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Queen Mary University of London


New research reveals why warm hugs make us feel so good about ourselves

A new review published in Trends in Cognitive Sciences highlights the effect of temperature on our awareness of our own bodies, improving our understanding of “skin-to-brain” signals. The study reveals a previously overlooked pathway through which the body communicates with the brain, contributing to emotion, identity, and mental health.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·DateDec 4, 2025

New “self-tuning” film paves the way for next generation wireless and radar devices

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have discovered a new way to engineer thin films that can adapt quickly to changing signals, making them highly responsive and efficient. The new material shows an unusually high level of tunability, reaching about 74% at microwave frequencies, with low voltage application required.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 3, 2025

Plastic pollution could linger at ocean surfaces for over a century, new research finds

A new model shows that buoyant plastics degrade slowly at the surface, fragmenting into smaller particles over decades. These tiny fragments can then sink to the ocean floor, but it may take more than 100 years for surface plastic waste to disappear.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 23, 2025

Scientists reveal warped protoplanetary discs, reshaping ideas about how planets form

New research reveals that many protoplanetary discs are subtly warped, challenging the textbook picture of flat discs. These small warps can naturally explain large-scale patterns observed in gas motion and may be responsible for creating spiral patterns and temperature variations within cosmic nurseries.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateAug 27, 2025

A breath test could help us detect blood cancers

A new breath test has been developed to detect blood cancers, showing promise for early diagnosis and treatment monitoring. The test uses exhaled breath analysis to identify molecules produced by cancer cells, potentially providing a quick and affordable diagnostic tool for areas with limited access to specialist equipment.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalHemaSphere·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 22, 2025

Arctic winter reaches melting point: scientists witness dramatic thaw in Svalbard

Researchers in Svalbard encounter exceptionally high temperatures, widespread snowmelt, and blooming vegetation, challenging the long-held assumption of a reliably frozen Arctic winter. This finds underscores the transformative impact on physical environment, local ecosystems, and scientific research methodology.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNature Communications·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 21, 2025

Queen Mary scientists developing world’s first clinical test for selecting personalized rheumatoid arthritis treatments

Queen Mary University of London scientists have invented a method to predict patient response to biological therapies, reducing the risk of ineffective treatments and improving patient wellbeing. The approach uses gene sequencing and machine learning on joint tissue samples to forecast treatment outcomes.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNature·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 3, 2025

Old termite mounds help support high insect biodiversity in tropical rainforests

A new study reveals that abandoned termite mounds serve as microhabitats for a wide range of insects and other invertebrates in Bornean tropical rainforest. The team found five to nine times higher abundance of insects in unoccupied mounds compared to surrounding soil, with ants being the most commonly found insect group.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalSoil Ecology Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2025

Smaller islands offer crucial refuge for endangered mammals in Wallacea

A new study reveals smaller islands in Wallacea are critical refuges for endangered mammals, with lower genetic diversity but fewer harmful mutations. Habitat quality on these islands is higher than on larger ones, emphasizing the importance of protecting them for long-term survival.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 25, 2025

ADHD link to severe premenstrual disorder uncovered in women

A new study from Queen Mary University of London found that women with ADHD are significantly more likely to suffer from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Women with high levels of ADHD symptoms and impairment were over four times more likely to have PMDD, emphasizing the need for screening in females with ADHD. The findings high...

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalThe British Journal of Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateJun 23, 2025

Cellular scaffolding secrets unlocked: Scientists discover key to microtubule growth

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London and the University of Dundee have discovered how microtubules decide whether to grow or shorten, a fundamental mechanism governing cellular processes. This breakthrough sheds new light on cell division and opens potential avenues for cancer treatment.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 29, 2025

Electrophysiology at atomic resolution: scientists simulate ion channel currents with unprecedented accuracy

Researchers have accurately simulated ion channel currents using atom-by-atom computational models, settling a decades-long scientific debate. The findings reveal that up to four potassium ions line up in the channel like pearls on a string, enabling rapid conduction and exquisite selectivity.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 21, 2025

Beyond ‘one size fits all’: Study reveals ethnic differences in breast cancer development and outcomes, demanding tailored care approaches

A new study by Queen Mary University of London found significant ethnic differences in breast cancer development and outcomes among women of African and South Asian genetic ancestry. Women from these backgrounds were diagnosed earlier and died younger than European-ancestry women, highlighting the need for tailored care approaches.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 20, 2025

Light-to-electricity nanodevice reveals how Earth’s oldest surviving cyanobacteria worked

A team of scientists has decoded the structure of a light-harvesting nanodevice in a 3-billion-year-old lineage of cyanobacteria, providing an unprecedented glimpse into early life's photosynthetic assembly. The discovery reveals that even three billion years ago, photosynthesis had reached a remarkable degree of sophistication.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2025

Mathematicians uncover the hidden patterns behind a $3.5 billion cryptocurrency collapse

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London used advanced mathematical techniques to identify suspicious trading patterns that suggest a coordinated attack on the TerraUSD stablecoin, leading to a catastrophic loss of $3.5 billion in value. The study sheds light on how this happened, uncovering evidence of a deliberate attempt to ...

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalACM Transactions on the Web·DateApr 4, 2025