Global homicide rates have been declining since the mid-1990s, with an average drop of 40% in 15 years. Effective policing strategies, rehabilitation methods, and societal attitude shifts are key to reducing violence. Experts agree that global rates of violence can be halved by 2040 if the right policies are implemented.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that coral trout are as proficient as chimpanzees in determining when to collaborate and selecting the most effective partner. The study showed that the fish can learn quickly and make informed decisions about their collaborators, mirroring human-like abilities.
A survey of over two million people found that lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals in England are more likely to experience poor health and negative interactions with the National Health Service. These individuals were also up to 50% more likely to report dissatisfaction with primary care services.
A new study suggests that changing global diets can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from food production. The study reveals that a shift towards healthier diets, reduced food waste, and sustainable agricultural practices can significantly reduce the environmental impact of food production. By adopting balanced eating habits, includin...
A new study has created a 'global roadmap' for prioritizing road building across the planet, identifying areas with most potential benefit and conflict zones. The approach balances competing demands of development and environmental protection.
A 560-million-year-old fossil discovery in Newfoundland, Canada, has provided the oldest evidence of muscle tissue in animals. The find, named Haootia quadriformis, is a rare example of an Ediacaran animal with bundles of fibres similar to those found in modern cnidarians.
Researchers have discovered a definitive link between ancient worm-like creature Hallucigenia and modern velvet worms. A new study reveals that claws play a crucial role in the connection between these two groups, shedding light on the evolutionary tree of life.
Researchers discovered that beetle scales scatter light efficiently to achieve ultra-whiteness, using a complex network of chitin filaments. This finding could lead to brighter, whiter materials for paper, plastics, and paints while reducing material usage.
Research suggests that high levels of inflammatory markers in childhood may increase the risk of developing depression and psychosis in adulthood. The study found that individuals with elevated IL-6 levels were nearly two times more likely to experience depression or psychosis than those with low levels.
Scientists have successfully tested a new treatment for aggressive brain cancer, using tiny gold nanoparticles to kill tumour cells. The treatment combines chemotherapy with radiotherapy, targeting cancer cells directly and enhancing the impact of conventional treatments.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge created detailed reconstructions of ancient organisms called rangeomorphs, which were among the earliest large animals on Earth. The creatures thrived in ocean environments during the Ediacaran period but went extinct due to changing conditions and competition from emerging animal groups.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that women with mutations in the PALB2 gene have a one in three chance of developing breast cancer by age 70. The study analyzed data from 154 families and found that risks were higher for those with family history of breast cancer.
A hybrid form of perovskite has been used to make high-brightness LEDs with a simple and scalable process, potentially replacing conventional methods. The results could provide a lot of value to the flat-panel display industry.
A new study found that urbanization in rural sub-Saharan Africa is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Living in more urban villages was linked to poorer lifestyle choices, such as physical inactivity and heavy drinking, despite the benefits of access to education, healthcare, and improved sanitation.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered that microscopic flagella synchronize their movements through direct hydrodynamic interactions in a fluid. The findings, published in eLife, demonstrate that the motion of the fluid created by two beating flagella is sufficient to cause them to row in sync.
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have created a technique for building materials using light, allowing for the production of metamaterials that can control light interactions. This breakthrough has significant potential applications in sensing and military stealth technology.
A team of astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope measured water vapour in the atmospheres of three gas giants, finding levels one-tenth to one-thousandth that predicted by standard theory. This discovery raises questions about exoplanet formation and highlights challenges in searching for water on Earth-like planets.
A new study found that genetic variations, particularly imprinted genes, play a significant role in determining the age of puberty in girls. The research analyzed DNA data from over 180,000 women and identified six imprinted gene variants associated with earlier or later menstrual cycles.
Researchers found a link between antipsychotic medication and reduced brain volume in schizophrenia patients, but no impact on cognitive function or symptoms over a nine-year follow-up. The study suggests that both older and newer antipsychotics may be associated with similar declines in brain volume.
A study found that women who identify with their profession work more hours and spend less time with children, but have a more balanced childcare split. In contrast, men's paternal identity has no impact on childcare time or duties taken by mothers.
Archaeologists uncovered clay tokens used for trade records until the advent of writing, but found them again in use thousands of years later. The tokens were used alongside cuneiform writing to create a sophisticated record-keeping system.
A University of Cambridge study found that brain activity in people with compulsive sexual behavior is similar to that triggered by drugs in the brains of drug addicts. The ventral striatum, dorsal anterior cingulate, and amygdala regions were more active in individuals with compulsive sexual behavior compared to healthy volunteers.
A new study in mice shows that epigenetic effects, such as those caused by under-nutrition during pregnancy, can be passed down to offspring but may not persist indefinitely. The study suggests that these 'memories' of environmental impact on health may be limited and potentially reversible.
A new study found that the H1N1 2009 pandemic was primarily driven by short-range travel, contradicting popularly accepted views on disease transmission. School-age children accelerated the spread of the pandemic through repeated transmission over short distances.
Researchers from Cambridge University have broken a world record by trapping a strong magnetic field in a high-temperature superconductor. The achievement demonstrates the potential of these materials for various applications, including energy storage and transportation systems.
Researchers developed a novel theory of how neurons work together during complex movements, revealing a balance between excitatory and inhibitory signals. The new model can accurately reproduce multidimensional movement patterns and may aid in the understanding of brain dynamics.
Researchers found that some bird species have evolved recognizable egg patterns, such as blotches and markings, to detect cuckoo eggs. These signature patterns provide a powerful defense against cuckoo trickery, increasing the likelihood of host birds rejecting foreign eggs.
The discovery of fossilized fish specimens from the Cambrian period sheds new light on the evolution of vertebrates. The fossils show pairs of exceptionally well-preserved arches near the front of their body, which led to the evolution of jaws in vertebrates.
Research reveals that debris from forests supplements the diets of microscopic zooplankton and fish that feed on them, leading to larger and stronger fish. The study found that areas with more forest cover have fatter fish, while those with less forest cover have smaller and weaker fish.
Researchers have mapped ancient Inuit trails using archival accounts, maps, and place names, providing a vital step in cultural preservation and understanding Inuit history. The 'pan-Inuit' world is being fragmented due to climate change, but the atlas shows the geographical extent and connectedness of Inuit occupancy.
Researchers found that a daily lycopene supplement improved endothelial function in patients with cardiovascular disease, but not in healthy volunteers. The supplement showed significant improvements in widening of blood vessels by over half compared to baseline.
Researchers found elevated levels of steroid hormones, including testosterone and progesterone, in the amniotic fluid of boys later diagnosed with autism. This discovery may help explain why autism is more common in males than females.
A study from the University of Cambridge found that individuals with disorders of compulsivity share similar patterns of decision-making and brain structure. The researchers discovered lower grey matter volumes in brain regions involved in goal-tracking and rewards, leading to automatic habitual choices.
A new Ebola vaccine has been successfully tested on captive chimpanzees, producing a robust immune response and showing safety. The researchers argue that this could be a turning point in saving endangered ape species from extinction, but the need for captive chimps testing raises ethical concerns about animal welfare.
The new method uses transcription factors to promote cell differentiation and maturation, producing nerve cells with functional characteristics similar to mature cells found in the body. This breakthrough could accelerate the development of new drugs and stem cell-based regenerative medicine for age-related diseases such as Parkinson's...
Researchers use NMR spectroscopy to enrich a mouse's carbon isotopes, enabling the growth of biological tissue in the lab. The technique has huge potential for scientific and medical breakthroughs, including replacing heart valves.
Researchers have identified a key chemical that can repair damaged cell nuclei, a breakthrough in treating Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), a rare and devastating ageing disease. The compound, Remodelin, also shows promise in reducing DNA damage and improving cellular health.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered that embryonic stem cell nuclei exhibit auxeticity, a property allowing them to 'sponge up' essential materials. This unusual behavior has potential applications in soundproofing, super-absorbent sponges and bulletproof vests.
A new study finds that India's highest suicide rates are among debt-ridden farmers growing cash crops like cotton and coffee, which are highly susceptible to global price fluctuations. The researchers suggest policy intervention to stabilise prices and relieve indebted farmers may help stem the tide of suicide in marginalised areas.
New research reveals a fresh understanding of the structure of sodium channels, with particular focus on the β3-subunit's role in regulating heart cell activity. The study suggests that these channels may be functionally connected, leading to more efficient action potential initiation.
Research suggests that humans became less mobile and physically active after the transition to agriculture in Central Europe around 5300 BC. Male bones show a decline in strength and rigidity, indicating reduced mobility and heavy physical work, while female bones exhibit more inconsistent trends.
Research published in PNAS identifies the insula as a key brain region disrupted in individuals with gambling addiction. The study reveals that problems gamblers are more susceptible to cognitive distortions, such as the gambler's fallacy, due to insula hyperactivity.
Researchers discovered that bacteria use indole to communicate and plan ahead for lean periods, leading to new ways to combat dangerous bacteria. The study could help scientists find new ways to control MRSA and other harmful bacteria.
Researchers have developed perovskite solar cells that excel at absorbing and emitting light, with a remarkable 70% efficiency rate. These 'wonder cells' can also produce cheap lasers, opening up new applications in telecommunications and light-emitting devices.
New research shows that male Eurasian jays can respond to their female partner's desire, even when it conflicts with their own. The study found that males can inhibit their own biases and prioritize their partner's wishes.
Citrate, a natural cell by-product, is mixed with water to create a fluid trapped between bone crystals, allowing flexibility and absorbing pressure. Without citrate, crystals fuse together, becoming brittle and prone to shattering.
A new study found that mothers' levels of physical activity are closely related to those of their preschool children. Only 53% of mothers engaged in 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity at least once a week, with the amount of activity a mother and her child did each day being highly correlated.
The new framework was used to understand the dynamics of quantized vortices and their interaction with electrons. The researchers discovered a novel mechanism of vortex multiplication, which explains why unidentified electron objects were found only at lower temperatures.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge and MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit have shown that suppressing unwanted memories reduces their unconscious influence on behavior. The study found that suppressing visual memories made it harder for people to later see the suppressed object compared to other recently seen objects.
Researchers found no association between saturated fat intake and coronary disease risk, contradicting existing dietary guidelines. However, certain fatty acid subtypes showed varying effects on cardiovascular risk.