Research found babies born naturally have higher antibody levels after vaccination compared to those born via C-section. Breastfeeding also boosts antibody levels, with formula-fed children having 3.5 times lower levels.
Researchers have discovered that leprosy parasites can reprogram liver cells to increase organ size without scarring or tumors. This natural process may be adapted to renew ageing livers and improve healthspan in humans.
Researchers identified a key protein called TLR2 that predicts patient survival in lung cancer, which also activates as a tumor suppressor response in non-small cell lung cancer. A drug compound that activates TLR2 reduced tumour growth in mice and shows promise for earlier detection and improved patient outcomes.
A large-scale genetic study has identified 42 DNA variants associated with dyslexia, revealing common genetic differences between boys and girls. The study also found a strong link between dyslexia and performance on reading and spelling tests.
A new study suggests that rising air temperatures amplify the effects of ocean warming on the Greenland ice sheet, leading to greater ice loss. The combination of warmer liquid and movement accelerates melting, similar to ice cubes in a drink being stirred.
Researchers found a strong link between green space and reduced violent and property crime risk across 300 US cities. The study controlled for demographics, poverty, and other factors to confirm the findings.
A new study finds that the drug terazosin has shown protective effects on motor neurons in models of motor neuron disease (MND), including zebrafish, mice and stem cell models. Researchers hope to launch a full clinical trial if the drug proves successful in a feasibility study involving 50 patients.
A study found that children as young as five years old prefer apples grown on farms to those made in labs, while also gravitating towards naturally labeled orange juice. Both age groups preferred natural options over unnatural ones, suggesting an early formation of this food bias.
The world's first rapid testing facility for tidal turbine blades has opened, aiming to speed up development of marine energy technologies while reducing costs. The £4.6 million FastBlade facility uses powerful hydraulic cylinders to simulate stresses on blades over two decades in under three months.
A new fluorescent probe can detect T cells involved in attacking tumors and monitoring treatment effectiveness. The technology could help clinicians develop personalized therapies and clear cancers faster without potential side effects.
Scientists have mapped the first data-driven peat thickness models of Peru's tropical peatlands, revealing an area twice as large as previously estimated, storing around 5.4 billion tonnes of carbon. Urgent protection is needed to prevent carbon gas emissions from decomposing peat swamps in lowland Peruvian Amazonia.
Researchers have discovered that P. malariae, a malaria parasite infecting humans, originated in African apes before evolving to infect people. This breakthrough reveals the evolutionary links between the two species and sheds light on how the parasite adapted to infect humans.
For the first 10 million years after dinosaurs died out, mammals bulked up to boost their survival chances. Their brain sizes decreased as a result, with relative brain sizes of early mammals decreasing due to increased body size.
Adults hospitalized with COVID-19 and flu have a higher risk of severe disease and death compared to those with COVID-19 alone. The study found that patients with both conditions were over four times more likely to require ventilation support and two-and-a-half times more likely to die.
A global collaboration has discovered 16 new genetic variants associated with severe Covid-19, including those related to blood clotting and immune response. The findings will guide future research into potential new therapies and diagnostics.
Researchers discovered existing cancer drugs and new compounds can reverse nucleus size changes associated with metastasis, reducing the ability of cancer cells to spread. This discovery could lead to more effective treatments with fewer side effects.
Researchers found that antibiotics prescribed to newborns decrease healthy Bifidobacterium species and promote antimicrobial resistance. The study suggests that clinicians should use antibiotics with minimal harm to the baby's microbiome.
A new study by the University of Edinburgh suggests that social media bots pose less of a threat to spreading harmful messages and misinformation. Bots were found to have very limited relation to users' stance on different topics, making up less than 10% of accounts affecting users' views.
Bronze Age women led a massive wave of immigration in Orkney, replacing most of the local population and leaving behind their male lineages for over a thousand years. The study's findings suggest that Orkney was more integrated with the outside world than previously thought.
Long-term paracetamol use increases the risk of heart disease and strokes in people with high blood pressure. Researchers recommend using the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time and monitoring blood pressure closely.
A clinical trial found that trametinib significantly slowed ovarian cancer progression by 13 months and increased treatment response by fourfold compared to standard care. The drug showed promise as a new standard of care for low-grade serous ovarian cancer, a common but difficult-to-treat form of the disease.
Research found that viral infections in newborns affect immune system development and microbiome composition, increasing risk of respiratory infections later in life. Early-life viral encounters may set the tone for subsequent non-beneficial host-microbe interactions, affecting long-term respiratory health.
Researchers have identified two blood proteins that influence ageing and health. High levels of apolipoprotein(a) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 can increase the risk of age-related diseases such as heart disease and stroke.
Researchers found a key role for Tmem120a in promoting expression of fat genes and shutting off muscle genes in fat tissue. This mechanism may explain why metabolic diseases like diabetes appear under certain circumstances, such as high-calorie diets. The discovery has implications for other metabolic diseases and muscle disorders.
Women with COVID-19 at end of pregnancy face birth-related complications, preterm births and stillbirths. Vaccination in pregnancy crucial to protect women and babies from preventable Covid-19 complications.
A study found that Covid-19 vaccine protection wanes after three months, increasing the risk of hospitalization and death from severe disease. Booster programs are recommended to maintain maximum protection.
A new study suggests that Black children are more likely to be affected by a rare immune disease that causes scar tissue to form on skin and internal organs. The research found that one in five cases of the disease involve children under 16 years old, with over 90% of these being Black.
A new study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine found that children with poorly controlled asthma are three to six times more likely to be hospitalized with Covid-19. Experts advise vaccinating these children to reduce the risk of infection and spread in schools and households.
A study found that 'surgery selfies' taken by patients and assessed by clinicians can diagnose wound infections early, reducing GP visits and improving access to care. The practice could manage surgical patient care while reducing pressure on the NHS.
A new study warns that searching for signs of life on Mars could be fooled by fossil-like specimens created by non-biological processes. Researchers say it's crucial to distinguish these from evidence of ancient life on the Red Planet to aid future missions.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that vaccination is over 90% effective in preventing deaths from the Delta variant of Covid-19. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines were found to be highly effective, with the former showing a 90% effectiveness rate and the latter at 91%.
A recent study published in Nature Medicine reveals that countries in Africa previously thought to be at greatest risk from Covid-19 were actually the worst affected. Nations with large urban populations and strong international travel links had higher mortality rates and lower levels of restrictions.
Early childhood bilharzia damages psychometric measures, cognitive skills, and executive function in children, leading to disadvantaged educational attainment; treatment with praziquantel can reverse detrimental effects within 6 months.
A cluster of comet fragments believed to have hit Earth nearly 13,000 years ago may have triggered the transition from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to agriculture-based settlements in the Fertile Crescent. This impact, known as the Younger Dryas event, also caused widespread extinctions and a mini ice age lasting over 1,000 years.
Researchers found that listening to self-selected motivational music improved interval running capacity and 5km time-trial performances in mentally fatigued fitness enthusiasts. The positive effects may be due to altered perception of effort when listening to tunes.
Scientists have discovered a novel way to convert post-consumer plastic into vanillin, a valuable industrial chemical. This breakthrough could boost the circular economy by turning harmful plastics into a carbon resource and promoting sustainability.
A nationwide study in Scotland found a slight increased risk of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) after receiving the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. The risk is estimated at 11 per million doses, similar to other vaccines for flu and MMR.
A study reveals that Paleocene mammals had stockier builds and more mobile joints than expected, indicating they adapted quickly to survive and thrive. Their anatomy suggests a key role for ground-dwelling lifestyles in their success.
Researchers developed miniature brain models using stem cells from human skin samples to study myelin, an insulating substance that helps nerve cells communicate. The models are a promising platform for studying neurological diseases and testing drugs for conditions linked to myelin loss, including multiple sclerosis.
A new MDAR Framework has been developed to harmonize outcome recording across major journals and establish basic minimum reporting requirements. The framework is designed to be flexible and adaptable to individual journal needs, aiming to reduce the burden on authors and editors.
A study suggests that squirrels' bigger brains have enabled them to thrive in woodland environments, with improved vision and motor skills. The research found that tree-dwelling rodents' brains have evolved to include larger neocortex and petrosal lobules regions, allowing for better eye movements and tracking of objects.
An observational study found that areas with higher levels of UVA rays had a lower risk of Covid-19-related deaths. The researchers suggest sunlight exposure could act as a simple public health intervention to reduce mortality rates, although the exact mechanism is still unclear.
Researchers found that infants as young as 11-12 months can distinguish between frequently used and less common multiword sequences, suggesting they learn individual words and complex phrases simultaneously. This study challenges traditional views on how children acquire language.
Researchers found that people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression are more likely to die within 30 days and one year after a heart attack. The study highlights chronic health inequalities faced by those with serious mental illness and calls for urgent action to address disparities.
Scientists have discovered that large numbers of inherited genetic mutations collectively increase cancer risk, particularly for late-onset types. This breakthrough could lead to more effective early detection strategies and personalized cancer treatments tailored to an individual's genetics.
A new study reveals details of Sierra Negra's eruption, filling gaps in scientists' understanding of volcanic processes. The research integrated geophysical data with chemical analysis of the erupted lava, capturing a unique dataset that provides insight into future eruptions.
Researchers have gained insights into how tiny, powerful bubbles are formed by ultra-fast vibrations, which could improve dental hygiene devices and other technologies. The study's findings suggest that nanobubbles can form through boiling or cavitation processes, paving the way for future research.
A recent UK study found that concern about climate change has not decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, public opinion on the severity of climate change showed only slight increases in some areas. This suggests that climate change may now be a permanent part of people's concerns.
A Mediterranean-style diet rich in green leafy vegetables and low in meat is associated with higher scores on memory and thinking tests among adults in their late 70s. However, the study found no link between the diet and better brain health or markers of healthy ageing.
A study of over 100,000 patients found a significant drop in asthma attack rates during the first Covid-19 lockdown, with milder attacks being reduced, but potential biases due to hospitalization data. The results suggest lower air pollution and fewer cold and flu infections may have played a role in the observed decrease.