Researchers at UCL identified key brain regions involved in remembering words, finding shrinkage in the front and side of the brain linked to difficulty recalling words. Detailed MRI scans showed a dispersion network for creating and storing word memories, crucial for understanding epilepsy conditions.
A new study by UCL researchers found that the oxytocin system is affected in breastfeeding mothers with postnatal depression. Oxytocin levels in breast milk were reduced in mothers experiencing depression after using a nasal spray containing the hormone.
A new study led by University College London researchers found that social disadvantages can accelerate ageing and increase disease risk. People with favourable socioeconomic conditions show fewer signs of biological ageing than peers of the same age.
Researchers at University College London found that the brain uses specific patterns of activity, or 'building blocks,' to understand social interactions. These fundamental patterns are thought to represent common interaction patterns across various situations, allowing brains to simplify complex information and make decisions quickly.
A recent study published in Nature has assigned a facial fragment, nicknamed 'Pink', to the species Homo aff. erectus, challenging the long-held view of early European human habitation. The discovery at Sima del Elefante sheds new light on the history of Western Europe's first inhabitants.
A recent study published in Science Advances reveals that high levels of ammonia kill liver cells by damaging mitochondria, leading to a vicious cycle of system breakdown. However, an existing drug called YAQ-005 can halt this damage and prevent liver cell death.
A new study led by researchers at UCL has found that online brain speed tests can provide valuable insights into cognitive function and potentially shed light on dementia development. The tests, which measure reaction times, were designed to be easy and convenient for women in their 40s and older to participate from home.
A new report by UCL researchers finds that ethnic minority immigrants in England are exposed to significantly higher levels of air pollution than native British households, with an average disadvantage of 6.9μg/m3. Immigrants from Bangladesh and the Caribbean face even greater pollution penalties.
A genomics blood test has improved diagnosis and treatment plans for children with rare diseases, including epilepsy. The test provides genetic diagnoses for 43% of children in under three weeks, leading to significant impacts on treatment.
A polypill programme combining a statin and three blood pressure lowering drugs could prevent thousands of heart attacks and strokes annually. The approach would be a flagship strategy for disease prevention rather than treatment.
Researchers discovered a collection of 27 fossilized bones with shaped into hand tools 1.5 million years ago by early human ancestors. This find suggests that hominins had an advanced understanding of toolmaking, adapting techniques to different materials, indicating greater cognitive skills.
A new study published in The Lancet Digital Health found that accelerated ageing in specific organs can predict diseases across the entire body. Organ ageing rates were linked to increased risks of various diseases, including cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections, and dementia.
A new home-based intervention has been shown to reduce unplanned hospital admissions among older adults with mild frailty by 35%. The service, which includes personalized visits and tailored support, also leads to small improvements in wellbeing and reduces hospital costs.
A new genetic medicine has been developed to treat a rare genetic deficiency affecting the AIPL1 gene, causing severe retinal dystrophy. The treatment involves injecting healthy copies of the gene into the retina through keyhole surgery, resulting in dramatic improvements in sight for four young children.
Researchers at UCL and the University of Greenwich developed a new technique using X-ray imaging to observe imperfections in 3D printed metal alloy components. Applying a magnetic field during the manufacturing process reduced pore formation by 80%, resulting in stronger and more durable components.
A new psychological therapy, MBT-ASPD, has been found to reduce rates of violence and aggression among male offenders with antisocial personality disorder. The treatment showed a significant decrease in symptoms and reoffending rates, offering a promising new approach for treating this challenging condition.
A new study using a pioneering technique called ImmuneLENS found that cancer patients have lower proportions of T cells circulating in the blood compared to healthy individuals. This effect is significant and can predict cancer outcomes, including 47% fewer deaths over five years after surgery.
A new study finds that methane emissions are being underreported by at least 170 million to 3.3 billion tons of carbon over a decade, depending on the metric used. Companies may have underestimated their carbon footprint by as much as the annual carbon emissions of the UK in 2022.
Researchers from UCL and the University of Ljubljana conducted a systematic study on the smells of nine ancient Egyptian mummified bodies, identifying materials used in mumification and evolution of practices. The study also provides insights into how museums conserve remains and preserves their olfactory heritage.
A new study by Dr Clare Stovell found that women usually lead conversations about parental duties, perpetuating traditional gender roles. Couples rarely discuss or negotiate work and family decisions, with men often assuming full-time work schedules.
A new study suggests adjusting VAT rates on food groups based on health and environmental impacts could lead to healthier diets, reducing cases of diet-related diseases. The proposal aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions and generate significant revenue for governments.
A new study found that hotter and colder regions on a star's surface can distort our interpretations of planets, particularly when looking at dips in starlight. This distortion can lead to misinterpretation of features such as planet size, temperature, and atmospheric composition.
A new study led by UCL researchers has found that the GLP-1 drug exenatide has no positive impact on movement, symptoms, or brain imaging in people with Parkinson's disease. The trial involved 194 participants and ran for 96 weeks, with no benefits shown in any of these areas.
A new study found that mothers whose firstborn children experienced adverse childhood experiences had a significantly higher risk of having children with mental health problems. The study, published in The Lancet Public Health, analyzed data from over 333,000 families and found a 71% increased risk.
A new study by UCL researchers reveals that one in four children in England receive social care services before their 18th birthday, far exceeding previous estimates of 3.4%. This suggests a significant increase in the number of children needing support and intervention from social care services.
Researchers found that using ventilation and air cleaners can increase aerosol spread by up to 29% between neighboring rooms. This suggests that careful consideration of airflow dynamics and device placement is necessary to reduce the risk of exacerbating viral transmission in hospitals.
Researchers suggest earliest dinosaurs emerged in hot, arid environments of low-latitude Gondwana, filling gaps in fossil record. This finding provides a potential origin for the iconic creatures, contradicting previous assumptions.
A new study by University College London researchers has found that adults diagnosed with ADHD may be living shorter lives than they should. The research analyzed data from over 30,000 adults with ADHD and compared it to a group of 300,390 participants without the condition.
Between 2012 and 2022, the number of children and young people being admitted to general acute medical wards in England due to mental health concerns increased by 65%, from 24,198 to 39,925. This rise was greatest among girls aged 11-15 and for eating disorders.
Researchers at UCL conducted a study on wild Chacma baboons, finding they didn't recognize themselves in mirrors. The baboons showed curiosity with laser marks on visible body parts but not when the mark appeared in their mirror reflection. This strengthens evidence that monkeys do not recognize their own reflections.
Researchers found subtle brain changes in people with Huntington's disease 20 years before symptoms appear, offering hope for earlier interventions. The study identified early markers of neurodegeneration through advanced imaging and biomarkers.
A new study led by UCL researchers reveals that people at risk of hereditary dementia significantly impact their choices about having children and parenting. Genetic risk is viewed in the context of other factors, with concerns including practical and emotional challenges of caring for someone with familial frontotemporal dementia.
A new study suggests that current guidelines for diagnosing a potentially deadly heart condition may be missing women due to natural differences in sex and body size. The researchers developed a personalized approach using AI, which improved diagnosis accuracy by 20 percentage points for female patients.
Researchers found genetic variants that confer a benefit to chimpanzees in specific habitats, particularly those related to malaria. The study suggests that climate and land use changes will impact different chimpanzee groups differently.
A series of small earthquakes in Surrey in 2018 and 2019 may have been triggered by oil extraction from a nearby well, according to a new study. The research used mathematical modeling to predict the frequency of earthquakes based on oil extraction timing and volume, finding a rough match with observed seismic activity.
A new study found that exposure to high aircraft noise levels can lead to stiffer and thicker heart muscles, increasing the risk of poor heart function and major cardiac events. People exposed to night-time aircraft noise were particularly at risk, with increased risks of heart attacks, life-threatening rhythms, and strokes.
A new study challenges previous claims on false memory implantation, finding that few participants recalled entirely fabricated details. Many were unsure about suggested events, rendering their testimony potentially unreliable in court.
A new study by UCL researchers has found that people who care for both their children and older family members – known as 'sandwich carers' – experience a significant decline in both mental and physical health. The study, which analysed data from around 2,000 sandwich carers, highlights the need for better support and resources to help...
Researchers analyzed data from 12,794 participants and found that those who experienced childhood maltreatment were three times more likely to experience intimate partner violence at age 21. The risk continued to grow over time, with a four-fold increase by age 26.
A new study by UCL researchers found that AI systems amplify human biases, leading to a snowball effect where small initial biases increase the risk of human error. The researchers demonstrated real-world consequences, including overestimating white men's likelihood of holding high-status jobs and underestimating women's performance.
A new UCL Institute of Health Equity report emphasizes the crucial role of housing in determining long-term health and longevity. It proposes a new way forward for the property sector and national governments to focus on health, wellbeing, and environmental sustainability in home building and maintenance.
Researchers identified genes that impact tooth development and variation among ethnic groups. They found associations with tooth dimensions on genes inherited from Neanderthals and other genetic variants.
Research by UCL experts found that online training can improve speech intelligibility for both older and younger adults, with a 30% improvement in understanding sentences spoken by new voices. The study suggests that practicing listening to regularly encountered voices could enhance everyday communication.
A new study suggests that exercise can improve cognitive performance for up to 24 hours after a single day of moderate to vigorous physical activity. The study found that participants who spent more time being active and had better sleep quality performed better in memory tests the next day.
A recent study published in Nature Communications Medicine found that around 25-30% of young people met the research definition of long Covid 24 months after their initial PCR test. However, 70% of those who had long Covid three months after the infection had recovered within two years.
A new study by UCL researchers found no lasting changes in the Earth's climate after two massive asteroid impacts around 35.65 million years ago. The impact craters left behind no evidence of a shift in climate over 150,000 years.
A new chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy called obe-cel has delivered promising results in treating patients with an aggressive blood cancer. The treatment reduced immune toxicity and persisted for longer in patients, overcoming two common limitations of earlier CAR-T cell therapies.
Researchers developed an AI tool called BrainBench to test large language models' ability to predict neuroscience study outcomes. The results showed that LLMs surpassed human experts with an average accuracy of 81%, highlighting their potential as powerful tools for accelerating research.
Researchers at UCL found that excess brain volume loss with amyloid-targeting immunotherapies is associated with therapy effectiveness, not harm. The 'amyloid-removal-related pseudo-atrophy' or ARPA phenomenon suggests that removal of amyloid plaques may be the cause of observed brain changes.
A new study by UCL researchers found that mothers who regularly describe their child's thoughts and feelings have higher oxytocin levels in infants. The hormone oxytocin plays a crucial role in social relationships and bonding between parents and children.