A new UCL-led study reveals that people in their 40s and 50s are likely to suffer more years of ill health than older generations. The study found a greater prevalence of ill health among those born later, with conditions such as diabetes and obesity affecting people earlier.
A new study found a higher prevalence of neurological complications in COVID-19 patients, including delirium, brain inflammation, and strokes. The researchers identified one rare condition called ADEM, which appears to be increasing in cases due to the pandemic.
Researchers from UCL and international collaborators propose a detector using nano-scale diamond crystals to measure mid-frequency gravitational waves. The device would be 4000 times smaller than current detectors, enabling the study of black hole collisions and exploring nonclassical gravity.
Researchers from UCL and ZSL have discovered a soft coral garden habitat in Greenlandic waters, characterized by cauliflower corals and diverse fauna. The discovery has direct implications for the management of deep-sea trawl fisheries and may lead to protection under UN guidelines.
Researchers discovered that looking at deep red light for three minutes a day can significantly improve declining eyesight in people over 40. The study found improvements in rod and cone sensitivity, with significant gains in color contrast sensitivity, particularly in the blue part of the spectrum.
A new study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology found that obesity is associated with a higher risk of dementia, with women facing a 39% increased risk. The study suggests that weight management could play a significant role in reducing this risk.
A new technique that synchronises the clocks of computers in under a billionth of a second can eliminate one of the hurdles for the deployment of all-optical networks, potentially leading to more efficient data centers. This method, called clock phase caching, can reduce the time to recover the clock and increase performance of optical...
Researchers warn that SARS-CoV-2 can infect various animals, posing a risk of transmission to humans. Implementing surveillance programmes is crucial to detect infected animals and prevent outbreaks.
A study led by University College London found that elite athletes who adopted simple oral health measures reported reduced negative effects on performance related to poor oral health. The behaviour change programme improved oral health behaviours and reduced symptoms of gum inflammation, leading to improved sporting performance.
Researchers found that less than 10% of protected areas are home to invasive species, but almost all are at risk due to nearby human activity and lack of monitoring. The study highlights the need for increased efforts to monitor and record invasive alien species in protected areas.
A new UCL-led study found that repetitive negative thinking is linked to cognitive decline and increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. The research, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, suggests that psychological tools like mindfulness or meditation may help reduce dementia risk.
A new study by UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital found that virus DNA can spread to nearly half of all sites sampled in a hospital ward within 10 hours. The study used artificial DNA replication to simulate how SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing Covid-19, spreads across surfaces.
A new modelling study suggests that a cautious approach to easing lockdown restrictions can be better for the global economy in the long run. The study found that shorter, stricter lockdowns minimize supply chain impacts, while gradually easing measures over 12 months may also be less disruptive.
Scientists at UCL have discovered sets of regulatory genes responsible for maintaining healthy hearing in fruit flies. They found that manipulating these genes could prevent age-related hearing loss in humans, and have already started a follow-up drug discovery project to fast-track novel treatments.
Research suggests that bees specializing in allogrooming exhibit stronger immune systems, which may enable them to withstand higher infection risks. Allogroomer bees occupy central positions in the colony's social network, benefiting a large number of bees.
A large international trial found that pembrolizumab more than doubled the progression-free survival time of patients with a specific subtype of advanced bowel cancer, compared to chemotherapy. The treatment also showed durable benefits, with 48.3% of patients experiencing no disease progression after two years.
A UCL brain imaging study found that highly confident individuals tend to ignore contradictory evidence, while less confident ones process it accurately. This phenomenon, known as confirmation bias, may be stronger in real-world scenarios where people are motivated to stand by their beliefs.
A new study from UCL-led researchers has identified the earliest brain changes due to Huntington's disease, detecting damage 24 years before clinical symptoms appear. The findings provide vital insights into the optimal time to initiate treatments, potentially delaying or preventing neurodegeneration.
Coronavirus infections can cause delirium in hospitalized patients, which increases the risk of death or extended hospital stay. Long-term effects may include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and chronic fatigue.
A new longitudinal study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that children with autistic traits are more likely to develop eating disorder symptoms in adolescence. Autistic traits in childhood precede behaviors characteristic of eating disorders, suggesting a risk factor for developing eating disorders.
A UCL study reveals that moths transport pollen from a wide range of plants, including those rarely visited by bees and butterflies, contributing to crop yields and plant diversity. Moth pollen transport networks are larger and more complex than daytime pollinators.
Researchers identified close to 200 recurrent genetic mutations in the virus, suggesting it may be adapting and evolving to its human hosts. The study found a large proportion of global genetic diversity is concentrated in hardest-hit countries, indicating extensive global transmission from early on.
A new AI-supported test, called DARC, can detect glaucoma progression 18 months earlier than the current gold standard method. The technology involves injecting a fluorescent dye into the bloodstream and illuminating damaged retinal cells using artificial intelligence.
A new study reveals a dramatic decrease in cold-water plankton during the 20th century, replaced by warmer subtropical species. The change is linked to shifting ocean circulation patterns, driven by freshwater input from melting ice and climate change.
A UCL-led study reveals that certain organisms, like C. elegans roundworms, possess self-destruct programs to prevent overliving and benefit their colonies. This adaptive mechanism reduces food demand and increases reproductive success, providing a winning strategy for the community.
A new study found that people are no better than chance at identifying false memories of committing a crime, even when told they're fake. The research used videos from a previous study where participants were tricked into believing they had committed a crime, and found that many true memories looked like false ones.
A new study predicts that climate change risks to biodiversity will surge suddenly, with up to 15% of ecosystems facing irreversible damage by 2100. This is due to a 'series of cliff edges' where species face conditions they've never experienced before, leading to extinction.
A new quantum technology developed by UCL researchers could revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), a serious heart condition. The technology uses quantum sensors to map the electrical conductivity of the heart in 2D, identifying anomalies where the heart is misfiring.
A new UCL study found that heavy drinking over a lifetime significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and liver damage in older adults. Heavy drinking is also associated with a larger waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) in later life, even if it's stopped before age 50.
Researchers at University College London have developed a new way to increase the functionality of umbilical cord blood stem cells, making them more suitable for transplantation. This breakthrough could improve treatment options for patients with blood cancers and other blood disorders.
A new study by UCL and Harvard researchers found that halving warming by adding aerosols to the stratosphere could moderate important climate hazards in almost all regions, with only a small fraction experiencing increased climate change. The approach should be considered as a complementary measure to emissions cuts.
Researchers found that baboon mothers in the wild carry dead infants for varying lengths of time, with an average duration of three to four days. The mother's age, infant cause of death, and climate conditions may influence the length of time a mother carries her dead infant.
Researchers at UCL have developed a new test to identify the earliest genetic changes of prostate cancer in blood plasma. The process, known as DNA methylation, uses Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to establish if prostate cancer DNA is present in blood plasma.
A new light-activated coating has been developed that successfully kills bacteria in low-intensity ambient light, including <em>Clostridioides difficile</em> and <em>Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus</em>. The coating works by producing hydrogen peroxide, a mild reagent used in contact lens cleaner solutions.
A smartphone app detecting jaundice in newborns may prevent deaths and disabilities due to its accuracy and low cost. The app uses images captured on a smartphone camera to quantify the yellowness of the eye, similar to expensive hand-held devices.
A new study by UCL and University of Zurich found that hunter-gatherer ancestors developed cultural ideas in small social networks, regularly drawing on knowledge from neighboring camps. This social structure allowed for the co-existence of multiple traditions, leading to a higher rate of cultural evolution.
A new study by UCL researchers has found a link between iron accumulation in the brain and cognitive decline in people with Parkinson's disease. The study used advanced MRI techniques to detect iron deposits in different brain regions, revealing associations with poor memory and thinking scores.
A UK study found that mothers prescribed macrolide antibiotics during pregnancy were at higher risk of having children with cardiovascular and genital malformations. The study suggests avoiding macrolides during pregnancy when alternative antibiotics can be used.
Researchers have developed a new supercapacitor that combines high power density and energy density, enabling fast charging and long runtime. The device can be bent to 180 degrees without compromising performance, making it ideal for wearable electronics and electric vehicles.
A comprehensive analysis of UK biodiversity over 45 years reveals concerning declines in terrestrial non-insect invertebrates, but strong recoveries in freshwater insects. Overall occupancy of invertebrates increased by 11%, with freshwater insects surpassing 1970 levels after a 47% decline.
Researchers at UCL have developed a new mass spectrometry platform to measure communication signals in millions of single cells from bowel cancer mini-tumours. This breakthrough enables the study of how cancer cells interact with healthy cells and the immune system, leading to new personalized cancer treatments.
Researchers developed an automated AI technique to analyse CMR scan images, precisely quantifying blood flow to the heart muscle. The results showed a strong correlation between reduced blood flow and adverse health outcomes, including death, heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
A systematic literature review by academics at UCL found that no single factor causes megaproject failures, but rather a combination of six key themes. The study identified 54 preventative solutions to improve megaproject performance, including designing system architecture and engaging institutions and communities.
A new study found that adolescents who spend more time sitting are at a greater risk of developing depression by age 18. The study suggests that even light physical activity, such as walking or doing chores, can reduce the risk of depressive symptoms by up to 10%.
A study by University College London found that place-based payroll tax incentives can be effective in stimulating employment in remote and underdeveloped regions. The researchers discovered a significant decline in local employment and wages in response to the tax hike.
A DNA study of over 10,000 people has identified naturally occurring gene variants that reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease by impairing tyrosine phosphatase activity and cell survival. The findings suggest PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signalling pathway as a key target for therapeutic drugs.
Researchers identified specific regions of chromosome 21 causing memory and decision-making problems in mice with Down syndrome. The study found that different gene groups on mouse chromosomes 16, 10, and 17 contribute to cognitive issues.
Researchers at University College London discovered that T cells in the liver can 'recycle' material through autophagy, a process enabled by the cytokine IL-15. This breakthrough could lead to more effective immunotherapies for cancer and chronic viral infections.
A new study found that Asian people with dementia are less likely to receive anti-dementia drugs and take them for shorter periods than white peers. Black people with dementia prescribed antipsychotic drugs take them for longer, potentially putting them at greater risk of harm.
A blood test using eight gene signatures can predict the onset of tuberculosis three to six months before symptoms appear. This finding could help target antibiotics and save lives, particularly by identifying individuals at risk of developing TB disease after being infected with the bacteria.