A recent study by Queen Mary University of London reveals a range of fundamental physical constants that can vary, allowing for the viscosity needed for life processes to occur within and between living cells. This discovery sheds light on the origin of these constants and their impact on life as we know it.
A genetic study of 44,396 British people of Bangladeshi and Pakistani ancestry found that 57% have a genetic variant that renders clopidogrel ineffective in preventing recurrent heart attacks. People with two loss of function variants were more than three times more likely to experience recurrent heart attacks due to treatment failure.
Research suggests e-cigarettes are more effective in helping pregnant smokers quit, resulting in better pregnancy outcomes. The study found fewer cases of low birthweight in the e-cigarette group compared to nicotine patches, likely due to reduced cigarette use.
A new NIHR Dementia and Neurodegeneration Policy Research Unit (DeNPRU) will work with policymakers to produce research on four key questions. The team aims to deliver fairer services, support people living with dementia, and improve patient outcomes.
A new sensor developed by Queen Mary University of London enhances robots' sense of touch, allowing them to accurately measure interaction forces and geometry. This breakthrough could pave the way for more advanced and reliable robotics in the future, enabling better handling and manipulation of objects.
A new study reveals that reptiles demonstrate spontaneous associations between visual and auditory information, including tortoises associating low sounds with large shapes and high pitch sounds with small shapes. This discovery shows how brains are prepared to predict visuo-acoustic correspondences likely to occur in the natural world.
A new study led by Queen Mary University of London has found that an overdose of the DYRK1A gene on chromosome 21 causes premature ageing in people with Down's Syndrome. This leads to accelerated cellular ageing, including reduced tissue regenerative capacity and increased DNA damage.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have created a new type of electric variable-stiffness artificial muscle with self-sensing capabilities, revolutionizing soft robotics and medical applications. The innovative technology enables rapid reactions and force sensing, making it ideal for integration into intricate robotic systems.
A new study creates graphene capsules using seaweed and salt, enabling high precision, real-time biomechanical and vital signs measurements. This sustainable technology has the potential to outperform traditional non-sustainable sensors.
A family of DNA elements has been identified as controlling the activation of genes known to cause a rare disease called MSL3 syndrome in children. The discovery sheds light on the mechanism behind this poorly understood disease and may lead to better treatments in the future.
Scientists have identified a gene variant that causes a common type of hypertension and found a way to cure it by removing an adrenal gland. The discovery, published in Nature Genetics, could lead to more accurate diagnoses and treatment options for patients with high blood pressure.
Researchers discovered that melanoma skin cancer cells adopt an efficient style of movement called rounded-amoeboid migration, which requires less energy than traditional cell movement. This process involves reshaping mitochondria to operate in a low-power mode, allowing cells to survive in stressful environments.
Only 13% of global methane emissions are regulated, despite causing at least 25% of current global warming. The lack of regulation and clarity must be urgently addressed to meet global climate targets, with a consistent approach worldwide needed to drastically reduce global warming levels.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that bumblebees acquire new behaviors through social learning, with observed bees consistently choosing the taught method over an alternative option. This suggests that social learning may have driven the evolution of complex behaviors in these insects.
Researchers found that newborn chicks prefer stimuli moving upward against gravity, even without prior experience. This innate preference suggests that animals are born with a predisposed knowledge of sensitivity to simple features guiding behavior from birth.
A study published by Queen Mary University of London found that feeling supported at work reduces the risk of depression, anxiety, and burnout. Improving workplace aspects such as manager approachability, consistent information, and staffing levels can significantly protect mental wellbeing in healthcare professionals.
Researchers linked hundreds of proteins to common metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes, finding potential targets for treatment. The study identified genes and proteins associated with increased disease risk, including GRP hormone which decreases the chances of becoming overweight.
Recreational nitrous oxide use can lead to subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord, causing serious disability in young people. The new guidelines provide practical solutions for early recognition and effective treatment to alleviate pressure on hospitals.
A study has identified a severe form of mpox with a 15% mortality rate in people with advanced HIV disease and immunosuppression. The researchers recommend adding this form of mpox to the list of AIDS-defining conditions to guide management of immunocompromised individuals.
Research suggests that targeting gut microbiome development, rather than just human nutritional needs, can more effectively improve child growth and development. Genetic functions of gut microbes can predict how well a child is growing, providing a new target for interventions.
A UK government program aimed at tackling childhood obesity may be having negative effects on children's mental health and relationships with food. The study found that some families expressed concerns about the potential for weight-related teasing and stigma, which can lead to poorer self-perceptions and unhealthy dieting behaviors.
Excessive trabeculation of the left ventricle does not coalesce into a compact myocardial wall, making 'LV non-compaction' an inaccurate term that should be discouraged. The review recommends using 'excessive trabeculation', which can be observed across various health and disease states.
Researchers uncover mechanism explaining how embryos form larvae or miniature adults, correlating gene activation timing with life cycle evolution.
A recent study found that UK healthcare professionals' lifestyles worsened during the pandemic, with 43% reporting reduced physical activity and 28% struggling to eat a healthy diet. However, improving lifestyle habits was associated with a 40% reduction in depression, anxiety, and low mental wellbeing.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have developed a new CT scan that detects and cures the common cause of high blood pressure by removing benign nodules in the adrenal gland. The scan was found to be as accurate as the old catheter test but quick, painless, and technically successful in every patient.
A new study has identified a protein called LAP1 that makes melanoma cells more aggressive by changing their nucleus shape. The protein allows cancer cells to migrate and spread throughout the body, leading to poor outcomes in patients.
Researchers found that zebrafish lacking the baz1b gene exhibit increased sociability, reduced fear, and physical changes similar to those in domesticated species. The study suggests the gene impacts both morphological and behavioral characteristics associated with domestication syndrome.
A Queen Mary University of London study found that only 75% of children receive the first MMR vaccine on time, with poorest neighborhoods most affected. The researchers call for increased investment in vaccination services to ensure all London children are protected from measles.
Researchers used Instagram to measure the pressures of tourism on loggerhead turtles in Zakynthos, Greece. The study found that social media can be a useful tool for conservationists to monitor wildlife viewing pressure and prevent lethal propeller injuries.
Research from Queen Mary University of London found that relaxed Covid-19 restrictions in the UK led to a significant increase in severe asthma attacks among adults with asthma. The study analyzed data from over 2,300 participants and found that episodes of progressive worsening of asthma symptoms doubled after restrictions were lifted.
A global case series of monkeypox infection in cisgender and transgender women and non-binary individuals provides valuable insights into risk factors, routes of transmission, and clinical features. The study highlights the need for education among healthcare professionals to accurately diagnose and prevent transmission.
A new class of drugs has been developed and successfully tested to treat resistant hypertension. The trial shows a significant fall in blood pressure in patients who did not respond to usual medications. Baxdrostat works by preventing the body from making aldosterone, a hormone regulating salt levels.
Researchers used 3D avatars to refine facial expressions and found substantial individual differences in interpreting emotions like happiness, fear, sadness, and anger. The study suggests people's unique understandings of facial expressions influence their responses, highlighting the need for diverse research approaches.
A study published in Animal Behaviour found that bumble bees engage in playful behavior by rolling wooden balls repeatedly. The research showed that younger and male bees rolled the balls more than older and female bees, respectively.
The NIHR Global Health Research Centre will collaborate with communities across Latin America to develop low-cost solutions for improving healthcare for non-communicable diseases. The centre aims to strengthen research capacity and provide formal training for local researchers and clinicians.
Researchers found that bumblebees can only retain basic ranking memories for a few minutes. They can remember which flower was sweeter than another but struggle to recall the sweetness of individual flowers.
The study found that genetic variants associated with height are concentrated in regions covering just over 20% of the genome. The variants identified explain 40% of the variation in height for people of European ancestry, and around 10-20% for those of non-European ancestry.
A study published in the Journal of Medical Screening found that pre-booked appointments increased breast cancer screening attendance by 53.1%, compared to 60.6% for timed appointments in London between September 2020 and March 2021.
A new study by Queen Mary University of London reveals that children and young adults with Down Syndrome are four times more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The research, which examined over 9,000 individuals with Down Syndrome, found a 10-fold increased risk of developing the condition in those aged five-14.
A study by Queen Mary University of London and University of Nottingham found that patients with young onset dementia are at a high risk of suicide, particularly if under 65 or have psychiatric illness. Early recognition and support after diagnosis are crucial in reducing distress caused by this devastating condition.
New research finds healthcare professionals more likely to experience burnout due to high workloads, patient stress, and anxiety. The study suggests this trend may lead to increased mental health disorders and cardiovascular diseases among healthcare workers.
Researchers have created exceptionally thin nanomembranes that can separate hydrocarbons from crude oil with 90% less energy than traditional distillation columns. The membranes' high permeance and selectivity enable rapid processing of crude oil, reducing plant footprint and energy consumption.
Researchers discovered that FOXA1, a cancer-causing gene, regulates alternative splicing in prostate cancer, influencing disease relapse and patient survival. The study identified specific splice variants linked to cancer recurrence, which could serve as markers for disease relapse and potential drug targets.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have invented a new application of perovskites as single-crystal optical fibers with exceptional stability, efficiency, and durability. These high-performance fibers could revolutionize broadband delivery, improve medical imaging, and even enable solar-powered clothing.
New polymer nanomembranes with aligned supramolecular macrocycles exhibit superior filtration properties, exceeding conventional membranes. They enable precise tuning of pore size for accurate molecular separations in industries such as pharmaceuticals.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have found that increasing the blood level at which faecal blood testing triggers a colonoscopy invitation can reduce lives lost from bowel cancer. This approach is more effective than changing the gap between screening invitations.
Scientists discovered a fixed inversion point between liquid-like and gas-like states of supercritical matter, with the same location across all systems studied. This finding reveals that supercritical matter is surprisingly simple and amenable to new understanding.
A new study analyzing 72 lakes in four large Neotropical wetlands of Brazil reveals that human impacts on biodiversity compromise wetland multifunctionality. Strong associations between aquatic organism diversity and wetland functioning were found, highlighting the crucial role of species richness in driving ecosystem health.
New research reveals that only 1 in 5 Syrian children living in refugee camps exhibit resilience to mental health problems. The study found that factors such as the child's environment, caregiver interactions, and access to resources significantly impact their ability to recover from war trauma.
Researchers have identified new clinical symptoms in people infected with monkeypox, including single genital lesions and sores on the mouth or anus. The study will improve future diagnosis and help slow the spread of infection.