Researchers discovered that beneficial fungi enhance plant resistance to disease by remodelling the plant cell membrane at pathogen infection sites. This transformation coincides with a significant reduction in pathogen colonisation and offers critical new insights into how plants coordinate defences in complex natural environments.
A new study published by the University of Cambridge reveals that medieval Augustinian saints performed 'green-fingered' miracles, such as restoring swampy areas to fertility and healing diseased livestock. The research challenges major assumptions about the Catholic Church's forgotten early history.
A study suggests that one in two individuals arrested and detained in London may have undiagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), while one in 20 may have undiagnosed autism. Screening for neurodivergence could enable better support for vulnerable individuals.
A recent study published by the University of Cambridge ranks species based on their levels of exclusive mating. Humans fall between meerkats and beavers in terms of monogamy rates. The study analyzed proportions of full versus half-siblings across various mammal species, including humans. This approach provides a more direct measure o...
Researchers found a link between mid-14th-century volcanic activity and the start of the Black Death, which killed millions across Europe. The study suggests that climate-driven trade changes carried the deadly bacterium Yersinia pestis, leading to widespread devastation.
A University of Cambridge-led team analyzed giant anaconda fossils to determine their maximum size occurred 12.4 million years ago. The study found that ancient anacondas were four to five metres long, matching the size of modern anacondas, suggesting they have remained giants due to a suitable environment.
A 1525 Bible map, printed in the wrong orientation, transformed the biblical narrative and influenced modern border thinking. The study suggests that maps of the Holy Land, rather than early modern territorial divisions, led to the development of political borders.
Researchers found that avian influenza viruses can thrive in the lower respiratory tract and withstand high temperatures, while human flu viruses replicate at higher temperatures. Fever may not be enough to protect against avian flu viruses, which can cause severe illness.
A large-scale laboratory screening identified 168 chemicals toxic to human-made gut bacteria. Washing fruit and veggies before consumption may help avoid exposure to these pollutants. Researchers developed a machine learning model to predict chemical harm, emphasizing the need for safer industrial practices.
Research from the University of Cambridge reveals autistic adults report higher rates of suicide-related behaviors and psychological distress, even with no history of trauma. The study identifies unique aspects of autism that contribute to trauma's impact on mental health.
Researchers identified five phases of brain structure, each supported by four turning points between birth and death, revealing key developments in cognitive performance, neural efficiency, and regional compartmentalization. The study provides context for understanding why brains develop differently at various stages of life.
Researchers identified 12 genes linked to canine behaviour also associated with human traits like anxiety, depression, and intelligence. The study provides insights into understanding dog emotional worlds and tailoring training or care to suit their needs.
Combining improved diet quality with increased physical activity significantly reduces body fat, particularly visceral fat, associated with higher risks of diseases. The study found that simultaneous changes in both behaviors result in greater benefits than individual changes.
A study of 258 published novelists in the UK found that half believe AI will replace their work entirely. The majority also report using AI for non-creative tasks like information searches and editing text written without AI. However, many express concerns about copyright laws not being respected and originality being lost.
A new AI tool, SMMILe, can rapidly analyze complex cancer images and provide detailed information about tumor lesions, including their locations and proportions. This could lead to more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment options for patients.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a new method to electrically power insulating nanoparticles using molecular antennas. This breakthrough creates a new class of ultra-pure near-infrared LEDs with applications in biomedical imaging, optical communications, and sensing. The devices can be turned on with low operat...
Researchers have developed a system called CytoDiffusion that uses generative AI to study the shape and structure of blood cells. The system can accurately identify normal blood cell appearances and spot unusual or rare cells that may indicate disease, outperforming existing systems in tests.
Researchers have identified a tiny 'GPS' system in ancient magnetic fossils, suggesting that animals may have used the Earth's magnetic field to navigate long distances for at least 97 million years. The discovery provides direct evidence of magnetoreception and sheds light on how animals evolved this ability.
Researchers identified a potential biomarker that could inform personalized treatment with deep brain stimulation. Half of the participants showed significant improvements, including nine achieving remission, with brain activity at specific frequency ranges predicting response to treatment.
Generative Artificial Intelligence could lead to a renewed emphasis on conversational approaches to teaching, researchers argue. This involves teachers and students exploring problems together, discussing ideas from different angles, and testing concepts through collaborative work.
Scientists have achieved control over the atomic structure of perovskites, creating a finely tuned energy sandwich that could transform how solar cells, LEDs, and lasers are made. The new method enables precise control over the thickness of films and interaction between layers, paving the way for scalable and high-performance devices.
Researchers have identified a new species of ancient symbiotic fungus preserved within a 407-million-year-old plant fossil from Scotland. The discovery provides unprecedented three-dimensional insight into one of the earliest known plant–fungus partnerships, known as mycorrhiza.
Research found a strong link between living in deprived areas and poorer cognitive performance, with damage to brain small blood vessels and modifiable lifestyle factors contributing to the effect. Lifestyle habits such as exercise and sleep management also play a crucial role in dementia prevention.
Researchers developed a tool to measure food production's impact on species survival, finding that eating beef and lamb has the biggest effect on extinctions. Switching to vegetarian diets could halve biodiversity impact in the UK.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered ultrafast quantum light in halide perovskites, which can be harnessed for future photonic technologies. The findings suggest a practical and affordable route to explore ultrafast quantum technology.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that the human eye has a resolution limit, above which screens provide more information than can be detected. For an average UK living room, a 44-inch 4K or 8K TV does not offer additional benefits over a lower resolution Quad HD TV.
A study found that problems with the brain's glymphatic system, which clears out toxins and waste materials, may contribute to dementia. The research suggests improving glymphatic function through sleep optimization, repurposed medicines, or treating cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure.
A new imaging technique reveals that chromosomal abnormalities can arise late in human embryo development, potentially affecting placental cells rather than the fetus. This finding challenges current practices of pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy.
Researchers used the James Webb Space Telescope to study young galaxies in the early universe, finding most were turbulent and 'clumpy'. Despite this chaos, galaxy dynamics show a gradual transition towards ordered structures, suggesting that galaxies like our Milky Way formed through frequent mergers and bursts of star formation.
The team aims to build an anonymized database representative of the whole population by collecting two vivid memories from participants. The findings will inform new ways to help people remember in more detail and understand human memories across the lifespan.
A new study reveals that middle-class Mancunians, including doctors and engineers, lived alongside working-class residents in the same buildings and streets. The research found that over 60% of buildings housing wealthy occupational classes also housed unskilled laborers.
A new research project led by Cambridge University reveals that hundreds of 'pundits' kept Sanskrit scholarship alive in remote settlements as British control swept across India. The pundits' works include erotic plays, legal treatises, and other forms of literature, which were largely neglected until now.
A new study offers a risk management approach to assess carbon removal portfolios and their potential to limit global warming over centuries. The framework suggests combining nature-based carbon storage like forestry with technology-based solutions like Direct Air Capture can provide long-term temperature stabilization.
Researchers describe a tactical playbook used by male abusers to engineer 'trauma bonds', leaving victims desperate for approval. The study highlights the deliberate brainwashing tactics employed by perpetrators, shifting blame onto victims and ignoring codependency theories.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a new lab-grown human embryo model that replicates early human development, including the production of blood stem cells. The 'hematoids' model mimics the natural developmental process, offering potential medical advances in screening drugs and studying blood disorders.
Researchers identify disease-associated radial glia-like cells that contribute to persistent inflammation and neurodegeneration in progressive multiple sclerosis. These cells exhibit characteristic features of radial glia and display hallmark features of premature aging, fuelling a toxic environment that accelerates neurodegeneration.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a hybrid device that combines light-harvesting organic polymers with bacterial enzymes to convert sunlight, water and carbon dioxide into formate, a fuel that can drive further chemical transformations. The new 'semi-artificial leaf' mimics photosynthesis and avoids toxic semico...
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a pioneering biosensor that can detect and track salicylic acid dynamics in living plants. The SalicS1 tool provides fresh insights into how plants coordinate local and systemic defenses against pathogens, with potential applications for improving crop resilience and understandin...
Researchers found that 27% of breast cancer cases have genetic features guiding personalized treatment immediately. The study identified over 8,300 cases suitable for future research, providing insights into prognosis and potential new treatments.
Research reveals that Bifidobacterium breve in pregnant mothers regulates the placenta's hormone production, reducing complications and improving fetal growth. The study opens up a new approach to assessing pregnancy health through gut microbiome analysis.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a new class of organic molecules that can efficiently separate charges through Mott-Hubbard physics, enabling the creation of high-performance solar cells. This breakthrough could lead to the fabrication of lightweight and low-cost solar panels from a single material.
Researchers found distinct genetic profiles for early- and late-diagnosed autism, with earlier diagnosed groups showing more social interaction difficulties in infancy and behavioral problems in adolescence. Later diagnosed individuals experienced increased social and behavioral difficulties during adolescence and higher rates of menta...
A University of Cambridge study reveals that poorer students in England are disproportionately concentrated in schools where learning a foreign language is optional at GCSE. The research shows that offering a wider choice of languages can improve average GCSE scores by nearly a quarter of a grade.
Scientists have developed an imaging technique to visualize and quantify alpha-synuclein oligomers in human brain tissue, a major advance in Parkinson's research. The study found that oligomers exist in both healthy and Parkinson's brains, but are larger, brighter, and more numerous in disease samples.
A poet's extensive rewrites in Dannie Abse's 1980 autobiography 'A Matter of Life' gave the narrative an emotional storytelling tone, highlighting the human stakes of IVF. The book's commercial success helped promote IVF at a time when the technique was controversial.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered a unified model that explains how plants control their architecture by integrating local and systemic signals. This breakthrough could help scientists design new strategies to optimize crop yield, resilience, and resource use.
A study by University of Cambridge researchers found that ChatGPT, an AI chatbot, improvised solutions to a 2,400-year-old mathematical challenge. The bot made mistakes and adapted its approach based on user input, demonstrating a 'learner-like' behavior.
A study published in The Lancet Global Health reveals stark global inequalities in survival after emergency abdominal surgery for traumatic injuries. Patients in the world's least developed countries are more than three times likely to die within 30 days of surgery compared to those in the most developed nations.
Scientists at the University of Cambridge created a smarter way to activate the immune system against cancer by harnessing the STING pathway. The new two-part prodrug system triggers the immune response only in tumour tissues, reducing harm to healthy cells.
A recent study found that systemic barriers hinder autistic adults' access to NHS support during mental health crises. Only one in four participants reached out to the NHS when experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors.