Researchers monitored brain activity in rats and found that during rest, the hippocampus simulates walking to and from food that was previously inaccessible. This suggests that the hippocampus plans routes for the future as well as recording past experiences with motivational cues like food. The study could help explain why people with...
Scientists at University College London have designed a chemical compound called MM41 that targets quadruplexes, faulty genes found in pancreatic cancers. The compound reduced tumor growth by 80% and prevented regrowth in mice, showing promise for treating pancreatic cancer.
A UCL-led study has found that a small molecule drug, trametinib, can delay the ageing process in animals, including fruit flies. The treated fruit flies lived 12% longer than average, staying healthier for longer.
Researchers found that Titan's atmosphere loses hydrocarbons and nitriles due to a polar wind powered by sunlight and the Saturnian magnetic field. This phenomenon has been observed on Earth in polar regions, suggesting Titan may have a similarly widespread 'polar wind' beyond its poles.
A new calculation method developed by a UCL-led team of scientists can accurately predict how much radiation carbon dioxide absorbs, reducing uncertainties in climate change modeling and enabling more accurate predictions about Earth's warming over the next few decades. The improved accuracy will enable missions to achieve their goals.
Researchers discovered a genetic fault preventing SEMA3E from working correctly in two brothers with Kallman Syndrome, leading to the loss of nerve cells regulating sexual reproduction. The study demonstrates a powerful method for identifying genetic causes without relying on large statistical samples.
Research published in JAMA Oncology finds that smoking induces epigenetic changes in cheek cells, which can also be seen in non-smoking related cancers. This discovery provides a potential tool for early detection of breast and gynaecological cancers.
A new UCL study reveals that sex equality in residential decision-making explains the unique social structure of hunter-gatherers. The research found that when both men and women have influence over camp assortment, group relatedness is much lower due to individuals seeking to live with as many kin as possible.
A new test developed by a UCL-led team can identify drug-resistant tuberculosis strains in days, reducing the time needed for genetic sequencing from weeks to days. This could lead to better treatment outcomes and control of transmission.
Researchers at University College London have found that hepatitis B virus can persist in the liver by exploiting starved T cells. The study suggests that boosting the immune system and counteracting the liver's suppressive effect could potentially clear the infection.
A new screening method can detect twice as many women with ovarian cancer as conventional strategies, according to the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS). The method uses a statistical calculation to interpret changing CA125 levels in women's blood, providing a more accurate prediction of individual risk.
A UCL-led team used high-energy synchrotron X-rays and thermal imaging to track lithium-ion battery damage in real-time. The study found that internal structural damage can spread to neighboring batteries, causing severe failure.
Hot vents on the seabed may have spontaneously produced organic molecules essential for life, according to a new study. The surfaces of mineral particles inside hydrothermal vents exhibit chemical properties similar to enzymes, allowing them to create simple carbon-based molecules like methanol and formic acid.
A UCL study finds that realising how places connect geographically causes local maps in the brain to join, forming one big map. This merged map helps with planning future journeys by understanding absolute location and distances between places.
Research reveals that men donate more when seeing other men have donated large amounts, especially if the fundraiser is attractive. Men compete to show generosity, while women don't react in a similar way.
Researchers found that the human immune system can control re-awakened HIV with a vaccine-based approach, reducing virus levels to 50 copies per ml within six weeks. This study demonstrates the potential of a 'kick and kill' strategy, which could lead to an effective cure for HIV.
A new ultra-sensitive test can detect mutant huntingtin protein in the cerebrospinal fluid of HD patients, predicting disease severity. The test has the potential to guide clinical decisions and monitor treatment efficacy.
A new model for HIV progression finds that it spreads in a similar way to some computer worms, predicting early treatment is key to preventing AIDS. The model shows that cell-to-cell transfer is an important part of HIV spread and that completely blocking this mechanism could prevent progression to AIDS.
Research from University College London found that young adolescents (aged 12-14) were most influenced by their peers' opinions on risk, while older age groups adjusted their ratings more towards adults. The study suggests that targeting adolescent social norms may be key to public health interventions.
Researchers at University College London used the thermal grill illusion to study pain perception. They found that crossing fingers can change what you feel on a single finger by manipulating the spatial arrangement of nerve pathways.
A study by University College London researchers discovered that male birds with physical ornaments tend to have genomes with mildly negative mutations. This leads to reduced fitness in their descendants. The study focused on the Galloanserae bird group, analyzing genetic material from various species.
Researchers have discovered that the three-dimensional structures of mRNAs determine their stability and efficiency inside cells. This knowledge could help explain minor mutations causing neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at UCL develop technology to suspend and cool glass particles to absolute zero, enabling the creation of quantum states in objects far larger than atoms. This could lead to breakthroughs in motion sensors and quantum computer networks.
Researchers used remote eye-trackers to monitor participants' gaze while thinking about complex moral questions. The results showed that participants' moral decisions were systematically biased towards the target alternative, with a 58% success rate for choosing the randomly selected option.
Scientists at UCL conclude humans became a geological power with global environmental changes starting around 1610. A golden spike marker, the 'Orbis Spike', was found in Antarctic ice-core records, indicating an irreversible exchange of species between the Old and New Worlds.
New research from University College London suggests that people with differing competence give each other's views equal weight, preventing optimal group decisions. This 'equality bias' affects decision-making processes in various contexts, including everyday situations and high-level policy decisions.
A new paint developed by researchers at UCL creates self-cleaning surfaces that resist everyday wear and tear. The paint's unique properties allow it to withstand damage and maintain its self-cleaning abilities, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
Research from UCL's ESRC International Centre for Lifecourse Studies found direct biological effects of stress during unemployment contribute to higher levels of inflammatory markers, predicting atherosclerosis and heart disease. Unemployed men and women had higher levels than employed counterparts, with stronger effects in Scotland.
A new review finds that people with mild cognitive impairment are 65% more likely to develop dementia if they have diabetes and over twice as likely if they have psychiatric symptoms. Lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and regular exercise may help prevent dementia.
Research at University College London reveals that grid cells in the brain modify their patterns based on the environment's geometry. The study found that grid patterns align with the local environment and distort in trapezoid-shaped spaces, challenging previous theories about the brain's navigation system.
Researchers have discovered a family of 'second laws' that govern the behavior of systems at very small scales, leading to counterintuitive phenomena and constraints on disorder. These new laws complement the traditional second law of thermodynamics, which describes the universe's growing state of disorder.
Researchers at UCL have developed a new method to process fibre optic signals, which can correct corrupted data and increase the useful capacity of fibres. This technique has the potential to double the distance data can travel error-free through sub-marine cables.
A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found microscopic spheres of calcium phosphate in eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness. The discovery opens up new avenues for diagnosis and treatment, potentially allowing early detection and prevention of the disease.
A third of oil reserves, half of gas reserves, and over 80% of current coal reserves globally should remain in the ground if global warming is to stay below the 2°C target. The study identifies regions that stand to lose most from achieving this goal, including China, Russia, and the United States.
Scientists at UCL have discovered the root of the problem in making blue LEDs by examining gallium nitride's unusual behavior using sophisticated computer simulations. The study reveals that doping with magnesium is necessary to achieve the desired properties, but the complexity of the process was previously unknown.
Researchers at UCL have developed a technique that combines two cutting-edge technologies to read and write electrical activity in the brain. By using flashes of light, they can both observe and control brain activity in mice, opening up new possibilities for understanding neurological conditions such as autism and dementia.
Adults who lose all their teeth show significant declines in memory and walking speeds compared to those with some teeth. The association between tooth loss and decline remains after adjusting for various factors.
Researchers have identified a key brain region responsible for navigational skills and found that its signal strength predicts performance. The study's findings provide new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying spatial navigation, which may help explain why some individuals are better at navigating than others.
A new study published in the Maternal and Child Health Journal found that households with obese mothers and stunted children often rely on high-energy, low-nutrient foods like chocolate and biscuits. In contrast, diets rich in fruits and vegetables are associated with lower rates of double-burden households.
Researchers developed a 'virtual lab' to study nanocomposites, allowing for prediction of material properties based on chemical composition and processing conditions. The simulations revealed how polymers and clay particles interact, enabling the development of improved composite materials.
UCL scientists have discovered a new pathway to deliver therapies to the nervous system, offering a potential treatment for tetanus and neurological disorders such as motor neuron disease. By blocking the entry of tetanus neurotoxin into nerve cells, researchers hope to develop targeted treatments with fewer side effects.
A UCL-led team of scientists has uncovered the structure of pores found in cell nuclei, revealing how they selectively block certain molecules from entering to protect genetic material and normal cell functions. The discovery could lead to the development of new antiviral drugs and better delivery mechanisms for gene therapy.
A UCL-led experiment found that people are willing to inflict an average of 20p per shock on themselves and 40p per shock on strangers in exchange for money, highlighting a surprisingly optimistic view of human nature. This contradicts previous studies claiming humans prioritize their own interests over others.
Researchers have developed a new method using virtual reality to improve self-compassion in individuals, particularly those with high levels of self-criticism. The study found that women who experienced a first-person perspective through the eyes of a virtual child showed increased feelings of contentment and reduced self-criticism.
A UCL-led study found that individuals with the greatest sense of wellbeing were 30% less likely to die over an eight and a half year period than those with the least wellbeing. People with higher wellbeing lived on average two years longer than those in lower wellbeing groups.
A study of 517 mothers found that nearly 15% had taken recreational drugs during pregnancy, and mothers of babies with brain birth defects were more likely to have used drugs. The study suggests a link between brain birth defects and recreational drug use in expectant mothers.
Researchers have found that emerging viruses are causing severe disease and mass deaths in many amphibian species, including frogs and salamanders. The viruses, part of the Ranavirus group, are being spread through human activities and are having a devastating impact on entire host communities.
Researchers at UCL discovered that new myelin must be made each time a skill is learned later in life, and its structure changes during practice. The team found that once a new skill has been learnt, it is retained even after myelin production stops.
Research published in JAMA Psychiatry found that leisure time physical activity reduces depressive symptoms and risk of depression, with a protective effect across the entire population.
Researchers found stenting as effective as endarterectomy for preventing fatal and disabling strokes, with slightly higher risk of minor strokes in the stented group. The study suggests stenting should be offered to more patients under 70 due to its lower risks.