A recent study found that financial incentives can encourage one in five pregnant women to quit smoking, with a significant number stopping at least for the duration of their pregnancy. The scheme, which provided vouchers worth up to £752, was successful in motivating many women to quit, with only a small number 'gaming' the system.
A study by the University of Cambridge found that sleeping over 8 hours a day is associated with a greater risk of stroke, particularly for older individuals. The researchers followed 10,000 participants and discovered that those who persistedently slept longer had double the risk of stroke compared to those with average sleep duration.
The study reveals that nature-based tourism in protected areas is a significant economic driver, with an estimated annual value of $600 billion. This far surpasses the current spending on safeguarding these sites, which amounts to less than $10 billion annually.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge and Animal & Plant Health Agency highlight the importance of specificity in new diagnostic tests for bovine tuberculosis (bovine TB) vaccination. For vaccination to be economically viable, the number of false positives must be below 15 out of every 10,000 cattle tested.
Researchers have identified a molecular chaperone that can break the critical cycle leading to Alzheimer's disease. The molecule, Brichos, inhibits secondary nucleation, preventing the formation of toxic oligomers and amyloid fibrils, which are hallmark of the disease.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge discovered that the order of genetic mutations acquired determines how cancer behaves. The study found that patients who acquire mutations in JAK2 prior to those in TET2 are more likely to develop a severe red blood cell disease subtype and suffer from blood clots.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that supermarket price promotions lead to greater sales boosts for less healthy foods, even though they are not promoted more frequently. The researchers suggest that stockpiling during promotion may contribute to this finding.
Researchers developed a comprehensive computer model to simulate blood cell development, which could help identify promising pathways to target with drugs. The model has been validated through laboratory experiments and shows potential for reducing the risk of drug failure in leukaemia research.
Eve, an AI robot scientist, has demonstrated the success of its approach to speed up drug discovery and make it more economical. It discovered a compound that has anti-cancer and malaria properties, which could potentially improve the lives of millions of people worldwide.
A new study by University of Cambridge researchers identified a critical threshold in alpha-synuclein protein levels that increases the chances of aggregation and neurodegeneration. The findings provide a mechanistic description of the initial molecular events leading to Parkinson's disease.
A recent study published in The Journal of Physiology found that increased stress hormone levels in pregnant mice can lead to overeating and reduced fetal growth. However, this effect is not seen when the hormone is administered earlier in pregnancy or when the diet is restricted. The researchers believe that maternal glucocorticoid le...
Researchers capture asteroid magnetic field moments, revealing extended lifetimes and creating mechanisms similar to the Earth's own magnetic field. Ancient meteorites provide a cosmic archaeological mission, shedding light on the magnetic history of asteroids and their impact on the Earth's core future.
A new study found that around one in five Lassa fever cases could be caused by human-to-human transmission, with a disproportionate number of cases traced back to 'super-spreaders'. The research emphasizes the importance of understanding different modes of transmission and their impact on public health strategies.
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that physical inactivity is responsible for twice as many deaths as obesity. The researchers analyzed data from over 334,000 European men and women and found that even a small increase in physical activity can have significant health benefits.
A new study reveals that computers can make accurate judgments about personalities better than most people, using digital signals like Facebook Likes. The researchers analyzed data from over 86,000 volunteers and found that computers could predict personality traits with greater accuracy than human judges, except for spouses.
Research found geographical differences in life satisfaction and personality traits across London's postal districts. Openness to experience and agreeableness were associated with higher life satisfaction, while extraversion was linked to lower life satisfaction in certain areas.
Researchers found that distinct motor memories can be learned with unique follow-throughs, allowing for faster learning of multiple skills. Practising consistent follow-through enables tasks to be learned quickly, while variable follow-through activates multiple motor memories.
Researchers developed a new self-assembled material that can amplify small variations in temperature and concentration of biomolecules, making it suitable for biosensors and drug delivery systems. The material's unique response to changes in temperature and concentration could lead to significant advancements in sensing technology.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge successfully created primordial germ cells from human embryonic stem cells, a crucial step in early mammalian development. The study identified a critical gene, SOX17, involved in directing human stem cells to become these cells, and showed that PGCs can be made from reprogrammed adult cells.
The Rialto experiment showed that evidence capture is just one output of body-worn video, and the technology is most effective at preventing escalation during police-public interactions. The 'preventative treatment' of body-worn-video relies on the combination of the camera plus cognition of surveillance, causing individuals to modify ...
Researchers found that hunter-gatherers had stronger bones compared to farmers from the same region, with a 20% difference in bone mass. The study suggests that physical activity is key to preventing bone weakening and conditions like osteoporosis.
The IMF's economic policies have been shown to reduce government spending on healthcare, leading to underfunded and understaffed health systems. The researchers argue that the IMF's campaigns for decentralised healthcare systems also hinder coordinated responses to outbreaks, such as Ebola.
Researchers found that OCD patients were less capable of stopping pedal-pressing habits due to excessive caudate nucleus activity, linking compulsions to the brain's habit system. The study suggests that habits may be behind various psychiatric behaviors, including drug abuse and binge-eating.
Research from the University of Cambridge suggests that a simple supplement could reduce heart disease risk in individuals born with low birth weight. The study found that a molecule called CoQ prevented cells in the aorta from ageing prematurely, which can lead to heart disease.
A new study published in Genome Research tracked the spread of MRSA in a hospital with high transmission rates using genome sequencing. The team identified multiple distinct clades of MRSA and confirmed numerous transmission events between patients, highlighting the importance of infection control measures such as hand-washing.
A study published in Cell found that leptin, the 'satiety hormone', is linked to obesity-induced high blood pressure. Researchers discovered that obese individuals lacking leptin or its receptor had lower blood pressure despite being heavy.
A study by Julian Hargreaves from Cambridge's Centre of Islamic Studies found that British Muslim communities may not be as victimized by violent crime or dissatisfied with the police as widely believed. Positive attitudes towards the police were also found, with 61.2% of respondents rating their local police as good or excellent.
A recent study led by the University of Cambridge found that ozone plays a crucial role in global warming, reducing surface warming by approximately 20% compared to most models. This discovery underscores the importance of including ozone feedback in climate models for more accurate predictions.
A team of researchers has discovered that 'back boosting' the immune system by pre-emptively vaccinating against likely future strains of the influenza virus can significantly improve vaccine effectiveness. This approach would allow for more targeted and effective vaccination campaigns, potentially saving millions of lives worldwide.
Researchers discovered sustained human habitation and farming between 2,500-3,400 meters above sea level 3,600 years ago on the Tibetan Plateau. This finding challenges previous understanding of human adaptation to high altitudes.
A new study reveals that females have evolved a highly-effective counter-strategy to stop males from killing their offspring: by having multiple mates in a short time, causing paternity dilution and reducing infanticide risk. This leads to increased testis size in male mouse lemurs as they produce more sperm to outcompete others.
Research on tool use by primates suggests that ecological opportunity, rather than necessity, is the main driver behind their use of tools. The study found that tool use was not influenced by food scarcity, but rather by calorie-rich and hard-to-reach resources.
The HIP HOP PSYCH initiative aims to use hip-hop lyrics and music to improve people's mental health, address stigma towards mental illness, and increase diversity within the psychiatric profession. By integrating hip-hop into psychotherapies, psychologists can refine their tools to make therapies more relevant to specific populations.
A new study on ancient DNA from a 36,000-year-old fossil in western Russia found that the earliest European humans' genetic ancestry survived the Last Glacial Maximum. The research also sheds light on Neanderthal interbreeding and an early contact between European hunter-gatherers and Middle Eastern farmers.
A new class of conjugated polymers has been discovered, approaching disorder-free limits and enabling faster, more efficient flexible electronics. These materials could be used to create lightweight, flexible displays for smartphones and tablets.
Using mouse embryonic stem cells, researchers have successfully reconstructed the early stage of mammalian development in a lab, showing that a critical mass of cells is needed for self-organisation into an embryo. This breakthrough allows for the creation of an axis and gastrulation-like movements, mimicking the process of embryonic d...
A new study suggests that assigning a price to nature's services can lead to trade-offs between conservation and economic benefits. While some ecosystems benefit from pricing, others suffer as traditional conservation strategies may not effectively protect the economic value of biodiversity.
Scientists have developed a technique to survey the fission yeast genome in relation to cell shape, microtubule organisation, and cell cycle progression. The study reveals new links between hundreds of genes and these cellular processes, including a previously unknown connection between DNA repair machinery and microtubule stability.
A study published in eLife has found that favipiravir is effective at lowering norovirus levels in the body, which may help reduce disease severity and prevent onward transmission. The experimental drug works by causing the virus to self-destruct through a process called lethal mutagenesis.
Researchers used high-density EEG and graph theory to study brain networks in vegetative state patients, finding preserved networks similar to those in healthy adults. This could help identify patients aware despite being uncommunicative, improving clinical assessment and prognosis.
West African chimpanzees employ a sophisticated tool-based technique, dubbed 'ant dipping,' to harvest army ants for sustenance. This study reveals that army ants are a significant component of the chimpanzee diet throughout the year, providing essential nutrients like protein and fats.
Assessing pandemic risk from flu viruses is an enormous challenge due to the vast diversity of influenza viruses. Scientists call for better integration of experimental data, computational methods, and mathematical models to predict pandemic risk. They stress the importance of remaining vigilant against unknown high-risk viruses.
A new study reveals five high-risk Ponto-Caspian species, including the quagga mussel and killer shrimp, have established themselves in Britain. The invasion is expected to lead to devastating consequences for native species, with up to twenty additional species projected to arrive in the near future.
A survey of 577 people in southern Ghana reveals that hunters and consumers perceive the risk of infection from eating bat meat as low, despite handling live bats and coming into contact with bat blood. The study finds that regulations alone are not effective solutions to reduce the practice.
A new study finds that more healthy foods have risen significantly in price over time, with a total average increase of £1.84 per 1000kcal for more healthy food across the decade, compared to £0.73 for less healthy food. This trend could contribute to growing food insecurity and health inequalities.
The Greenland Ice Sheet is more sensitive to climate change due to the role of soft ground beneath it, which affects its dynamics and leads to increased ice loss. This study reveals that the ice sheet is vulnerable not only to warming temperatures but also to extreme meteorological events like heavy rainfall and heat waves.
Researchers discovered that autism with early language delay is associated with smaller brain volume in key regions and larger brainstem structures. Current language function also impacts grey and white matter volume changes in specific brain areas.
Researchers have developed phase-change materials that can switch between crystalline and glassy phases to enable fast logic-processing operations. These new devices could process speeds up to 500-1,000 times faster than current silicon-based computers while using less energy.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge used a new technique to study the immune response to live Salmonella vaccines, finding they enhance the ability to prevent bacterial replication and spread. This is crucial for preventing conditions like bacteraemia, a major killer in Africa.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge discovered that stem cells 'communicate' with damaged cells by transferring molecules via fluid-filled bags called vesicles, helping other cells modify the damaging immune response. This novel mechanism enables stem-cell-based therapies to work more efficiently.