The NHS has launched a new 46 gene test to predict cancer patients' responses to treatment, using the latest DNA sequencing technology. The test aims to reduce harm from side effects and save costs by getting patients on the right treatments straightaway.
A UK survey found that 97% of doctors have prescribed placebo treatments to patients at least once, with impure placebos being used more frequently. Doctors cited treating psychological effects and reassuring patients as reasons for prescribing placebos, while also acknowledging the need for patient trust.
Researchers at the University of Oxford have made a groundbreaking discovery linking brain activity to phantom pain in amputees. The study found that arm amputees with stronger phantom limb pain maintained a stronger representation of the missing hand in their brains, which was indistinguishable from those with intact limbs.
Researchers at the University of Oxford have identified a natural biological mechanism that allows brain cells to survive during a stroke, enabling the development of potential neuroprotective drugs. The 'endogenous neuroprotection' discovered in rats has shown to increase cell survival by stimulating production of hamartin protein.
Evidence from Siberian caves suggests a 1.5°C temperature rise could cause substantial permafrost thawing, releasing massive amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and damaging ecosystems and human infrastructure.
A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that genes linked to autism and schizophrenia are only switched on during early stages of brain development. Researchers used advanced techniques to map gene activity in mouse brains, identifying key populations of subplate neurons and shedding light on th...
A new technique has been developed to grow graphene without defects, enabling the creation of larger sheets with aligned flakes and improved electron flow. This breakthrough has significant implications for industrial-scale graphene manufacturing and the development of graphene-based technologies in electronics, energy, and healthcare.
A new technique developed by Oxford University scientists can spot carbon monoxide within gas circling a supermassive black hole, 'weighing' its mass. This breakthrough enables the study of thousands of distant galaxies and spiral galaxies, previously hard to target.
A new study suggests that early diagnosis and treatment of Hepatitis C in intravenous drug users can prevent many transmissions by identifying 'super-spreaders' who are highly infectious. By understanding how the virus spreads in these individuals, researchers hope to develop targeted interventions to stop its spread.
A new study from the University of Oxford found that vegetarians have a 32% lower risk of hospitalisation or death from heart disease compared to meat-eaters. The study analyzed data from almost 45,000 volunteers and found that vegetarian diets were associated with lower blood pressures and cholesterol levels.
A brain imaging study found that THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, reduces the emotional reaction to pain but does not reduce the intensity of pain. The study suggests that individual responses to cannabis-based pain relief may vary greatly.
The 1000 Genomes Project has sequenced 1,092 human genomes, providing a genetic guidebook to help researchers interpret genetic changes in people with disease. The study found that rare gene variants are restricted to specific geographic regions and can be used to identify individuals at risk of certain conditions.
Researchers extracted cores from Japan's Lake Suigetsu, containing organic material that provides a direct record of atmospheric carbon, extending the radiocarbon dating record by over 40,000 years. This discovery enables scientists to pinpoint more accurately the timing of events such as Neanderthal extinction and modern human migration.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals that mutations in the PTEN gene can improve metabolism and increase insulin sensitivity in people with Cowden syndrome. The researchers found that those with Cowden syndrome had higher levels of obesity, but the extra weight was caused by extra fat storage, not muscle mass.
Researchers used satellite radar images and GPS receivers to detect the 8-14 centimeter rise in the island's surface. The team calculated that the amount of molten rock beneath Santorini has grown by 10-20 years' worth, but this does not necessarily indicate an imminent eruption.
Researchers have discovered a potent adjuvant that enhances the immune response to vaccines against HIV, flu, and herpes. The compound, polyethyleneimine (PEI), shows promise in mice, offering improved protection against these difficult-to-tackle diseases.
Researchers have identified 10 new gene regions associated with type 2 diabetes, providing a fuller picture of the disease's genetic underpinnings. The study reveals patterns in genes involved in cell growth, insulin production, and fat cell communication.
UK entries made up over half of finalists in the biennial European Academic Software Awards, demonstrating a growing commitment to quality educational software. The full list of EASA finalists can be viewed online.
Researchers discovered a possible link between elevated blood homocysteine levels and Alzheimer's disease, with lower folate and vitamin B12 levels also observed. Long-term clinical trials are needed to determine if lowering homocysteine levels can prevent or delay the progression of the disease.
Researchers have identified a genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease, combining the E4 variant of apolipoprotein E with the butyrylcholinesterase K variant. This combination significantly increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in people over 65 years old.