A recent study has revealed a significant increase in coeliac disease cases among Scottish children under the age of 16. The rate of new diagnoses rose from 1.7 per 100,000 to 11.8 per 100,000 between 1990 and 2009.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have found a link between cold sore susceptibility and a mutated gene, revealing why some people are more prone to the virus that causes them. The study identifies IL28b as the affected gene, which plays a crucial role in mounting an immune response against the herpes simplex virus.
Researchers found that combining gefitinib with methotrexate treatment effectively cured ectopic pregnancies and reduced the need for surgery, potentially improving fertility outcomes.
Researchers developed a mathematical program to analyze spoken words and enhance sounds that help listeners understand speech in loud situations. The manipulated speech was found to be easier to understand than natural speech, with improvements equivalent to lowering noise by five decibels.
Researchers identify role of BDNF in controlling brain activity during seizures, potentially leading to new anti-epileptic therapies with fewer side effects. The discovery could help patients who do not respond to current treatments.
The smart phone app uses data from over 100,000 heart attack patients to calculate the risk of repeat attacks within three years. This enables clinicians to tailor treatments to individual patients, reducing the risk of side effects and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers developed a way to change pancreatic cells to produce insulin, reducing the need for two pancreas donations for successful islet cell transplants. This breakthrough could save months of waiting time for Type 1 diabetes patients and make more organs available.
A new study found that a type of MRSA originated in cattle at least 40 years ago, with genetic evidence tracing two subtypes back to farm animals. Researchers suggest direct contact between people and livestock may have transmitted the bacteria.
A study by the University of Edinburgh and Aberdeen found that children born to obese mothers are one-third more likely to die before age 55. Hospital admissions for heart problems were almost a third greater among these children.
A study by the University of Edinburgh reveals that deforestation in south-central Africa is driven by population growth and agriculture demands. Sustainable fuel alternatives and reduced burning practices can mitigate this loss, while forest cover north of the Congo basin shows a contradictory trend.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience has identified a compound called activin-A that helps trigger the regeneration of protective sheaths around nerve fibers in the brain. This finding could lead to new drug targets for enhancing myelin regeneration and restoring lost function in patients with multiple sclerosis.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Edinburgh found that singing short Hungarian phrases improved learning and recall compared to speaking them rhythmically. Adults who sang back performed better in four out of five tests, with some even recalling phrases twice as well as those who learned through speaking.
A new study found a positive link between diet high in sugar and fat and an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Researchers identified new dietary risk factors, including fizzy drinks, cakes, and high-energy snack foods, that were associated with an increased risk of bowel cancer.
A new study suggests that using free market platforms to combat climate change can be as effective as mandatory emissions cap and trade schemes. Researchers monitored the European Climate Exchange and found it efficient in reducing carbon emissions.
A recent study by the University of Edinburgh found significant ethnic differences in hospitalizations for mental health problems in Scotland. The researchers suggest that psychiatric and mental health services should be reviewed to address these disparities and ensure early access to treatment for minority groups.
A study by the University of Edinburgh found that Twitter often breaks news before newswires for minor events like local sports results. However, for high-profile news, neither platform consistently outperformed the other in terms of speed.
Researchers discovered that low levels of a toxic protein may cause more harm than high levels in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. Short protein threads formed at low levels can lead to disease progression, whereas longer filaments are thought to be protective.
A study of over 3000 patients found that those who received rt-PA within six hours of a stroke had fewer problems with self-care and mobility, experienced less pain, and needed less help from others 18 months later. The drug significantly improved life after stroke in the long-term for elderly patients as well.
Researchers treated wild mice for a gut worm infection and found that treating one bug allowed other infections to flourish. The study suggests that co-existing infections can compete with each other and alter disease progression.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have successfully generated human liver cells in a lab setting that are equally effective as those used to assess drug safety, offering a renewable and uniform alternative.
A new study from the University of Edinburgh found that moderately obese mothers can pass health risks to their grandchildren, while sparing their own children. The research, conducted on mice, could inform health policy on obesity.
A new lung probe using advanced technology will enable doctors to detect and monitor up to 20 key indicators of disease in critically ill patients, improving diagnosis and treatment. The probe will also help premature babies by replacing regular blood tests with real-time disease readouts.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have made a breakthrough in understanding how induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are created. They found that the process is not just a reversal of normal cell generation, but involves changes to skin cells during reprogramming. This discovery could lead to more efficient and cost-effectiv...
A recent fish study has identified a key hormone that enables zebrafish to replace damaged motor neurons, which could aid research into neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. This discovery also sheds light on the development of motor neurons in human embryonic stem cells.
Researchers found that exposure to sunlight lowers blood pressure and improves overall health by reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. The study's results suggest that the benefits of sunlight outweigh the risks of skin cancer.
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh made a fundamental discovery about how embryonic stem cells renew and increase in number. Reducing the levels of protein Oct 4 enables pluripotent stem cells to self-renew more efficiently.
Scientists identified how a chicken's genetic make-up affects its signals of fullness, shedding light on why some breeds overeat and affecting reproduction. The study could help develop diets reducing excess growth naturally in birds.
Researchers discovered a way to re-activate the immune system to fight parasitic worms, potentially leading to vaccines for diseases like elephantiasis and river blindness. This breakthrough could also inform treatments for allergies.
Researchers are developing tiny sensory implants that can measure vital tumor factors, enabling doctors to target radiotherapy and chemotherapy for more effective treatment. The devices aim to personalize therapy based on individual patient responses, improving recovery chances.
Scientists utilize alyssum, pteridaceae, and sinapi mustard to absorb toxic metals from polluted soil through phytoremediation. The extracted poisons are then converted into valuable materials, such as catalytic converters and nanoparticles for cancer treatment.
Researchers have discovered that nuclear envelope proteins vary greatly between cells in different organs of the body, interacting with specific proteins to cause illness in some organs but not others. This variation may provide insights into rare muscle diseases like Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and other heritable conditions.
Researchers have uncovered the atomic structure of dermcidin, a natural antibiotic that is highly efficient against tuberculosis germs and other dangerous bugs. This discovery could lead to the development of new antibiotics that control multi-resistant bacteria.
A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry reveals that individuals with a higher genetic risk of schizophrenia are more likely to experience a decline in IQ as they age. The research, conducted by the University of Edinburgh, used advanced genetic analysis techniques to investigate how thinking skills change over time.
Researchers created motor neurons and astrocytes from a patient's skin cells, revealing that abnormal TDP-43 protein causes astrocyte death. This finding provides fresh insight into the mechanisms of motor neurone disease, a devastating condition with no cure or effective treatment.
Scientists have identified a natural trigger that enables stem cells to develop into different cell types in the body, including liver and brain cells. The discovery of protein Tcf15 could help improve techniques for turning stem cells into other cell types in the laboratory.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh discovered that bacteria can change the properties of supporting cells within the nerve system, called Schwann cells, to mimic stem cells. This process enables bacteria to spread throughout the body and potentially aid research into degenerative conditions.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh discovered that brain cells code location through indirect communication and electrical activity, allowing us to navigate with our eyes shut. The study's findings could have implications for understanding conditions like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.
A new method of generating stem cells could significantly enhance drug screening and treatment for diseases such as Huntington's and Parkinson's. Researchers developed water-based gels that support the growth of human embryonic stem cells, reducing damage and increasing efficiency.
A study of over 140,000 people has uncovered 18 genetic variants that increase uric acid levels, leading to improved treatment and prevention options for gout. The research also highlights the growing prevalence of gout worldwide, attributed to increasing obesity and aging populations.
Researchers have found that Salmonella bacteria change key cells in the intestine to cross the gut wall and infect vital organs. This allows Salmonella to thrive and cause severe symptoms like diarrhoea, fever, and even death in young children.
Scientists have identified a 500 million-year-old genetic mutation that enabled complex thinking in humans and other mammals. This 'accident' provided the ability to learn and adapt, which is now associated with both intelligent behavior and brain diseases.
A recent study found that male malaria parasites can adapt faster to their surroundings, making them harder to treat. Targeting the slower-reproducing female parasites could lead to more effective long-term treatments and prevent parasite breeding.
A study by the University of Edinburgh warns that funding cuts to global tobacco control will disproportionately affect developing countries. Millions in these countries risk increased smoking deaths due to reduced travel support for delegates from poorer nations.
A new gene called miR-941 has been found to play a crucial role in human brain development and may have contributed to the evolution of language and tool use. This unique gene emerged between six and one million years ago, making it a significant discovery in understanding what makes humans different from apes.
Researchers compared the genomes of domestic pigs with wild boars to reveal genetic differences that could improve pig health and combat diseases like diabetes, obesity, and Alzheimer's. The study also identified genes linked to smell, shedding light on human diseases.
A study published in Neurology found that people over 70 who exercised regularly showed less brain shrinkage and had more grey matter than those who did little exercise. Regular physical activity was also linked to fewer damaged areas in the white matter of the brain.
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have proved a 60-year-old theory about how nerve signals are sent around the body at varying speeds. The study found that longer distances between gaps in myelin lead to faster signal transmission, providing insight into nerve damage and development.
Researchers discovered a new gene in the influenza virus that helps control the body's response to infection, reducing the impact of the disease. The PA-X gene was found to be active in mice infected with flu, leading to recovery, while its malfunction led to an overactive immune system and worsened infections.
Researchers have found that when the Iroko tree is grown in dry, acidic soil and treated with natural fungus and bacteria, it produces mineral limestone that stores carbon. This technique has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions in tropical countries and improve farming conditions.
Researchers discovered that meteorites can generate methane when exposed to sunlight, which could account for a large part of Mars' atmosphere. This finding informs future Mars missions searching for life and suggests that sunlight and debris from meteorites play a role in shaping the planet's atmosphere.