Teenagers from lower-income households are more likely to have eating disorders, contrary to common stereotypes. The study found that family income showed the strongest correlation, with two-thirds of studies indicating that lower-income families were more likely to have eating disorder symptoms.
Researchers developed a 3D micro-bladder model to test phage therapy on UTI bacteria. The treatment successfully wiped out bacteria in hidden reservoirs, reducing the risk of recurrent infections. The study suggests a two-pronged approach combining phages and antibiotics may be more effective.
A new approach to mental health care, Open Dialogue, has been shown to reduce hospital admissions and improve satisfaction with care. The study found that those treated with Open Dialogue had a higher odds of never being admitted to psychiatric inpatient hospital care and lower odds of re-referral to crisis care.
A study by researchers at University College London found that widely available spy device detectors failed users most reliant on them, missing nearly 60% of hidden surveillance devices. The detectors' complexity and lack of usability led to emotional consequences, including anxiety spirals and false sense of security.
Researchers review evidence on potential transmission of amyloid-beta and CAA through blood transfusions, citing a 2023 study that found recipients of contaminated blood had a higher risk of brain bleeds. The authors argue for additional safety measures, citing a cautionary tale from the Infected Blood Inquiry.
Researchers developed a collagen scaffold to deliver stem cells to treat ARK, a progressive eye condition causing profound visual loss. After three months, treated eyes showed significant improvement in vision, with an average ETDRS score increase of 24 letters.
Men are more likely to be infected with TB due to increased exposure to the bacteria over their lifetime. Despite this, they were not significantly more likely to develop active TB disease compared to women.
A new report finds that delayed discharges and poor hospital environments keep people with dementia in hospitals unnecessarily, costing £328 million annually. The study suggests community-centric approaches can reduce hospitalisations and improve care.
The autism spectrum has become increasingly broad, leading to concerns about misdiagnosis and the loss of its meaning. Dame Uta Frith argues that a rethink is needed to examine whether the autism spectrum has become too broad, risking misunderstanding people's needs and misdirecting care.
A new study published in BMJ Public Health found that people who live by the coast in midlife are more likely to have two or more diagnosed chronic conditions. The researchers attribute this to higher deprivation and selective migration patterns, where individuals with worse health tend to remain in or move to coastal areas.
A study published in Communications Medicine found that early vitrectomy surgery can be more beneficial for patients' vision than the current antibiotic-first approach. After six months, patients who received this treatment showed a median improvement of 40 additional letters they could read compared to those receiving antibiotics.
A new study published in eBioMedicine shows that combining irinotecan with standard chemoradiotherapy improves survival against advanced rectal cancer, particularly in those with high concentrations of cancerous cells. The AI-powered analysis revealed a 43% reduction in cancer recurrence and a 50% reduction in death risk.
Scientists have identified unusual cell behavior and an overactive immune response in mothers and babies with preeclampsia, providing new therapeutic targets for the condition. The study found that stressed placental cells, poorly functioning blood vessels, and stress molecules released by the placenta contribute to the condition.
A new study by University College London researchers found that people who experienced persistent money struggles in early and middle adulthood performed less well in cognitive tests at age 53. They also found worse brain health, including more brain shrinkage, in later life, particularly for men and those with childhood disadvantage.
A new study recommends reducing and reusing nappies, developing recycling technologies, and creating compostable products to tackle the plastic waste crisis. The research team identifies three system interventions that can radically reduce the environmental impact of absorbent hygiene products.
Researchers found that risk calculators used to estimate heart attack and stroke risk perform about as well for predicting certain cancers. The tools estimated cancer risk based on factors such as age, BMI, smoking status, and blood pressure, which are also linked to a higher risk of cancer.
A study of 9,996 participants found that 76.9% of smokers buy legal tobacco, while 23.1% purchase from illicit sources at least once a year. Illicit markets are often driven by financial pressures and switching to cheaper products or quitting smoking.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that weight loss drugs can reduce key symptoms of binge eating disorder, including binge eating episodes, loss-of-control eating, and emotional eating. The study suggests that these medications could be an important part of treatment plans for people with binge eating disorder.
A study found that some toad populations recover from a deadly fungus due to the early maturation of antimicrobial peptides in their tadpole stage. This immunity allows them to survive as adults, suggesting that environmental factors such as temperature may play a role in disease progression.
A new study by researchers at UCL and GOSH found that the infant airway itself ramps up the immune response, causing damage to lungs. The team tested antiviral drugs, finding that RSV604 calmed the overactive immune response, reducing inflammation levels.
A new study by University College London researchers found that social prescribing improved behavior, relationships, and resilience among adolescents waiting for specialist mental health services. Young people who received social prescribing reported enhanced connections with others, increased confidence, and higher self-esteem.
A large clinical trial found that commonly used antihistamines and an anti-inflammatory drug, colchicine, had a small but significant benefit in reducing long Covid fatigue. However, the benefits were not sustained after stopping treatment.
A new form of CAR T cell therapy has been designed to target the CALR mutation driving MPNs, a group of chronic blood cancers. The therapy shows promising results in killing cancer cells while sparing healthy ones, and is expected to offer patients a route beyond symptom control towards deeper remissions.
A new clinical trial led by University College London researchers found that ten weeks of cognitive rehabilitation can help people with long Covid symptoms such as brain fog achieve their goals in returning to work and hobbies. The treatment yielded benefits that lasted for at least six months for most participants.
Researchers at UCL found that some small-bodied primates experience a tight cephalopelvic fit during childbirth due to their large newborn heads. These species, such as American monkeys and bushbabies, have developed adaptations to make the process less difficult, including pelvic expansion or delayed pelvic bone fusion.
Researchers are developing a new gene therapy to treat CTLA-4 insufficiency, a life-limiting inherited immune disorder. The treatment involves replacing a faulty gene in a patient's own immune cells using CRISPR/Cas9 technology.
A new study by UCL researchers found that electric vehicles' carbon-reduction benefits vary across Chinese cities due to unequal distribution of electricity generation. The study suggests that richer cities can transfer their emissions to less developed cities, increasing pollution and costs.
A new study by UCL researchers found that mothers with care proceedings in England are 21 times more likely to die within 10 years compared to other mothers. The study analyzed data from NHS hospitals and family court records, revealing a starkly higher risk of maternal mortality among mothers who experienced care proceedings.
Researchers at UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital have successfully treated a deadly childhood liver disease using mice with a healthy version of the VPS33B gene. The treatment, which specifically targeted liver cells, showed no harm and improved liver function in mice.
A new trial aims to restore the function of worn-out T cells, a type of white blood cell that helps coordinate the body's immune response. The Phase 1 trial will focus on exhausted or senescent T cells, which accumulate with age and in chronic disease, and may help improve immune resilience and support healthier ageing.
A study by University College London found that physical punishment is associated with detrimental outcomes for children's development and wellbeing. Children who experienced physical punishment were more likely to engage in risky behaviors and have poorer educational attainment.
Researchers have discovered the most distant dormant black hole yet detected, located over 10 billion light years away. The black hole's mass is approximately 6 billion times that of the sun, providing unprecedented insights into black holes in the early universe.
The use of weight loss medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide could deepen existing health inequalities if patients lack access to nutrition advice, healthy food, and ongoing healthcare support. Researchers warn that poorer patients may face barriers to using these treatments safely and maintaining health improvements over time.
Researchers have developed a new device called Neuropixels Opto that can record and manipulate neuron activity in the brain. The device, published in Nature Methods, integrates electrophysiology and optogenetics to provide unprecedented insight into neural circuits and neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.
A large international clinical trial led by UCL found that a gene test can safely spare many breast cancer patients of chemotherapy. The OPTIMA trial followed over 4,400 patients and suggested that those with hormone-sensitive breast cancer and low Prosigna scores can be treated safely with hormone therapy alone.
A recent study led by UCL researchers found that cooperative societies of tropical paper wasps can survive fierce leadership battles due to individual wasps that pick up the slack. These compensators avoid conflict and increase their investment in essential tasks like foraging and brood care, maintaining societal function.
A new study published in Nature Medicine finds that semaglutide improves weight loss and metabolic health outcomes in patients who do not respond well to bariatric surgery. Patients taking semaglutide showed significant weight loss from body fat, improved blood sugar levels, and better quality of life.
Tiny forelimbs in meat-eating dinosaurs, including T. rex, were linked to strong skulls and jaws used for attacking large prey. The study found a correlation between reduced forelimb size and skull robustness, suggesting that tiny arms evolved as a byproduct of powerful heads.
A new study found that childhood maltreatment can increase the risk of intimate partner violence victimization in young adulthood. The researchers identified three main psychological characteristics: low subjective wellbeing, conduct problems, and aggression.
An AI technology successfully plans life-saving radiotherapy for cervical and prostate cancers, bridging the workforce gap and enabling more people to be treated. The ARCHERY trial found that the AI technology can achieve international best-practice radiotherapy planning in over 95% of cervical cancer cases.
A new study finds that satellite launch pollution will account for nearly half of the total climate impact of space sector pollution by the end of the decade. The potent air pollution generated by megaconstellations lingers in the upper atmosphere, decreasing sunlight and having a 500-fold greater impact on the climate.
The discovery of Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, a 100-120 million-year-old sauropod, is the largest ever found in Southeast Asia. The dinosaur weighed around 27 tonnes and measured 27m long, making it 'the last titan' of Thailand.
A new UCL study reveals that heavy caring responsibilities can accelerate mental decline in people aged 50 and over. Lighter caring duties, on the other hand, can be beneficial to mental abilities. The researchers found that intensive carers are most at risk and need stronger support.
A new analysis of police data reveals that one in 10 missing incidents among people with dementia results in serious harm. The study highlights the need for preventative action to keep people with dementia safe and finds that older age, night disappearances, and longer durations of absence are risk factors for harm.
A new study by University College London researchers found that regularly taking part in arts activities slows the pace of biological ageing. Participants who engaged in arts and cultural activities more frequently appeared to have a slower pace of ageing, comparable to those who exercised at least once a week.
The ALARIC trial aims to treat at least 12 patients with light chain amyloidosis, a rare but serious blood disease affecting around 500 people in the UK each year. CAR T-cell therapy targets abnormal plasma cells producing faulty proteins, offering a one-off treatment with high and durable response rates.
Researchers discovered a massive magma intrusion on São Jorge Island in the Azores, which stalled just 1.6km below the surface, avoiding an eruption. The study used seismometers and satellite data to reconstruct the underground movement of magma, revealing how it rose through a main fault system.
A new study reveals that patients with stage two or three bowel cancer who received immunotherapy before surgery have remained cancer-free for over three years. The trial found that this treatment approach can provide more durable cancer control compared to traditional post-op chemotherapy.
A new study reveals that people with Parkinson's disease have a distinct gut microbiome, as do those at genetic risk but without symptoms. This could lead to early detection and potential prevention strategies.
A new study by University College London found that gabapentinoids, prescribed for chronic pain, double the risk of hospitalization for drug poisoning when combined with benzodiazepines or opioids. The risk persists even after starting gabapentinoid treatment, suggesting they may not be an effective solution to reduce poisoning risks.