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.
A study led by UCL researchers found significant disparities in opioid painkiller access between countries, with some regions reporting rates as low as 0.01 MME per 1,000/day, while others have surpassed the US in opioid sales. The findings highlight the need for global policies to improve palliative care and pain relief provision.
A comprehensive review of 38 interventions performed at embryo transfer found that bed rest post-procedure decreased pregnancy rates by 15%. The use of ultrasound guidance and soft catheters increased pregnancy chances by 26% and 12%, respectively. The study calls for more research into promising interventions to optimize IVF success.
A recent study published in Clinical Epidemiology found that cases of cognitive decline among older adults in the UK have nearly doubled between 2009 and 2018. The researchers observed a significant increase in the number of people reporting memory concerns to their doctors, with 46% developing dementia within three years.
Teenagers involved in arts activities are less likely to engage in antisocial behaviour up to two years later. They also exhibit better self-control scores and view antisocial behaviour negatively.
Researchers have developed a monoclonal antibody called PRN100, which showed safe and encouraging results in treating Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in six patients. While the findings are preliminary and require further studies, they offer new prospects for this rare and fatal disease.
A recent survey of over 3,200 NHS healthcare workers found that most preferred education and support as a solution to boost vaccination uptake. The study suggests that mandatory vaccinations may actually worsen trust and lead to thousands of staff leaving the profession.
Researchers found that four-month treatment is as effective as six months in non-severe TB cases, allowing for savings on screening and training healthcare workers. The study's results led to a change in the World Health Organisation's global guidelines, recommending a shorter treatment course for children with non-severe TB.
A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry has found that individuals without jobs or stable housing experience worse depression symptoms when treated with therapy or antidepressants. The researchers analyzed data from nine studies involving over 4,800 participants and discovered that unemployed patients had 28% poorer outcomes compar...
Research finds that global warming of 2°C will significantly increase temperature-related mortality rates in England and Wales by 42%, from around 117 deaths per day to 166. The risk further increases beyond 2.5°C, with a potential 75% increase in mortality risk at 3°C.
A new study developed an algorithm estimating a person's risk of developing prostate cancer based on age and two prostate cancer markers. The approach was found to reduce the number of false positives by three quarters compared to a standard PSA test while catching the same proportion of cancers, making screening safer and more accurate.
Researchers at UCL have created a technique called magnetomechanical stimulation that uses microscopic magnetic particles to control touch-sensitive brain glial cells. This allows for precise and remote activation of astrocytes, providing a new tool for understanding their function and potential treatment of neurological disorders.
Researchers discover a genetic mechanism linking ALS and dementia to UNC13A protein corruption, providing hope for new treatments by blocking corrupted instructions. The study found that genetic variants increase the risk of UNC13A mRNA corruption in patients with ALS and FTD.
Researchers adapted cancer models to predict effective drug combinations for treating Covid-19 at different stages of the disease. The study identified existing therapeutics that might be suitable for treating severe cases, and could help lower Covid-19 related deaths.
A team of researchers detected a ring of planetary debris surrounding the white dwarf WD1054–226, suggesting a nearby planet may be present in its habitable zone. The study found that the debris is kept in a precise arrangement by a nearby planet's gravitational influence.
Scientists at University College London have developed a novel cancer therapy using magnetic seeds guided by an MRI scanner to heat and destroy tumours. The therapy, called MINIMA, has the potential to precisely treat hard-to-reach cancers with minimal side effects.
A new study published in Genome Research has identified a group of genes that play a crucial role in building cellular components and may contribute to human longevity. Inhibiting these genes may increase lifespan by reducing their impact on the body later in life.