Scientists at King's College London have developed a rapid method for creating cyclic peptides, an important class of antibiotic molecules, which can be produced in minutes rather than hours or days. This breakthrough could inspire renewed efforts towards developing new antibiotics to combat antimicrobial resistance.
A new home-administered treatment combining tDCS and ABMT has shown significant improvements in reducing binge eating episodes, weight loss, and mood in individuals with BED. The treatment demonstrated substantial changes compared to sham treatments and control group.
Researchers at King's College London have developed a novel drug delivery system using biologically compatible peptides found in chicken feathers and skin tissue. This innovative approach enables targeted delivery of chemotherapy drugs and repair of faulty enzymes, potentially reducing side effects and improving treatment outcomes.
Researchers at King's College London found that thousands of DNA sequences from ancient viral infections contribute to psychiatric disorder susceptibility. Five specific Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) were associated with increased risk for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.
Researchers have developed a targeted therapy for triple negative breast cancer by linking an antibody to a cell-killing drug. This approach may reduce side effects and improve patient outcomes for women diagnosed with this aggressive form of the disease.
A study found female health apps exposing users to unnecessary privacy and safety risks through poor data handling practices. Researchers discovered apps coercing users into entering sensitive information that could put them at risk.
A new study from King's College London found that environments with a diverse range of natural features are associated with stronger improvements in mental wellbeing. The research, published in Scientific Reports, used citizen science data from nearly 2000 participants and found that the benefits can last for up to eight hours.
Rising water levels in East Africa's soda lakes are reducing the main food source for lesser flamingos, leading to declining populations. The birds may be pushed into new unprotected areas in search of food, threatening their survival.
Xylazine, a non-opioid sedative used in veterinary medicine, has infiltrated the UK's illicit drug market, causing widespread problems. Researchers detected its presence in 16 people, 11 of whom were fatal, and warn that it poses a significant risk to those who use drugs beyond heroin users.
Scientists at King's College London discovered that limiting damage from an asthma attack could stop the disease by blocking a process that causes epithelial cell death. The findings suggest that preventing this damage could also prevent long-term inflammation, wound healing, and infections in asthma sufferers.
A study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe found that 60% of stroke survivors experience depression within 18 years, significantly higher than the general population. Depression typically occurs within five years of surviving a stroke and can limit mobility and increase mortality.
A study by King's College London found that lonely 12-year-olds are more likely to be out of education and employment, and consider themselves less employable. The researchers suggest addressing loneliness in early adolescence could yield economic benefits through increased productivity.
A therapist-guided digital cognitive behavioural therapy reduced distress in 89% of participants with long-term physical health conditions. The COMPASS programme showed significant improvements in anxiety, depression, daily activities, and quality of life.
A Phase 2b clinical trial published in The Lancet found that abatacept reduces progression to rheumatoid arthritis and can also ease symptoms. After a year-long treatment, patients treated with abatacept showed significant reductions in disease onset and inflammation.
A large UK trial found that repeat testing for pre-eclampsia in pregnant women did not lead to better health outcomes. However, the initial test remains beneficial for identifying those at high risk of adverse outcomes and ensuring timely intensive surveillance.
A King's College London study analyzed brain scans from 390 babies, revealing distinct patterns of dynamic functional connectivity in term and pre-term infants. These patterns were linked to development outcomes in movement, language, cognition, and social behavior at 18 months.
Researchers from King's College London developed an AI model to predict brain cancer patient outcomes after radiotherapy. The model showed improved performances when trained on 10,000s of brain MRI scans and can give clinicians accurate predictions with a single routine scan, allowing for early treatment decisions.
Researchers found that mood interventions, including psychological therapy, antidepressants, and exercise, significantly reduced inflammatory biomarker levels in individuals with IBD. Interventions for mood may present an alternative treatment for IBD that is effective and low-cost.
Researchers found that access to community perinatal mental health teams significantly improved the risk of acute relapse, but also associated with increased stillbirth and neonatal death rates. Women with severe mental illnesses had a lower risk of relapse after birth in regions with CPMHTs.
A large brain imaging study discovered reduced grey matter volume across nearly all brain regions in individuals with Early Onset Psychosis, a critical period of brain development. The study provides unprecedented levels of detail about the illness and may assist in future diagnosis and track treatment effects.
New research shows that measuring airborne grass allergen levels is more consistently associated with hay fever symptoms than grass pollen counts. This approach may allow people with serious allergies to be better prepared during peak pollen seasons, reducing the risk of severe asthma attacks.
Researchers found that a rare type of T cell, Vd1-gd T cells, can predict patient response to immunotherapy treatments. The presence of these cells is highly predictive of positive responses in cancers with few mutations, and they may be more resistant to suppression from cancer cells.
A landmark study found that 92% of patients with severe asthma can safely reduce inhaled steroid dose and more than 60% can stop all use, minimizing side effects like osteoporosis, diabetes, and cataracts. The SHAMAL study used biologic therapy benralizumab to control severe asthma without steroids.
A new study found that simulated high altitude exposure can increase haemoglobin levels in older patients, potentially benefiting their physical health before surgery. The research suggests that 'altitude prehabilitation' could be a useful approach to improve fitness and reduce complications in patients at risk.
A global research community has agreed on a Core Outcome Measure Set (COMS) to measure the severity and impact of Long COVID, a vital tool to speed up treatment development. The set includes 12 outcome domains that will be measured in all studies and clinical services.
A recent study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that individuals with severe mental illness were 50% more likely to die from all causes following a COVID-19 infection. The research also highlighted regional disparities and differences in mortality risk based on ethnicity and geographical location.
Researchers at King's College London are studying the effects of maternal prenatal exposure to COVID-19 infection on children's brain development. The six-year study will explore how the maternal immune system affects fetal brain development and identify potential impacts on childhood outcomes.
Researchers analyzed 48 TV episodes of popular UK programs, finding that midwives and doctors clamping the umbilical cord were shown inaccurately or dramatized in a third of cases. The study highlights the need for safety warnings to inform viewers about outdated practices.
A clinical trial has shown that methotrexate is a useful and safe treatment for children with severe atopic dermatitis, offering better objective disease control compared to ciclosporin. The study found no concerning safety signals, making methotrexate an attractive alternative for patients in settings where healthcare resources are li...
Research published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that half of participants do not match healthy meals to snacks or vice versa, negatively affecting blood sugar and fat levels. Swapping unhealthy for healthy snacks can be a simple strategy to improve health.
A new study found that depression risk in adolescents varies between boys and girls, with different cytokines linked to depression severity in each sex. In boys, higher levels of interleukin-2 were associated with increased risk and severity of depressive symptoms.
Research from King's College London found that children between ages 12 and 16 with a higher body mass index (BMI) are at an increased risk of developing depression symptoms. The study also showed that there is a stronger association for children with a higher BMI at an early age to develop depression at a later age.
A new study has found that higher levels of inflammation in patients with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery predict poorer weight loss. The research suggests that personalised interventions targeting inflammation could improve physical and mental health outcomes after surgery.
Research found that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment for postnatal depression was associated with reduced child behavioral difficulties, ADHD symptoms, and maternal depression. The study also suggested long-term benefits of SSRI treatment on child outcomes up to five years after childbirth.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences successfully reversed hearing loss in mice by activating a defective gene. The researchers found that introducing a special enzyme at a young age significantly improved hearing, with positive effects becoming less potent with time.
A new drug treatment, KCL-286, has demonstrated safety and tolerability in a Phase 1 clinical trial, promoting recovery through activating retinoic acid receptor beta (RARb) in the spine. Researchers are now seeking funding for a Phase 2a trial to study its effects in those with spinal cord injuries.
A TENS machine has shown promise as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea, improving breathing and reducing daytime exhaustion in patients. The device is a cheaper and less invasive alternative to CPAP, which can be uncomfortable and lead to sleep deprivation.
Researchers at King's College London found irregular sleep patterns are associated with lower overall diet quality, higher intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages, and lower intakes of fruits and nuts. This is linked to differences in gut microbiome composition, with certain species having 'unfavourable' associations with health.
Researchers found that people with prolonged COVID-19 symptoms experienced reduced performance in mental tasks up to two years post-infection. Those who didn't feel fully recovered after infection showed lower task accuracy scores.
Researchers found that people who retrospectively reported childhood maltreatment had more depressive episodes than those without a record of maltreatment, regardless of whether they had an official court record. Early interventions may help prevent emotional problems by addressing memories of abuse and neglect.
Researchers found that mice with Alzheimer's Disease lacked TLR4 in their central nervous system, leading to reduced joint inflammation and immune cell response. This study suggests potential therapeutic targets for chronic pain treatment and raises awareness about underreported pain in AD patients.
A 'poo transplant' trial provides evidence that faecal microbiota transplants can improve gut health in patients with cirrhosis, reducing the likelihood of infections. The PROMISE trial aims to deliver FMT capsules via oral administration, offering a potential breakthrough for patients with advanced liver disease.
Research found that antidepressant prescriptions, particularly SSRIs, were associated with a 40% reduction in COVID-19 test positivity rates among mental health patients. The study suggests that antidepressants may have a preventative role against COVID-19 infection.
A new pilot study published in JAMA Psychiatry demonstrates the potential role of probiotic supplementation in supporting mood and mental health in adults with Major Depressive Disorder. The study found significant improvements in depression and anxiety scores over an eight-week period, with notable benefits seen from week four onwards.
A new study reveals that antibody-producing B cells in patients with melanoma may be defective, leading to ineffective responses against the disease. The research finds that active B cells accumulate at the edge of tumors and gather in small groups, carrying specific antibody features that react with T cells and other immune cells.
New research from King's College London suggests that many people with depression have an activated immune response, independent of CRP levels. This finding could pave the way for more personalized approaches to treatment and management of MDD.
A 43-year-old male's death in May 2022 is the first UK case associated with Xylazine, a non-opioid sedative and painkiller. The drug, commonly used in veterinary medicine, has been linked to widespread problems in North America due to its ability to lower breathing and heart rate.
A new class of immunotherapy has shown promising results in targeting and treating the most aggressive form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma. The study developed an IgE antibody that activates the immune response to fight cancer and slows melanoma growth in mice.
Research at King's College London found a higher prevalence of HIV diagnoses among people who use mental health services in South London. The study suggests that there is a complex relationship between HIV and mental illness, with potential risks for both acquiring HIV or developing mental illness.
A new study published in The Lancet shows that metabolic surgery is more effective than medications and lifestyle interventions in treating advanced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The trial compared three active treatments and found that surgery reversed inflammation and improved liver fibrosis, leading to better overall health ben...