The study found that two hacks, first aid tape and nylon tights, significantly improved mask fit for both KN95 and surgical masks. However, the tights were highly uncomfortable, highlighting the importance of balancing effectiveness with wearer comfort.
Climate change is causing plants in the UK to flower one month earlier, with average first flowering dates advancing by a full month since the mid-18th century. This phenomenon can lead to ecological mismatch, affecting biodiversity and ecosystems.
Researchers have discovered live cells in human breast milk, which may provide insights into breast cancer development and improve breastfeeding outcomes. The study, led by Dr. Alecia-Jane Twigger, found that these living cells can be used to study mammary gland function and identify potential early indicators of future breast cancer.
A recent study has found that faulty versions of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are associated with an increased risk of developing prostate and pancreatic cancers in men. The study analyzed data from over 3,200 families and estimated that men who carry a BRCA2 mutation have a 27% risk of developing prostate cancer by age 80.
A new study warns that 'fidelity' in educational trials may be compromising the effectiveness of promising innovations, leading to unnecessary scrapping. The researchers ran a large-scale simulation of over 11,000 trials to examine the impact of fidelity on results.
By shaking an optical lattice potential, researchers realized a discontinuous phase transition in a strongly correlated quantum gas, opening the door to quantum simulations of false vacuum decay in the early universe. This work provides a flexible platform for exploring the role of quantum fluctuations in first-order phase transitions.
A new artificial pancreas system has been shown to be safe and effective in managing blood sugar levels in very young children with type 1 diabetes. The hybrid closed-loop system, CamAPS FX, reduced average blood sugar levels and improved glucose control without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.
Scientists have proposed a new model for the Moon's crust formation, suggesting that a 'slushy' magma ocean played a key role. The research suggests that crystals remained suspended in liquid magma over hundreds of millions of years, eventually forming the lunar crust.
The Omo I fossils, found in Ethiopia, have been dated to be at least 230,000 years old, pushing back the known emergence of Homo sapiens by tens of thousands of years. This reevaluation was made possible through advanced geochemical analysis and a new understanding of volcanic ash layers.
Research suggests that guided play can be just as effective as traditional instruction in developing key skills such as literacy, numeracy, and social skills. Guided play may even improve math skills and cognitive ability in younger children.
New research reveals that invasive species can arrive in Antarctic waters from almost anywhere across the globe via biofouling on ships' hulls. Fishing, tourism, research, and supply ships expose Antarctica to non-native species threatening its pristine environment.
A study published in Nature found that a type of MRSA called mecC-MRSA originated in hedgehogs over 200 years ago, long before the clinical use of antibiotics. The researchers believe that the bacteria evolved as an adaptation to living on the skin of hedgehogs with a fungus that produces its own antibiotics.
Researchers found that the fetus uses a signal called IGF2 to control nutrient supply from the placenta. The team discovered that only the paternal copy of the IGF2 gene is active, while the maternal copy inactivates it.
A new study finds that controlled burning can stabilize or increase soil carbon, offering a method to maximize carbon storage. By manipulating fires, ecosystems can store huge amounts of carbon when the frequency and intensity are just right. This approach may help maintain natural ecosystem processes.
Scientists from University of Cambridge created a new method to stabilize the perovskite material for solar cells, resulting in improved performance and stability. The approach uses an organic molecule as a 'template' to guide the material into its desired phase, achieving a near-perfect bandgap without compromising cost.
Researchers have identified a tiny region at the root tip responsible for orchestrating vascular tissue growth. The study provides detailed insights into how plants construct phloem cells, the tissue that transports sugars, revealing key mechanisms involved in plant function and development.
Scientists have discovered a novel way to combine two species of grass-like plants using embryonic tissue from their seeds, offering disease resistance and stress tolerance. The breakthrough technique allows for the addition of beneficial traits to monocotyledonous crops without genetic modification or lengthy breeding programmes.
Scientists have discovered recently evolved regions in the 'dark genome' that code for proteins associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These protein biomarkers could help distinguish between the two conditions and identify patients at risk of psychosis or suicide.
A massive fossil of the giant millipede Arthropleura has been discovered in Northumberland, England, revealing it was up to 2.7 meters long and weighed 50 kilograms. The find sheds new light on the animal's habitat and evolution, suggesting it preferred open woodland habitats near the coast.
Researchers created 3D DNA-like structures using advanced 3D printing and microscopy, discovering nanoscale topological textures in the magnetic field. This breakthrough enables control over magnetic forces on the nanoscale, promising new possibilities for particle trapping, imaging techniques, and smart materials.
Researchers developed an AI model that can diagnose COVID-19 with high accuracy, using federated learning to preserve patient data privacy. The model was trained on over 9,000 CT scans from 23 hospitals in the UK and China, and validated against a panel of radiologists.
A University of Cambridge-led study found that rising housing prices can significantly increase 'openness' among US residents within a few years. This trait captures levels of curiosity and creativity.
A global community of hackers and threat modellers is needed to stress-test the harm potential of new AI products. Companies can harness techniques like red team hacking, audit trails, and bias bounties to prove their integrity and earn public trust. The industry faces a 'crisis of trust' if it doesn't adopt these measures.
Researchers found that nearly half of participants underestimated their level of intoxication and believed they were safe to drive despite exceeding the legal limit. This can have devastating consequences on road safety, particularly in countries with higher driving limits.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a new concept for detecting infrared light by converting it into visible light, easily detectable by modern cameras. This innovation enables the detection of mid-infrared light using molecular frequency upconversion with dual-wavelength hybrid nanoantennas.
Researchers developed transformational machine learning (TML) to learn from multiple problems and improve performance while learning. TML out-performs current machine learning methods for drug design, accelerating the identification and production of new drugs.
A team at the University of Cambridge created a jelly-like material that can withstand compression forces equivalent to an elephant, while maintaining its original shape. The material's properties are seemingly contradictory, but can be controlled through changing the chemical structure of guest molecules.
A study reconstructed ocean warming history in the Arctic Ocean, finding it began rapidly warming at the start of the 20th century due to Atlantification from the Atlantic Ocean. This warming has led to sea ice retreat and salinity increases.
A new study suggests that social distancing alone is ineffective in mitigating COVID-19 spread and recommends vaccination, ventilation, and masks as vital measures. The researchers found that individual coughs vary widely, leading to a 'safe' distance of anywhere between one to three or more meters.
A study of over 560,000 children in India, Pakistan, Kenya, and Uganda found that private education made little difference in learning outcomes, with gains largely attributed to more advantaged backgrounds. The researchers suggest that private schools may be drawing support away from state education without significantly improving stan...
Perovskite materials have emerged as promising alternatives to crystalline silicon for producing solar panels. Despite defects that reduce performance, perovskites show impressive efficiency levels comparable to silicon alternatives. Researchers used multimodal microscopy methods to visualize and explain the complex interactions betwee...
A new study argues that the Justinianic Plague had a devastating impact on the Mediterranean world, and its effects were felt in England. Genetic discoveries suggest that bubonic plague may have reached England before its first recorded case in the Mediterranean, via a currently unknown route.
A team of researchers at the University of Cambridge found that an air filtration machine removed almost all traces of airborne SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 wards. The study suggests that setting standards for cleaner air could reduce the risk of airborne transmission of infections.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a sustainable, non-toxic, and vegan glitter made from cellulose nanocrystals. The material is biodegradable, plastic-free, and free from carcinogenic effects, offering a promising alternative to traditional cosmetics.
Young people who consider themselves ‘multilingual’ perform better across a wide range of subjects at school, regardless of their language proficiency. Research shows that encouraging pupils to identify with languages and value different styles of communication can support academic progress.
A study quantifying Nigeria-linked seizures of pangolin products suggests levels of trafficking are far greater than previously thought. Researchers found 190,407 kilos of scales taken from at least 799,343 animals, with 77 seizures analysed revealing connections to ivory-smuggling networks.
A new study found that UK citizens experienced drastic changes in their daily routines during lockdowns, with parents of young children spending significantly more time on housework and childcare. This led to a reduction in paid work time for most people, with women with young children being particularly affected.
A new study found that whole genome sequencing increases the diagnosis of rare genetic disorders by 31%, shortening the diagnostic odyssey for affected families. This approach provides opportunities for future research and can identify non-mitochondrial disorders with specific treatments.
A University of Cambridge study reveals that periodic caterpillar outbreaks improve lake water quality but increase CO2 emissions by altering nutrient cycling and favouring greenhouse gas-producing bacteria. This phenomenon is likely to worsen as climate change expands the insects' range, threatening northern forests.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that universities are increasingly using social media metrics to claim impact in research, despite this being a 'naïve and problematic' grasp of the concept. This is linked to institutional isomorphism, where organisations imitate each other's approaches to uncertain goals.
A study found that telemedicine was less diagnostically accurate than in-person consultations, leading to misdiagnoses. Patients with complex conditions and those experiencing socio-economic disadvantage or mental health difficulties were perceived to be at a substantial disadvantage.
Researchers found that Alzheimer's disease develops by replicating aggregates in individual brain regions, rather than spreading them. The study used human data and PET scans to track the aggregation of tau protein, a key player in the disease.
A University of Cambridge study found that Jewish autistic children who learn Hebrew as a second language benefit from their cultural identity and community involvement. Parents and teachers rejected outdated professional advice, instead teaching pupils Hebrew to enhance their spiritual and family life.
A man has been confirmed as the great-grandson of Sitting Bull using ancient DNA extracted from his scalp lock. The new technique analyzes autosomal DNA to establish familial relationships between living and historical individuals, with potential applications in forensic investigations.
Researchers found that 44.3% of the Mbendjele BaYaka population had hazardous alcohol consumption, associated with mental and physical health harms like high blood pressure and increased diarrhoea rates. The study emphasizes the need for community involvement and socioeconomic changes to address the underlying drivers of poor health.
Researchers developed a new model to predict how sand dunes move through landscapes, revealing conditions that determine whether they pass or stop at hurdles. The model shows large obstacles are most effective at halting dune migration, especially ridge-shaped ones like walls.
Researchers at University of Cambridge have developed lab-grown mini brains that can mimic the development of motor neurone disease and frontotemporal dementia. The models, grown for up to 340 days, provide valuable insights into early stages of these devastating conditions.
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have found that T cell mitochondria regulate the refuelling of toxic weapons, enabling killer T cells to stay healthy and keep killing. This discovery sheds light on how these immune system assassins are able to sustain their deadly missions.
A severe COVID-19 outbreak in Delhi, India, highlights the challenge of reaching herd immunity due to the Delta variant's transmissibility and ability to infect previously infected individuals. Mathematical modeling and genomic analysis suggest the Delta variant is 30-70% more contagious than previous lineages.
A new study by researchers at the University of Cambridge and the University of Sussex suggests that children who increased their connection to nature during the pandemic had lower levels of behavioural and emotional problems. The study found that nearly two-thirds of parents reported a change in their child's connection to nature, wit...