need for targeted interventions among this demographic.
Research from Imperial College London found tropical cyclones are getting 30km closer to coastlines per decade, increasing the risk of damage and 'near-misses'. The study suggests changes in atmospheric patterns may be driving this trend, which could have profound implications for coastal communities worldwide.
Researchers perform an experiment that adds or subtracts a single phonon to a high-frequency sound field using laser light interactions. The team's findings show that subtracting a single phonon increases the average number of quanta, defying intuition. This result opens a new path for quantum science and technology with sound waves.
Scientists have created glowing probes to visualize four-stranded DNA in living cells, revealing its interaction with molecules and shedding light on its role in cancer and other diseases. The discovery opens up new avenues for research and potential drug development.
Engineered living materials (ELMs) are created using a symbiotic combination of yeast and bacteria, similar to those found in kombucha SCOBY. These ELMs can detect and filter contaminants in water, packaging, and act as 'living photographs' displaying projected images.
A new assessment suggests sea level rise could be higher than current estimates by 2100 due to uncertainties in ice sheet dynamics and warming oceans. Scientists identify key areas of research needed to improve models and predictions, including better mapping of glacier ground and improved coupling of atmosphere-ocean-ice sheet models.
Researchers at Imperial College London and King's College London suggest that dentists avoid using drills with air and water mixtures and carefully select drill rotation speeds to reduce aerosol generation. This approach can produce 60 times fewer aerosol droplets, allowing for safer dental procedures and increased patient access
A study by Imperial College London has assessed 29 alternatives to microbeads and found that silica is the most environmentally friendly option. Silica is a naturally occurring mineral that is chemically inactive, non-toxic, and easy to source and process.
Researchers at Imperial College London used AI to optimize plasma accelerator parameters, improving performance and reducing the need for human intervention. The algorithm achieved optimal results faster than human operators, paving the way for compact and affordable accelerators with various applications.
A new lab-on-a-chip developed at Imperial College London can process and present results in minutes, cutting costs and time of traditional PCR tests. The chip, called TriSilix, has been used to diagnose bacterial infections and a synthetic version of the genetic material from SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers discovered that severe infections disrupt the processes that form blood cells in mice, causing long-term damage. However, a hormone treatment and antioxidant may reduce this damage. The study found that this treatment can increase HSC function by up to tenfold.
Researchers developed a non-invasive cuff to monitor neuronal activity in babies, revealing 'extreme synchronisation' in spinal cord neurons that generate kicks. This discovery could help spot early signs of motor disorders like cerebral palsy and monitor development in babies.
A new study finds that a drug called MVT-602 can improve fertility in women with reproductive health problems by targeting the kisspeptin hormone system. The drug's longer duration of action allows for less frequent dosing, offering improved treatment options for conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome and hypothalamic amenorrhea.
In a new study, patients taking statins reported experiencing symptoms that were identical to those experienced while taking placebo pills. Researchers suggest that the nocebo effect may be the cause of these side effects, rather than an actual pharmacological effect of the drug.
A new study published in Science Advances suggests that a type of arthritis drug called baricitinib can reduce the risk of dying from COVID-19 among elderly patients. The study found that patients who received the drug had a 71% reduced risk of death compared to those who did not receive it.
Researchers from Imperial College London and their colleagues have discovered new green materials that can convert indoor light into energy, potentially powering smart devices without toxic chemicals. The materials, inspired by perovskites, show promise for commercial applications and could enable battery-free wearables and IoT devices.
Researchers propose a new approach to create lifelike robots by integrating materials science, mechanical engineering, computer science, biology and chemistry. This Physical AI can help humans in tasks that are dangerous or impossible for them, such as medicine and security.
A UK-wide analysis of COVID-19 infections in newborn babies found that severe infection was rare, affecting only 0.06% of births. The study also found higher proportions of Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups were affected, highlighting the need for further investigation.
A new global analysis has revealed that poor nutrition in school years may have created a 20cm height gap across nations. The study assessed the height and weight of over 65 million children aged five to 19 years old in 193 countries, finding an eight-year growth gap for girls and six-year growth gap for boys.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed drones that can deploy sensor-containing darts onto trees and collect data on forest ecosystems. The drones can also perch on tree branches like birds to collect data themselves, acting as mobile sensors.
Scientists have simulated how soil moisture affects peat fires, finding that drying soils sustain faster and larger smouldering fires. The research aims to help manage vegetation clearing in peatlands safely.
A new study suggests that incorporating wrinkled 'super peas' into foods, such as whole pea seeds or flour, could help tackle the global type 2 diabetes epidemic by preventing 'sugar spikes'. The research found that consuming these peas resulted in a more stable increase in blood sugar levels compared to regular peas.
A new study suggests that investing in climate-positive recovery plans for the global energy system could put the world on track to meet the Paris Agreement goals. Investing just a tenth of the $12 trillion pledged in stimulus packages over five years in climate-friendly policies could achieve net zero carbon energy by mid-century.
An international study found that England, Wales and Scotland had among the highest rate of deaths from all causes, including COVID-19. The research estimated a total death toll of 206,000 more people in these countries than expected between mid-February and end of May.
Research by Imperial College London finds severe morning sickness increases the risk of depression during and after pregnancy, affecting nearly half of women with hyperemesis gravidarum.
A new study from Imperial College London found that one in 12 partners experience post-traumatic stress after miscarriage, with symptoms persisting for up to nine months. The research highlights the need for improved psychological support for both women and their partners following pregnancy loss.
Severe COVID-19 cases linked to hyperactivated T cells in lungs, suggesting brake mechanism failure. Protein Foxp3 inhibition may lead to new treatment options.
A new molecular concept dubbed 'range selectivity' allows for targeted drug delivery to diseased cells with high specificity, reducing side effects. By identifying specific receptor densities, researchers can develop nano-sized drug carriers that attach only to diseased cells.
Scientists at Imperial College London have developed a method to estimate the likelihood of future earthquakes in high-risk areas, improving precision by up to 49%. By analyzing rare atoms in precarious balance rocks (PBRs), they created a new technique to validate earthquake hazard estimates.
Researchers from Imperial College London found that non-absorptive creams and powders like talcum powder and coconut oil-cocoa butter mixtures are most effective in providing long-lasting skin protection for PPE wearers. These products create a protective layer between skin and PPE, reducing friction and shear injuries.
The genome of Fleming's original Penicillium strain has been sequenced for the first time, showing that the UK and US strains use different methods to produce penicillin. The results suggest new routes for industrial production and could help inspire novel solutions to combatting antibiotic resistance.
A clinical trial led by Imperial College London researchers found that early surgical treatment of leg ulcers reduces the risk of recurrence and improves healing times compared to current methods. The study suggests revising guidelines to include earlier assessment and surgery, potentially saving the NHS £100 million per year.
The review paper highlights the need for better alignment between industry and research to address battery fire safety challenges. Industry leaders and researchers agree that current standards are not representative of real-world scenarios, leading to inadequate prevention and suppression of fires.
A 90-minute COVID-19 test has been shown to have high accuracy, producing few false negatives and no false positives. The test is currently being used across eight London hospitals and is expected to be rolled out nationally.
Researchers found a 13% increase in long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) prescriptions and a 17% decrease in non-LARC prescriptions after financial incentives for GPs. This led to a 38% reduction in abortions, equivalent to 95,170 fewer abortions than expected.
Researchers argue that fungi-derived leather is a promising alternative to traditional leather due to its sustainability and cost-effectiveness. The material is biodegradable, releases less carbon into the atmosphere, and has a similar feel to animal leather.
A 410-million-year-old fossil discovery challenges conventional wisdom on shark evolution, hinting that bone may have emerged before cartilage. The find provides new insights into the evolutionary history of sharks and their relatives.
A new international study published in JAMA found that treating critically ill COVID-19 patients with the steroid hydrocortisone improves their chances of recovery. The study showed a 93% chance of better outcomes for patients treated with a fixed dose of hydrocortisone.
A large European study shows that combining lipid-lowering therapies can further reduce cholesterol levels and improve health outcomes for high-risk patients. Current clinical guidelines are not always followed in practice, highlighting a need for better cholesterol management across Europe.
Elderly patients diagnosed with NSTEMI heart attacks who receive invasive treatment have higher survival rates than those treated with medication alone. Invasive treatment also reduces the risk of re-admission for heart failure or another heart attack.
Researchers found that donors without fractures had more flexible collagen and mineral nanostructure than those with fractures. The study suggests that flexibility at the nanoscale could be an important predictor of future bone fractures, highlighting the need for new treatments targeting nanoscale bone health.
Researchers from King's College London and Imperial College London developed a theoretical model for treating two COVID-19 patients simultaneously using one ventilator. The approach uses tailored ventilation and adjustable tidal volumes to mitigate risks associated with ventilator splitting.
A study of post-mortem examinations found that COVID-19 patients had diffuse alveolar damage, thrombosis in major organs, and kidney injuries. The research aims to inform clinicians on treating complications and develop new monitoring strategies.
A new study finds that a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to producing cleaner energy based on cost alone could create social inequalities. Countries transitioning to zero carbon should consider socio-economic impacts, such as the potential disruption to workforce and labor market, before making decisions.