A new study from UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Ghent University found that different brain areas are activated when individuals choose to suppress an emotion compared to when they are instructed to do so. This discovery could have implications for therapies targeting mental health conditions.
Researchers used 'ethoinformatics' to analyze three years of migration data from miniature tracking devices attached to Manx Shearwater seabirds, revealing complex patterns of rest, flight, and foraging during migration. The study found that birds spent less time foraging in winter and more at rest in the southern hemisphere.
Researchers at UCL and Montreal found a way to train the brain to accurately predict event outcomes by providing idealised scenarios that conform to statistical probability. This 'cleans' their memory and provides good quality evidence for decision-making.
Children with SLDs frequently have co-occurring conditions and require specialized support. The study clarifies the causes of SLDs and provides guidance on tailoring education to meet individual needs.
Researchers have successfully imaged the changes in morphology of gold nanocrystals under pressures of up to 6.5 gigapascals, solving a long-standing problem in measuring nanomaterial structures. The study shows that the nanocrystals undergo plastic flow, becoming more fluid-like at high pressure, and reveals new insights into the beha...
A team of researchers has found that climate models are too conservative in forecasting tropical changes, as a giant pool of warm water four million years ago suggests. The study, published in Nature, analyzed sea surface temperature records and found that none of the proposed mechanisms can explain the Pliocene era's unique conditions.
Researchers successfully created interacting single-atom defects on a silicon surface, producing extended quantum states resembling artificial molecular orbitals. These findings represent an important step toward the fabrication of devices at the single-atom limit for applications such as quantum computing.
A new study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that genetics account for 30% of individual differences in childhood body weight. The research used Genome-wide Complex Trait Analysis to identify genetic variants associated with childhood obesity, providing insights into the 'missing heritability' problem.
Stem cells from amniotic fluid have been shown to repair gut damage and improve survival rates in rodents with intestinal damage. The study found that these cells work by releasing growth factors that reduce inflammation and trigger the formation of new tissues.
Research reveals that VCP gene mutations disrupt energy production in cells, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and increased vulnerability. This study sheds new light on the role of VCP in multiple neurological disorders.
A new study suggests that more than three-quarters of people in England drink in excess of the recommended daily alcohol limit, leading to a significant increase in binge drinking among men and women, particularly those on high incomes.
Researchers at University College London have developed a computer model that highlights the importance of city layout in predicting and suppressing riots. The study uses data from the 2011 London riots to simulate patterns and identify susceptible areas, enabling police to deploy resources more effectively.
A recent study using an animal model revealed that a single genetic mutation led to several common traits in East Asian populations, including thicker hair and denser sweat glands. The researchers found that the mutation is at least 15,000 years old and emerged around 30,000 years ago in central China.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found a strong association between obesity and vitamin D deficiency. The research, led by Dr Elina Hypponen, used genetic markers to explore the link between body mass index (BMI) and genes associated with vitamin D synthesis and metabolism.
A national audit of percutaneous coronary interventional procedures found improved treatment times and increased use of primary PCI. The UK's PCI centers expanded services to treat more patients with acute coronary syndromes, reducing delays and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers at University College London have developed a method to render carbon nanotubes safe for use in biomedical applications. By chemically modifying and shortening the nanotubes, they can eliminate their toxic properties and make them suitable for direct transport into cells.
A study from University College London found that genetic differences significantly associate with managerial responsibilities, with a specific DNA sequence linked to leadership ability passing down through generations.
Scientists from University College London have found that animal cells exhibit poroelastic behavior when mechanically stimulated, similar to organs within the body. The rate of cell deformation is limited by how quickly water can redistribute within the cell interior.
Scientists propose that early life forms utilized deep-sea hydrothermal vents to harness energy, driving the emergence of complex cellular structures. The new theory explains why all living organisms conserve energy in the form of ion gradients across membranes.
New genetic analysis reveals that many Amazon tree species are likely to survive man-made climate warming in the coming century. The study finds that these trees have previously survived warmer climates and are expected to endure higher temperatures. However, droughts and forest fires remain major threats to the Amazon's future.
Researchers at UCL have identified over 200 gene locations linked to Crohn's Disease, a complex condition with a significant genetic component. The study uses a new method to analyze the human genome and provides evidence that specific clinical sub-groups may carry different risk genes.
Researchers found cycling is safer than driving for young males aged 17-20, with almost five times greater risk for drivers compared to cyclists of the same age. Cycling offers significant health benefits, saving £17bn in healthcare costs alone through active travel.
A new study claims that forest canopy structure is a more important factor in infrared reflection than leaf nitrogen levels. The researchers found that the complex arrangement of leaves within a forest can mask the effect of individual leaf nitrogen levels on infrared radiation.
A systematic review of 14 studies and 1,600 participants found lasting decrements in neurological and cognitive function, particularly in memory and information processing speed. The study's findings suggest that low-level exposure to organophosphate pesticides may be associated with impaired cognitive function.
A study by University College London reveals that happy adolescents tend to earn higher levels of income later in life. The research found that happy individuals are more likely to get a degree, find work, and get promoted quicker than their gloomier counterparts.
Using cutting-edge virtual reality technology, researchers have successfully beamed a person into a rat facility, allowing the rat and human to interact on the same scale. The technology enables real-time interaction between humans and animals, providing new insights into animal behavior.
A major three-year trial found that giving one-to-one feedback to healthcare workers makes them twice as likely to clean their hands or use soap. The study, published in PLOS ONE, showed improvements of up to 18% on Intensive Therapy Units and 13% on Acute Care of the Elderly wards.
A European team has completed the first micro-structure atlas of the human brain, utilizing advanced MRI technology. The atlas provides unprecedented detail and accuracy, revealing new information about brain structure that helps understand how cellular architecture relates to thought processes.
A new analysis suggests that brain size relative to body size is driven by different evolutionary mechanisms in different animals, with changes in body size often occurring independently of changes in brain size.
A study found that over a third of refugee children showed signs of malnutrition and 15% of women experienced nutritional deficiencies during development. The population's diet is suboptimal for health due to excessive sugar consumption, starchy foods, and lack of fresh produce.
A new blood test has been developed to measure levels of the toxic protein that causes Huntington's disease, which builds up gradually in blood cells over time. The research found that levels of mutant huntingtin protein corresponded to brain shrinkage, and may help explain how damage accumulates, eventually causing symptoms.
Researchers found a strong negative effect of neighbourhood income deprivation on altruistic behaviour, with wealthier areas returning 87% of letters compared to poorer areas at 37%. This suggests that those living in poor neighbourhoods are less inclined to behave altruistically toward their neighbours.
A new X-ray imaging technique has produced dramatic three-dimensional images of gold nanocrystals, revealing their structure for the first time. The improved image quality will likely lead to a better understanding of nanomaterials' properties.
A study published in Biology Letters found that humans punish cheats only when they end up better off than the punisher, challenging the notion of revenge-based motivation. The researchers aimed to clarify the relationship between punishment and cooperation by investigating underlying motivations.
A recent study found that Native American populations originated from at least three migrations, with most descending from the First American migration through Beringia. This migration was later joined by two additional streams, which contributed to the genetic diversity of Arctic populations and some Na-Dene-speaking groups.
Researchers have developed a technique to reprogram adult cells from patients with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy into stem cells, which can then be genetically modified and transplanted into mice. The study shows promise for treating this rare form of muscular dystrophy.
Researchers found that neurons follow a simple pattern described by a power law, which explains their tree-like shape and efficient wiring. This pattern is supported by the growth of newborn olfactory neurons in the adult brain.
The European Space Agency has adopted the largest astronomy collaboration to build the Euclid satellite, which will study the dark universe with great precision. The mission will trace the distribution and evolution of dark matter and dark energy throughout the Universe.
Researchers from UCL and EPFL have successfully created a material that mimics the behavior of traditional bar magnets, but at the quantum level. By manipulating the spins of tiny atoms in a transparent salt, they achieved an antiferromagnetic configuration, similar to large bar magnets, without the usual complications.
Researchers searched for 'knots' in space using WMAP data, finding no signs of cosmic textures. The study places limits on theories producing textures, ruling out most models at 95% confidence.
Researchers at University College London have discovered a new property of flames that allows for the control of reactions at solid surfaces, opening up new fields of chemical innovation. This breakthrough has significant implications for future technologies, including air quality detection and greenhouse gas management.
Scientists at University College London have discovered a potential new method to regenerate damaged skeletal muscle tissue using stem cells derived from amniotic fluid. The treatment resulted in improved survival rates and muscle activity in mice with spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic disease affecting one in six thousand births.
The tuatara's unique chewing technique, using its lower jaw to slice food apart, raises doubts about the link between chewing and high metabolism in mammals. This specialized mechanism allows the tuatara to eat a wide range of prey, including beetles, spiders, and small lizards.
Researchers at University College London have developed a new silicon oxide-based 'Resistive RAM' memory chip that can operate in ambient conditions, offering significantly greater memory storage and reduced energy consumption. The chip promises to be much faster than current technology, with potential applications beyond memory storage.
Researchers have found that sex-linked chromosomes, particularly the W chromosome in female chickens, play a vital role in predicting fertility. The study's results support the idea that these chromosomes are unlikely to become extinct due to their importance in survival.
Scientists at University College London have successfully transplanted photoreceptors into adult mice with degenerate retinas, restoring their vision. The study suggests that this approach could lead to effective treatments for thousands of people affected by degenerative eye disorders.
A new study published in Nature has disproved the theory that pigeons' navigation skills are linked to iron-rich nerve cells in their beaks. Macrophages, specialized white blood cells, were found to contain tiny balls of iron instead, contradicting earlier research.
A quantitative analysis of Google search queries found a link between online behavior and real-world economic indicators, suggesting countries with higher GDP are more focused on the future. The study used Google Trends data from over 45 billion searches in 45 countries to calculate a 'future orientation index' that correlates with GDP.
A three-year study found that embedding TaMHS programme in schools led to greater improvements in behavioural problems among primary pupils. Schools providing self-help leaflets also saw reduced aggression and anger issues.
A genetic study has traced cattle back to a small herd of approximately 80 animals domesticated around 10,500 years ago. The research used DNA extracted from ancient cattle bones found in Iranian archaeological sites to determine the origins of domestication.