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.
A new study published in Psychological Medicine has found no link between cat ownership and psychotic symptoms in children. The research, which followed nearly 5,000 people from age 13 to 18, controlled for other factors such as household overcrowding and socioeconomic status.
A study has identified CTE pathology in four former soccer players, exceeding the average background rate of CTE found in a previous survey. All six brains also showed signs of Alzheimer's disease, highlighting a potential link between playing football and degenerative brain pathologies.
Researchers used wireless tracking technology to map social interactions in remote hunter-gatherer populations, showing that close friendships facilitate the exchange of information and culture. Strong friendships are more important than family ties in predicting levels of shared knowledge among individuals.
A UCL-led study published in Scientific Reports discovered that certain antibiotics, such as oritavancin, can still kill drug-resistant bacteria by exerting strong mechanical forces on their cell surfaces. The findings open up a promising new way to overcome antibiotic resistance and could lead to the development of more effective drugs.
Researchers at UCL and Heinrich Heine University have discovered the OCT4 gene essential for chemically reprogramming human amniotic stem cells. The process allows these cells to be rejuvenated and function like embryonic stem cells, providing a promising alternative for therapies and research.
Researchers identified how HIV infects macrophages despite protective protein SAMHD1 being switched off. A treatment to maintain macrophage defences could be crucial for reaching an HIV cure.
A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that delirium can accelerate dementia-related cognitive decline, with severe changes in memory observed among those with both conditions. The research highlights the importance of recognizing delirium in hospital settings to prevent brain injury and potentially delay or reduce dementia.
A global map of alien bird species shows that human activities are the main determinants of their presence, but also highlights areas with rich native bird species as hotspots for alien species. The study found a significant increase in bird introductions since World War II and suggests that economic factors contribute to the spread of...
Researchers found that a high-sugar diet programmed flies' genes for longevity, causing long-term effects even after a healthy diet. The study suggests that dietary history has a lasting impact on health and may have implications for human lifespan.
Scientists at UCL and dunnhumby developed a model to predict when people will try new products, analyzing purchase data from over 280,000 shoppers. The study found that shopping behavior is consistent across product categories, with individuals having individual 'exploration personalities' when they shop.
Mammals have evolved a specialized germline in their sex cells to pass on high-quality mitochondria, driven by the need to counteract rapid genetic mutations. This process restricts genetic variation in offspring, but allows for the transfer of better-functioning mitochondria.
A new UCL-led phase III clinical trial found that vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (VTP) can effectively kill cancer cells while preserving healthy tissue. Around half of patients treated with VTP went into complete remission, compared to 13.5% in the control group.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that children who experienced neglect and abuse are more likely to have time off work due to sickness and less likely to own their own homes by middle age. The researchers also identified poor reading and mathematics skills as a key factor contributing to these outcomes.
Research reveals women with dementia have fewer visits to the GP, receive less health monitoring, and take more potentially harmful medication than men. Women are at particular risk of staying on antipsychotic or sedative medication for longer due to fewer check-ups.
A new study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases found that HIV patients in Africa are developing resistance to both older generation drugs like thymidine analogues and modern drugs like tenofovir. This highlights the need for genetic testing before prescribing first-line treatments.
Researchers have developed a method to dissolve layered materials in liquids, producing single layers of 2D nanomaterials that can be applied over large areas at low costs. The new approach enables the creation of scalable solutions for various industrial applications.