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.
A new study by UCL finds that treating bees with light therapy can counteract the harmful effects of neonicotinoid pesticides, significantly improving survival rates and mobility. The researchers used deep red light to improve mitochondrial function and ATP production, enabling bees to recover from pesticide exposure.
A recent study published in Science Advances found that over 85% of pain-sensing neurons are sensitive to one specific type of painful stimulus. This challenges previous findings suggesting most neurons respond to all types of pain.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that children who skip breakfast and have irregular sleep patterns are more likely to become overweight or obese. The research, based on data from over 19,000 UK children, highlights the importance of early life factors such as smoking in pregnancy and disrupted routines in predicting weight gain.
A new UCL study found that mismatched light and heat levels can cause major disruptions to body clock function, leading to behavioral changes and molecular signals. The research suggests that a moderate time lag between light and temperature causes the clock to break down, with significant effects on behavior.
New UCL research reveals that blood vessels play a vital role in telling neural stem cells when and how to reproduce. The study found that preventing blood vessel growth interferes with normal neuron production, causing stem cells to disappear from the brainstem.
Research from University College London found that older adolescents and adults can learn certain thinking skills more effectively than younger people. Non-verbal reasoning skills can be readily trained and do not represent an innate ability.
Researchers found that unconscious increases in arousal affect participants' confidence in their visual decisions. This effect is counteracted by artificially increased arousal, suggesting a complex relationship between conscious introspection and physiological states.
A team of scientists has determined a more precise version of the second law of thermodynamics and applied it to small quantum systems. The study found that violations of the law are rare, but can occur with significant probability in small quantum objects.
Research at University College London reveals that small lies desensitize our brains to associated negative emotions and may encourage us to tell larger lies. The study found that the brain's response to lying declines with each lie, predicting bigger lies in the future.
A new study suggests that 'Middle England', a group of affluent, older white British people living in rural areas, face the lowest risk of developing psychosis. The research found that people from more urban and deprived communities are at a higher risk of experiencing their first episode of psychosis.
Researchers developed an AI method to predict ECtHR outcomes by analyzing case text with a machine learning algorithm. The method identified non-legal facts as key determinants of judgements, supporting previous findings on high-level court decision-making processes.
A new study by University College London found that smoking cannabis makes people less willing to work for money in the short term. The researchers tested motivation levels in volunteers and cannabis addicts, finding no difference between the two groups when not under the influence.
A new study published in Geology reveals extensive fossilized river systems on Mars' Arabia Terra plain, indicating a warm and wet climate around 4 billion years ago. This discovery supports the idea that Mars was once more favorable for life than its current cold and dry environment.
Researchers identified a gene driving scarring in conjunctival tissue, linked to mucous membrane pemphigoid, a common cause of blinding conjunctivitis. Disulfiram treatment effectively reduced inflammation and prevented scarring in mouse models and human cells.
Researchers discovered mice's instinctive behavioral responses based on vision alone, offering a reliable way for future studies. The study found mice freeze 84% of the time when seeing small discs moving slowly across the screen, while fleeing 88% of the time when seeing growing discs simulating approaching predators.
A recent study found that biodiversity loss is no longer within the safe limit in most parts of the world. The greatest changes have happened in areas where most people live, affecting physical and psychological wellbeing. Conservation efforts are needed to preserve remaining natural vegetation and restore human-used lands.
A recent study published in Science found that early farming populations had deep genetic differences, indicating distinct ancestries. The research identified similarities between Neolithic farmer's DNA and living people from southern Asia, suggesting a federal origin of farming.
A new study found that stable hunter-gatherer camps are more likely to exhibit reciprocity in food-sharing, whereas unstable camps rely on demand sharing. This association suggests that cooperation between non-kin individuals may be linked to group stability and repeated interactions.
Researchers at UCL have created a new approach to simulate virtual universes, allowing for accelerated research into the effects of dark energy and dark matter. By comparing results from large studies to computational models, scientists can gain more accurate predictions and explore alternative versions of these mysterious substances.
Researchers found placental mammals evolved at a constant rate before the extinction event but accelerated rapidly after, resulting in diverse modern groups like bats and cats. The team analyzed fossils from the Cretaceous to present day, finding a massive spike in evolution rates after dinosaur extinction.
Researchers developed ways to improve epigenome sequencing data quality and accuracy, enabling more comprehensive analysis of cancers. The technology can detect epigenetic variants more efficiently, providing vital information on cancer development and progression.
Adolescents outperform adults in choosing rewards but struggle with punishment, leading to the development of a new model for learning during adolescence. The study suggests that incentive systems based on reward rather than punishment may be more effective for this age group.
A new study published in Geophysical Research Letters reveals that Venus' electric field is capable of accelerating oxygen ions to escape the planet's gravity, stripping away significant amounts of water over billions of years. This discovery challenges previous theories about the planet's loss of oceans and atmospheres.
A new equation has been developed to predict happiness based on an individual's own experiences and the fortunes of those around them. The study found that people are less happy if others get more or less than them, but this varies from person to person.
A UCL-led team of researchers has developed a model that predicts outbreaks of zoonotic diseases like Ebola and Zika based on environmental changes. The model forecasts the number of people affected by Lassa fever to double from 195,125 to 406,725 by 2070 due to climate change and population growth.
Researchers at University College London have successfully targeted an autoimmune condition in mice using cancer drugs being tripped in human patients. The study found that by blocking a specific genetic key, the immune system's aggressive response could be prevented, reducing inflammation and damage.
A new study of over 25,000 people found that declining levels of dopamine in the brain may be responsible for older people's reduced willingness to take risks for potential rewards. Older adults were less likely to choose risky gambles to win points, but not to avoid losing points.
A UCL study found that the habenula, a region that responds to bad experiences, functions abnormally in people with depression. In healthy adults, this region activates when expecting aversive events, but in depressed individuals, it decreases activation. The study suggests the theory on the habenula's role in depression needs rethinking.
Research finds radically-altered subcellular activity in women carrying BRCA1/2 mutations, opening door to new preventative strategies and non-invasive test development. These changes were similar to those seen in ovarian cancer specimens, providing hope for reducing invasive surgery.
A UCL-led study identifies five genes controlling nose and chin shape, providing new insights into human face evolution and potential forensics applications. The study analyzed over 6,000 individuals with varied ancestry and found specific genes influencing facial features.
A new UCL study found that bad experiences are strongly remembered, but surrounding context is weakly recalled due to reduced activity in the hippocampus. This imbalance can lead to strong but fragmented memory for traumatic content, contributing to post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.
Scientists have used a revolutionary image stacking and matching technique to reveal objects on Mars with a resolution up to five times greater than previously achieved. The Super-Resolution Restoration (SRR) method has huge potential to improve knowledge of a planet's surface from multiple remotely sensed images.
Researchers found that people with no sense of pain exhibited the same brain activity patterns as healthy individuals when exposed to painful stimuli, casting doubt on the 'pain matrix'. The study highlights the need for caution when interpreting associations between brain activity and human experiences.
Memories formed in one part of the brain are replayed and transferred to another area for consolidation, according to a new UCL study. The process, essential for tackling Alzheimer's disease, involves the transfer of memories from the hippocampus to the entorhinal cortex.