A study identified a gene that appears to curb coffee consumption in people with a specific DNA variation. Those with the PDSS2 gene tend to drink fewer cups of coffee due to their cells' reduced ability to break down caffeine, resulting in a longer-lasting caffeine effect.
Researchers studied West Antarctica's landscape and found the ice sheet thinned relatively quickly after a period of warming, losing 400m of thickness in 3,000 years. This caused sea levels to increase by up to two metres.
A new therapy has been developed to replace essential steroids in the body, which could help people with conditions like Addison's disease and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The treatment uses corticosterone instead of cortisol, resulting in fewer side effects on fat cells.
Research reveals common causes of chronic pain and depression in partner relationships, shedding light on potential diagnostic tests and treatments. The study analyzed data from over 100,000 participants, identifying shared genetic and environmental risk factors.
Researchers found that a cancer drug called etoposide can damage the development of mouse ovary tissue, potentially affecting future fertility. The study suggests that women who take etoposide during pregnancy may have reduced fertility in their daughters.
Researchers have made patients' stem cells available for worldwide study to better understand bipolar disorder, a serious mental illness with extreme mood swings. The shared stem cells can be turned into brain cells in the lab, enabling scientists to study how the disease affects brain cells and potentially lead to new treatments.
A recent study suggests that Labrador Retrievers may be more susceptible to limber tail due to their genetic predisposition and exposure to cold climates. The research also found that swimming was not a significant risk factor for the condition, contradicting previous speculation.
A study of 500,000 people found that shared lifestyle and surroundings contribute significantly to a person's risk of disease. Factors such as shared living space and eating habits make a major contribution to diseases like high blood pressure and heart disease.
Scientists have discovered that iron-rich, low oxygen waters played a key role in delaying the recovery of life on Earth after the Permian-Triassic Boundary extinction. The study found that while toxic sulphides were not present, the oceans were rich in iron, which restricted marine life recovery.
A study from the University of Edinburgh found that older people in Japan were less likely to experience a deterioration of existing chronic conditions after the Fukushima earthquake and nuclear meltdown. In contrast, urban dwellers showed a higher decline in managing their blood sugar levels.
Researchers studied ocean bacteria to understand how they find food and developed a mathematical model of their behavior. They found that fast-swimming bugs change direction frequently to target food, which could inspire the development of friendly bacteria engineered to diagnose and treat diseases like cancer.
A study by the University of Edinburgh reveals that plant flower arrangements influence bee flight patterns to maximize pollination and reproduction. Researchers found that flowers on one side of the stem lead to vertical flights, while circular arrangements discourage upward flights.
Researchers have developed an inexpensive method to monitor CO2 storage deep underground. Testing water samples from rocks reveals altered oxygen compositions when in contact with trapped CO2, allowing simple measurement of stored CO2.
Research in mice shows that one type of malaria parasite helps another thrive by exploiting resources, leading to worse health risks. The finding explains why co-infections with two types of malaria parasites often have more severe outcomes than single infections.
Female beetles with fighting experience spend more time feeding their offspring, helping them survive. The study found that conflict-experienced mothers laid the same number and size of eggs but had a higher survival rate among their young.
Researchers analyzed 76 natural CO2 reservoirs worldwide to identify key criteria for effective storage. They found that sites with specific geological conditions, such as high pressure and density, are suitable for long-term storage.
Researchers have identified a protein called TST that helps detoxify waste products in fat cells, leading to improved insulin sensitivity and reduced weight gain in obese mice. The study's findings suggest a potential new approach to treating type 2 diabetes associated with obesity.
Researchers have discovered a way in which proteins in our cells help to control genes involved in forming muscle. They found that these proteins can regulate the genes' ability to form muscle by re-locating them during development.
A study of Antarctic coastline images reveals a 40-year record of ice loss to the ocean, with approximately 1000km2 of ice lost over the past four decades. The research team used satellite data to track changes in ice thickness and thinning rates along West Antarctica's coastline.
Researchers suggest a long-term memory test combined with a brain scan can detect early Alzheimer's disease. Long-term memory tests reveal deficits in the brain's ability to remember, which may be reversed by new treatments.
Researchers found that infants are better at learning words with repetitive syllables than those without. This bias may help explain why many baby-talk words have repeated syllables, such as 'choo-choo' and 'night-night'. The study suggests that repetition plays a key role in word learning from an early age.
Researchers have identified a chemical compound eCF506 that effectively blocks breast cancer cell growth, targeting a specific molecule required for tumor progression. The findings suggest eCF506 may be more effective and have fewer side effects than existing drugs, with further studies needed to confirm its potential.
Researchers created metallo-carbon neptunium compounds to study its fundamental structure and bonding properties. This work may aid in reducing the time for stored nuclear waste to decay safely and increase nuclear waste recycling.
Research suggests that people who take foreign breaks have higher levels of vitamin D in their blood, which has been linked to wide-ranging health benefits. Farmers also have higher levels of vitamin D, particularly those over 60 years old.
Researchers suggest statins could shield unborn babies from maternal stress, promoting normal heart development and growth. Studies in mice found that treating mothers with statins stimulates blood vessel growth, reducing the risk of health problems later life.
A one-week language course improves attention levels in students of all ages. Regular practice maintains these benefits. The study found that acquiring a new language enhances cognitive functions, particularly for older adults.
A new test has been developed to identify shale gas hazard in groundwater by fingerprinting methane gas with unique natural gas signatures. This will enable responsible exploration and extraction practices, addressing public concerns over water contamination.
Researchers have discovered how compounds produced by the body's immune system help to dampen inflammation and prevent damage to healthy tissues. These compounds, called alpha defensins, may act on cells of the immune system to prevent excessive inflammation.
Scientists have mapped thousands of genetic mutations in yeast to understand their impact on cell survival. The study found that different combinations of mutations can influence survival and revealed a new technique for predicting the shapes of molecules encoded in our genes.
Researchers found that levels of magnesium rise and fall in a daily cycle, controlling the cells' internal clocks and impacting metabolism. This discovery may aid the development of chronotherapy and crop varieties with increased yields or adjustable harvesting seasons.
Research shows people with type 2 diabetes are more susceptible to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition characterized by a build-up of fat in liver cells. The study found that hospital admissions and deaths caused by liver disease are likely to rise if cases of type 2 diabetes continue to increase.
Research suggests that soils could store an extra 8 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases, helping to combat climate change. Adopting sustainable land use practices and technologies could enhance soil carbon storage, equivalent to four-fifths of annual fossil fuel emissions.
Researchers suggest targeting over-exploitation of resources like forests and fisheries by partitioning ecosystems into specialized harvesting niches. This approach could lead to higher sustainable quotas and productive industrial systems.
A recent study by University of Edinburgh researchers has identified two genetic variants that can cut a person's lifespan by up to three years. The variants, which are relatively common in the population, have been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer and severe respiratory problems as well as Alzheimer
A recent gene study suggests that a genetic drive contributes to people's appetite for salty food, leading to high blood pressure. Researchers plan to explore whether an affordable drug can help control salt intake in heart failure patients.
A recent study from the University of Edinburgh reveals that tardigrades have not acquired a significant proportion of their DNA from other organisms. The research found that nearly all of what was previously proposed to be foreign DNA was actually bacterial contamination.
A study led by the University of Edinburgh's MRC Centre for Inflammation Research discovered a mechanism to keep bacteria in the gut. The researchers found that PGE2 activates innate lymphoid cells, which help maintain the gut barrier and prevent body-wide inflammation.
A newly discovered species of horse-sized dinosaur provides key insights into the evolution of Tyrannosaurus rex as a top predator. The discovery reveals that tyrannosaurs developed huge body sizes rapidly at the end of the age of dinosaurs, with their keen senses enabling them to dominate the food chain.
A long-term study on Scottish island red deer reveals that inbred hinds raise significantly fewer offspring to adulthood due to increased mortality rates. Inbred males also sire fewer offspring, highlighting the adverse effects of inbreeding on adult wild animals.
Scientists have discovered how three key molecules interact to generate blood stem cells, a crucial step in developing new treatments for leukaemia and other blood disorders. The breakthrough could lead to personalised blood therapies and reduce the need for bone marrow transplants.
Scientists have developed a new imaging technique that can detect diseases earlier with enhanced sensitivity, allowing for earlier diagnosis and treatment. The technique uses probes that light up specific targets inside cells, enabling researchers to track changes in molecular make-up of tissues.
Researchers identified key proteins connecting genetic material to cell structures, enabling accurate DNA distribution during cell division. The findings resolve a longstanding puzzle in cell division and may provide insight into cancer susceptibility.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh found a compound called cathelicidin that directly attacks and stops RSV from binding to cells. Boosting natural production of this compound could protect babies and vulnerable adults from life-threatening illnesses.
A widely recommended therapy to prevent premature birth has been found to be ineffective in preventing early delivery. The treatment, which involves administering the hormone progesterone, does not appear to pose any risk to mothers or babies, but its effectiveness in reducing premature births is zero.
Scientists have successfully altered the genetic code of pigs to make them more resilient to African Swine Fever. By modifying a specific gene, researchers believe they may be able to reduce the disease's devastating effects on infected animals.
A recent study by the University of Edinburgh found that couples' shared lifestyle habits, including diet and exercise, have a greater influence on obesity risk than their individual upbringings. By middle age, these shared choices can significantly impact weight management and reduce obesity risk.
Experts explore how learning a second language improves thinking skills, mental agility, and delays brain ageing. The event aims to share research findings on bilingualism with the public, highlighting its benefits for society through education and policymaking.
Recent improvements in experiments like Large Underground Xenon have increased the chances of detecting WIMPs, believed to be the main component of dark matter. Dark matter scientists are on the brink of a discovery that could fundamentally change our understanding of the physical universe.
Scientists have gained insights into breathing signals during sleep, leading to potential new treatments for central sleep apnoea. Researchers used genetically modified mice to show that AMPK enzyme helps breathe faster in low oxygen environments.
The West Antarctic ice sheet may experience catastrophic collapse due to ocean warming, leading to a 3-meter increase in global sea levels. Researchers have identified that parts of the ice sheet have existed continuously for at least 1.4 million years.