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University of Cambridge


“I feel like I’m Alice in Wonderland”: Why nightmares and ‘daymares’ could be early warning signs of autoimmune disease

Researchers found that patients with lupus and other autoimmune diseases often experience vivid nightmares before hallucinations appear. These symptoms can serve as an early warning sign for disease flares, allowing clinicians to take action to improve care and reduce clinic times. Recognizing these mental health and neurological sympt...

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeSurvey·DateMay 20, 2024

2023 was the hottest summer in two thousand years

Researchers from the University of Cambridge and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz found that 2023 was the hottest summer in the Northern Hemisphere in over two millennia, with temperatures 2.07C warmer than the coldest summer on record. The study uses tree ring data to show that global warming is having a profound impact, especially...

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature·DateMay 14, 2024

Strictly no dancing

New molecular design principles can stop electrons from coupling with atomic vibrations, improving the performance of organic molecules in OLEDs and other applications. This breakthrough opens up new trajectories for industries such as displays, bio-medical imaging, and disease detection.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature·DateMay 8, 2024

Drawing a line back to the origin of life

The study suggests that graphitisation could provide simplicity and a clean environment required for life, theorising that an object roughly the size of the moon hit early Earth around 4.3 billion years ago, depositing iron and other metals that reacted with water to form useful nitrogen-containing compounds.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalLife·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 18, 2024

Interspecies competition led to even more forms of ancient human – defying evolutionary trends in vertebrates

A new study reveals that competition between species played a major role in the rise and fall of hominins. The research found that the Homo lineage experienced an unprecedented number of new species emerging, contradicting traditional views on evolutionary patterns. Technology, such as stone tools and fire, may have driven this process.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateApr 17, 2024

Study helps explain why childhood maltreatment continues to impact on mental and physical health into adulthood

A new study found that childhood maltreatment can continue to impact mental and physical health into adulthood due to its effects on risk factors such as obesity, inflammation, and traumatic experiences. Researchers used MRI brain scans to confirm that widespread changes in brain structure were associated with childhood maltreatment.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 11, 2024

Early medieval money mystery solved

A team of researchers analyzed 49 silver coins from the Fitzwilliam Museum and found a chemical and isotopic signature matching third- to seventh-century silver from the Byzantine Empire. The study reveals a surge in trade involving these silver coins between 660 and 750 AD, which had a significant impact on people's lives. Later analy...

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalAntiquity·DateApr 8, 2024

‘Exhausted’ immune cells in healthy women could be target for breast cancer prevention

A study published in Nature Genetics reveals early cell changes in healthy carriers of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, suggesting a potential target for breast cancer prevention. The researchers created the world's largest catalogue of human breast cells, which may lead to the use of existing immunotherapy drugs as an early intervention.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Genetics·DateMar 28, 2024

Reimagining the future of solar energy

Scientists at the University of Cambridge discovered that making solar cells super-efficient is harder than thought, but found alternative ways to improve energy capture. They proposed flexible, semi-transparent panels that can fold up and be integrated into various settings.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalJoule·DateMar 18, 2024

AI predicts healthiness of food menus and highlights ‘double burden’ of unhealthy food environment in deprived areas

A study using AI to analyze almost 180,000 food outlets found that restaurants tend to have the healthiest menus, followed by cafes and snack bars. The research reveals a 'double burden' on people living in deprived areas due to high concentrations of unhealthy fast-food outlets.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalHealth & Place·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 8, 2024

How air pollution can harm team performance

High levels of air pollution have a significant negative impact on teams' ability to solve complex problems, such as developing clean energy technologies and vaccines. The study used escape-room games data to estimate that high-pollution days can lead to up to 5% longer completion times for teams.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalJournal of Economic Psychology·DateFeb 28, 2024

Treating newly-diagnosed Crohn’s patients with advanced therapy leads to dramatic improvements in outcomes

A large-scale clinical trial has shown that offering early advanced therapy to newly-diagnosed Crohn's patients can drastically improve outcomes, including reducing the need for urgent abdominal surgery. The 'top-down' treatment strategy, which involves providing infliximab as soon as possible after diagnosis, resulted in significantly...

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalThe Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 22, 2024

LSH genes associated with defining the shapes of stems, flowers and leaves required for N-fixing root nodules

Researchers have identified two genetic factors, LSH1/LSH2, that promote the production of specialized root cells required for nitrogen-fixing bacteria to thrive in legumes. This discovery brings us closer to engineering non-legume crops to develop root nodule organs and reduce our reliance on industrial nitrogen fertilizers.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 1, 2024