A new study found that lockdown-induced delays in diagnosing melanoma led to over 100,000 years of life lost across Europe and £6.1 billion in costs, mainly due to loss of productivity. The research emphasizes the importance of considering unintended side effects in pandemic planning.
A new study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found a causal link between government policies and mental health decline in people with Black Caribbean heritage. The research team analyzed data from over 58,000 participants and found an increase in psychological distress after the 2014 Immigration Act and the Windrush scandal.
Two new studies by UCL researchers found that nearly half of teenagers are worried about having children due to fear, self-doubt, and lack of education on reproductive health. The studies also highlighted gaps in sex education, with many students expressing concerns about endometriosis, infertility, and the impact of lifestyle on ferti...
Researchers have discovered pollutants from burning fossil fuels in Mediterranean corals, providing a potential new tool to track pollution. The study found significant increases in pollutant particles between 1969 and 1992, aligning with Europe's industrialization and coal consumption.
Researchers have identified five cases of Alzheimer's disease acquired through exposure to contaminated cadaver-derived human growth hormone (c-hGH) used in medical treatment between 1959 and 1985. Biomarker analyses and autopsy results confirmed the diagnoses, highlighting a rare but significant risk of transmission via this route.
Menopausal women who regularly swim in cold water report significant improvements to their anxiety, mood swings, low mood, hot flushes, and menstrual symptoms. The study found that cold water swimming relieves these symptoms through physical and mental effects.
A ban on disposable vapes could impact an estimated 2.6 million people, including 316,000 young adults who use disposables but never smoked tobacco. The researchers suggest alternative policies to reduce youth vaping with minimal unintended consequences.
A new study by UCL researchers found that financial stress is detrimental to biological health, disrupting the communication between immune and neuroendocrine systems. This can lead to disease, including cardiovascular disease, depression, and schizophrenia.
A new study using generative AI models simulated how the brain learns and remembers events, revealing how memories are re-constructed in our minds. The model showed how the hippocampus and neocortex work together to create efficient 'conceptual' representations of scenes, enabling us to both recall past experiences and imagine new ones.
A new analysis of health data found that prenatal and infant nurse home visits significantly reduced the likelihood of daughters being obese by 55% and mothers experiencing hypertension by 39%. The study also showed a decrease in severe obesity and Stage 1-2 hypertension in adolescence. Early intervention through public programs like n...
A new experiment could test whether relatively large masses have a quantum nature, resolving the question of whether quantum mechanics works at a larger scale. The proposed experiment exploits the principle of measurement-induced collapse to observe changes in motion.
A major international collaboration of scientists found that just 2.2% of tree species make up 50% of the total number of trees in tropical forests across Africa, Amazon, and Southeast Asia. The study estimated that 1,053 species account for half of the planet's 800 billion tropical forest trees.
Researchers have successfully used mRNA technology to correct a rare genetic disease in mice, demonstrating its potential therapeutic use. The treatment corrected the lethal consequences of the disease and restored glutathione metabolism.
A global study has identified over 200 genes linked to depression, including 50 new genetic loci and 205 novel genes. The research also suggests potential for drug repurposing and highlights the need for more diverse genetic datasets to develop effective treatments.
A new study by UCL researchers suggests that a vest mapping the heart's electrical activity could help identify people at high risk of sudden cardiac death. The electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI) vest combines signals with MRI images to generate 3D models, potentially predicting risk factors for life-threatening heart rhythms.
Researchers at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology have developed a new gene therapy that significantly reduces seizures in mice with focal cortical dysplasia. The treatment, which involves the overexpression of a potassium channel, has shown an average reduction of 87% in seizures without affecting the mouse's memory or behavior.
Researchers found that pattern of drinking is a better indicator of liver disease risk than volume alone, with heavy binge drinking increasing the risk six times. The study also highlights the importance of genetic predisposition and type-2 diabetes in determining liver disease risk.
A study by UCL researchers found that smoking prevalence in England has nearly ground to a halt since the start of the pandemic. Despite a significant increase in quit attempts, this was offset by a rise in people taking up smoking, particularly among advantaged social groups.
A new longitudinal study has found a strong link between body dissatisfaction and depression in children, with high BMI at age seven increasing depressive symptoms by age 14. Body dissatisfaction was the major contributor to this association, explaining 43% of the link.
Researchers at UCL and Yale found that healthy cells in bowel cancer tumors can push cancer cells towards a slow-growing state, reducing the effectiveness of chemotherapy. The studies used single-cell analysis technologies to measure how mini-tumors responded to changes in genes and environment.
A new study by researchers at University College London found that reducing oxygen levels for critically ill children on mechanical ventilators can lead to better outcomes, including reduced days spent on machines supporting organs. This approach has the potential to improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs globally.
Researchers found that humans are born with brains at a typical development level for similar primate species, but grow much larger and more complex after birth. This challenges the prevailing understanding of evolutionary human brain development.
A new theory unifies gravity and quantum mechanics by preserving Einstein's classical concept of spacetime, proposing random fluctuations in spacetime that can be verified experimentally. The theory challenges the pursuit of a quantum theory of gravity, offering an alternative approach to reconcile the two fundamental theories.
A new randomised controlled trial found that an 18-month meditation programme can improve the wellbeing of older adults by enhancing their awareness, connection to others, and insight. However, it did not confer significant benefits on two commonly used measures of psychological wellbeing.
Researchers at University College London have discovered that slow waves typically present during sleep can also occur during wakefulness in people with epilepsy, potentially protecting against increased brain excitability. These 'wake' slow waves decrease the impact of epileptic spikes on brain activity and may protect against seizures.
A UK national long-term study of babies found that primary caregivers engage in physical and turn-taking play with their little ones several times a day, activities linked to early language development. Despite added pressure on today's families, parents are creating a healthy home learning environment for their children.
A UK study found a significant increase in people identifying as transgender in their GP records, rising from 1 in 15,000 to 1 in 2,500 between 2000 and 2018. The study suggests that more individuals are coming forward to seek care, but also highlights the need for improved specialist services due to long waiting times.
A new UK study confirms autistic people have a reduced life expectancy, but the actual difference may be lower than previously claimed. The research found that autistic men and women without learning disabilities had average estimated life expectancies of 74.6 and 76.8 years respectively.
A meta-analysis of five randomised controlled trials shows that giving iron intravenously before colorectal surgery improves outcomes for patients, reducing the need for blood transfusion. The study found a significant reduction in blood transfusions by 33% in patients with colorectal cancer.
A Phase II clinical trial has shown a clear clinical benefit of combining Dabrafenib and Trametinib in treating BRAF mutated low-grade paediatric gliomas. The combination therapy improved overall response rate by over four-fold and increased median progression-free survival.
A new study highlights how perimenopausal women's periods may become unpredictable, heavy, and cause worse premenstrual symptoms. The research suggests that improved education and support are needed to manage these changes, including extra support in the workplace, emotional support from loved ones, and access to support groups.
Researchers at University College London found that a hunger hormone produced in the gut directly impacts activity of the brain's hippocampus when considering food. The study showed that ghrelin receptors play a crucial role in controlling an animal's instinct to eat, with implications for understanding eating disorders and human health.
A new modelling study led by UCL researchers finds that faster Arctic warming will breach the global 1.5C and 2C temperature thresholds five and eight years earlier than expected. This accelerated warming adds substantial uncertainty to climate forecasts, highlighting the need for more extensive monitoring of temperatures in the region.
A new study using twisted magnets as computational medium has made brain-inspired computing more adaptable, reducing energy use and potential carbon emissions. The research found that by applying magnetic fields and changing temperature, physical properties of the materials can be adapted to suit different machine-learning tasks.
A systematic review found that climate change-related concerns are linked to less positive attitudes towards reproduction and a desire for fewer children or none at all. The study identified four key factors: uncertainty about the future of an unborn child, environmentalist views on overpopulation and overconsumption, meeting family su...
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that replacing sedentary behavior with moderate-vigorous activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Even small changes, such as taking a short walk or doing some light exercise, can have a significant impact on heart health.
Researchers created mini bladders to study bacterial interactions with human bladder tissue, finding that some bacteria form 'pods' to survive treatment. The study suggests a new approach for diagnosing and treating UTIs by identifying how the body responds to different bacteria.
A large-scale investigation found that one in seven people in the US reported having had long Covid by the end of 2022. Long Covid is associated with anxiety, low mood, and physical mobility problems. The risk of these symptoms appears to be lower for those who have been vaccinated.
A new international clinical trial found that a drug candidate is highly effective in treating Acanthamoeba keratitis with medical cure rates of 87%, reducing the risk of poor visual outcomes and surgery. The treatment, low concentration polihexanide (PHMB 0.08%), follows a novel and evidence-based protocol.
A new study finds that dementia incidence started to increase in England and Wales after 2008, leading to a projected increase of 40% by 2040. The number of people with dementia may reach 1.7 million, twice the current estimate of one million.
Existing UK air pollution regulations will reduce thousands of premature adult deaths, but have limited impact on protecting sensitive ecosystems. The study found that even with the most effective technically feasible measures, air pollution would still harm UK's natural habitats and ecosystems.
The INTERLACE trial found that a short course of induction chemotherapy prior to chemoradiation significantly improves survival and reduces recurrence in locally advanced cervical cancer patients. The study results show a 35% reduction in recurrence, with 80% of patients alive and 73% without cancer return or spread after five years.
A new genetic study found that consistently sleeping less than five hours a night may raise the risk of developing depressive symptoms. The study, published in Translational Psychiatry, analyzed data from over 7,000 people and found that short sleep was associated with the onset of depressive symptoms.
Researchers found that polygenic risk scores identify only 11% of individuals who develop disease and generate 5% false positives. The scores contribute little health benefit while adding cost and complexity to healthcare systems.
A new study reveals that tropical crops relying on insect pollinators are under threat from climate change and agricultural activities. The research found significant declines in insect pollinator abundance and richness, with the tropics being the most vulnerable region.
A study using virtual reality led by UCL researchers found people with early Alzheimer's consistently overestimated turns and showed increased variability in sense of direction. These specific impairments were not observed in healthy older participants or those with mild cognitive impairment.
Researchers discovered that people carrying three Neanderthal gene variants in the SCN9A gene are more sensitive to certain types of pain. The study found an association between the variants and a lower pain threshold in response to skin pricking after prior exposure to mustard oil.
Researchers developed AI tools to analyze speech patterns in people with schizophrenia and found that these patterns can be distinguished from those of healthy individuals. The study uses an AI language model trained on internet text to represent the meaning of words, and it was able to predict the words generated by control participan...
A new study led by UCL researchers finds that integrated health care for chronic high-burden conditions like diabetes and hypertension is feasible and cost-effective. The study showed that integrated care was associated with high levels of retention in care, no adverse effect on viral suppression among people with HIV, and cost-saving ...
Researchers highlight the importance of identifying childhood verbal abuse as a standalone subtype of child maltreatment to ensure targeted prevention. The review found that verbal abuse can have lasting impacts on children's wellbeing, including emotional and psychological repercussions.