Researchers found that language used in healthcare settings can have a significant impact on the experience of pregnancy loss and future emotional recovery. The study recommends avoiding certain words and phrases, such as 'miscarriage' and 'incompetent cervix', which were deemed distressing by participants.
Researchers create world's thinnest spaghetti by electrospinning starch-rich flour mixture, showing promise for wound healing, bone regeneration, and drug delivery. The novel 'nanopasta' is visible but too narrow to be captured by light cameras or microscopes.
A recent study by UCL researchers reveals that people with poorer mental health are more prone to browsing negative content online, which further exacerbates their symptoms. The study found that adding 'content labels' to webpages can help users make healthier and more informed decisions about the content they consume.
A new study has found that hundreds of genes, rather than a single 'aberrant' genetic variant, contribute to the development of dilated cardiomyopathy. Researchers developed a polygenic risk score to assess individual risk and found those with the highest genetic risk had a fourfold chance of developing the disease.
A new study found that approximately 2.2 million people who have stopped smoking for more than a year in England currently vape, with the majority using e-cigarettes as a quit-smoking aid. The prevalence of vaping among ex-smokers has increased sharply since 2021, particularly among younger age groups and heavier drinkers.
Teenage truancy rates have increased faster in developed English-speaking countries since the Covid-19 pandemic, with teenage girls being disproportionately affected. In England, 26% of Year 11 pupils reported playing truant at least once in the last fortnight, while 29% of girls and 23% of boys admitted to skipping school in 2022.
Researchers found that in male worms, a memory of a positive association (sex) can override a negative one (starvation), influencing behavior. This finding has implications for understanding health conditions like PTSD, where conflicting memories impact behavior.
A UCL study reveals that unregulated experts appointed by family courts in England and Wales have caused devastating harm to children, separating them from their mothers and forcing them to live with abusive fathers. The 'alienation' belief system has become a legal weapon that punishes and controls those who speak up about abuse.
A new study found that individuals with Long Covid experience persistent functional impairment and poor quality of life, leading to significant economic burdens on patients and the economy. The study estimated that the economic cost of Long Covid could reach £20billion annually due to productivity losses and working days off.
A new study found that adding five minutes of exercise to a daily routine can help lower blood pressure. Replacing sedentary behaviors with moderate-intensity exercise, such as short bursts of running or cycling, can reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 0.68mmHg and 0.54mmHg respectively.
A new study found that people from more affluent backgrounds are less likely to develop cognitive impairment or dementia. Those with higher education levels, managerial occupations, and wealth were also more likely to recover from mild cognitive impairment and improve their health.
A survey of 1,729 young adults in the UK found that almost nine in 10 believe removing a condom without consent is sexual assault, and around half support prison time as a penalty. The study also explored views on non-consensual condom removal in different relationship scenarios.
A new study led by UCL researchers found that older adults who are socially isolated are more likely to have an insufficient intake of key micronutrients such as vitamin C and vitamin B6. This is important as inadequate intake of these micronutrients puts people at greater risk of health problems as they get older.
Researchers from UCL Electronic & Electrical Engineering have developed a novel approach to wireless communication by combining radio and optical technologies. This allows for the transmission of large amounts of data at unprecedented speeds, up to 9,380 times faster than current 5G download speeds.
A genetics study suggests that bonobos have three distinct populations, each with unique genetic patterns. The research highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect these groups and ensure the species' survival.
A new study found that people with severe mental illness are more likely to experience fragility fractures than the general population. The researchers analyzed GP records of over 440,000 people between 2000 and 2018 and found a significant association between severe mental illness and fragility fractures.
A new policy brief argues that citizen scientists are crucial for meeting global water quality targets, providing valuable data and community involvement. Successful case studies show how collaboration with locals can improve water quality monitoring, education, and rapid response.
Researchers found that brain shrinkage patterns vary significantly among individuals with Alzheimer's, with some accumulating more outliers over time. This variability could enable the development of targeted treatments and predict future symptoms.
A new study led by UCL researchers found that UK toddlers obtain nearly half of their calories from ultra-processed foods, with this ratio increasing to 59% by the age of seven. The most common ultra-processed foods consumed were flavoured yoghurts and wholegrain breakfast cereals.
A study by UCL researchers found that the number of adults vaping in England who have never regularly smoked increased sharply since 2021, with most vaping daily. The study estimated that about one million adults who had never regularly smoked now vape in England, a sevenfold increase since 2021.
A new study found a significant link between intimate partner violence and certain climate shocks, such as storms and floods, in 156 countries. Countries with higher GDP had lower rates of intimate partner violence, highlighting the need for climate mitigation efforts to reduce violence against women.
A new study estimates that cool roofs could have saved up to 249 lives in London during the 2018 record-setting hot summer. If widely adopted, cool roofs would reduce the city's ambient temperature by about 0.8 degrees C on average.
A new study finds that a nearby eroding river gorge is causing Mount Everest's peak to rise by 15-50 meters over the past 89,000 years. The research suggests that the loss of landmass due to erosion is causing the mountain to spring upwards by as much as 2 millimeters a year.
A new hand-held scanner can generate highly detailed 3D images in seconds, paving the way for earlier disease diagnosis. The technology uses laser-generated ultrasound waves to visualize subtle changes in blood vessels, helping inform patient care and diagnose conditions like cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found lamotrigine to reduce stiffness in non-dystrophic myotonias by around the same amount as mexiletine, offering a new treatment option. The trial results have direct implications for patient care and provide more 'real-world' options for patients with this life-changing muscle disorder.
A new study found that genetic differences account for 60% of variation in food fussiness at 16 months and 74% by age 13. Environmental factors become more influential in later years.
Researchers at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology have revealed the molecular mechanisms behind FECD, a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. The study found that extreme genetic instability plays a key role in the disease's progression.
A new study by UCL researchers found that 54% of heavier drinkers would make changes to their drinking if calorie labels were introduced. Hazardous drinkers were more likely to choose lower-calorie drinks and consume fewer drinks.
A new study found that consuming less ultra-processed foods can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study analyzed data from over 311,000 individuals and found that replacing 10% of ultra-processed foods with minimally processed or culinary ingredients reduced the risk by 14-18%.
The UK's first menopause education and support programme, InTune, will trial two new courses to help individuals before and during the menopause. The Be Prepared for Menopause course covers what menopause is, symptoms, diagnosis, and management, while the Perimenopause Programme provides peer support and education for those experiencin...
A study published in Brain Communications found that heatwaves can trigger more seizures in individuals with severe epilepsy. Researchers used intracranial electroencephalography to track brain activity during heatwaves and non-heatwave periods, revealing a significant increase in seizure frequency during hot weather.
A landslide in remote Greenland caused a mega-tsunami that sloshed back and forth across a fjord for nine days, generating vibrations throughout the Earth. The study used mathematical models to recreate the event and demonstrate how the sloshing of water would have continued, matching global seismic recordings.
A new technology measures neural activity across a baby's whole outer surface, revealing unexpected brain activity in response to social stimuli as early as five months old. The device enhances understanding of how the baby brain functions and optimizes support for neurodiverse children.
A UCL-led research team has crystallized the first alternative DNA structure from the insulin gene, revealing its shape and structure. The discovery suggests that different variants in the insulin gene can form different DNA structures, which could affect insulin function and potentially play a role in diabetes development.
A new study found that one in 1,000 people in the UK carry genetic variants linked to cardiac amyloidosis, a potentially fatal heart condition. The study also revealed higher incidence rates among individuals with African ancestry, highlighting the need for early detection and monitoring.
A new study published in JRSM Open found that pain is the most prevalent and severe symptom reported by individuals with long Covid, affecting 26.5% of participants. Demographic factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, education level, and socioeconomic status significantly impact symptom severity.
A new study found that semaglutide significantly reduces major adverse cardiac events, including heart attacks and strokes, among overweight individuals with cardiovascular disease. The medication also shows similar benefits for people with pre-existing heart failure, regardless of type or severity.
A new study by UCL researchers surveyed 1,114 UK women aged 16-80 who enjoy cold water swimming, finding most swim in the sea year-round and that longer swims occur in summer. The authors highlight pollution risks and call for improved safety measures and accessibility.
A rock formation spanning Ireland and Scotland has been confirmed as a rare record of the 'snowball Earth' period, when the globe was covered in ice. The Port Askaig Formation, composed of layers up to 1.1km thick, dates back to 662-720 million years ago during the Sturtian glaciation.
Researchers have discovered that ribosomes play a crucial role in protein folding, directing folding pathways by impacting energy and stability. This discovery reveals the structural basis of how ribosomes affect protein folding, offering new insights into diseases such as cancers.
The Ariel Data Challenge 2024 aims to extract faint exoplanetary signals from noisy space telescope observations, with a focus on overcoming noise sources like 'jitter noise'. The competition offers a unique chance for data scientists and AI enthusiasts to contribute to cutting-edge research in exoplanet atmospheres.
Researchers call for coordinated action to address air pollution's complexity, including elevating policy ambition, expanding regulatory scope, and integrating scientific policymaking. The paper highlights urgent need for clean air globally as health harms arise from lower concentrations.
A new study suggests that public health interventions, such as reformulating food products and introducing low emission zones, could yield significant cost savings and QALY gains in England. The interventions studied could save up to £4bn by reducing dementia rates and helping people live longer and healthier.
Researchers found that abnormal results from routine blood tests were linked to a higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer within a year. The study estimated that taking these results into account could lead to an extra six people with undiagnosed cancer being urgently referred for treatment.
Researchers propose a novel hypothesis that exercise reduces depressive symptoms by boosting dopamine function and motivation. Studies found inflammation and disrupted dopamine transmission are linked to depression, while exercise reduces inflammation and enhances motivation.
Researchers created tiny force sensors directly in chicken embryos to study spinal cord malformations. The study aims to prevent congenital malformations by identifying new preventative and therapeutic strategies. Quantifying mechanical forces during embryonic development promises a step change in understanding development.
Researchers at UCL and Moorfields Eye Hospital have identified biomarkers that predict which patients with glaucoma are at higher risk of continued vision loss despite conventional treatment. Mitochondrial function in white blood cells is lower in people with glaucoma, leading to faster vision loss.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that children exposed to indoor vaping absorb 84% less nicotine than those exposed to indoor smoking, while those exposed to neither absorbed 97% less. This suggests that second-hand exposure to harmful substances in e-cigarettes is likely to be much lower still.
New research from an international team of scientists found that Mozambican miombo woodlands store 1.5 to 2.2 times more carbon than previously estimated, with potential storage of 13.6 billion tonnes of equivalent carbon dioxide. This suggests a critical role for these ecosystems in climate change mitigation.
Children and young people are generally positive about AI's role in healthcare, with many believing it can improve their care and outcomes. However, they also emphasize the importance of human oversight, particularly when it comes to empathy and ethical decision-making.