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.
Researchers identified genes associated with breastfeeding disorders and postpartum breast cancer in the mammary gland, revealing potential new targets for investigation. The study provides a detailed atlas of genetic expression for the adult developmental cycle of the mammary gland.
Researchers have developed an artificial cartilage material that responds to pH changes in the body, releasing anti-inflammatory drugs precisely where and when needed. This approach could improve arthritis treatment outcomes by continuously delivering pain-relieving medication.
A study found that adolescents become highly motivated to seek rewards after just a few hours of social isolation, which can be beneficial in driving them towards social interaction. However, limited opportunities for connection may lead to pursuing less healthy rewards.
Researchers discovered that a 'Goldilocks zone' of speed exists where droplets can bounce, but only if they hit surfaces between certain speeds. The study also found that smaller droplets cannot bounce regardless of their speed due to viscosity limits.
Scientists have found a way to stop brain cancer cells from spreading by 'freezing' hyaluronic acid molecules in place. This approach could lead to a new type of treatment for glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer.
Researchers found that chronic stress triggers the release of immune cells in the brain's protective layer, contributing to depression symptoms. Blocking these cells' signaling pathway shows promise for improving behavior and alleviating depressive symptoms.
A groundbreaking biography of Æthelstan highlights his overlooked achievements and the significance of his reign in shaping modern England. Woodman argues that Æthelstan created England in 927AD, citing evidence from original diplomas, literary records, and archaeological sites.
Researchers found that differences in tectonic plate thickness explain the extensive volcanism. Thinner lithosphere funneled hot plume material, causing uplift and volcanic activity. The study sheds light on global significance of the Iceland Plume.
A new study by University of Cambridge researchers found that social media engagement flips from hostility to solidarity after a major crisis, such as the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and Joe Biden's suspension of his re-election campaign. This 'ingroup love' effect is seen in Republican and Democrat posts expressing unity a...
Researchers found that brain maps of the hand and lips remained consistent even after amputation, contradicting previous views of reorganization. This study has implications for treating phantom limb pain and controlling robotic replacement limbs via neural interfaces.
Researchers discovered a new 'In and Out' mechanism where CO₂ briefly dips into the topmost layer of water, reacts, and then reemerges. This challenges previous assumptions about where and how CO₂ can turn into carbonic acid, suggesting faster ocean acidification.
A long-standing mystery of ENOD40, a pioneering gene in legume nodulation research, has been solved. ENOD40 acts as a natural microRNA sponge to regulate the legume nodulation pathway, enabling nitrogen-fixing nodule formation. The discovery sheds light on a new layer of control in plant-microbe symbiotic relationships.
Researchers have discovered that DNA twists around itself in a structure called plectonemes, not knots, when passing through nanopores. This twisting motion generates a distinctive fingerprint in the electrical signal, offering new insights into DNA organisation and genomic integrity.
Researchers at Cavendish Laboratory create ultra-small, tuneable capacitors from graphene to achieve high modulation depths and fast speeds in terahertz modulators. The devices surpass existing modulator technologies with unprecedented intensity modulation depth and speed.
A study using stalagmite analysis found eight wet season droughts lasting over three years between 871-1021 CE, contributing to the Maya civilization's decline. This climate data aligns with historical and archaeological evidence, providing a new framework for analyzing human-climate interactions.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have found that common blood pressure readings are inaccurate, with as many as 30% of cases of high blood pressure being missed. The team developed an experimental model to explain the physics behind these inaccuracies and identified a previously unknown factor contributing to underestimation.
Researchers have found that cicadas begin their loud choruses when the sun is precisely 3.8 degrees below the horizon, corresponding to civil twilight. The team analyzed field recordings and developed a mathematical model inspired by magnetic materials to explain this precision.
Researchers found that users who continued to use the app were more active than before, with average increases in brisk and non-brisk walking over time. After 30 months, users still used the app were doing more physical activity than beforehand.
Cambridge scientists have developed a new drug that has the potential to reduce brain damage from stroke by blocking ischaemia-reperfusion injury. The treatment, acidified disodium malonate (aDSM), was shown to decrease brain damage by as much as 60% in mice with stroke-induced brain damage.
Researchers found that INSL5 levels are high in patients with bile acid diarrhoea, leading to more watery stool. The hormone could aid development of a blood test and points towards a potential new treatment for the condition.
Scientists have developed organic molecules that can detect and manipulate electron spins using light, opening pathways for quantum sensing and molecular-based quantum information technology. The molecules' optical properties are linked to their electron's spin state, allowing for controlled interaction between the two spin radical units.
Research analysis of over 29 million people reveals a positive association between three types of air pollutant and dementia. The study found that long-term exposure to PM2.5, NO2, and soot increases the relative risk of dementia by 17%, 3% and 13%, respectively.
The discovery of exceptionally preserved early animals in the Grand Canyon sheds new light on the evolution of life during the Cambrian period. The fossils, dating back 507-502 million years, reveal complex feeding styles and unique adaptations, including hair-like extensions on crustacean bodies.
Researchers conducted the world's biggest bird survey in Colombia, recording 971 species and finding that clearing rainforest for cattle pasture causes a 60% greater biodiversity loss than previously thought. The study highlights the need for policymakers to consider the larger-scale impact of deforestation on biodiversity.
A new study reveals the personal diaries of teenage boys in Stalin's Russia, offering insights into their daily lives, family struggles, and experiences under Soviet rule. The diaries, written between 1930 and 1941, provide a unique perspective on life during this tumultuous period.
Researchers used an AI model to reassess a completed clinical trial for an Alzheimer's disease drug, finding it slowed cognitive decline by 46% in early-stage patients. The AI model predicts patient progression and allows for more precise selection of trial participants, potentially reducing the cost of developing new medicines.
Researchers decode a 800-year-old document, correcting misunderstandings of 'wolves' instead of 'elves', to reveal a medieval preacher weaving pop culture into sermons. The study sheds new light on Chaucer's references and the legend's impact on courtly romance.
A pilot clinical trial has been initiated to test the efficacy of alpelisib in treating Dent disease 2, a rare genetic disorder affecting kidney function. The trial aims to improve abnormal kidney function and potentially provide a breakthrough treatment for patients with life-threatening complications.
A team of astronomers detected a large gas giant between three and ten times the size of Jupiter hiding in the swirling disc of gas and dust surrounding a young star called MP Mus. The discovery was made using a combination of results from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the European Space Agency’s Gaia miss...
A new study by the University of Cambridge found that seaside and blue-colored places are more likely to evoke feelings of nostalgia in people. The research suggests that these environments have visual properties that contribute to positive emotions, including 'fractal property' and high contrast.
A new report from the University of Cambridge's Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy highlights the alarming trajectory of energy use by big tech companies, driven by AI growth. The report predicts that data centres could consume up to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, far exceeding current emissions from air travel.