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.
A review of evidence found that 2-3% of monkeypox patients experienced severe complications such as seizure or encephalitis. Mood disorders like depression and anxiety were also common among infected individuals.
A new UCL-led study found that most British adults support stricter tobacco regulations, including banning sales near schools and raising the legal age to 21. The survey of over 1,700 adults in England and Scotland showed strong majority support for these policies.
A new study has partly restored the function of retina's cone receptors in two completely colorblind children using gene therapy. The treatment has been shown to activate previously dormant communication pathways between the retina and brain, drawing on the plastic nature of the developing adolescent brain.
A study led by University College London found that poor heart health at age 36 predicts a higher brain age later in life, with men having older brains than women of the same age. The research used machine learning to estimate brain age from MRI scans and found an association between brain age and increased brain shrinkage over time.
The UK government's current proposal to fortify flour with folic acid is inadequate, as it suggests a low dose that would fail to prevent hundreds of cases of severe birth defects each year. Increasing the dose could prevent about 80% of neural tube defects.
A projected shortage of sulfuric acid could stifle green technology advancement and threaten global food security. Researchers estimate a shortfall in annual supply between 100-320 million tonnes by 2040, depending on decarbonisation pace. Developing low-cost methods to extract elemental sulfur is crucial to mitigate the crisis.
A new AI algorithm has been developed to detect subtle brain abnormalities causing epileptic seizures. The Multicentre Epilepsy Lesion Detection project used over 1,000 patient MRI scans to train the algorithm, which was able to detect focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) in 67% of cases. This could lead to more patients being considered for...
A large-scale review by UCL researchers calls for better education of medical professionals on weight stigma to reduce the UK's obesity rate. Weight-inclusive approaches to education in healthcare were found to be effective in challenging stereotypes and improving attitudes among medics.
A new study published in Journal of Experimental Psychology: General found that using digital devices as external memory can improve memory skills. Participants who used digital devices to store information showed improved memory for both saved and unsaved information, with a notable increase in recall of less important details.
A new advanced MRI technique has enabled clinicians to measure the effectiveness of chemotherapy in patients with stiff heart syndrome, improving their prognosis. By accurately measuring amyloid protein deposits in the heart, doctors can better guide treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes.
A new type of adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy candidate, FLT180a, has been shown to reduce bleeding risk in patients with haemophilia B. The treatment led to sustained production of FIX protein from the liver in nine out of ten patients, eliminating the need for regular replacement therapy.
A comprehensive review of research on serotonin and depression found no link between the two, contradicting long-held theories. The study suggests that antidepressants' effectiveness may be due to managing stressful life events rather than correcting chemical imbalances.
A new study led by UCL and King's College London researchers found that adolescents are three times more likely to develop a cannabis addiction than adults. However, they do not appear to be at increased risk of subclinical depression or anxiety. In contrast, adult users who become addicted may experience worsening mental health symptoms.
A new study found that children conceived through medically assisted reproduction fare better academically, but are at a slightly increased risk of developing mental health disorders. The researchers attributed this difference to socioeconomic factors and family characteristics rather than the treatment itself.
A new study models potential impacts on global biodiversity if temperatures increase by more than 2°C and then decline again. Tropical regions are most affected, with over 90% of species pushed outside their thermal niches.
A new study found that black carbon particles emitted by rockets are 500 times more efficient at holding heat in the atmosphere than other sources, threatening ozone layer depletion. Daily or weekly space tourism launches could double the climate effect.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that up to 3 in 100 couples experience late postnatal depression, while approximately 2 in 100 couples experience antenatal and early postnatal depression. The study emphasizes the importance of considering both parents' mental health during the perinatal period.
Scientists have successfully levitated objects using soundwaves in the presence of obstacles, paving the way for advancements in virtual reality and 3D printing. This breakthrough enables the creation of fully immersive real-world simulations and improved multi-material 3D printing capabilities.
A novel staging framework assesses Huntington's Disease progression and enables early-stage clinical trials of drugs. The HD-ISS groups patients by biological, clinical, and functional characteristics, allowing researchers to evaluate therapeutics in the earliest stages of disease.
A new study by UCL researchers found that heavy drinkers in England are four times more likely to smoke than the general population. Those at risk of alcohol dependency who smoked had the highest smoking prevalence, with nearly a third starting smoking within five minutes of waking.
An international team of scientists has discovered a new type of fossilization that provides evidence of plankton resilience during past global warming events. The study found abundant ghost fossils of coccolithophores, which were previously thought to be severely affected by climate change and ocean acidification.
A clinical trial found that robotic surgery for bladder cancer removal and reconstruction significantly reduced recovery time, hospital stays, and readmissions. The study showed a 77% reduction in blood clots and improved physical activity and quality of life for patients.
Nearly nine out of 10 people in the UK want self-driving vehicles to be labelled for clear distinction from human-driven vehicles. The survey found that experts tend to downplay concerns, but public scepticism persists, with many uncomfortable with the idea of using or sharing the road with self-driving cars.
A new method for detecting tsunamis using existing GPS satellites has been developed by an international team of researchers. The system can issue warnings within 15 minutes of an earthquake or tsunami, and can be implemented in countries with a sparse GPS network.
A new study published in Royal Society Open Science found that depressive symptoms among English secondary school children increased by 6% during the pandemic. Girls experienced greater symptoms and lower wellbeing compared to boys.
A new Cochrane Review paper reveals that talk therapy can alleviate depression and improve quality of life for people with dementia. The study found that psychological interventions, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), are effective in reducing symptoms of depression and improving wellbeing.
Researchers have uncovered significant trends in hot Jupiters' atmospheres, including dramatic temperature swings and the presence of metallic elements. The study's findings provide valuable insights into the evolution of our solar system and offer a better understanding of exoplanet populations.
A new study by University College London (UCL) researchers found that climate change and intensive agricultural land use have already led to a 49% reduction in insect populations in the most impacted parts of the world. Insect declines are linked to rising temperatures and land use changes, with tropical areas seeing the biggest declines.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in enhancing the antiviral T cell response triggered by therapeutic vaccines for chronic hepatitis B. By removing natural killer cells and activating them with cytokines, they boosted the control of HBV infection.
New research suggests diverse microbial life existed on Earth at least 3.75 billion years ago, dating back to a time when the planet was still forming. The study, led by UCL researchers, analyzed ancient rock formations and found evidence of complex structures that could not have been created through chemical reactions alone.
A new study reveals rapid degradation in air quality and increases in urban exposure to hazardous pollutants in tropical megacities. The research found significant annual increases in pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and fine particles, attributed to emerging industries and residential sources.
A gene therapy trial has shown significant reduction in infections and improvement in eczema symptoms in children with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS). The treatment, using lentiviral gene therapy, offers a safe alternative to bone marrow transplantation for patients without suitable donors.
A UK study of three birth cohorts found that people born in the 1980s are more likely to move in with a partner later in life and less likely to get married. The study also found that education levels can affect partnership stability, with highly educated individuals being more likely to cohabitate but experiencing shorter relationships.
A study published in Nature found that people raised in rural areas outperform those from cities, particularly grid-pattern streets, in navigating spatial environments. This suggests that the simplicity of rural street networks influences navigational abilities.