A new study found that people with long Covid smell loss have reduced brain activity and impaired communication between key smell-processing regions. This suggests a possible link between smell loss and brain changes, which may be reversible through olfactory training.
A study published in Brain found that disconnecting nerve pathways in the brain can lead to improved seizure freedom in patients with frontal lobe epilepsy. The research, involving 47 patients, revealed that cutting these connections resulted in 88% of patients being seizure-free after three years.
A new study published in The European Heart Journal – Digital Health found that smart watch data can predict a higher risk of developing heart failure and irregular heart rhythms. Researchers used machine learning to analyze ECG recordings from wearable devices and identified extra beats as indicators of increased cardiovascular risk.
A new study led by UCL researchers found evidence of ancient empires' impact on migration in Africa, revealing genetic traces from across the continent. The study used DNA data from over 1,300 individuals from 150 ethnic groups, identifying migrations linked to empires like Kanem-Bornu and Aksum.
A new report reveals that children born into the poorest fifth of families in the UK are 12 times more likely to experience poor health and educational outcomes by age 17. This clustering of adverse outcomes is linked to early childhood disadvantage, with modest reductions seen when lifting families out of poverty.
Researchers found giant gas giants orbiting low-mass stars, challenging the widely accepted planet formation model. The study used NASA's TESS satellite data and identified 15 potential giant planets, with five confirmed as actual planets.
Researchers have developed a new technique that combines real-time images with short-wave infrared light to differentiate between cancerous tumours and healthy tissue. This innovation has the potential to improve treatment outcomes for neuroblastoma patients by allowing surgeons to remove cancerous cells more precisely.
A study found that preterm infants do not habituate to repeated pain, unlike full-term infants. This lack of adaptation may affect their brain development and increase vulnerability to pain. The researchers' findings suggest that the ability to adapt to pain might develop during the third trimester of pregnancy.
A new consensus statement calls for routine radiological screening of contact children in suspected child physical abuse cases to prevent further harm. Siblings are at risk of experiencing physical abuse, with a strong association between index and contact children.
A new non-invasive diagnostic technique using smartphone photographs of the eye and face has been successfully developed to detect anaemia in children. The study, published in PLOS ONE, used images from 43 children under four to predict blood haemoglobin concentration with high accuracy.
Researchers found that loneliness is a major risk for mental health problems during pregnancy and after birth, with stigma, self-isolation, and emotional disconnection contributing factors.
Researchers from UCL Cancer Institute found that head injuries may contribute to the development of gliomas, a type of aggressive brain tumour. Studies in mice and human populations suggest that genetic mutations acting with inflammation can change cell behavior, increasing cancer risk.
A new study by UCL and King's College London researchers found that vaporized cannabis has the same short-term effects on adolescents (16-17 years old) as on adults (26-29 years old), regardless of CBD levels. The study also showed that CBD does not reduce the psychoactive effects of THC in cannabis.
Researchers at UCL discovered a new type of ice, medium-density amorphous ice (MDA), which has the same density as liquid water and exhibits properties similar to solid water. This finding may challenge existing models of water and raise questions about its anomalies.
Researchers found that allocating emissions based on ticket prices rather than travel class provides a more accurate representation of individual contributions. This approach encourages people from all budgets to seek alternative modes of transport and increases estimates of corporate emissions.
A new personalized treatment for bile duct cancer has shown remarkable results, with patients surviving for up to two years when treated with the drug futibatinib. The Phase II clinical trial found that the drug was more effective at reducing tumor size and producing modest side effects compared to chemotherapy.
A new study led by UCL researchers found small causal effects of childhood maltreatment on internalising and externalising disorders, including depression, anxiety, and psychosis. The study analysed 34 quasi-experimental studies involving over 54,000 people and suggests that preventing eight cases of child maltreatment could prevent on...
Researchers developed a framework to address women's reproductive needs holistically, combining family planning, contraception, and preconception care. The model suggests teaching children about reproductive health in school and using social media campaigns to raise awareness of reproductive preferences.
A new study has mapped the parts of the brain that support fluid intelligence, a key feature of human cognition. The research found that patients with damage to the right frontal regions performed poorly in tasks requiring problem-solving and reasoning.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that people's sleep duration follows three distinct phases across the lifespan. The study, which analyzed data from 730,187 participants, reveals a decline in sleep duration during mid-adulthood until age 33, followed by a plateau until early 50s.
A recent study by University College London reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues and food insecurity among individuals living with obesity. Nearly half of participants reported worsening mental health, while nearly a third experienced severe depression. Food insecurity also increased significantly, wi...
A new study suggests that UK woodlands could store nearly twice as much carbon as previously thought, based on a 3D scanning technique and analysis of 815 trees in Wytham Woods. This underestimation has serious implications for climate mitigation, forest protection, and restoration targets.
A new study found that wild chimpanzees in Tanzania's savanna-mosaic habitat spent as much time in the trees as those in dense forests. The researchers suggest that bipedalism may have evolved to move around trees, contradicting traditional theories that link open habitats to upright walking.
Researchers analyzed data from 5,086 children, finding that health issues were more common among those who tested positive for Covid-19. Symptoms experienced by children and young people with long Covid changed over the course of a year, with some symptoms declining while new ones emerged.
A new study found that early-life experiences can alter gene expression in fruit flies, leading to improved health and extended lifespan. The researchers discovered that changes in chromatin packaging persisted across the lifespan, counteracting normal aging processes.
A gold coin long dismissed as a forgery appears to be authentic and depicts Emperor Sponsian, who ruled Roman Dacia during civil wars. The study used scientific analysis to confirm the coin's authenticity, shedding light on Sponsian's history.
Researchers have developed mini eyes, or organoids, from stem cells donated by patients with Usher syndrome. These mini eyes allow scientists to study light-sensing cells and understand the development of blindness in the disease.
A new AI tool helps governments decide whether to bail out a bank by predicting if the intervention will save money for taxpayers. The algorithm assesses financial implications and suggests optimal bailout strategies.
A new study has shown that total ankle replacement and ankle fusion surgeries equally improve quality of life for patients with advanced ankle osteoarthritis. However, a fixed bearing joint replacement showed significant improvement over ankle fusion in clinical scores.
Research by UCL found gig workers are more likely to experience road collisions due to factors like company oversight, payment structures, and rider incentives. The study also highlights the need for better protection and safety measures in the gig economy.
A new study by UCL researchers found that tailoring whole genome sequencing analysis to individual patients can double the diagnostic rates of rare diseases. The personalised approach increased the diagnostic rate from 16.7% to 31.4%, detecting potential disease-causing variants in a further 3.9% of patients.
A new study published in Science found that a highly magnetised dead star, known as a magnetar, is likely to have a solid surface with no atmosphere. The research team used data from the NASA satellite IXPE to observe the polarisation of X-ray light emitted by the star, which revealed a signature consistent with a solid crust.
Researchers have developed a new gene therapy that selectively targets overactive brain cells, reducing excitability and suppressing seizures in mice. The treatment shows promise for treating neurological disorders such as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, and pain disorders.
A new study by UCL researchers found that problem drinking is associated with a higher risk of suicide and self-harm, particularly among those with 'probable dependence'. The study also identified signs of alcohol negatively impacting people's lives as risk factors.
A large-scale comparison of direct oral anticoagulants has identified apixaban as the drug with the lowest risk of bleeding. The study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, found that apixaban had a 19-28% lower risk of gastrointestinal bleeding compared to other DOACs.
Researchers have successfully treated six children with relapsed and treatment-resistant B-ALL using CRISPR-edited T cells, achieving deep remission in four patients. The treatment has shown promise as a viable alternative to currently available treatments.
Researchers found that actors' brain activity suppressed when hearing their own name during performance, indicating potential impact of theatre training on human brain. The study also investigated interpersonal coordination between actors and found specific brain systems involved in social interactions.
Researchers have developed a pioneering gene editing strategy that can repair faulty genes in immune cells, offering new hope for patients with conditions like CTLA-4 insufficiency. The technique uses CRISPR/Cas9 to target and correct the faulty gene, preserving important regulatory mechanisms.
New research reveals two distinct groups with different origins and cultures that recolonised Britain after the last ice age. The study obtained genetic data from individuals from Gough's Cave and Kendrick's Cave, who lived over 13,500 years ago, indicating a complex migration pattern.
Researchers have identified two distinct molecular subgroups of cervical cancer, C1 and C2, which differ in their clinical aggressiveness and response to treatment. The study suggests that determining the subgroup of a patient's cervical cancer could provide additional prognostic information for planning treatment.
A new study found that sleeping five hours or less per night is associated with a higher risk of developing at least two chronic diseases over a 25-year period. This includes heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. The study analyzed data from over 7,000 men and women aged 50, 60, and 70.
A new study by UCL researchers found that talking therapies on the NHS can improve the mental health of people with dementia, with 63% experiencing a reduction in symptoms. The therapy proved clinically beneficial, even though response rates were lower than those without dementia.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that psychotic disorders like schizophrenia are associated with a higher risk of developing dementia. People with psychotic disorders are 2.5 times more likely to develop dementia than those without a psychotic disorder, according to the review.
A UCL-led study found that grandparents who stopped looking after their grandchildren during the Covid-19 pandemic were more likely to experience depressive symptoms. The study also found that reduced grandparental childcare provision was linked to lower life satisfaction and quality of life among grandparents.
The study found that rates of severe psychological distress and self-harm were higher among victims of sexual assault or harassment than those who did not experience such violence. If sexual violence were eradicated, researchers estimated a 16.8% drop in self-harming girls and an 8.4% decrease in boys.
A blood test taken at the time of Covid-19 infection could predict who is most likely to develop long Covid. Researchers identified a 'signature' in protein levels that predicted persistent symptoms after one year.
A new scoring tool prioritizes countries with higher vaccination rates and vulnerable populations, aiming to allocate Covid-19 vaccines more fairly. The tool considers a broader range of factors than current global COVAX facilities, which have been criticized for insufficient access.
A recent study has found that people who wear reusable contact lenses are nearly four times as likely to develop a rare sight-threatening eye infection. The study identified multiple factors that increase the risk of Acanthamoeba keratitis, including reusing lenses or wearing them overnight or in the shower.
Researchers discovered a telomere transfer reaction between immune cells that extends their lifespan and confers long-term protection. This 'anti-ageing' mechanism has potential clinical applications for diseases like cancer and dementia, and may enable people to live healthier and longer.
Millions of Bangladesh farmers collectively pump shallow groundwater during the dry season, replenishing groundwater and reducing flooding. The Bengal Water Machine captures over 75 cubic kilometers of freshwater, a volume equivalent to China's Three Gorges Dam.