Cancer cells release natural antioxidants, such as Peroxiredoxin 1, to suppress immune-cell activity and prevent destruction. Removing this antioxidant production enhances the cancer's response to immunotherapy.
Researchers identified a key protein, isthmin-2, as a predictor for pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction. The protein's association with placental cell invasion could lead to better test development and treatment options for at-risk pregnancies.
A new study led by the University of Cambridge reveals that not all magic states are equal, with some offering no quantum advantage, while others are genuinely useful for quantum computation. The research provides a clearer picture of what makes quantum computers powerful, helping to establish a threshold for true quantum advantage.
Members of Parliament from the UK's three biggest parties overestimated public resistance to climate change policies by a significant margin. Researchers found that politicians consistently overestimated public opposition to climate policies, believing voters and other parliamentarians felt more strongly opposed than they actually did....
The CosmoCube satellite will use the far side of the Moon as a 'shield' to block out Earth's noise and listen for the 21-centimetre line signal from hydrogen atoms in the early universe. This signal is extremely difficult to detect with Earth-based telescopes due to interference, but the Moon provides a natural shield.
Researchers argue that policymakers in Colombia can adopt a similar cooperative strategy to solve the country's current water management crisis. The pre-Hispanic field systems of La Mojana cover an astonishing 500,000 hectares and were likely built by local communities in a short period of time through cooperation.
New research reveals that NICE referral criteria for breast cancer risk assessment miss up to 95% of women under 50 who go on to develop the disease within 10 years. A full risk assessment tool, BOADICEA, identifies eight times more women in this age group at higher risk.
Researchers found that no electoral system can guarantee both local votes translate directly into local seats and total seat distribution matches overall vote shares. However, they proposed an algorithm called 'geographically ranked guaranteed proportionality' which could get around the impossibility of current systems.
Researchers found that molecules in tiny gaps between gold nanoparticles can synchronize their behavior even with light escaping quickly. The study could lead to new ways to build synchronized states of matter like superfluids and potentially advance sensing, photonics, and quantum devices.
Infants use eye contact to select and synchronize their brainwaves with the speaker's, helping them learn language. They are not passive learners, but rather actively engage with social cues like eye contact and calling their name to determine what is important.
A study of over 350,000 students found teachers predict higher A-Level grades for girls than boys with similar results. The 'halo effect' may contribute to this gap, where positive impressions about girls spill over into predictions.
Scientists found that inherited genes interact with acquired mutations to shape tumor evolution, influencing cancer risk and treatment responses. The study suggests a personalized approach to cancer prevention and screening strategies may be necessary.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge solved the puzzle of why stimulating and blocking a specific 'switch' in the brain can help people lose weight. By targeting distinct regions of the brain, they found that GIPR agonists suppress appetite, while GIPR antagonists boost weight loss by releasing a 'brake'.
The study of Alan Turing's unpublished short story 'Pryce's Buoy' reveals a more nuanced understanding of the computer scientist. The six-page fragment challenges the stereotype of Turing as socially unaware and isolated, instead portraying him as playful, funny, and emotionally expressive.
Researchers estimate that audience travel is responsible for most emissions at 'mega-events' like the World Cup. To reduce emissions, organisers should reward fans with discounts for using lower-carbon transport, rather than passing on costs.
Researchers found that certain sweeteners, such as isosteviol, impaired two important gut bacteria linked to regulating blood sugar and gut health. The study suggests that artificial sweeteners can directly affect gut microbes, particularly when mixed with other substances.
Researchers have found four exoplanets orbiting Barnard's Star, all smaller than Earth and Venus, but larger than Mars. The planets' composition suggests they are rich in magnesium, which creates periclase, a mineral that does not store water effectively.
A recent study from the University of Cambridge predicts that space launch costs will plummet over the next few years, falling more than 90% by 2040. The cost of sending a kilogram of payload into low Earth orbit is expected to drop from $3,868 last year to as little as $273 per kilo by 2040.
A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge and UC Santa Barbara developed 'adversarial' mathematical systems to map out where AI prediction breaks down. They identified two main reasons why machine learning fails: algorithmic limitations and hidden patterns in complex systems.
A new book identifies nine types of procrastinators, from worriers to thrill seekers, and offers strategies for overcoming the problem. Procrastination causes serious harm to finances, health, relationships, and careers, but can be overcome with the right approach.
Researchers found that tiny, invisible swirls in the deep ocean shape significant climate forces like sea level rise and fisheries collapse. Climate models require significant improvements to accurately predict these effects.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found two air pollutants associated with an increased risk of Parkinson's disease. The study suggests that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) may interact with genetic susceptibility, leading to oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.
Research found bumblebees accumulate higher levels of toxic metals in bodies and pollen, affecting foraging efficiency, navigation, and reproductive success. The study highlights the vulnerability of bumblebees to metal pollution, even in relatively safe areas.
The University of Cambridge will join the Yang Tan Collective with Harvard University and MIT to focus on cutting-edge science and accelerate autism research. Research centers will investigate challenges faced by autistic individuals, including lower life-expectancy rates and early diagnosis.
Researchers found that COVID-19 vaccine boosters provide protection against some future coronaviruses that risk spreading from animals to humans. The study also showed that the immune response 'locks in' after the first exposure to SARS-CoV-2, impeding the ability to respond to future variants.
A genome editing technique called base editing has been used to study the role of a master gene in human embryonic cells, revealing its crucial function in early development. The technique allows scientists to alter a single gene in human embryos, enabling them to better understand how human embryos develop.
Researchers found that extreme pressures in confined water droplets increase dissociation, but this effect is primarily driven by pressure rather than confinement itself. The study's findings suggest that the confining material can enhance reactivity through specific mechanisms.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have successfully demonstrated a scalable approach to solar-powered plastic recycling, converting plastic waste into clean hydrogen fuel and valuable industrial chemicals in outdoor conditions. The technology uses a simple spray-coating method to produce photocatalyst materials and reactors ...
Severe pneumonia has been found to have three distinct biological subtypes, which differ in immune response and lung damage. These subtypes are linked to varying patient outcomes, with some recovering quickly and others remaining critically ill. The discovery could lead to personalized treatments for patients with severe pneumonia.
Researchers have identified 18 distinct cell type clusters in the inflorescence meristem that generate a plant's above-ground organs. The study provides new insights into how stem cells make the transition from an undifferentiated state to specialized cell types.
A major new analysis of over 3000 scientific papers on climate change mitigation found that policy recommendations are often non-existent, disconnected from the study's findings, or 'wish lists'. The researchers created a tool to assess the quality of policy recommendations and identified key challenges, including unclear uncertainty a...
Researchers found that asexual reproduction slowed the pace of evolution due to limited competition between groups. However, as life spread to shallower waters, stress and increased competition led to the development of sexual reproduction, accelerating evolutionary diversification.
A universal Sarbeco coronavirus vaccine has shown safety and no significant side effects in a human clinical trial, providing protection against multiple viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine uses an AI-designed super-antigen to offer lasting protection against emerging virus threats.
Researchers developed a 'walking fish' robot that mimics modern fish's ability to walk on land, and computer models showed similar modes of locomotion across several unrelated species. This undulating tripod gait is one of life's most ancient solutions to escaping predators or moving habitats.
A new book by a Cambridge child psychotherapist argues that treating parents alongside children is crucial for addressing the youth mental health crisis. The author highlights the importance of considering an 'ecological system', including families, communities, and environment, in understanding young people's wellbeing.
Scientists have created a miniature circuit that mimics the brain and spinal cord connection, showing that previously thought irreversible nerve damage can be reversed. The researchers found that blocking specific genes in mature neurons restored axon regrowth ability.
Researchers discovered that plant stomata orientation is influenced by both cell shape and mechanical stress. In Arabidopsis thaliana, stomatal divisions tend to align with the long axis of the cell but can be altered by mechanical stress, particularly on the adaxial side where growth rates differ.
Researchers from Cambridge's Department of Earth Sciences mapped CO2-rich igneous rocks, finding their distribution is strongly tied to variations in Earth's lithosphere. The findings could guide the search for new rare earth deposits, particularly along the edges of thick and ancient continents.
Researchers used top Generative AI models to grade hundreds of undergraduate essays, finding that AI only matched human-awarded degree classification around half the time. The AI systems were overly sensitive to linguistic features, giving out higher marks based on essay length and vocabulary range rather than academic quality.
Researchers developed a technique that uses RNA origami to analyze sections of RNA, allowing for accurate sizing of repeat expansions in genetic disorders. The method shows promise for fast and affordable testing in clinical settings.
Researchers developed a method to identify and catalogue quasinormal modes in black hole mergers, providing a systematic way to resolve ongoing debate. The technique detects fundamental 'notes', overtones, and nonlinear modes, enabling precise tests of general relativity.
A new report by University of Cambridge researchers highlights the human context of conservation efforts, finding that protecting 30% of the world's land and seas by 2030 will impact nearly half of the global population. The team suggests substantial investment and local involvement are crucial for successful implementation.
Children who need life-saving emergency surgery are nearly six times more likely to die if treated in poorer countries compared to wealthier ones. Major differences in care, including delayed hospital arrival and limited access to critical treatments, contribute to this disparity.
A new study found that mental health clinicians prefer evolutionary explanations of anxiety over genetic approaches, believing they provide a more positive outlook and can improve patient willingness to seek help. This shift could lead to more hopeful and therapeutically empowering attitudes towards anxiety treatment.
Snow cover on Greek mountains has declined by 58% over the past four decades due to rising temperatures. The research found that warmer air causes more precipitation to fall as rain instead of snow at high altitudes.
A major analysis found that four in five REDD+ projects successfully protected forests. Many projects have slowed deforestation despite over-crediting; 'bad credits' do not necessarily mean bad projects.
A study by the University of Cambridge found that racism and socioeconomic stress can alter key physiological processes in the body during pregnancy, leading to higher rates of preeclampsia and preterm birth in black women. These changes are not due to genetic differences but rather persistent socio-environmental stressors.
A decades-long study of oceanographic data shows that warm water has expanded and shifted towards the Antarctic continental shelf, posing a threat to ice shelves. The Southern Ocean's circulation has changed, allowing excess heat from global warming to reach Antarctica's vulnerable ice sheets.
A study using the Meta Ad Library found that gambling companies are reaching young men on social media at more than double the rate of women, with 91% of ads targeting men only. The age group most exposed to advertising was 25-34-year-olds, who accounted for over a third of all unique accounts reached.
A study found that policies reducing deforestation in Brazil have failed to stop forest degradation, a slower and more dangerous form of destruction. Forests are becoming increasingly fragile due to fires, logging, and other human activities.