A UK research team has discovered that proteins are exported from cells while preventing them from re-entering via a molecular turnstile. This discovery provides a solution to an outstanding problem in the protein transport field and may have implications for the development of new drugs.
A study of over 6,000 Antarctic marine fossils reveals a dramatic 65-70% reduction in species 66 million years ago, coinciding with the end of the Cretaceous Period and the extinction of dinosaurs. The research suggests that the mass extinction event was just as rapid and severe in polar regions as elsewhere on Earth.
Researchers at the University of Leeds discovered a key gene, ANR, that enabled plants to tolerate extreme dehydration, allowing them to colonize land around 500 million years ago. The gene is unique to basal land plants and plays a crucial role in responding to stress hormones like ABA.
Researchers from the University of Leeds have discovered a way to prevent ice crystals from forming in water as it is cooled to -35°C using glycerol. This breakthrough has important implications for improving cryoprotectants used in fertility treatments and food storage.
Researchers from the University of Leeds found that human steering in a driving simulator is influenced by visual speed signals, not just road edges. The study's findings suggest that our brains process information from across the whole visual scene to guide steering, similar to how insects choose their flight paths.
Tropical forests depend on animals for seed dispersal to store carbon, but this role differs across regions. Large animal losses lead to fewer large trees and increased carbon loss in some forests.
Researchers used network theory to depict dinosaur movement worldwide, finding some regions, like Europe, had extensive fossil records. The study also showed that all connections between Europe and other continents during the Early Cretaceous period were out-going.
A daily dose of vitamin D3 improves heart function in people with chronic heart failure, improving ejection fraction from 26% to 34%. The study, known as VINDICATE, involved over 160 patients and found that taking vitamin D3 regularly may lessen the need for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have solved a 25-year-old question about how bacteria resist certain antibiotics. The study provides direct evidence that ABC-F proteins 'protect' the bacterial ribosome, allowing it to continue making proteins despite antibiotic presence.
A study published in Angewandte Chemie reveals how HIV and Ebola viruses attach to cells using nano-sized crystals called 'quantum dots'. The research offers a new way of treating such viruses by introducing a block on their interaction with cells.
Climate change poses a significant threat to African food production, with up to 30% of maize and banana-growing areas becoming unviable by the end of the century. Transformation could involve changing crop types, improving irrigation systems, or abandoning agriculture altogether to ensure food security.
Researchers discovered that common drugs for psychosis and depression can prevent certain viruses from infecting cells by blocking potassium ion channels. This breakthrough finding has potential to stop deadly viruses from spreading and causing human disease.
A University of Leeds study reveals EU policies have reduced air pollution across Europe, preventing an estimated 80,000 premature deaths per year. The findings demonstrate a 35% decrease in fine particles since 1970, significantly improving public health.
The University of Leeds has developed an innovative virtual microscope system to aid in cancer diagnoses. The technology allows pathologists to view large patient cases of up to 100 slides or more, making complex diagnoses faster and more accurate.
University of Leeds researchers will run computer software to identify compounds that could be the basis of antivirals for Ebola. The project focuses on finding effective anti-viral drugs, as vaccines are not yet available to treat infected patients.
A study found that around 10% of UK primary care patients prescribed antidepressants for depression or anxiety have undiagnosed bipolar disorder. The condition often presents with depression and can be difficult to diagnose, leading to inappropriate treatment.
Researchers use antibiotic resistance to identify chemicals blocking amyloid formation, providing a new approach to combat these intractable diseases. The study identifies a chemical that blocks amyloid deposits forming from sequences associated with type II diabetes.
Researchers have unlocked the structure of a plant virus using groundbreaking microscopy, revealing key to building custom virus-like particles that can carry medicines into the human body. The findings could lead to the development of targeted medicines.
A new study provides a quantitative estimate of the effects of continental flood basalts on climate, vegetation, and oceans during the time of the dinosaurs. The researchers found that temperatures would cool by as much as 4.5 degrees Celsius due to volcanic gas emissions but return to normal within 50 years after an eruption ceased.
The new Peatland Code targets the restoration of one million hectares of peatlands over five years, which could save up to 220 million tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2050. UK peatlands are a natural filter for drinking water and store more than three billion tonnes of carbon.
Astronomers at the University of Leeds used ALMA telescope to observe a massive star forming in a similar way to low-mass stars. The discovery suggests that massive stars may form in a disk-like structure, just like low-mass stars, and mirrors their formation process.
Scientists have developed best practice principles for assessing the impact of new roads and railways on bats, highlighting the need for a more rigorous approach to protecting wildlife. Existing mitigation structures, such as underpasses and wire gantries, are often ineffective, while green overpasses and underpasses show promise.
Researchers are developing a new eye lens that can adjust focus automatically, using liquid crystals to tackle age-related conditions like presbyopia and cataracts. The lens could be implanted in a quick surgical procedure, offering hope for millions of people affected by these vision problems.
New research reveals the three-dimensional structure of supercoiled DNA, showing it forms multiple shapes, including figure-8s and handcuffs. The study challenges the traditional Watson-Crick double helix structure, suggesting a dynamic nature that helps explain how a meter of DNA can fit in a human cell.
A recent study reveals that offshore wind farms could be more risky for gannets than previously believed, with the birds' feeding grounds overlapping extensively with planned wind farm sites. The researchers estimate that up to 1,500 breeding birds could be killed each year at two planned wind farms.
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that increased risk of mortality from long periods of sitting was only associated with very occasional fidgeters. Fidgeting, even for moderately or very active women, may offer enough of a break to counteract adverse health impacts.
Researchers at the University of Leeds captured images of motor protein dynein in action using electron microscopes. The study revealed a hinge between the motor's arms and its track, allowing flexibility in movement.
Researchers use the Very Large Telescope Interferometer to study a young star with a large proto-planetary disk. They find a significant gap in the inner regions, suggesting a gravitational influence from forming planets.
A team of researchers found that several bat species are struggling in fragmented landscapes, but also discovered that shade-grown coffee plantations offer a lifeline for biodiversity. These plantations keep native forest canopies while promoting wildlife-friendly agriculture.
A regular dose of aspirin reverses the long-term risk of cancer in those who are overweight, according to a study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology. The research found that being overweight more than doubles the risk of bowel cancer in people with Lynch Syndrome.
Researchers altered a gene in mice to inhibit PDE4B, leading to enhanced cognitive abilities and reduced anxiety. The findings offer hope for better treatments for age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, and schizophrenia.
A new study by UK scientists found that geographically widespread animals are not immune to extinction during global mass extinction events. In contrast, they discovered that widely distributed animals are just as likely to suffer extinction as those with smaller geographic ranges.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have successfully altered quantum interactions to generate magnetism in non-magnetic metals by removing electrons using a carbon molecule interface. This breakthrough enables the use of abundant and harmless elements like carbon and copper, crucial for future technologies such as quantum computers.
Scientists have uncovered five new common genetic risk factors for melanoma and confirmed two others, establishing the role of telomeres in its development. Skin pigmentation is also a key genetic determinant, emphasizing the importance of sun protection for individuals with pale skin and many moles.
Researchers discovered that a protein imbalance, specifically between Plcγ1 and Grb2, can lead to cell proliferation and cancer formation. High levels of Grb2 relative to Plcγ1 are associated with a favorable prognosis in ovarian cancer patients.
Researchers observed azure damselflies mating for two years, finding that older females and males were equally successful at finding mates and reproducing. The study provides insights into aging and population dynamics in insects, with potential implications for understanding mosquito and tsetse fly populations.
A new laser sensor can continuously monitor blood glucose levels without penetrating the skin, offering a pain-free alternative to traditional methods. The technology has potential to improve the lives of millions by enabling constant monitoring and self-regulation.
Researchers have identified a group of genes implicated in common inherited diseases, known as ciliopathies, which can be diagnosed more quickly and could lead to new treatments for patients. The study, published in Nature Cell Biology, found that defects in cilia, microscopic 'antennae' on cells, are responsible for the disorders.
Scientists at the University of Leeds discovered a new protein, DOCK4, that triggers blood vessel growth in breast cancer tumors. Withholding this protein slows tumor growth by impeding blood vessel formation.
A new study confirms the Montreal Protocol has effectively protected the ozone layer from severe depletion, with atmospheric concentrations of harmful substances declining since their peak in 1993. The researchers used a state-of-the-art model to investigate the impact of the treaty and found that without it, the Arctic ozone hole woul...
A collaborative project between the University of Leeds and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust aims to improve access to music for people using hearing aids. The research will explore how music listening experiences are affected by deafness, hearing impairments and the use of hearing aids.
Researchers at the University of Leeds are conducting a clinical trial to explore the benefits of using hyaluronic acid, a common moisturizer ingredient, to improve IVF success rates in the UK. The trial aims to determine if this method can help select the best quality sperm for injection into an egg.
Researchers found that DRAM2 gene mutations lead to loss of central vision and peripheral vision loss in older individuals, likely due to reduced autophagy and photoreceptor renewal. The discovery sheds new light on the condition and highlights the importance of collaboration between institutions.
Continuous glucose monitoring may help pregnant women with diabetes give birth to healthier children by detecting changes in glucose levels throughout the day. The study found that this technology can reveal distinct patterns of glucose associated with large-for-gestational-age infants.
A recent study found that disabled girls and women are at risk of abuse by carers and intimate partners due to their physical and social isolation. The research highlights the need for specialist support services and organizations to help these vulnerable individuals.
A 30-year study reveals the Amazon's capacity to absorb carbon from the atmosphere is declining due to increased tree mortality rates. The forest, once a vast 'carbon sink', is now being overtaken by fossil fuel emissions, exacerbating climate change.
A new study found that a parasite significantly increases cannibalism among freshwater shrimp in Northern Ireland. Infected shrimp become voracious and consume their victims twice as much as uninfected animals. The research suggests that the parasite may be weakening the shrimp's resistance to invasive species.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have discovered a rare African bush that may help treat kidney cancer. The Phyllanthus engleri plant contains a chemical called Englerin A, which activates specific proteins in renal cancer cells, leading to their death.
Scientists have identified a rapid increase in atmospheric concentrations of dichloromethane, a man-made substance contributing to ozone depletion. This discovery threatens the recovery of the Ozone Layer, which is still recovering from CFCs.
Researchers have developed gold nanotubes that can selectively destroy cancer cells while imaging tumors, using near-infrared light to convert to heat. The technique has the potential to enhance conventional treatments with minimal toxicity.