A new study finds that psychosis incidence can be up to eight times higher in some regions compared to others, highlighting the role of environmental factors in contributing to the condition. The study's findings suggest that areas with social deprivation and owner-occupied housing have lower rates of psychosis.
Research by UCL shows that hunter-gatherer storytellers played a crucial role in promoting co-operative and egalitarian values. The study found that skilled storytellers had greater reproductive success, were more likely to be co-operated with, and lived in camps with higher levels of cooperation.
Researchers have developed an optical ultrasound needle that provides unprecedented real-time imaging of soft tissues during keyhole procedures, reducing the risk of complications and improving surgical outcomes. The technology uses a miniature optical fibre to deliver light pulses, generating ultrasonic waves for image guidance.
A global longitudinal study confirmed that people with high body mass index (BMI) are more likely to develop dementia than those with normal weight. The study analyzed data from over 1.3 million adults in the US and Europe, finding that individuals near dementia onset tend to have lower body weight.
A new study reveals that HIV drug resistance is on the rise, particularly among individuals in low- to middle-income countries, where 11.1% of those starting therapy have resistant virus strains. The research highlights the importance of improving monitoring and response strategies to combat this growing threat.
New research suggests that stressed newborns may not display typical pain behavior despite increased brain activity in response to pain. The study found a disconnect between brain wave patterns and behavioral responses in stressed babies, highlighting the need for alternative methods to assess infant pain.
A UCL-led study found that inhibiting RNA polymerase III, a common enzyme in all animals, extends the lifespans of yeast cells and animals by an average of 10%. This discovery may lead to targeted anti-aging therapies, similar to the effects of rapamycin.
A new test predicts which people with type 2 diabetes will benefit from weight loss surgery. The DiaBetter score and percentage weight loss two years post-surgery are key predictors of T2D remission.
A cheap and widely used drug lansoprazole may have useful activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that cause tuberculosis. The study found people taking lansoprazole were a third less likely to develop TB than those taking similar drugs.
A new study from University College London suggests that machine learning can improve clinical trials by analyzing complex brain anatomy and detecting subtle changes in drug effects. The research used large-scale data from patients with stroke to test the concept of machine learning capable of modeling the human brain in its full compl...
A new study by University College London researchers found a significant association between fathers' depressive symptoms and their teenage children's symptoms of depression. The study, which analyzed data from two large longitudinal studies, suggests that family-focused interventions should also target fathers to prevent depression.
A new study reveals that mammals began living in the daytime approximately 66 million years ago, shortly after the dinosaurs' disappearance. The ancestors of simian primates were among the first to abandon nocturnal activity, with their visual adaptations comparable to diurnal reptiles and birds.
Researchers found that prehistoric migration rates increased in three distinct pulses, coinciding with the spread of agriculture, Bronze Age advancements, and Iron Age population growth. This suggests a strong link between technological innovation and human mobility.
Research using ESA's XMM-Newton and NASA's Chandra X-ray observatories found that Jupiter's south pole X-ray emissions pulse every 11 minutes, while north pole emissions are erratic. This behavior is distinct from Earth's auroras, which mirror each other in activity.
Researchers used a mathematical equation to analyze how our self-esteem is shaped by what others think of us. They found that self-esteem changes are guided by whether we expect to be liked and that increased prediction errors in the brain can confer risk for mental health problems.
Researchers at University College London have developed a new receiver technology that provides consistently high-speed broadband connectivity. The technology enables dedicated data rates of over 10,000 megabits-per-second (Mb/s) for low-cost broadband connections to every UK home.
A UCL study in rats reveals that the brain rapidly switches between operational modes in response to tasks and replays. The researchers found that it only takes 10-15 seconds for the brain to switch from a mode supporting planning to one supporting memory consolidation.
Researchers at University College London discovered that gentle touch can soothe the effects of social exclusion, one of the most emotionally painful human experiences. The study found that slow, affectionate touch reduced feelings of negativity and social exclusion induced by social rejection, even though general mood remained the same.
A new study found that childhood bullying causes mental health issues such as anxiety in the short term, but the negative impact decreases over time. The research, published in JAMA Psychiatry, used a robust study design to identify causation and suggests that children exposed to bullying can recover with continuous support.
A new study found that the insula plays a major role in generating spontaneous neuronal bursts in preterm babies, essential for strengthening brain connections. The bursts are also linked to healthier cognitive skills and reduced risk of cerebral palsy.
Research at University College London found that people on low incomes who are extraverted tend to spend more on luxury goods to compensate for their financial status. Introverts with similar incomes, however, do not exhibit this behavior, suggesting a relationship between personality and spending habits.
A new UCL study finds that brief mindfulness training can help heavy drinkers cut back on alcohol consumption by 9.3 fewer units in a week. Mindfulness practising teaches heightened awareness of feelings and bodily sensations, allowing participants to tolerate cravings without acting on them.
A new study published in The Lancet suggests that a diabetes drug may have disease-modifying potential to treat Parkinson's disease, improving motor function in patients. Researchers found that people with Parkinson's who used exenatide for one year performed better in movement tests than those who injected a placebo.
A new study reveals the elemental composition of the Sun's corona is strongly linked to its 11-year solar magnetic activity cycle. This discovery suggests that changes in magnetic activity may influence the heating of the Sun's corona, and potentially other star atmospheres.
Adults with autism tend to overestimate environmental changeability, reducing prior expectations' influence on behavior. This may contribute to sensory overload and social difficulties.
A new UCL study found that looking away from the sound source while focusing on another one can lead to slower reactions and increased listening effort. The researchers used EEG to monitor brain activity in participants, revealing an increase in oscillatory neural activity when gaze was misaligned with auditory attention.
A new study by UCL and Bangor University researchers found that artists and architects think differently compared to other people and even among themselves. The study used Cognitive Discourse Analysis to categorize responses from participants describing spaces in different ways, revealing patterns related to their profession.
Researchers at University College London and Oxford have developed magnetic implants to control eye movement, improving symptoms of nystagmus for the first time. The study, published in Ophthalmology, shows that the implants can correct oscillopsia and improve visual acuity.
Researchers have identified a genetic modifier associated with the rate of progression in Huntington's disease. The study used high-quality data from two cohorts and found a significant result linked to the MSH3 gene.
A new UCL and University of Nottingham study found that most neurons in the brain's auditory cortex detect sound location relative to the head, but some track the actual position in the world. The researchers monitored ferrets while they moved around a small arena surrounded by speakers, using electrodes and LEDs to track movement.
A new blood test has been identified to predict the onset and track the progression of Huntington's disease. The test measures neurofilament levels in the blood, which increase throughout the course of the disease, even in carriers of the genetic mutation.
UCL researchers found that people factor in the number of reviews when making judgments, as well as the average rating, to assess a product's desirability. The study used fMRI scans and showed that brain areas active in social cognition are involved in integrating online reviews.
A study by UCL and University of Oxford researchers found that people tend to align their confidence levels when working in teams, even when one person has more expertise. This 'confidence matching' behavior can lead to poor decisions if individuals do not calibrate their confidence levels to the reliability of their opinions.
Researchers from UCL, Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital suggest a single chemical mechanism for forming both purine and pyrimidine nucleotides. They demonstrate that these molecules can be assembled on the same sugar scaffold to form RNA, providing a solution to a long-standing challenge in understanding the origins of life.
Researchers at UCL and the Vesuvius Observatory used a new model to investigate Campi Flegrei's unrest, finding a build-up of energy that makes the volcano more susceptible to eruption. The study suggests an increased possibility of eruption in the near future.
Researchers have identified 111 new chromosome locations associated with type 2 diabetes susceptibility in a large-scale study. The new loci were found to regulate the expression of at least 266 genes that neighbour the disease sites.
A UCL-led study found that the brain responds weaker to money gained through immoral actions compared to those earned morally. The research identified a neural process that dampens the appeal of profiting at others' expense.
Researchers developed a novel approach to study Li-ion battery failure under short-circuit conditions, gaining insights into cell design vulnerabilities and thermal runaway propagation. The findings provide new knowledge to improve battery safety and reliability for portable electronics, electric vehicles, and grid-scale storage.
Researchers found that people with more life skills, such as emotional stability and control, enjoyed better health outcomes, including lower cholesterol levels and smaller waistlines. The study also found a link between increased life skills and reduced loneliness, depression, and improved physical functioning.
A new study reveals significant variations in peripheral vision among individuals, impacting tasks like reading and recognizing objects. Researchers propose that these differences originate early in visual development and are influenced by genetics and environment.
A new study found that doxycycline can reduce fear memory responses in healthy volunteers by 60%, suggesting its potential to treat PTSD. The antibiotic disrupts the formation of negative associations in the brain, which is crucial for learning to fear threats.
Researchers found that using a satnav switches off brain regions involved in navigating new streets, suggesting the technology reduces mental effort. The study also mapped London's street network to understand how the brain reacts to different layouts.
A new study reveals that 15% of patients with suppressed HIV infection still have active HIV in the brain. MRI scans identify high-risk individuals for further testing and potential treatment regime changes.
A large population study found that people who experience weight discrimination are less likely to be physically active. This is due to feelings of self-consciousness and negative stereotypes, leading to a lack of confidence to exercise in public.
Researchers uncovered evidence of life at least 3,770 million years old from iron-rich deep-sea hydrothermal vents on Earth. The discovery provides direct proof of one of the oldest life forms on the planet.
Breast cancer patients who receive nine-week Herceptin treatment experience significant increases in survival rates and quality-adjusted life-years. The study found that switching to the nine-week course could save the NHS over £100 million a year, while being just as effective as the current 12-month duration.
A UCL-led team found evidence of planetary debris surrounding a double sun system called SDSS 1557, which suggests the presence of terrestrial planets like Tatooine. The discovery is remarkable because it shows a high metal content, including silicon and magnesium, indicating rocky planet assembly via large asteroids that formed.
Research by UCL scientists found a strong association between long-term stress and obesity, with people experiencing chronically elevated cortisol levels being more prone to weight gain and persistent overweight status.
Scientists have developed a simple rule to predict when the Earth's climate warms out of an ice age, using astronomical changes in the Earth's orbit around the Sun. The model predicts interglacials occurring roughly every 100,000 years, which explains why we've been in a warm period for the last 11,000 years.
A new UCL study suggests that people's brain tricks them into believing the low-hanging fruit is ripest when it requires minimal effort. The researchers found that adding load to one of the handles made participants avoid the more effortful response, changing their perception without awareness.