Researchers used a genetic scoring technique to predict academic achievement from DNA, achieving 10% accuracy. This surpasses previous methods like gender and 'grit', which explained only 1-5% of the variance in educational achievement.
Researchers found that patients with a rare autoimmune disorder produce antibodies that limit immune-related diseases, including type 1 diabetes. These autoantibodies target proteins such as interferons and interleukins, potentially inhibiting the development of type 1 diabetes.
Researchers found that people who were easily bored tended to endorse more extreme political views. A second survey of 300 people also linked boredom with searching for meaning in life and political extremism.
Researchers identified genetic mutations in immune system genes that may lead to synchronous colorectal cancer, a rare type of bowel tumor. The study found that these patients have inherited damaging mutations that can cause an inflammatory environment in the gut, increasing the frequency of independent cancer-initiating events.
A new study from King's College London examined Freud's theory on Hysteria, a disorder resulting in severe neurological symptoms. The research found that stressors around the time of onset might be relevant for some patients with Conversion Disorder (CD), challenging the sole cause of trauma assumption. However, the study also highligh...
A new study found that reducing antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections does not increase the risk of serious bacterial complications. However, it also suggests that practices with lower rates of antibiotic prescribing had slightly higher rates of pneumonia and peritonsillar abscess.
Researchers have discovered specific cell types and mechanisms responsible for orientation selectivity in the retina of zebrafish, shedding light on how we perceive and recognize visual stimuli. The study reveals that mutating a key protein called Teneurin-3 leads to a loss of orientation selectivity in neurons.
Eating irregularly is linked to a higher risk of metabolic syndrome and obesity. The authors argue that considering the timing of meals alongside dietary choices could lead to better public health outcomes. Research highlights the importance of studying chrono-nutrition and its impact on our internal body clocks.
A quarter of COPD patients are frail but can respond favourably to exercise rehabilitation. Frail patients who completed the programme scored better in measures of breathlessness and exercise performance, with 61% no longer meeting frailty criteria after rehabilitation.
A blood test developed by King's College London accurately predicts which depressed patients will respond to common antidepressants. The test identifies biomarkers associated with inflammation, guiding patients towards earlier access to more assertive treatments.
A new King's College London study challenges the fantasy model of multiple personality disorder, suggesting that traumatic experiences such as neglect or abuse in childhood are a major contributing factor. Researchers found a continuum of trauma-related symptom severity across groups, with patients with DID exhibiting the highest scores.
Research suggests that high levels of water hardness in homes may be linked to the development of eczema in early infancy. Living in a hard water area was associated with an up to 87% increased risk of eczema at three months of age, independent of domestic water chlorine content.
A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that nearly 70% of young adults with ADHD did not meet criteria for the disorder in childhood, suggesting that adult-onset ADHD may have different causes. Adults with late-onset ADHD had high levels of symptoms and impairment, as well as other mental health disorders.
Researchers at King's College London examined eating habits of 1,620 children to determine if timing of evening meals was associated with obesity. They found no significant risk of being obese or overweight when eating dinner between 8pm and 10pm compared to earlier times.
Researchers found that nerve damage changes epigenetic marks on immune cells in the nervous system, suggesting a 'memory' of the initial injury. This discovery may provide new insights into why chronic pain persists despite the underlying injury or disease having gone.
A new study published in Hypertension found that arterial stiffening can be detected in early adulthood, particularly in ethnic minority groups, and is associated with physical inactivity, stress from racism, and high blood pressure. Regular physical activity was linked to lower arterial stiffness, emphasizing the importance of exercis...
A new study suggests that neurons often co-express functionally distinct alternative products from the same gene, facilitating acquisition of complex shapes and functions. Co-expression of alternative variants is essential for proper development of axons and dendrites in mice.
A new research program aims to improve patients' quality of life by monitoring major depressive disorder, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis using wearable devices and smartphone technology. The RADAR-CNS programme may allow treatment to begin before a patient's health deteriorates, preventing relapses.
Researchers explore contraceptive options for astronauts who want to prevent menstrual bleeding during space missions. Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) appear to have advantages for spaceflight, but more research is needed on the impact of hormone treatments on bone mineral loss.
Research from King's College London found that human trafficking survivors in the UK experienced severe mental health problems, including high levels of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The study revealed nearly 80% of women and 40% of men reported these issues, highlighting the urgent need for psychological support.
Researchers at King's College London found that brain stimulation reduced core symptoms of anorexia, including the urge to restrict food intake and feelings of fat. Participants who received real transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) showed more prudent decision-making by waiting for larger rewards.
Researchers found that vitamin C intake was associated with clearer lenses and a reduced risk of cataract progression. The study suggests that increasing fruit and vegetable consumption through a healthy diet may help protect against cataracts, particularly in older adults.
Researchers found that replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat slows diabetes progression in people with prediabetes whose muscles do not take up glucose properly. In contrast, reducing saturated fat had no effect on progress for those with liver-produced excess glucose.
Scientists have identified neuregulin-1 as a molecular signal that drives and enables spontaneous remyelination in the spinal cord after injury. This natural process aims to restore function and mobility, but current treatments are largely ineffective.
A new study has found a strong link between gum disease and increased rates of cognitive decline in people with early stages of Alzheimer's Disease. Periodontitis at baseline was associated with a six-fold increase in the rate of cognitive decline over a six-month follow-up period.
A study led by King's College London found that early introduction of peanut to infants at high-risk of developing peanut allergy significantly reduces the risk of peanut allergy until 6 years of age. The study, which followed on from the LEAP study, concluded that a 12-month period of peanut avoidance after initial consumption did not...
A large-scale study of 4,500 twins found that personality traits, not grit, predict around six percent of the differences in GCSE results. Grit alone only predicted 0.5 percent of these differences. The researchers suggest teaching grit to pupils may not be as effective as previously thought.
A meta-analysis found that bipolar patients with childhood maltreatment developed BD more than four years earlier, had more severe symptoms, and higher risks of suicide and PTSD. This study suggests a history of childhood maltreatment could be an early indicator of high risk for poor outcomes among individuals with bipolar disorder.
Research at King's College London identified altered brain connections in men with ASD, particularly in the frontal lobe and arcuate bundle. These differences were associated with delays in language development and social interaction skills, but may be reversible.
A new app called QUiPP was tested in high-risk women to predict preterm birth risk. The app performed well as a predictive tool, outperforming individual factors like cervical length and fetal fibronectin levels.
A new study by King's College London found that measuring fetal fibronectin at 18-21 weeks of gestation offers a similar predictive value to measurements at 22-27 weeks for spontaneous preterm birth. Combining cervical length with the biomarker test improves diagnostic accuracy.
A new study by King's College London found that reduced antibiotic prescribing is associated with lower GP satisfaction scores. The study, which analyzed records from 7,800 general practices, found a 25% lower rate of antibiotic prescribing corresponded to a 5-6 point reduction in GP satisfaction rankings.
A recent study published in Psycho-Oncology found that women with breast cancer who develop depression are at a 45% higher risk of death from all causes. The study suggests that targeted support for these individuals could improve survival rates and quality of life.
A recent study by King's College London and Sapienza University of Rome found that frequent use of high potency 'skunk-like' cannabis can cause damage to the white matter in the brain. White matter consists of large bundles of nerve cell projections, enabling communication between different regions of the brain.
A recent study published in Neuron shows that brain layers facilitate the rapid development of neuronal circuits, but are not essential for establishing cell-type specific connections. The researchers used zebrafish as a model system to demonstrate this and found that layer formation is necessary for speeding up circuit assembly.
A recent study published in Stem Cell Reports suggests that genetic identical twins may exhibit uneven growth as early as the first few days after conception. This phenomenon occurs when two inner cell masses within a single embryo are at different stages of development, leading to unequal growth throughout pregnancy.
Researchers at King's College London found a strong association between leg power and improved brain ageing in healthy female twins. The study suggests that simple interventions like increased walking can have a positive impact on cognitive health.
Scientists developed new techniques to retrieve fingerprints from ivory, overcoming its porous nature and achieving clearer prints with reduced-size powders. This breakthrough enhances forensic tool use in regions with high levels of ivory-related crime.
Researchers found that axon initial segment (AIS) plasticity can occur quickly, influencing neuronal firing responses. After 3 hours of elevated activity, the AIS was shortened by approximately 25%, but did not immediately lead to reduced excitability.
A study by King's Centre for Military Health Research found that UK military personnel's symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression increased in the months following their return from Afghanistan. The researchers highlighted the need for greater psychological support during this transitional period to help troops adjust to civilian life.
A new study led by King's College London found that splitting human embryos to produce twins for IVF may not be viable due to delays in development. The research suggests that a 'developmental clock' plays a critical role in earliest stages of human development, which can be interrupted by the splitting process.
Researchers at King's College London have identified a new gene, HIFalpha, that regulates nerve signals from damaged mitochondria in fruit flies. Switching off the HIFalpha gene restores nerve function and prevents early failure of nerve cells caused by mitochondrial damage.
Researchers at King's College London have identified a method to quickly estimate total body mole count using a smaller 'proxy' area, like the arm. Females with over 7 moles on their right arm had 9 times more risk of having 50+ moles overall, while those with 11 or more had 100+, indicating higher melanoma risk.
A new study by King's College London researchers provides the first clinical evidence on the mental health impact of human trafficking, finding high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among patients. The study reveals complex needs of trafficked individuals, including childhood abuse and adulthood trauma.
People with schizophrenia are more likely to misinterpret ambiguous social cues due to increased self-inference and hyper-mentalisation. Researchers found that patients' confidence in their interpretation is strongly associated with hallucinatory symptoms.
A new study found that people with Parkinson's disease psychosis who took antipsychotic medication were four times more likely to die than those who didn't. The treatment also led to serious health issues such as cognitive decline and worsening of Parkinson's symptoms.
A comprehensive review of strategies to reduce prolonged sitting found that targeting exercise was less effective than directly decreasing sitting time. Promising interventions included sit-stand desks, tracking sitting time, and setting individual goals.
A study of over 2,000 British young people found that those not in education, employment or training (NEET) were more likely to experience mental health problems and substance abuse disorders. However, when interviewed, NEET youths reported higher levels of commitment to work and job searching behaviors compared to their non-NEET peers.
A study by King's College London and University of Washington found that maternal chronic stress is associated with a higher prevalence of dental cavities among children. The study also found that mothers who did not breastfeed their children were more likely to have them develop cavities.
Researchers at King's College London have discovered a new molecular 'switch' that controls the properties of neurons in response to changes in their neural network. This finding suggests that the brain's hardware is tuneable and could lead to breakthroughs in education policy and neurological therapies.