A new study found that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have reduced ability to detect lies, making them more susceptible to manipulation. The researchers suggest training individuals with ASD to improve their deception detection skills, which could enhance their lives.
Researchers compared bird and turtle genomes to determine dinosaur chromosome structure, revealing similarities with modern birds. The study's findings suggest that dinosaurs had a similar karyotype pattern as modern birds, contributing to their diversity.
Researchers have discovered that common garden cress can absorb and store vitamin B12, a crucial nutrient for vegetarians and vegans. The study provides a promising solution to address the global challenge of providing a nutrient-complete vegetarian diet.
Research reveals that specific local features in metro maps significantly impact usability, with some hazards affecting accuracy more than colour-coding schemes. Route-coloured and trunk-coloured maps showed varying performance depending on journey complexity.
A University of Kent-led study reveals that prophylactic mass vaccination programs are not effective in preventing new Ebolavirus outbreaks. To establish herd immunity, 80% of the population would need to be immunized, which is currently unachievable.
Research at the University of Kent found that 57% of respondents had watched ISIS videos, with 93% reporting a negative attitude towards the group. The study also revealed a 'morbid buzz' surrounding explicit content, making it compelling viewing for many.
Researchers found that voters prefer 'agreeable' politicians who are perceived as trustworthy and cooperative, but these traits often hinder their success in office. In contrast, candidates with a competent appearance tend to perform better in elections.
A new method of predicting how chemical compounds will interact has been identified by researchers at the University of Kent. The study used computer modelling to exhibit desired properties before the compounds even exist in real life, potentially speeding up drug development and reducing costs.
A new study by University of Kent researchers suggests that young men in Southern Italy who prioritize masculine honour are more likely to engage with criminal organisation members. The research highlights the importance of addressing these values in education programmes aimed at preventing young people's involvement with such groups.
Researchers have discovered a rare form of the Golgi apparatus in the microbial amoeba Naegleria gruberi, which was previously thought to lack it. This finding provides new insights into the relationship between Golgi dysfunction and genetic diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers discovered that aging reduces sensitivity to light in the brain's circadian rhythm control center, affecting the SCN's ability to set a stable circadian rhythm. This structural change in the glutamate receptor impairs its function, contributing to age-related disruptions in sleep patterns and overall wellbeing.
A University of Kent physiotherapist contributed to updated international guidelines for managing meniscal and articular cartilage lesions. The guidelines include new recommendations for physical therapy management after knee cartilage surgery, aiming to improve patient outcomes and return to previous activities.
Research shows phubbing can negatively affect relationships by threatening people's fundamental need to belong. The study found that increased phubbing significantly impacted communication quality and relationship satisfaction.
A study found that trappers in Madagascar do not perceive conservation as important to their work, and the income from wildlife trade is not enough to create incentives for species and habitat protection. The research suggests that local people's engagement in biodiversity conservation needs to be better incorporated into policies.
Researchers found that three healthy diets generally reduced blood pressure in most participants, but some individuals responded less well due to differences in their gut bacteria. The study suggests a potential new approach for identifying an individual's clinical response to diet therapy and adherence to prescribed diets.
Research at the University of Kent found that individuals with anxious attachment style are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories. Anxious attachment is formed in childhood when caregivers are inconsistently available, shaping people's worldviews and political attitudes.
Research found that postnatal depression continues to impact mother-child relationships into later life, affecting emotional, cognitive, and physical development in children. Women who experienced PND reported lower relationship quality with their offspring, even those now adults.
A study by Dr Heejung Chung at the University of Kent found that low-skilled workers and those perceived as more insecure are less likely to access non-statutory flexible working arrangements. This division is particularly pronounced in northern European countries with the best family-friendly working-time arrangements.
Researchers found that women in female-dominated workplaces face a 'women's work penalty' with worse access to flexible working arrangements. The study, published in the European Journal of Industrial Relations, suggests that low wages are accompanied by poor working conditions.
Researchers at the University of Kent and Bristol have built a miniature scaffold inside bacteria, enabling efficient production of chemicals and biofuels. The technology, which can increase alcohol production by over 200%, has significant implications for the next generation of biofuel production.
Nearly 3 in 10 elite footballers at top England clubs have undetected lung and airway issues that could impair performance. Lung health screening programmes are recommended to help identify and treat these problems, improving player well-being and on-field performance.
A recent study by the University of Kent has identified Myosin VI as a key protein involved in the production of specific genes linked to breast cancer cell growth. This discovery may lead to new diagnostic clues and therapeutic targets for patients with oestrogen-sensitive breast cancer.
Researchers have developed a method to flag up potentially illegal wildlife trade by analyzing the growth rates of certain species. A study published in Biological Conservation has found that understanding these growth rates can help identify when an item is not yet legally available for sale, allowing authorities to act earlier.
A University of Kent study has found that women working as drug 'mules' are not victimized by their sex but by the illicit trade and its illegal status. The research highlights a legal bias that distorts sentencing policies, drawing attention away from the negative effects of punitive drug laws.
New research has found that protecting high carbon stock forests can benefit mammal diversity and support biodiversity conservation. The study used camera-trap images and satellite imagery to show a clear correlation between high carbon areas and endangered mammals in Borneo.
A team of psychologists and political scientists found that people who perceive themselves as part of a disadvantaged group are more likely to support populist ideologies. Long-lasting feelings of group disadvantage were also associated with an unrealistic belief in the greatness of their nation.
The research highlights the importance of peaceful transition to inclusive democracy and power-sharing in facilitating voluntary returns. Notably, older people with positive memories of before wartime were more likely to return, while women were less likely to want to go back. The study also emphasizes the crucial role of lawyers and n...
A new study by researchers at the University of Kent and Utrecht found that reducing corruption is crucial to improving police satisfaction in developing countries. The study, which involved 559 residents in Accra, Ghana, showed that even fair treatment by police can be undermined by awareness of corruption and ineffectiveness.
A study published in Brain Stimulation found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve endurance performance by decreasing perceived effort. The research, conducted at the University of Kent, used a placebo-controlled study to test the effects of tDCS on cycling time to task failure.
A new study using Big Butterfly Count (BBC) data from citizen scientists shows that mass-participation science can provide additional assessments of biodiversity change. The results demonstrate the potential for citizen science to inform long-term monitoring of butterfly populations and complement standardised biodiversity monitoring.
A study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences found that experienced male cyclists performed better when they didn't have to pace their efforts. The researchers used open-ended Time-To-Exhaustion trials and compared them with race-like Time-Trials, discovering that pacing restrictions hindered performance.
Research monitored wildlife acoustic activity before, during and after major forest fires in Southeast Asia, revealing a 37.5% decline during the haze. The damage was likely greater near fires, where air pollution levels were 15 times higher.
Research by University of Kent psychologist Dr Giovanni Travaglino found that anger against the political system is a common factor in explaining support for Anonymous. People who feel angry and powerless are more likely to express their dissent vicariously through Anonymous rather than engaging directly in politics.
Research by University of Kent shows that flexible work arrangements can help women stay in their jobs after having a child. The study found that women who used flexitime were half as likely to reduce their hours, with those who used it before and after childbirth experiencing the greatest benefit.
A study by the University of Kent found no correlation between social influence and personal autonomy, suggesting that increased power actually diminishes feelings of freedom. The researchers also discovered a lack of personal power correlates with a lack of social power.
A new study by psychologists at the University of Kent shows that arts engagement predicts 'prosociality' and volunteering. The research found that people's greater engagement in the arts was more strongly associated with charitable giving and volunteering than demographic variables such as age, education, or income.
A study by psychologists at the University of Kent found that people's confidence in their intuitions does not necessarily reflect their actual ability to perform well in tasks that require intuitive thinking. Despite claiming to be intuitive, participants did not exhibit superior performance or grasp of underlying rules.
Researchers identified a protein called galectin-9 that prevents the immune system from killing cancerous blood cells. This discovery paves the way for new biomarkers and potential targets for AML immune therapy.
Researchers found that individuals with trypophobia experience intense disgust and nausea when viewing cluster images, even for disease-irrelevant stimuli. The study suggests a connection between trypophobia and an evolutionary history of infectious disease and parasitism.
A recent study by University of Kent researchers has found that premature babies have longer telomeres than their term-born counterparts, contradicting the expectation. This finding suggests other factors may influence telomere length in premature infants and raises the possibility that prematurity affects aging rate.
A new report from the University of Kent shows how anti-gravity treadmills help knee surgery patients return to running, reducing fears and increasing self-belief. The devices use adjustable air pressure to reduce joint load and facilitate a safe transition back to sports.
New research found that feelings of power change people's non-verbal responses to dominance displays, such as a staring gaze. Participants who felt powerful moved closer to the gaze, while those in a powerless state moved away.
Researchers found chimpanzees stop grooming sooner when a higher-ranking chimp is nearby, suggesting they prioritize benefits over social interactions. This challenge to the 'relationship model' theory supports the 'biological markets' approach, which emphasizes economic incentives in primate social behavior.
Community pharmacist-led interventions have been shown to significantly improve asthma control in patients, with a 76% increase in achieving good control compared to standard care. The economic benefits of these interventions are also substantial, with estimated annual savings of €72 billion in the European Union.
Research by Nicola Bryson-Morrison and her team found chimpanzees prefer mature primary forest for all behaviors, avoiding cultivated fields within 200m of human presence. They also did not avoid roads or paths with vehicle or human activity, suggesting a lower risk assessment.
Dr Rebecca O'Connor's research has led to the development of a chromosome screening service for agricultural food providers, improving mapping of the pig genome and reducing economic costs. The device can screen for genetic flaws that affect fertility in pigs, producing fewer than half the usual litter size.
Researchers at the University of Kent have discovered a way to increase the charge transport rate in solid materials using geometric frustration, a phenomenon that breaks up regimented atomic formations. This technique enables faster ionic conductivity, potentially leading to more powerful batteries and fuel cells with zero-emission ca...
Researchers found that pupil size changes when viewing images of the preferred sex correspond with participants' self-reported sexual orientation. The study suggests pupillary responses provide a sex-specific measure sensitive to both sexually explicit and non-explicit content.
A study by researchers at the University of Kent found that psychological pressure from teachers can contribute to disengagement among teenage pupils. The pressure includes threats of punishment or controlling language without explanation, leading to active or passive disengagement behaviors in class.
Research by the University of Kent found that great crested newt eDNA can be used to monitor population size and environmental factors. This technology can improve conservation efforts and reduce delays in development projects.