Astronomers have identified a new class of habitable exoplanets dubbed 'Hycean' which are hot and ocean-covered with hydrogen-rich atmospheres, potentially supporting microbial life. These planets offer a wider habitable zone than Earth-like planets, making them promising candidates for finding biosignatures of life.
Carnivorous animals lack key genes needed to detect and respond to infection, making them asymptomatic carriers of disease-causing pathogens. This can lead to the formation of undetected disease reservoirs that can mutate and become a risk to human health.
A recent study from University of Cambridge and Addenbrooke's Hospital found that most patients infected with COVID-19 in hospitals contracted it from other patients rather than healthcare workers. The research highlights the importance of regular screening for asymptomatic patients and proper use of face masks.
A mathematical model developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge can predict the optimum exercise regime for building muscle. The model takes into account individual physiology and optimizes exercise regimes based on user input, promising to maximize athletes' potential.
A new study reveals a deepening geographical fracture in European societies, with rural areas showing lower trust in politics but higher voting rates. The research suggests that mainstream politicians must address feelings of disconnection from politics and provide economic opportunities to re-engage residents of small towns and villages.
Researchers found that ageing cuttlefish can remember the details of last week's dinner, unlike humans who gradually lose episodic memory with age. The 'vertical lobe' brain region associated with learning and memory in cuttlefish does not deteriorate until the last two to three days of life.
A study published by the University of Cambridge found significantly fewer full-time equivalent GPs and total direct patient care staff in deprived areas. Despite some compensation due to increased numbers of nurses, the shortage is likely to widen health inequalities, with limited access to care for those who need it most.
A new global risk index highlights the alarming decline of pollinators, which are crucial for food production and ecosystem services. The top causes of pollinator loss include habitat destruction, pesticide use, and climate change, with serious consequences for human populations, particularly in the Global South.
Researchers found that climate change will amplify the temporary cooling caused by large eruptions and reduce its effect on small- and medium-sized eruptions. The study used global climate models to simulate how volcanic aerosols might be affected by warming scenarios.
Abnormal cells that develop into oesophageal cancer start as stomach cells and can be reprogrammed to adopt an intestinal identity. The study identified two key genes, MYC and HNF4A, that switch tissue identity from stomach to intestinal cells.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered a new way for energy to move in organic materials, allowing for faster conversion of sunlight into electrical power. This fundamental mechanism, called transient exciton delocalization, enables efficient energy transport in organic semiconductors.
Researchers found that longer time in education during early adulthood and higher-level job leads to better cardiovascular health two decades later. The study suggests that material factors like job control and stress play a role in shaping health outcomes.
Researchers identified seven 'pinch points' where moderate eruptions could have catastrophic global consequences, including disruptions to global supply chains and financial systems. These regions include Taiwan, North Africa, the North Atlantic, and the US state of Washington.
A team of scientists at the University of Cambridge has developed a lab-grown model of heart cells that mimic the behavior of real heart cells and are vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The researchers showed that an experimental peptide drug, DX600, can prevent the virus from entering the heart cells and reduce levels of infection.
School leaders faced overwhelming and disorganized government guidance during the first months of COVID lockdown, with 201 policy updates released in just 90 days. The study highlights the need for simple fixes to improve communication and implementation of policies.
A new artificial pancreas has been successfully trialled in outpatients with type 2 diabetes, showing improved blood sugar control and reduced risk of low blood sugar levels. The device can automate insulin delivery using digital technology, allowing for more effective management of the condition.
A study of over 26,000 graves reveals that early medieval Europe's burial transformation was not as simple as a linear trajectory from variable to standardized. Instead, there is significant regional variability and cultural connections between areas like Kent and northern France.
Researchers used beetroot pigments to visually track soil fungi colonizing plant roots in real-time. The technique enables selection of fungi that provide the biggest benefits in agricultural scenarios, enhancing crop production while reducing artificial fertiliser needs.
Researchers have developed nanobodies that target the cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a virus that can cause life-threatening complications in immunocompromised patients. These nanobodies bind to the US28 protein and interrupt signals that keep the virus dormant, enabling the immune system to detect and destroy the virus.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge and University of Leeds successfully reversed age-related memory loss in mice by manipulating the extracellular matrix of the brain. By restoring the balance of compounds known as chondroitin sulphates, they were able to restore neuroplasticity and alleviate memory deficits.
A study published in The BMJ Paediatrics Open found that the Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (Q-CHAT) can detect autism at 18-30 months, but not all children who will be diagnosed later. The Q-CHAT shows promise for early detection and diagnosis of autism.
Researchers have discovered an excitonic insulator phase in a quantum material, enabling faster-than-light waves at room temperature and dissipationless energy transfer. This breakthrough paves the way for energy-efficient applications, including computers.
Researchers discovered that viral expansions can transition from 'pulled' to 'pushed', where the expansion is driven by viruses arising behind the front, retaining genetic diversity for longer. This finding suggests that viral populations in infected organisms may be more adaptable than previously thought.
Research suggests that climate, particularly temperature, drove changes in human body size, while brain size evolved independently. Larger-bodied people tend to live in colder climates today.
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have discovered rare genetic variants that substantially increase susceptibility to type 2 diabetes. These variants are carried by one in 3,000 people and significantly increase an individual's risk of developing the condition, six-fold.
Research from the University of Cambridge found that autistic adults are nearly nine times more likely to use recreational drugs to manage unwanted symptoms, including autism-related symptoms. The study also revealed a strong association between substance use and vulnerability among autistic teenagers and adults.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have identified 200 approved drugs that could be effective against COVID-19, including 160 previously unlinked to the infection. The study used computational biology and machine learning to create a comprehensive map of proteins involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Researchers developed a new LEGO-like technique to assemble DNA molecules with protruding bumps, allowing precise measurement of DNA speed through nanopores. The study revealed a two-step process where DNA speed slows down before accelerating near the end of translocation.
Research reveals that the deletion of two amino acids in the spike protein makes the virus twice as infective, allowing it to replicate efficiently despite other mutations. This mutation has been found globally, particularly in Europe, Africa, and Asia, and may explain its widespread spread.
Researchers have created an ultra-thin, inflatable device that can be used to treat severe forms of pain, covering a large section of the spinal cord with electrical currents. The device could be an effective treatment for leg and back pain, as well as paralysis or Parkinson's disease.
A recent study published in Neuron has identified the anterior cingulate cortex as a key brain region involved in linking actions to their outcomes. The finding sheds light on compulsive behaviors such as OCD and addiction, which are thought to result from impairments in this brain region.
Researchers developed a lab-based technique to observe lithium ions moving in real-time as batteries charge and discharge. This allows them to identify speed-limiting processes that could enable faster charging, with potential applications in electric cars and grid-scale storage.
Researchers found that people with mental health disorders experience brain activity differently when sensing internal bodily conditions. The dorsal mid-insula region showed distinct activity patterns across various disorders, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
A study by University of Cambridge researchers found that social media posts criticizing opposing politicians or groups receive twice as many shares than supportive ones. Using terms related to the
Researchers from the University of Cambridge identified Yersinia Pestis in individual burials, showing that plague victims received individual care despite the outbreak. This contradicts previous assumptions of mass burials and improves our understanding of past pandemics.
Scientists have identified a trigger for human embryo 'head-to-tail' axis development between days 7 and 14 of gestation. The hypoblast cells send a message to the embryo that initiates body axis formation, leading to changes in gene expression.
A newly discovered alpine plant, Dionysia tapetodes, produces fibres from tiny holes in its leaves, producing a stable wool-like material. Flavone and flavone derivatives form the complex structure of the wool through hydrogen bonding, allowing it to maintain stability.
Researchers found a new treatment approach that targets the body's cellular response to SARS-CoV-2, significantly reducing virus replication. The combination of two drugs reduces virus production in cells by up to 99.5%, making COVID-19 symptoms milder and recovery times faster.
Researchers found two subgroups of adolescents who self-harm, one with emotional and behavioral difficulties, and a second group without those difficulties but with different risk factors. The study suggests that it may be possible to predict which individuals are most at risk of self-harm up to a decade ahead of time.
Researchers suggest that humans evolved to specialise in different ways of thinking to adapt to dramatic environmental variability. This theory of 'complementary cognition' provides insights into the emergence of language and cultural adaptations.
Researchers have discovered a unique 'blinking giant' binary star system, where a giant star is eclipsed by an unseen orbital companion every few decades. The system has been spotted near the centre of the Milky Way, more than 25,000 light years away.
Researchers created a plant-based, sustainable material that mimics spider silk for single-use plastic replacements. The new material is strong like many common plastics and can be made at an industrial scale.
A new study suggests that pointed shoes, popular in medieval Britain, led to a sharp increase in bunions, particularly among the wealthy and clergy. The researchers found that those buried in richer sites had a higher prevalence of hallux valgus, highlighting the fashion trend's significant impact on foot health.
Researchers used a novel statistical model to estimate new HIV infections among adult MSM in England between 2009 and 2018. The results suggest that testing and treatment strategies have been effective in reducing new infections, with a significant decrease in the number of new infections from 2,770 in 2013 to 854 in 2018.
A recent study by the University of Cambridge found that individuals who are more concerned about contracting COVID-19 tend to be more disapproving of others' wrongdoings. The researchers suggest that concerns about health and safety shape morality, leading to non-rational judgments.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a new technique that enables the creation of ultra-bright, flexible LEDs with improved efficiency and low cost. By swapping one out of every thousand atoms, they tripled the luminescence of halide perovskites, which could be useful for low-cost printable and flexible LED lighting.
The study reveals that researchers' subjective decisions can lead to variations in climate reconstruction outcomes. The experiment showed notable differences in amplitude and sensitivity among multiple reconstructions using the same raw data. To improve reliability, teams are advised to create ensemble reconstructions.
Researchers found that plants exhibit a rapid burst of gene activity within an hour of dawn, with three distinct waves. This inner circadian clock helps plants prepare for the day, and scientists identified key regulators of light signaling, including HY5 and BBX31.
A global analysis of crime rates found that stay-at-home policies led to a significant drop in police-recorded crime. Most types of crime fell, except for homicide, which saw a modest decline. The largest reductions were seen in cities with strict lockdowns and gang-related violence.
Researchers found that genetically identical seeds can have varying germination times due to the ABA-GA network, which allows for a 'bistable switch' behavior. This variability in germination time can be beneficial for plants growing in unpredictable environments, such as agriculture and natural areas.