A new study reveals how the poxvirus tricks cells into activating their own cell movement mechanism, allowing the virus to spread rapidly. The researchers found that a specific protein, vaccinia growth factor, plays a key role in this process, and that targeting this pathway could lead to new antiviral strategies.
A new study found that people judge like-minded peers as more expert in unrelated fields, overlooking those with actual expertise. This bias can lead to the spread of false news and reinforce social divisions.
Researchers at UCL have identified a new mechanism for neural crest cells to move from the back of the head to the front, crucial for forming facial features. This discovery could help understand how facial defects form and pave the way for developing new therapies.
A new study reveals that Lineage 4 TB emerged in Europe around 1,000 years ago and spread globally with European explorers and colonialists. The study found that drug-resistant strains of Lineage 4 TB have hardly spread beyond their country of origin, suggesting a regional challenge to control.
A new report by UCL and partners warns that the global health innovation system is 'fundamentally broken' and fails to deliver treatments at affordable prices. The report calls for a major overhaul of the system to prioritize long-term public value over short-term corporate profits.
Century-scale climate variability was enhanced when the Earth was warmer during the Last Interglacial period compared to current interglacial conditions. The study reveals series of century-scale arid events in southern Europe and cold water-mass expansions in the North Atlantic.
A new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution found that female Trinidadian guppies can differentiate between attractive and dull males, regardless of brain size. Larger-brained fish showed different patterns of activity in decision-making brain regions when evaluating attractive or unattractive males.
A £5.5m partnership will study and develop quantum software for modelling and simulation, helping to establish a UK quantum software industry. Scientists hope to discover new materials and chemicals through this work, impacting sectors like energy and healthcare.
Researchers found that male mosquitoes amplify female wingbeats using a phantom tone, creating an auditory illusion that helps them locate mates. The study's findings could lead to the development of acoustic lures for controlling disease-carrying mosquito populations.
A new outbreak of Acanthamoeba keratitis has been identified in contact lens wearers, with a threefold increase in cases since 2011. Poor hygiene, contaminated water, and improper use of contact lenses are linked to the risk of developing the disease.
A study found up to 13 galliform species populations have been extirpated outside protected areas in Sundaland, a region with high biodiversity but biologically degraded landscapes. The researchers argue that effective management of protected areas and connectivity between habitats are crucial for long-term conservation.
Researchers found that people's dislike of wasps is largely due to a lack of knowledge about their role in regulating pest populations and disease-carrying insects. The study suggests that changing public attitudes towards wasps could help protect the ecosystem's biodiversity.
A new study finds that a simple blood test can detect early changes caused by Huntington's disease, even before brain scans can pick up signs. The test measures two biomarkers, NfL protein in blood and mutant huntingtin protein in brain fluid, to track the disease's progression.
A new study found that the brains of professional beatboxers and guitarists respond uniquely to their respective sounds, with increased activity in areas associated with movement and language. The research suggests that experience of producing music can shape brain responses and perception.
A recent study published in the European Heart Journal found that teenage smokers and heavy drinkers experience arterial damage, which can predict heart problems later in life. The research analyzed data from over 1,200 adolescents and showed that a combination of smoking and drinking significantly increased arterial stiffness.
A new University College London study finds that lower indoor temperatures are associated with higher blood pressure, suggesting that keeping homes warmer could help manage hypertension. Researchers found that a decrease of 1°C in indoor temperature leads to rises in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
A new study by UCL, MIT, and UC Berkeley uses credit card records and mobile phone data to identify daily rhythms of human mobility and communication. The research groups the urban population into six clusters, shedding light on socio-economic behaviors and patterns.
Researchers found that people from Nordic countries, North America, Australia, and New Zealand have the best spatial navigational abilities. Spatial navigation ability declines steadily across adulthood, but is also influenced by country wealth and gender equality.
A new UCL-led study found that dementia diagnosis rates are 25% higher among black women and 28% higher among black men compared to white counterparts. Researchers suggest that inequalities in care, stigma, and cultural background may contribute to these disparities.
A UCL-led study found that stress enhances people's ability to process and internalize bad news, reversing the typical optimism bias. Under stressful conditions, individuals become more vigilant to bad news, even when unrelated to their anxiety source.
Research finds that restricting student and high-skilled visas has little impact on overall migration, while limiting family and low-skilled visas reduces migration but diverts aspiring migrants to unauthorized channels. Enforcement of unauthorized migration is also inefficient.
A new UCL study found that people with higher social status or opposing political beliefs are more likely to assume their partner's decision is motivated by wanting to cause them harm. The study also suggests that paranoia fuels social exclusion and disadvantage, fueling severe mental health problems
Researchers have developed turmeric-based eye drops that can reduce retinal cell loss in rats with glaucoma. The treatment shows promise for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease and has been found to be well-tolerated.
A modified botulinum toxin compound Derm-BOT successfully targets and silences pain signals from neurons in the spinal cord of mice, providing long-lasting pain relief. The compound is non-toxic, safe to manufacture, and avoids adverse effects associated with opioids.
A new study found that intensive care patients are unable to effectively use fats for energy, contributing to significant muscle loss. This inability is likely due to widespread muscle inflammation in the early days of intensive care, making nutrition and exercise programmes less effective.
A new study by UCL academics found that people from smaller cities are twice as likely to migrate than those from larger cities. The research revealed that the size of origin and destination cities significantly impact migration behavior.
A new study by UCL researchers found that artificially lengthening the time it takes to hear an impact can make people update their perceived body height, leading them to feel taller. The findings could have implications for rehabilitation and treatment of conditions like Parkinson's Disease.
Researchers used LiDAR technology to map carbon storage in urban forests, finding areas like Hampstead Heath store up to 178 tonnes of carbon per hectare. This study highlights the value of urban trees for mitigating climate change and demonstrates their potential as a vital resource for cities.
Researchers found that brains selectively treat gaining knowledge about favorable outcomes as a reward, but not unfavorable ones. People tend to spend money on advance knowledge of good events and avoid information about bad ones.
A new study predicts that climate change will have a more significant impact on global biodiversity than land use changes by 2070. Vertebrate communities are expected to lose between a tenth and over a quarter of their species locally due to climate change.
A new blood test can detect liver damage in 30-45 minutes, distinguishing between healthy and damaged individuals. The test could lead to earlier treatment and potentially save millions of lives.
Research from University College London reveals that older adults with fewer financial resources are more likely to develop dementia. The study analyzed data from over 6000 adults and found a significant link between socioeconomic factors and dementia incidence.
A team of international astronomers has detected oxygen in a galaxy 13.28 billion light-years away, revealing that stars formed at an unexpectedly early stage in the universe's history. The discovery provides insight into the formation of galaxies and sheds light on the 'cosmic dawn' era.
A new study by UCL found that socio-political factors are the primary cause of conflict and displacement in East Africa, with climate change playing a significant but secondary role. The research suggests that stable governance, economic growth, and reduced population growth can help reduce conflict and displacement.
A UCL-led study found that hospitals are more likely to diagnose dementia in patients who have been admitted for another reason. However, missed diagnoses persist, with one-third of people with dementia discharged without recognition, highlighting the need for better record-sharing and culturally appropriate assessments.
A recent study found that neglectful behaviors are widespread among English care home staff, despite efforts to provide person-centered care. The survey of 1,544 staff revealed that many witnessed residents being left waiting for care or having insufficient time for food.
A new UCL-led study found that people with one hand can recognize a prosthetic limb as their real hand, particularly those who use a prosthesis regularly. This adaptation allows the brain to compensate for the missing limb, enabling more comfortable and easier-to-use prosthetics.
A study using worms has discovered the mechanisms involved when multicellular organisms die, particularly as a result of old age. The research found that death spreads through the organism via cellular necrosis, triggered by calcium release, leading to muscle hypercontraction and rigor mortis.
Researchers found four cases of amyloid beta pathology in brain blood vessels after childhood neurosurgery, sparking concerns over potential transmission of protein pathology. The study's findings were supported by a review of medical literature and suggest that neurosurgical instruments may be responsible.
A recent study has found that people over 65 with chronic kidney disease and atrial fibrillation are at increased risk of stroke when taking blood thinners. The researchers estimate that half a million UK adults fall into this category, highlighting the need for cautious prescribing practices.
A new study reveals that up to 16% of Earth's species could qualify as potential alien species, posing significant challenges to biosecurity efforts. The research found that the number of newly emerging alien species continues to rise, with insects and molluscs being the groups most affected.
The study reveals that flowering plants diversified suddenly in the Cretaceous period, while molecular-clock dating suggests an older origin. The discrepancy is attributed to false precision on both palaeontological and molecular evolutionary timescales.
A UCL-led research team found that an excessive inflammation reaction in older people can obstruct the immune system, leading to weaker immune responses. Blocking this inflammation with a short-term anti-inflammatory pill increased the immune system's effectiveness.
A large-scale study found subtle brain abnormalities in people with epilepsy, even in those with typical seizures under control. The researchers identified reduced grey matter thickness and volume in various brain regions, including the cortex and thalamus, associated with longer duration of epilepsy.
A team of researchers proposes a scenario mapping approach to test disaster preparedness and response to unknown, complex events. They found common vulnerabilities triggered similar cascading effects, suggesting that highly-developed countries are susceptible to M.OR.D.OR scenarios.
A new method of securely communicating between multiple quantum devices has been developed, enabling a large-scale, un-hackable quantum network. The approach uses quantum laws to ensure security and can work for any device, regardless of manufacturer, bridging the gap between theory and practical implementation.
Researchers at UCL and Tufts University developed a platinum-copper alloy catalyst that breaks carbon-hydrogen bonds in methane with reduced energy consumption. The new catalyst is resistant to coking, rendering it more effective than traditional materials.
A large-scale genetic study has clarified the distinctive genetic signature of Dementia with Lewy bodies, a common type of dementia. The research found that DLB accounts for 10-15% of dementia cases, but its genetic profile is unique compared to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
A UCL-led research team has identified a rare genetic mutation that causes one Italian family to be unusually insensitive to pain. The study, published in Brain, found that the mutation affects the ZFHX2 gene and regulates other genes connected to pain signalling.
Rock engravings in Western Venezuela, dating up to 2,000 years old, have been mapped in unprecedented detail. The largest panel contains 93 individual engravings, including depictions of animals, humans, and cultural rituals.