A six-session video-feedback programme has been shown to significantly reduce behaviour problems in children as young as 12 months old. The programme provides tailored support for parents of 'at-risk' children, helping them build on positive moments and respond to cues that promote positive engagement and behaviours.
A recent study found that European summer droughts since 2015 exceed anything in the past 2,100 years, with climate change and jet stream changes likely causing this anomaly. The researchers analyzed tree-ring stable isotopes to reconstruct summer climate conditions over 2,110 years.
A study published in Science Advances has found rare evidence of the Earth's early magma ocean preserved in ancient rocks from southwestern Greenland. The discovery provides a window into the planet's solidification and internal chemistry, suggesting that other rocks may also preserve signs of ancient magma oceans.
The UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy led to a 10% decrease in sugar purchased in soft drinks, with households consuming 30g less per week. The levy incentivised manufacturers to reduce sugar content without affecting overall volume sales.
Researchers found that 66% of learning gains made by Ghanaian children during the academic year are lost during three months of school closure. Children without home learning resources experience significantly higher losses, while community-based programs can mitigate these effects.
The study detected human proteins matching cervico-vaginal fluid, as well as non-human proteins like honey and plants, which were documented in medieval medical treatises. The findings suggest the girdle was worn during pregnancy and childbirth to provide physical and spiritual support.
A growing number of diphtheria cases, coupled with evolving antimicrobial resistance, pose a significant threat to public health. The disease's toxin genes have shown increased diversity, which could impact the effectiveness of vaccines and treatments.
A new study by the University of Cambridge finds that conserving and restoring natural sites provide greater economic benefits than converting them for intensive human use. The research analyzed dozens of sites across six continents and found that almost half of them are worth more to society in their natural form.
A genomics study found that SARS-CoV-2 spreads rapidly in care home settings, with clusters linked to healthcare workers and vulnerable residents. Care home residents were less likely to be admitted to ICU but more likely to die compared to non-care home hospital patients.
A global survey found significant international support for governments to take more action on the environment, with high levels of agreement in seven major countries. The study suggests that voters across party lines want to see more government action, with a majority supporting policies such as protecting wildlife and planting trees.
A new study found that the switch to remote working has helped some services reach out, but many practitioners feel they do not have capacity to meet people's needs. Bereavement care has become a major challenge during the pandemic, with increased demand and disruption of traditional services.
An artificial neural network called MotionNet has provided new insights into human motion perception, revealing common optical illusions like phi and reverse-phi motion. The system shows that neurons are tuned to the direction of movement, leading to mistakes in perception.
Scientists have discovered the mechanism by which plant hormone cytokinin regulates stem cell division, controlling cell proliferation and mitosis. The study reveals that cytokinin activates the transcription factor MYB3R4, promoting its nuclear localization and activating key cell cycle genes.
Repeated fires alter tree communities, reducing biomass and individual trees by up to 72% over 50 years. Regions with extreme climate variations are most sensitive to fire frequency changes.
A team of engineers at the University of Cambridge identified the physical mechanisms responsible for wheezing, a condition affecting up to a quarter of the world's population. They developed a 'tube law' to predict when wheezing occurs and could lead to a cheaper and faster diagnostic for lung disease.
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have identified a potential new treatment to protect immunosuppressed transplant patients from HCMV reactivation, which can cause serious illness and death. The 'shock and kill' treatment strategy uses epigenetic inhibitors to expose and destroy dormant HCMV infections.
A new study maps the psychological signatures of people predisposed to holding extreme social, political or religious attitudes, including nationalist fervor. Cognitive traits such as poorer working memory, slower perceptual strategies, and impulsivity are linked to endorsement of violence in support of an ideological group.
The UK's first national lockdown from March 2020 caused a massive shift in consumer habits, with shops and restaurants experiencing huge fluctuations in sales. Online sales peaked during lockdown, but remained above pre-lockdown levels in August 2020, suggesting a potential long-term impact on shopping habits.
Scientists have successfully grown lab-grown 'mini-bile ducts' that can be used to repair damaged human livers, paving the way for cell therapies to treat liver disease. The technique uses organoids - clusters of cells that mimic tissue architecture and function - to repair bile ducts.
A systematic review identified approaches to tackle loneliness and social isolation during the pandemic, including robotic dogs, mindfulness, and Tai Chi. The studies showed that these interventions could be effective even with social distancing measures in place.
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a method to communicate with a cloud of 100,000 nuclear quantum bits and sense their behavior using light and an electron. This technique enables the detection of a single quantum bit in the dense cloud with high precision.
A University of Cambridge study found that the fit of a face mask is more important than its material in providing protection against COVID-19. The researchers discovered that even high-performance masks can perform no better than cloth masks if not fitted properly, highlighting the critical role of proper seal in ensuring effectiveness.
A study by the University of Cambridge gathered insights from digital services and experts worldwide to understand the impact of the pandemic on mental health. The findings paint a bleak picture, with millions of people experiencing increased anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
A new study by researchers at the University of Cambridge and Royal Holloway found that children who experience certain behavioral challenges, such as hyperactivity and anxiety, are more likely to develop poor mental health in adolescence. The study also showed that children from less affluent backgrounds are more likely to experience ...
Optical systems can combine light by multiplying wave functions instead of adding them, allowing for the solution of nonlinear problems. The authors suggest guiding system trajectories towards solutions by temporarily changing coupling strengths.
Researchers have discovered a new form of magnetism in magnetic graphene, which could help understand superconductivity. The material's unique properties allow it to remain magnetic even when becoming a conductor under high pressure.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a new method called Multi-Organoid Patterning and Fusion (MOrPF) to grow miniature versions of organs. The technique enables faster assembly of organoids into airway tubes with uninterrupted passageways, retaining their shape even in the absence of external support.
Researchers observed SARS-CoV-2 mutating in a patient with compromised immune system treated with convalescent plasma. The virus developed key mutations similar to the new UK variant, making it more infectious on cells.
A new study reveals climate change has altered habitats, driving growth of forest habitat favored by bats. This created a suitable environment for many bat species to harbor more types of bat-borne coronavirus, including SARS-CoV-2.
A global team of experts has identified critical areas of focus for biological security, including the role of climate change and social media in detecting emerging pathogens. The list includes major questions on custom DNA synthesis, threats from invasive alien species, and regulation of neurochemistry.
Research at the University of Cambridge found that teaching children to empathise with others significantly improves their creative abilities. The study used a set of engineering design thinking tools to foster empathy in pupils aged 13-14. As a result, creativity scores increased by up to 78% among those who received the intervention.
A University of Cambridge study finds significant evidence of workplace discrimination against disabled teachers, with barriers to career progression and a lack of accommodations. The research highlights the need to recruit more disabled people into teaching, citing their skills, knowledge, and empathy as assets.
A new study of hundreds of human remains in medieval Cambridge reveals that social inequality was 'recorded on the bones' of its residents. The research found that working people had a higher risk of injury compared to those in religious institutions.
Analysis of 33,000 graves reveals a change in Western European burial practices from regionally specific grave goods to standardized, unfurnished burials between the 6th-8th centuries AD. This shift indicates a well-connected Europe with regular contact and exchange of ideas across vast areas.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered a fossil of the earliest starfish-like animal, Cantabrigiaster fezouataensis, which has features in common with both sea lilies and modern-day starfish. The exceptionally preserved fossil is a missing link for scientists trying to piece together its early evolutionary history.
A new study suggests that low-carbon policies can be balanced to benefit local firms and lower-income families. The researchers found that five policy types had a negative impact on distributional consequences, while others could boost innovation and pave the way for a fairer transition to zero carbon.
Researchers say successive UK governments' approach to obesity policies has been destined to fail. Despite decades of efforts, obesity prevalence in England has not decreased, and inequalities persist.
Researchers have developed a DNA test to identify secondary infections in COVID-19 patients with severe cases, who are at double the risk of developing pneumonia on ventilation. The test allows for faster diagnosis and targeted antibiotic treatment within hours, reducing unnecessary use of antibiotics.
A team of researchers used machine learning to predict how proteins change shape and developed a new approach to study disordered proteins. They found that a key protein implicated in Alzheimer's disease becomes less toxic when it adopts a highly disordered shape.
Researchers found that persistently high insulin levels from mid-childhood are linked with a higher chance of developing psychosis in adulthood. In contrast, an increase in BMI around puberty was linked with a higher chance of depression in adulthood, particularly in girls.
Seventy experts argue that misunderstandings around attachment research are hampering its accurate implementation in family courts. The group outlines three principles from attachment research to guide decision-making, including the child's need for familiar caregivers and the benefits of networks of familiar relationships.
A systematic review of 136 randomised controlled trials found that mindfulness reduces anxiety, depression and stress in most community settings, but with no significant benefit in over one in 20 trials. The findings suggest that individual results may vary depending on factors such as implementation, setting and target group.
A new advanced computing technique enables doctors to take fewer, more accurate tumour biopsies by combining computed tomography (CT) scans with ultrasound images. This method captures the patchwork of different cancer cell types within a tumour, critical for selecting the best treatment.
New research suggests that weathering of rocks at Earth's surface may be weaker in removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere than previously estimated. The team found an additional source of sodium in river waters across the globe, not from weathered silicate rocks as assumed, but from very old clays being eroded in river catchments.
New research from the University of Cambridge found that patients treated with dexamethasone had a lower chance of favourable recovery at six months compared to those receiving a placebo. The trial enrolled 748 patients with chronic subdural haematoma and showed that fewer patients in the dexamethasone group required repeat surgery.
A team from the University of Cambridge has created an affordable solution for assessing the proper fit of N95 and similar sealing masks, utilizing a simple home aroma diffuser and large plastic bag. This setup can perform similarly to commercial qualitative fit-testing solutions without the high costs associated with them.
Tiny components within cells, such as lysosomes, drive the movement of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a key organelle responsible for protein production. This discovery has significant implications for understanding and treating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Researchers found that apathy can signal cognitive decline in people with frontotemporal dementia, even decades before other symptoms appear. The study used brain scans and memory tests to track changes in apathy over time and found that it predicted cognitive problems in individuals with a genetic mutation.
A study by University of Cambridge researchers suggests remdesivir is highly effective against SARS-CoV-2, particularly in patients with impaired immune systems. The drug significantly improves symptoms and virus levels in a patient with XLA, a rare genetic condition that affects antibody production.
A new statistical approach called Ecosystem Accounting allows governments and banks to calculate the worth of natural dividends, including fish stocks and carbon sinks. This shift aims to create a more inclusive wealth measurement that accounts for health, skills, and community value.