Researchers at King's College London found that restricting COVID-19 symptom testing to the 'classic triad' of cough, fever and loss of smell may have missed up to a third of cases. Extending the list to include fatigue, sore throat, headache and diarrhoea detected 96% of symptomatic cases.
Researchers from King's College London found that whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WBMRI) detects more myeloma cases than traditional PET/CT tests. The study showed that WBMRI allowed for critical treatment to be initiated earlier in 24% of cases, resulting in improved patient outcomes.
A new study published in The Lancet found that metabolic surgery is more effective than medications and lifestyle interventions in controlling severe type 2 diabetes. Over 37.5% of surgically-treated patients achieved diabetes remission for the entire 10-year study period.
Researchers analyzed dietary habits of 2,590 twins using nine dietary indices and found identical twins were more similar than non-identical twins, suggesting a genetic component to food choices. The study highlights the complex relationship between genetics and environment in shaping eating behavior.
A new study from King's College London finds that nearly half of ICU staff are likely to meet the threshold for PTSD, severe anxiety, or problem drinking. The researchers found poor mental health was common among ICU clinicians, particularly nurses, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A large-scale international study found a panel of 15 gut microbes associated with lower risks of common conditions. Diets rich in healthy foods encourage the presence of these beneficial microbes, which are linked to improved health outcomes.
A recent study from King's College London has found that smoking is associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 symptoms and severity. Current smokers were more likely to develop the classic triad of symptoms suggesting diagnosis of COVID-19, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
The study uses self-reported data from over 2.8 million users to provide accurate estimates of COVID-19 prevalence and incidence, detecting regional hotspots and informing policy makers on targeted testing capacity. The app's daily data release enables early detection of changes in incidence or prevalence.
People with diabetes and eye disease are at a higher risk of requiring intubation when hospitalized with COVID-19. Diabetic retinopathy was associated with a five-fold increased risk for intubation in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19.
Researchers at King's College London have discovered a way to change baby brain activity through associative learning, which could lead to innovative rehabilitation methods for infants with brain injuries. The study involved 24 infants who learned an association between sound and movement, resulting in altered brain activity.
Research found Afro-Caribbean patients with end stage kidney disease have a four-fold increased risk of being hospitalized with COVID-19 compared to other ethnicities. The study also showed that patients with ESKD are vulnerable to severe COVID-19 infection and require integrated multidisciplinary care.
A new study published in BMC Medicine reveals that informal carers provide more than half of total care costs in the UK, Ireland, and US during the last three months of life. The research emphasizes the need for improved integration and support for community palliative care services to enhance care quality and reduce burden on caregivers.
Researchers found extensive lung damage and unique characteristics in COVID-19 patients, including fibrotic material and abnormal cell fusion. The study suggests the persistence of these 'abnormal cells' may explain long COVID symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath.
A study by King's College London found that people tend to believe they are less likely to contract COVID-19 than others, leading to comparative optimism and potentially poorer compliance with lockdown guidelines. This perception of low risk can make individuals more relaxed about future lockdown measures, increasing the likelihood of ...
A study at King's College London reveals Black patients are more likely to require hospital admission for mild infection progression while Asian patients are at higher risk of dying from severe complications. Despite similar comorbidity rates, the study attributes these disparities to biological factors.
Researchers at King's College London have developed a new method for detecting congenital heart disease in babies, using 4D visualizations of the heart to measure blood flow and vessel function. This technology could become a new tool for aiding diagnosis, potentially improving outcomes for babies born with the condition.
A Cochrane Review found that hospital-based specialist palliative care may offer small benefits for patient-centred outcomes like quality of life, symptom burden, depression, and satisfaction with care. The review also showed an increased likelihood of patients dying in their preferred place by 22%, measured by home death.
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that introducing high doses of gluten from four months of age may prevent coeliac disease in children. The Enquiring About Tolerance (EAT) Study showed no cases of coeliac disease among infants who introduced gluten early, but further studies are needed for confirmation.
A new material has been developed to transplant bone-forming stem cells into severe bone fractures and speed up the healing process. The bone-like bandage is coated in a protein used for growth and repair, allowing it to enhance the natural ability of bones to heal.
Research from King's College London found COVID-19 can be diagnosed using emergency stroke scans. The scans capture lung images showing 'ground glass opacification,' which predicts increased mortality and informs PPE use, triage, and contact tracing.
A study published in Diabetologia found that loneliness predicts the development of type 2 diabetes, even after accounting for other factors. The researchers analyzed data from over 4,100 adults and discovered that individuals experiencing chronic loneliness were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes over a period of 12 years.
A study led by King's College London found that pregnant women with obesity who received a diet and exercise intervention showed improved cardiovascular function in their children at three years old. Mothers also maintained healthier diets three years after delivery.
A study of over 260,000 people found that genetics play a key role in sun-seeking behaviour, making it more challenging to address excessive sun exposure. The research identified five genes linked to behavioural traits associated with risk-taking and addiction.
Scientists discovered that type-1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1) promote tissue repair in the gut, but when dysregulated can contribute to IBD co-morbidities such as cancer and fibrosis. This finding has important implications for treating patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.
A new palliative care model, known as Short-Term Integrated Palliative Care (SIPC), has been shown to improve quality of life for patients with long-term neurological conditions while reducing costs. The study found no significant difference in patient-reported outcomes between SIPC and standard care.
A study published in The Lancet found that community health workers can significantly reduce maternal, fetal, and newborn deaths by improving access to care. Researchers recommend expanding the workforce and improving healthcare standards to reach more women.
Research has found that the brains of humans, flies, and mice share similar mechanisms for brain development and function. This similarity can be interpreted in two ways: as evidence of a single ancestral brain or independent evolution of brain circuits. The study identified shared genetic regulatory mechanisms controlling brain area f...
A new study found that frontline healthcare workers with adequate PPE have a three-fold increased risk of positive SARS-CoV-2 test compared to the general population. Healthcare workers from BAME backgrounds were particularly at risk, with a fivefold increase in infection rate.
A new risk score, MIRACLE2, predicts brain injury in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with high accuracy. The score is developed to help clinicians make critical decisions and improve treatment selection.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that patients with frailty, older age, and urinary tract infections have a higher risk of developing sepsis. Antibiotic therapy may reduce this risk, but unnecessary prescribing can contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers have found genes related to inflammation and stress that may help tailor treatments for depression. These findings support the idea that patients with treatment-resistant depression have heightened inflammation compared to those who respond to medication.
Research has found that cancer patients diagnosed over 24 months ago are more likely to experience severe COVID-19 infection. Patients from Asian ethnicity or receiving palliative treatment were also at a higher risk of death from COVID-19.
A study found that local authorities' spending cuts on alcohol services are associated with increased hospital admissions. The research, published in The British Journal of Psychiatry, analyzed data from 2012 to 2019 and found a link between reduced funding for specialist treatment and higher rates of alcohol-related hospitalizations.
A study published in Circulation Research found that exposure to nitrogen dioxide from gas cookers can lower blood pressure by 5 mm Hg. Blood levels of nitrite also increased after exposure, suggesting a possible mechanism linking air pollution to cardiovascular health. The findings suggest that cooking with gas may have a beneficial e...
A new study identified a significant common genetic component in BECTS, suggesting potential new treatments, and found maternal smoking in pregnancy quadrupled the risk of BECTS. The association with CHRNA5 gene opens up research possibilities into how epilepsy is caused.
Emerging evidence suggests COVID-19 may trigger new-onset diabetes in healthy people and exacerbate pre-existing conditions. The Global Registry aims to understand the relationship between COVID-19 and diabetes, informing treatment strategies.
A recent study published in Nature Medicine found that healthy adults exhibit a wide range of metabolic responses to food, with inflammation triggered by eating varying up to ten-fold. This suggests personalized diets can help reduce inflammation and improve health.
King's College London researchers recommend adding loss of taste and smell to COVID-19 screening measures to detect almost 16% of missed cases. The analysis of 3.7 million users from the COVID Symptom Study app data found that loss of smell is a strong predictor of infection, occurring three times more frequently than fever or cough.
A study found that nearly three-quarters of people with depression also suffered from anxiety, leading to a higher risk of long-term depression. The researchers highlight the need for integrated anxiety screening and culturally adapted therapies to address this complex combination of mental health issues.
A study published in Lancet Psychiatry found that adding cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to standardised medical care significantly reduced the frequency of dissociative seizures, improved functioning, and enhanced quality of life. Researchers recommend incorporating CBT into specialist care for patients with dissociative seizures.
A new study by King's College London researchers found that personal accounts of childhood maltreatment show a stronger association with psychiatric problems compared to legal proof of maltreatment. Those who recalled the experience were nearly twice as likely to have emotional disorders in adulthood.
Researchers developed an AI model that predicts COVID-19 infection based on symptoms and data from the COVID Symptom Study app. The model uses a combination of four key symptoms, including loss of smell or taste, to achieve nearly 80% accuracy.
Experts recommend prioritizing surgical treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes or severe obesity due to the risk of complications from their disease and COVID-19. Bariatric and metabolic surgery can lead to significant weight loss, reduced cardiovascular risk, and improved survival.
A study published by King's College London found that spaceflight and combined oral contraceptive pill use do not increase the risk of venous thromboembolism in female astronauts. The research looked at 38 flights between 2000 and 2014 and proposed more frequent blood tests during astronaut selection and training.
A new study reveals the economic burden of cancer care for Syrian refugees, estimating costs ranging from $3,000 to $7,000 per case. The findings highlight the urgent need for governments and international agencies to provide adequate funding and resources for cancer care in refugee populations.
A study by King's College London found that cancer patients referred by GPs with suspected cancer had lower mortality rates and were more likely to be diagnosed at an earlier stage for breast, lung, and prostate cancer. Early GP referrals have made a significant impact in improving cancer outcomes in the NHS.
Researchers identified genes ABTB1 and GRB10 as influential in nutrient-sensing pathways, associated with performance on memory tasks. Lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, can delay memory decline, but genetic variations affect their effectiveness.
A new study identified over 1,000 genetic variations in 450 genes linked to moderate to severe myopia. The research suggests that genetics can play a significant role in myopia, with specific genes involved in circadian rhythm and eye pigmentation.
A study led by King's College London researchers analyzed existing studies on coronavirus strains to determine the safety of pain medications, steroids, and other drugs for patients with COVID-19. The study found that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are not evidence against their use in treating COVID-19.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that tackling unhealthy lifestyle factors can provide the greatest benefit in increasing life expectancy among those with severe mental illness. Interventions aimed at stopping smoking and reducing sedentary behavior show promise, with potential increases of 2 years and 1 year, respectively.