Researchers have discovered a potential alternative to liver transplant for patients with acute liver failure, which is triggered by liver injury and can be life-threatening. A new therapy using anti-cancer drugs has been shown to regenerate the liver in mouse models, preventing death from liver injury.
A new generation of brain scanner, weighing just a few grams, can be worn like a helmet and measures brain activity while patients make natural movements. This innovation could revolutionize human brain imaging for young children with epilepsy or patients with neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers have successfully created mini biological models of human primary liver cancers, known as organoids, in the lab. These tiny laboratory models were used to identify a new drug that could potentially treat certain types of liver cancer, showing promising results for personalized medicine and reducing animal usage.
Researchers have developed Neuropixels probes, thin silicon devices that record the activity of hundreds of neurons in mice and rats. This technology will allow scientists to understand complex neural networks and potentially lead to new treatments for diseases like depression and Alzheimer's.
Researchers found that Zika virus hijacks Musashi-1 protein to replicate in and kill neural stem cells, leading to microcephaly. The study suggests that MSI1 is essential for normal brain development and its presence increases the vulnerability of these cells to Zika infection.
A new eye test has been developed to detect the earliest signs of glaucoma, allowing for early treatment and potential reversal of vision loss. The test uses a specialized fluorescent marker to identify individual nerve cell death in the back of the eye.
Moderate shifts in typical Indian diets could reduce groundwater use and benefit population health. The study identifies possible changes to consume more fruits and vegetables with lower water demands, such as oranges and apples.
A global partnership, CEPI, aims to create vaccines for emerging infectious diseases with a $460m initial investment from governments and foundations. The Coalition will target MERS-CoV, Lassa, and Nipah viruses, as well as Ebola and Zika, to develop safe and effective vaccines that can be deployed rapidly to contain outbreaks.
Researchers have successfully used Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, a predatory bacterium, to clear multi-drug resistant Shigella infections in zebrafish. The bacteria works alongside the host's immune system, showing promise as a living antibiotic for tackling drug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections.
The Wellcome Trust is transferring two major research programs, DELTAS Africa and H3Africa, to AESA's Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa, aiming to increase Africa-led research and address pressing health challenges. This shift reflects a significant change in international funding partnerships with African insti...
Scientists have identified a single compound that can kill parasites responsible for three neglected diseases: Chagas disease, leishmaniasis and sleeping sickness. The new study suggests a single class of drugs could be used to treat all three diseases.
A comprehensive study has mapped the genetic underpinnings of type 2 diabetes, revealing over a dozen risk genes and pinpointing specific protein sequences that contribute to disease development. The findings highlight the complexity of the condition and emphasize the need for personalized treatment approaches.
Researchers have discovered a new IVF-based technique that significantly reduces the risk of mitochondrial disease in babies. The 'early pronuclear transfer' method involves transplanting healthy mitochondria into an embryo created using conventional IVF.
A study published in Virus Evolution found that unconventional transmission routes like semen and breast milk contributed to the tail-end of the Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone. The research used real-time sequencing of Ebola virus genomes to track the source of infection for some final cases.
A 15-year study in Kilifi, Kenya found that vaccination reduces the chance of Hib disease by 93% and provides long-lasting protection. The current vaccine schedule is effective without a booster dose, suggesting no need for extra doses.
Researchers have discovered a new gene locus that explains why some African children develop severe malaria while others do not. The genetic variant, found in Kenyan children, reduces the risk of severe malaria by about 40% and lies within a region of the genome shared with chimpanzees.
A £6.4 million study launched today will evaluate whether teaching mindfulness to teenagers can improve their mental health outcomes. The three-part trial, involving nearly 6,000 students, aims to assess the impact of mindfulness training on teenage mental resilience and well-being.
A new study mapping the genetic makeup of the British Isles reveals distinct groups clustered by geography, contradicting traditional Celtic identity. The research found separate genetic groups in Cornwall and Devon, as well as a single homogeneous group in eastern, central, and southern England.
A study confirmed artemisinin-resistant malaria parasites in Homalin, Sagaing Region, Myanmar, just 25km from the Indian border. This finding poses a significant threat to global control and eradication of malaria, as drug resistance spreads from Asia to Africa and potentially emerges independently.
Mitochondrial donation has the potential to prevent transmission of serious mitochondrial disease, which affects brain, muscle, liver, and kidney tissues. Researchers estimate that up to 2,500 women in the UK could benefit from this technique.
A new family of cancer drugs targeting multiple key proteins could treat incurable skin cancers. The panRAF inhibitors showed effectiveness in patients with melanoma resistant to BRAF inhibitors.
Research suggests that HIV's rapid evolution is slowing its ability to cause AIDS, while access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) enables infected individuals to progress more slowly. The study found that HIV adaptation to the immune system comes at a cost, making the virus less virulent.
The INDEPTH dataset contains over 110,000 individual deaths and their causes across 13 countries, providing a unique community-based perspective on cause of death. The data reveal high variability in cause of death across sites, particularly for endemic diseases like malaria and HIV.
Drug-resistant malaria parasites have spread to critical border regions of Southeast Asia, posing a significant threat to global malaria control efforts. The study found artemisinin resistance in several countries, including Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar, with signs of emerging resistance in other areas.
A study published in Science found that father's age has a stronger impact on mutation rates in chimpanzees compared to humans, with 90% of new mutations originating from fathers.
A new study reveals that the brain uses two distinct regions to navigate: one calculates the straight-line distance and another tracks the path along the way. The findings have significant implications for our understanding of brain function and navigation.
Researchers developed a single-cell genomics technique to study malaria parasites, allowing for comprehensive understanding of multiple genotype infections (MGI's) and their impact on disease progression. The findings could inform disease control interventions and reduce rates of infection and mortality.
Researchers discovered that 'lonely' microbes are more likely to mutate, resulting in higher rates of antibiotic resistance. The rate of mutation varies according to the number of bacteria present, with more 'lonely' bacteria developing greater resistance to antibiotics like Rifampicin.
Researchers reconstructed ancient ocean chemistry and found spontaneous occurrence of reaction sequences enabling metabolite formation. These findings suggest that metabolism predates the origin of life and evolved through early ocean conditions.
A study by UCL researchers has uncovered the underlying cause of hyper-susceptibility to infection in cirrhosis patients, which is due to overproduction of prostaglandin E2. The authors suggest that administering albumin infusions could reverse immune suppression and prevent infections in these patients.
The Hub's interdisciplinary group will investigate the health implications of states of rest and noise, tumult and stillness, with a focus on transforming how we understand rest in modern life. The £1 million project aims to create new possibilities for people from all backgrounds to find rest in busy cities.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that over half of the population in countries endemic for malaria continues to live in areas of moderate to intense transmission, with infection rates over 10%. Despite progress made between 2000-2010, the number of people living in high-risk areas fell only by 16%.
Researchers have identified a biological marker for major depression in teenage boys, combining elevated cortisol levels with depressive symptoms. The study found that these individuals are up to fourteen times more likely to develop major depression than those without these traits.
Mosaic, a new digital publication, will explore the science of life through long-form features, articles, and films. The Wellcome Trust-backed platform aims to explain scientific developments in context, making it accessible to all curious about science.
Increased inflammation after infections impairs brain's ability to form spatial memories by disrupting neural circuits involved in learning and memory. The study used PET scans to measure effects of inflammation on glucose consumption in the brain, revealing a decrease in glucose metabolism in the Medial Temporal Lobe.
A recent study funded by the Wellcome Trust suggests that restricting antibiotic use may not stop the spread of antibiotic-resistant typhoid. In laboratory tests, resistant strains of Salmonella Typhi bacteria outcompeted sensitive strains even without antibiotics.
Researchers have identified a molecular invisibility cloak that enables HIV to hide in cells, but exposing it triggers an immune response. This discovery could lead to new treatments and improve existing therapies for HIV infection.
Researchers have identified a source of gut stem cells that can repair damaged gut tissue in mice with inflammatory bowel disease. These stem cells were found to be actively dividing and could form mature intestinal tissue under the right conditions.
The joint initiative aims to generate practical measures to improve health systems in LMICs through multidisciplinary research. The scheme will facilitate successful adoption of effective interventions into routine practice, benefiting the most vulnerable populations.
A study has found that market bubbles leading to financial crashes may be self-made due to brain processes that help traders predict others' behavior. This research offers insight into the biology of financial decision-making, suggesting that unproductive behaviors can drive cycles of boom and bust.
A study in Malawian children found chronic inflammation in blood vessels after recurrent malaria episodes, predisposing future infections and cardiovascular disease. The findings explain high childhood mortality rates in malaria-endemic areas.
Young people have difficulty learning from bad news, but are more likely to adapt to good news; campaigns targeting them should focus on positive benefits instead of risks
The Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme will receive £14 million over five years to continue its focus on infectious diseases and training local doctors. The program will also investigate the growing epidemic of non-communicable diseases in Africa, including diabetes and chronic lung disease.
A study found that emerging lethal fungus infection can easily pass its deadly genes to closely related fungal strains but less readily to distantly related ones. This understanding will help predict the spread of outbreaks and inform surveillance efforts.
Researchers at KU Leuven have identified a series of chemical compounds that are highly potent inhibitors of dengue virus replication. The compounds will be further developed by Janssen into a first-in-class drug candidate for the prevention and treatment of dengue infections.
Researchers identified a mechanism that limits the body clock's ability to adjust to changes in light patterns, slowing down recovery from jet-lag. Blocking this gene in mice allowed them to recover faster.
A new study published in eLife reveals how our brains track frequency and time to distinguish important sounds from background noise. The findings suggest that both pitch and timing are crucial for sound pattern recognition, shedding light on a fundamental brain mechanism for detecting sound patterns.
A study published in PLOS Biology reveals how death spreads through an organism like a wave, using blue fluorescence as a visual cue. The researchers found that a specific chemical pathway called necrosis is responsible for this process, which is dependent on calcium signalling.
A study published in The Lancet found that people with epilepsy are ten times more likely to die prematurely than the general population, with mental illness being a major contributor. The research revealed a strong correlation between psychiatric diagnoses and increased risk of accidents and suicide.
The Wellcome Trust launches a global funding scheme to investigate the impact of climate change, urbanization, and nutrition on human health. Researchers can apply for up to £250,000 support for pilot projects addressing behaviour change, global nutrition, and ecological public health.