A 'brain training' game developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge improved memory in patients with mild cognitive impairment by 40% through episodic memory tests. The app's engaging gameplay and individualization also boosted motivation and confidence.
Researchers developed a new technique combining seismic noise interferometry with geophysical measurements to predict volcanic eruptions. By analyzing the speed of energy traveling through a volcano and correlating it with rock deformation, they found a strong correlation between bulging, shrinking, and impending eruptions.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have designed antibodies to stop the production of protein deposits linked to Alzheimer's disease. The antibodies, developed using computer-based methods, were tested in test tubes and nematode worms, showing almost complete elimination of toxic pathogens.
Researchers used mathematical modelling to understand new ways of combating maize lethal necrosis, an emerging disease affecting food security in sub-Saharan Africa. The study found that a combination of crop rotation, clean seed, and insect control is the best way to prevent loss of maize crop.
A large-scale study of women carrying faults in cancer genes found that family history, gene position, and precise mutation type impact cancer risk. Estimates provide more confidence for counselling and clinical management.
A new study suggests that human embryo mortality rates are exaggerated, with many more embryos surviving than previously claimed. In vitro embryos also show poor survival rates, which may reflect the natural situation or be due to artificial environments.
A new study found that genetic variants on chromosome 3 are associated with better performance on the 'Reading the Mind in the Eyes' Test, which measures cognitive empathy. Women tend to score higher than men, and variations in the gene LRRN1 are linked to increased volume of the brain region involved in this skill.
A study published in Cell found that exposure to common aldehydes can break down DNA repair mechanisms, increasing cancer risk. People with faulty BRCA2 genes are particularly sensitive to this damage, as these chemicals trigger the degradation of BRCA2 protein.
The AI system uses machine learning techniques to estimate pain levels in sheep based on five distinct facial expressions. It can detect conditions such as foot rot and mastitis with high accuracy, enabling early treatment and pain relief.
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have identified a plant protein crucial for communication with fungi, enabling mutually beneficial symbiosis. The study found that a transporter molecule helps plants signal to fungi, promoting nutrient exchange and improving crop yields.
Researchers found that people are more interested in learning about the work of physically attractive and competent-looking scientists. However, attractiveness did not affect perceived competence or quality of research, with competent individuals often being considered less skilled.
Research found that Sherpas have evolved to produce more efficient red blood cells and nitric oxide levels, allowing them to adapt to low oxygen environments. This study could lead to new ways of treating hypoxia in ICU patients, who often experience life-threatening complications due to lack of oxygen.
A new paper suggests investing in utility-scale electricity storage, carbon capture, and solar power can reduce energy costs while reducing emissions. These technologies provide flexibility in the energy system and can help economies by creating new industries.
Women living in deprived areas are over 60% more likely to have anxiety than those in richer areas. Men's anxiety levels remain relatively stable regardless of their socioeconomic status. This study highlights the importance of considering gender when addressing mental health disparities.
A new study published in Nature Genetics has identified 389 genetic signals linked to the timing of puberty, including associations with an increased risk of breast, ovary, and endometrial cancers in women, and prostate cancer in men. The research also suggests that earlier puberty timing may have negative effects on later health.
Scientists discovered a caterpillar can break down polyethylene, a tough plastic found in shopping bags. The wax worm's saliva contains an enzyme that degrades the chemical bonds in the plastic, reducing its mass by 92mg after 12 hours.
A leading conservationist warns that failing to celebrate conservation successes can lead to complacency and reversal of progress. Recent examples of species recoveries, such as the Brazilian golden lion tamarins and giant pandas, demonstrate positive shifting baselines in nature's recovery through conservation.
Researchers tested Asian elephants' body awareness, finding they stepped off a mat to pass a stick to an experimenter 42 times on average, significantly more often than during a control test. This demonstrates their understanding of their bodies as obstacles, similar to young children's understanding at around two years old.
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have successfully grown miniature functional models of the womb lining in culture, providing a major step forward in understanding the changes that occur during the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy. The findings may lead to new insights into endometriosis and fertility treatments.
Researchers have designed a porous material inspired by leaf veins that improves rechargeable battery performance and gas sensing. The material enhances the charge and discharge process, reducing stresses and increasing battery life by up to 25 times.
A survey of over 2,000 people in the UK and USA found that one in six support life-sustaining interventions, while more than twice as many prefer measures to enable peaceful death. The study highlights challenges faced by healthcare providers and legislators regarding end-of-life care.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge and beyond develop a new type of material that uses rotatable molecules to emit light faster than ever before. This breakthrough could lead to more power-efficient, brighter, and longer-lasting TVs, smartphones, and room lights.
A new study from the University of Cambridge found that teacher encouragement has a significant influence on university access for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. On average, rates of entry into post-16 education were eight percentage points higher in students who received encouragement compared to those who did not. The effec...
A genome-wide analysis identified 30 known risk variants, accounting for 6.5% of the inherited component of risk. The variants are common and have small effects on risk, with women carrying multiple variants still having a low lifetime risk of 2.8%.
A new study from the University of Cambridge and Natural History Museum proposes a major overhaul of the traditional dinosaur classification system. The researchers conclude that Ornithischia and Theropoda should be grouped together under the name Ornithoscelida, with dinosaurs potentially originating in the northern hemisphere.
Researchers from University of Cambridge find that ordinary people left homesteads to become nomadic herdsmen or took up arms with tribes. Meanwhile, some Huns adopted settled agriculture, enjoying a more stable lifestyle.
Researchers found that maternal immune activation alters the activity of multiple genes and pathways in the fetus's brain, including those important for autism development. This effect may be similar to known biology behind conditions like autism.
Scientists have determined the first 3D structures of intact mammalian genomes from individual cells, showing how chromosomes fold together inside cell nuclei. This knowledge can help study gene interactions, regulation, and development, with potential applications in understanding diseases.
A team of scientists at the University of Cambridge has developed a way to use solar power to generate hydrogen from biomass. The technology relies on a simple photocatalytic conversion process, converting biomass into gaseous hydrogen that can be used for power.
A new oral Ebola vaccine has shown effectiveness in a chimpanzee trial, offering hope for conserving wild ape populations threatened by diseases like Ebola and anthrax. However, the closure of captive chimpanzee facilities due to changing laws may hinder further research and development.
The robber fly has exceptional vision thanks to a unique arrangement of lenses, enabling it to spot prey over half a metre away in under half a second. Its 'lock-on' strategy allows it to adapt mid-air and catch its prey with precision, making it a potential model for drone design.
Patients with OCD have difficulty learning which stimulus is safe and vice versa due to impaired brain activity, specifically in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. This cognitive inflexibility affects how they perceive threats under updated circumstances, making current exposure therapies less effective.
Researchers at University of Cambridge create structure resembling mouse embryo in culture using two types of stem cells and 3D scaffold. The artificial embryo's development follows the same pattern as naturally developing embryos, but it lacks key cells needed for further growth.
A new study found that cocaine addiction disrupts iron regulation in the body, leading to a build-up of iron in the brain. This accumulation is directly linked to the duration of cocaine use and may be accompanied by mild iron deficiency elsewhere in the body.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered a key to increasing crop diversity by manipulating plant sex through the HEI10 gene. This breakthrough has significant implications for introducing novel disease resistance genes into elite crop varieties, addressing a major limitation in crop improvement.
Researchers say viral charity campaigns like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge have a shallow 'half-life' and require a shift from extrinsic to intrinsic motivation. Dr. Sander van der Linden's SMART formula outlines social influences, moral imperatives, affective reactions, and translational impact as key psychological levers.
A new study reveals gills originated earlier than thought, suggesting a link between active lifestyle and evolutionary history. Gills develop from the same embryonic tissue in jawed and jawless vertebrates, supporting a single origin of these respiratory organs.
A study published in Social Science and Medicine found that patients worry about wasting doctors' time, particularly in an overstretched NHS. This concern can affect patients' decisions to seek medical attention, with serious implications for their health if delayed due to fear of resource wastage.
Researchers use Gaia data to detect pulsating stars and trace the extent of the Large Magellanic Cloud, revealing a fuzzy halo stretching 20 degrees from its center. The discovery provides insights into the clouds' mass and interaction with the Milky Way, shedding light on their role in galaxy formation.
Researchers have found that modern East Asian populations share a remarkable genetic similarity to their hunter-gatherer ancestors from the Stone Age. The study provides evidence of 'genetic continuity' in East Asia, suggesting that there was little population turnover for over seven millennia.
Researchers analyze how ancient South Asian population coped with changing environmental conditions using lake records and speleothem data. They found that the civilization developed in a diverse environment where water was critical for survival, and its populations were well-adapted to varying climate conditions before urbanization.
Researchers found that cooperatively breeding mammals better cope with droughts and food scarcity due to helping behavior. These species are more likely to occupy human-modified habitats and colonize new environments.
Researchers analyzed a large dataset of brain images from over 500 individuals to identify correlations between brain cortical anatomy and the Big Five personality traits. High levels of neuroticism were associated with increased thickness in certain regions, while openness was linked to reduced thickness and increased area and folding.
A new study suggests that a 'psychological vaccine' can help build tolerance to climate change misinformation, shifting opinions closer to the truth. Researchers found that pre-exposing people to small amounts of misinformation can provide resistance against subsequent exposure.
A new study from the University of Cambridge found that teenagers with mental health problems who receive treatment experience a greater decrease in depressive symptoms than those without. By age 17, service users were more than seven times less likely to report clinical depression compared to untreated individuals.
A study found that modafinil improves episodic and working memory functions in patients with remitted depression. The results suggest that modafinil may be a feasible option to tackle persistent cognitive problems in depression, improving cognition and motivation.
A study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that people who frequently curse are less likely to be associated with lying and deception. The research also showed that those who use more profanity tend to use language patterns related to honesty, such as using pronouns like 'I' and 'me'.
A new study reveals that IMF lending conditions in West Africa reduce government health expenditure per capita by around 0.25% for every additional binding condition. This results in a 6.2% annual reduction in health spending, often at the expense of healthcare investment.
Researchers identified genetic variants that affect Crohn's disease severity, but found these variants do not determine individual risk of developing the condition. The study suggests new pathways for treating established disease.
Over a third of scientific reports are published in languages other than English, leading to biases in our understanding. The researchers call for basic summaries to be published in multiple languages and translations to be included in 'outreach' evaluation criteria.