New research confirms Arctic ice trends show a five-day per decade increase in the length of the melt season, with implications for climate change tracking and shipping. The study's findings also highlight the importance of understanding Arctic sea ice feedback mechanisms.
Researchers found that world-class orchestras can be accurately identified by silent video footage, but not through sound recordings. Participants scored significantly better when shown video-only clips than when played audio clips, suggesting visual cues about group dynamics and leadership play a crucial role in judgment.
A new sensor can measure antibiotic levels in blood with high sensitivity, enabling individualized treatment and reducing potential toxic effects. This development has the potential to improve clinical regimes and combination therapies.
A study of 36 species found that climate change increases extinction risk by 28% by 2100, but existing conservation methods can identify vulnerable species. The research identifies key factors such as small range and population size that predispose species to high extinction risk.
The UK's mother to child HIV transmission rate has dropped to an all-time low of 0.46%, according to a study published in the journal AIDS. The decline is attributed to earlier initiation of antenatal combination antiretroviral therapy and increased uptake of antenatal HIV screening.
Studies reveal that infants with a heartier appetite grow more rapidly, potentially putting them at increased risk for obesity. Additionally, children with lower satiety responsiveness are more likely to have genetic predisposition to obesity, highlighting potential targets for pharmacological and behavioral interventions.
The study uses genome data from 1490 individuals to identify genetic mixing events between populations, dating back to historical events such as the Mongol Empire. The technique, called 'Globetrotter,' provides insight into past events and may have implications for public health and disease prevention.
Researchers found that brain activity for mathematical beauty correlates with the same region as art and music, suggesting a neurobiological basis for beauty. The study used fMRI to image brain activity of mathematicians when viewing beautiful formulae, revealing strong correlation between beauty experience and brain intensity.
A €3.5m European Union-funded project aims to improve diagnosis and treatment of balance disorders through an online information system. The EMBalance tool will help clinicians accurately diagnose and manage balance-related conditions, reducing the risk of falls and improving patient independence.
Research in zebrafish reveals that loss of brain asymmetry can significantly impact sensory processing. The study found that reversed brain asymmetry resulted in functional changes to habenular neurons, while double-sided brains lacked responsiveness to certain stimuli.
A recent study published in Science has discovered that vibrations can influence the circadian clock of a fruit fly, with exposure to 12-hour cycles of vibration and silence synchronising the fly's internal clock and corresponding daily locomotor activity.
A national campaign by Public Health England aimed to encourage smokers to quit for 28 days, resulting in a significant increase in quit attempts and a cost-effective initiative that saves lives. The campaign resulted in an estimated 350,000 additional quit attempts compared to other months.
Researchers found that people with slower reaction times were 25% more likely to die within 15 years compared to those with average reaction times. The study, published in PLOS ONE, controlled for age, sex, and lifestyle factors.
Researchers at University College London found that certain molecular vibrations in plant cells exhibit non-classical behavior, enhancing the efficiency of energy transfer during photosynthesis. This discovery challenges classical physics explanations and has implications for understanding other biological processes.
Researchers discovered argon hydride ions in the Crab Nebula, a supernova remnant, using ESA's Herschel Space Observatory. The findings support theories on how argon forms in nature and provide evidence for the formation of noble gas molecules in space.
Scientists at UCL and international partners discovered a new mechanism controlling magnetic anisotropy at the atomic scale, enabled by electrical coupling between metal substrate and magnetic atoms. This discovery opens up new avenues for designing smallest devices for information processing, data storage, and sensing.
Researchers found significant differences in the expression of genes in male and female brains, involving 2.5% of all brain genes. These differences could contribute to the higher incidence of autism in males.
Researchers found that addressing childhood deprivation is essential to prevent damaging health behaviors in adulthood. The study, based on a 1946 birth cohort, reveals that social and economic inequalities in early life significantly impact mortality in later life.
Researchers have achieved a world record by storing a fragile quantum state at room temperature for 39 minutes, overcoming a key barrier towards building ultrafast quantum computers. This breakthrough could lead to long-term coherent information storage and potential applications in ultra-secure authentication devices.
Researchers at University College London have developed a new method for building membrane-crossing pores using Lego-like DNA building blocks. This approach provides a simple and low-cost tool for synthetic biology and has potential applications in diagnostic devices and drug discovery. The technique uses two large anchors to embed the...
Scientists at UCL Institute of Neurology identified a genetic mutation that leads to the production of toxic RNA molecules, potentially responsible for frontotemporal dementia and motor neuron disease. The build-up of these molecules may be key to causing the diseases.
Researchers have discovered that copper phthalocyanine can remain in 'superposition' states, a key characteristic of quantum computing, for surprisingly long times. This could lead to significant advancements in quantum technologies, including data storage and manipulation.
Researchers have discovered that single neuronal dendrites can perform computations, producing specific electrical signals in response to visual stimulation. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that computation occurs only with large numbers of neurons working together.
A study by UCL researchers found that abnormal levels of female hormones are a possible explanation for why women with BRCA1/2 mutations develop breast and ovarian cancer. The research suggests that targeting these hormones could lead to new ways of preventing cancers in high-risk women.
Researchers found that irregular bedtimes disrupt natural body rhythms, causing sleep deprivation and undermining brain maturation. Children who switched to regular bedtimes showed improvements in behavior, while those with inconsistent schedules had worsening behavioral scores.
Researchers found that hunter-gatherers and farmers coexisted in Central Europe for at least 2,000 years, with genetic evidence showing that the two groups intermarried. The study suggests that the traditional narrative of the European hunter-gatherers' disappearance soon after farming arrived is incorrect.
Scientists propose iron in Earth's core weakens dramatically just before melting, affecting seismic wave speeds. This discovery provides a compelling explanation for observed wave velocities at the Earth's inner core.
Research by UCL Eastman Dental Institute reveals high levels of poor oral health among elite athletes, including 55% with dental caries and 28% affected by oral health issues. The study highlights the need for improved oral health support for athletes to optimize their performance.
The discovery of two new fossil jaws in Vellberg, Germany, provides evidence that the ancestors of lizards, snakes, and tuatara were alive during the Middle Triassic period. The findings suggest that lepidosaurs first appeared after the end-Permian mass extinction event, around 240 million years ago.
Researchers at UCL and University of Gdansk develop a new method to determine the amount of entanglement in one-dimensional quantum systems based solely on the area of the boundary between regions. This finding resolves a long-standing problem, showing that certain systems can be simulated easily using classical computers.
Scientists have developed a new method to non-invasively assess the health of painting canvases, similar to blood sugar testing without needles. This allows conservators to evaluate the brittleness of canvases and identify potential issues before they occur, improving the standard of management and care in galleries and museums.
A study by University College London found that education is a key factor in reducing the negative impact of urban living on women's health. Women with no formal education working in sedentary occupations were twice as likely to be 'centrally obese' compared to those with some degree of formal education.
A new study found that genetic testing for weight gain risk does not deter people from weight loss efforts, but rather alleviates emotional stress and stigma associated with weight control. The results suggest that individuals recognize the importance of both genetics and behavior in maintaining a healthy weight.
A team of geneticists identified five different alleles in the Ethiopian population that cause adult lactase production, highlighting a soft selective sweep. This phenomenon allows individuals to digest milk via different mutations, increasing their chances of survival under scarce food conditions.
A recent study published in BMJ Open found that lesbian and gay young people in England are twice as likely to smoke and drink alcohol compared to their heterosexual peers. The research also revealed that gay and lesbian young people have more frequent and hazardous drinking patterns.
Researchers have discovered that ancient Egyptian iron beads were hammered from pieces of meteorites, not iron ore. The findings indicate that metalworkers mastered the smithing of meteoritic iron over 5,000 years ago, enabling the development of iron smelting and replacing copper and bronze as primary metals.
A study found that dominant male turkeys express genes more like males and less like females, leading to increased attractiveness. Researchers suggest a similar pattern may exist in females, with more attractive women exhibiting higher female gene expression.
Researchers have used computer simulations to demonstrate a universal increase in electrical conductivity of many materials under strong electric fields. This finding has significant implications for systems in electrochemistry, biochemistry, and electrical engineering.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals that genetic mutations linked to Parkinson's disease can cause problems with mitophagy, a process essential for eliminating damaged cells. The research suggests that targeting this pathway could lead to the development of more effective drug treatments.
The study reveals that male infanticide is the key driver of monogamy in humans and other primates. By caring for young, fathers can protect infants from rival males and share childcare burdens. This leads to a reduction in infant dependency and allows females to reproduce more quickly.
Researchers at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology identify LRG1 as a protein responsible for abnormal blood vessel growth in diseases like cancer, macular degeneration, and rheumatoid arthritis. Inhibition of LRG1 may be a promising target for future therapy.
Researchers from UCL's Mullard Space Science Laboratory used data from the Japanese Hinode spacecraft to measure the Sun's magnetic field. The study found that the field is approximately ten times weaker than previously estimated.
Researchers at University College London found a significant association between parental divorce during childhood and elevated levels of inflammatory markers in adulthood. Children who experienced parental separation before age 16 had a 16% higher level of C-reactive protein at age 44.
Researchers at University College London discovered a 36% faster cognitive decline in smokers who consumed heavy alcohol compared to non-smoking moderate drinkers. The study found that combining smoking and heavy drinking could accelerate brain aging by an equivalent of 12 years.
Researchers at University College London have uncovered a groundbreaking explanation for the properties of mixed-phase titania catalysts, revealing that anatase has lower energy levels than previously thought. This discovery will aid in developing more efficient photocatalysts with applications in clean energy and self-cleaning coatings.
A new technique uses radio waves to magnetically label glucose in the body, detecting bright images on MRI scans of mice, enabling a cheaper and safer alternative to existing methods. The method could enable patients to be scanned in local hospitals without radiation risks.
Researchers from University College London and the University of Gdansk found new laws governing microscopic systems, leading to fundamental limitations on extracting energy. Microscopic heat engines cannot be as efficient as their larger counterparts, with irreversibility playing a key role.
Researchers describe 'chase and run' cell movement mechanism that explains process of metastasis. Cancer cells recruit healthy cells using small chemical molecules, promoting directional collective migration.
Researchers used a revolutionary X-ray laser to freeze the motion of atoms in gold nanocrystals, revealing unusual supersonic vibrations. The new images support theoretical models for light interaction with metals and have potential applications in understanding material response after perturbation.
A new analysis by University College London highlights the significant burden of disease on men worldwide. Men die at a younger age than women in every region and are disproportionately affected by risk factors such as tobacco smoking, high blood pressure, and physical inactivity.