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.
Researchers have found a mysterious 'shepherd' exoplanet in the Beta Pictoris system, which suggests that the system may be capable of supporting life. The planet is believed to be about the size of Saturn and is thought to be responsible for corraling a swarm of icy comets.
A study of 1,125 domestic violence victims found that those whose partners were arrested were 64% more likely to die early compared to those who received a warning. Employed black victims suffered the worst effects, with mortality rates over four times higher than those whose partner received a warning.
Scientists found a link between climate change and the decline of Indus Civilization's megacities in northwest India 4,100 years ago. A weakening of the summer monsoon led to droughts that coincided with the beginning of the civilization's decline.
Researchers found that Alzheimer's disease disrupts the biological clock in fruit flies, causing irregular sleep-wake patterns. The study suggests that the biological clock is still ticking but being ignored by other parts of the brain and body.
Research reveals stick insects have developed a way to generate massive friction when walking upright through a hierarchy of grip with the slightest pressure, allowing them to grip but not stick. The insect's hairy friction pads employ three main tricks to increase contact area under pressure, creating a scale or hierarchy of grip.
A study published at University of Cambridge finds that high cortisol levels can lead to risk aversion among traders, contributing to market instability. The research suggests that chronically raised cortisol levels can decrease willingness to take risks, even when markets are crashing.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered a way to study and film embryo development during implantation, revealing a 'rosette' structure that challenges current understanding. This breakthrough could improve IVF success rates and advance regenerative medicine.
Scientists at the University of Cambridge discovered that implant stiffness is a major cause of foreign body reactions. The team found that stiff materials trigger inflammation and cell shape changes in brain cells, leading to encapsulation with scar tissue.
A recent meta-analysis of 20 years of neuroscience research reveals significant sex differences in brain structure, with males on average having larger total brain volumes and higher tissue densities in certain regions. Females, on the other hand, have higher density in the left frontal pole and larger volumes in other areas.
A study published in Biology Letters reveals that jackdaw eyes are used as a means of communication between members of the same species, helping them defend their nests and chicks from competitors. The research suggests that the bright eyes may be an adaptive trait unique to jackdaws.
A new UK synthetic biology centre, OpenPlant, has been awarded £12 million funding to create a climate of openness in the field. The centre aims to develop and share new tools and libraries of plant DNA, fostering innovation in sustainable agriculture and medicine.
A study found significant gaps in perceptions of anti-social behavior between age groups. Adults were more likely than young people to interpret behaviors like swearing and cycling on the street as ASB. Young people, particularly teenagers, were seen as perpetrators of ASB, but also as victims when an elderly man shouted insults at them.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge developed a new system that greatly improves the accuracy and range of radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. The system achieves near 100% accurate passive RFID tag detection and increases reliable detection range from two to three meters to approximately 20 meters.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have developed portable, inexpensive medical tests using color-changing 'smart' holograms that can detect a wide range of compounds in blood, breath, urine, saliva or tear fluid.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have created a technique that can pinpoint the factors driving cell differentiation, including previously unidentified genes. The method uses haploid embryonic stem cells to uncover how cell differentiation works.
Researchers develop new treatment for pancreatic cancer by using a drug that breaks down the protective barrier surrounding cancer tumours. The approach enables T cells to get through and kill cancer cells, resulting in almost complete elimination of cancer cells in initial tests.
Research by Thanh-Lan Gluckman reveals that plumage patterning is labile in both males and females, with changes driven by environmental factors and signalling functions. The study challenges traditional views on sexual dimorphism, suggesting multiple types of dimorphism and adaptations to social and environmental conditions.
New research suggests that global warming of four degrees or more will lead to a saturation point for vegetation's ability to absorb CO2, resulting in a decrease in the 'carbon sink' effect. This shift in focus could change how scientists approach understanding and mitigating climate change.