A study in ferrets shows that the brain can adapt to temporary hearing loss by relying on spectral cues from the outer ear. The findings suggest new strategies for rehabilitating children with glue ear and improve hearing aid design.
A rare metabolic complication during pregnancy, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), is found to program babies to be overweight and more prone to type 2 diabetes in later life. The study suggests that the environment in the womb plays a major role in metabolic diseases in adults.
Researchers have identified a new virus, CyCV-VN, in patients with severe brain infections in Vietnam. The virus was found in 28 out of 644 patients, but not in those with non-infectious brain disorders. Further research is needed to determine its role in causing the symptoms.
Researchers at the University of Exeter Medical School have diagnosed a rare condition, MDP Syndrome, in Paralympic hopeful Tom Staniford through genetic sequencing. The discovery may help Tom's bid to participate in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and improve understanding of type 2 diabetes.
Researchers are testing whether a drug called aldesleukin can reduce the number of insulin injections needed for type 1 diabetes patients. The trial aims to slow disease progression and give patients more control over their condition.
A new £6.5 million fund has been launched to support research on public health challenges in humanitarian crises, with the goal of improving health outcomes through evidence-based humanitarian interventions. The Research for Health in Humanitarian Crises programme will strengthen partnerships between public health researchers and human...
A randomized trial found that giving double doses of oseltamivir to patients with severe influenza infection offers no clinical or virological advantages over a standard dose. The study has implications for global guidelines on clinical management and stockpiling drugs for pandemic preparedness.
Researchers developed an avatar system to control hallucinations in schizophrenia, showing promise in reducing frequency and severity of episodes. The therapy does not address delusions directly but improves overall effect.
A new study reveals that the level of immunity to the recently circulating H7N9 influenza virus in an urban and rural population in Vietnam is very low. The findings suggest that people living in this area have had little or no exposure to the virus, making it essential to consider alternative plans for pandemic preparedness.
Scientists have identified the minimum dose of dengue virus needed to infect mosquitoes when bitten. This finding has significant implications for preventing the spread of the disease. The study provides a target for experimental vaccines and drugs to prevent the virus from reaching humans.
A multinational study reveals that dengue is more prevalent globally than previously estimated, with 390 million infections annually, and Asia accounting for 70% of the burden.
A study published using worms found that metformin, a widely prescribed diabetes drug, delays ageing by altering metabolism in gut bacteria. The drug was shown to extend worm lifespan by mimicking the effects of calorie restriction.
A study by the Wellcome Trust found that four out of five mugging victims experienced excessive mistrust and paranoia lasting up to six months after the attack. Factors such as feeling defeated, worrying excessively, and difficulties sleeping increased paranoid fears in victims.
A Parkinson's drug has been shown to reverse age-related impairments in decision making in some older people. The study found that treating older adults with a dopamine-boosting drug improved their ability to learn from rewards and make better decisions, comparable to those in their twenties.
The efficacy of malaria vaccine candidate RTS,S wanes over four years, from 43.6% protection in the first year to zero by the fourth year. The study found that relative vaccine efficacy declines with increasing exposure to malaria, and a booster dose may be needed to sustain efficacy.
A large-scale study reveals that parasites and inadequate prenatal care contribute significantly to epilepsy prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. The research found that adults with parasitic infections were 1.5-3 times more likely to have epilepsy than those without exposure.
A 48-week course of antiretroviral medication can delay the need for lifelong treatment and reduce virus levels in the blood for up to sixty weeks after stopping. This study suggests that early treatment may slow immune system damage and reduce the risk of transmission.
Researchers at Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology developed a new technique to knock out genes in the parasite's genome. The study found that removing specific genes did not prevent the parasite from invading host cells, suggesting alternative invasion strategies.
Researchers have identified specific brain areas that interact to compute confidence in decisions, allowing individuals to assess their choices. The study used fMRI to measure activity in the brains of volunteers while they made food choice decisions.
Training human volunteers to control their own brain activity enhances visual sensitivity, according to a new study. The non-invasive neurofeedback approach uses real-time brain imaging to enable participants to watch their brain activity on a screen.
Researchers identified four new genetic regions associated with birth weight, which also link to adult metabolism and disease. The study found that these genetic regions influence blood pressure, height, and type 2 diabetes risk in adulthood.
Researchers track TB transmission between cattle and badgers using whole genome DNA sequencing and mathematical modeling. The study reveals a close relationship between the two species' bacterial types, highlighting the potential for next-generation sequencing to inform disease control policies.
Researchers have identified a molecular pathway driving Alzheimer's disease progression, revealing new targets for drug discovery. The study found that clusterin acts to switch on a signalling pathway associated with tau tangle formation and cognitive defects.
A new study published by the Wellcome Trust found that children with ADHD perceive medication as improving their ability to make moral choices. The study also highlights the need for better informed children to discuss their condition with trusted professionals.
A new study by Professor Nilli Lavie and colleagues found that focusing on remembering an image can lead to 'blindness' in detecting visual information. The research, published in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, reveals a pathway of competition in the brain between new visual information and short-term memory.
The burden of epilepsy in low- and lower-middle-income countries is substantial, with twice as many people affected than in higher income nations. Despite being a cost-effective disorder to treat, only 40% of those affected receive appropriate care due to factors such as stigma, cultural beliefs, and lack of skilled manpower.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that our brains prioritize detecting new sounds over detecting when a sound disappears. In busy environments, participants often miss more than half of changes and experience longer reaction times to detect oncoming sounds.
The Wellcome Trust has announced its first Pathfinder Awards to support research into rare and orphan diseases, including Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation (NBIA) and Homocystinuria. The awards aim to facilitate collaboration between academia and industry to develop innovative treatments for these debilitating conditions.
A new study published today reveals the extent of type 2 diabetes problems in black and minority ethnic populations in the UK. By age 80, approximately half of all South Asians, Africans, and African Caribbean individuals will develop diabetes, with twice as many British South Asian, African, and African Caribbean men and women diagnos...
A £30 million initiative will fund groundbreaking projects addressing healthcare problems with current solutions inadequate, enabling adoption into clinical practice and basic research. The partnership aims to tackle rare diseases, mental health issues, and care for infants, leveraging UK and international expertise.
A new study funded by the Wellcome Trust found that humans tend to reject unfair offers of water, even when severely thirsty. The researchers used an ultimatum game to test whether humans would accept an unequal offer of water, and found that they did so only if they subjectively felt a strong need for water.
A large-scale study found that people with mental health problems have a lower life expectancy due to increased risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Even minor symptoms of anxiety or depression are associated with higher mortality rates.
A study of 192 families found that fathers' involvement in early interactions with their infants is linked to fewer behavioral problems later on. The researchers suggest that interventions aimed at improving parent-child interaction may be beneficial to the child's behavior, and highlight the importance of early parental engagement.
Researchers at Shoklo Malaria Research Unit found a six-fold decline in maternal mortality from 499 to 79 amongst refugees between 1986 and 2010. Frequent antenatal screening significantly reduced malaria-related deaths, with the number falling from an estimated 1,000 deaths per 100,000 pregnant women before screening to zero in 2005.
The overall winner of the Wellcome Image Awards is a visceral photograph of a living human brain, showcasing its beauty and fragility. The image, taken during a surgical procedure to treat epilepsy, highlights the importance of medical photography in helping doctors make diagnoses.
Researchers found that genetic and environmental factors influence childhood characteristics differently across the UK, with some traits more strongly linked to genes in certain regions. The study's nature-nurture maps provide a global overview of how environment interacts with genetics.
Researchers have mapped the female fruit fly's post-coital behavioral switch using neural circuitry analysis. The study reveals that stimulation of specific neuronal clusters triggers a dramatic change in behavior, influencing both the female's and male's actions.
Research identifies CDKN1C gene mutation as cause of IMAGe syndrome, a rare developmental disorder affecting fetal growth and organ size. The study also reveals the gene's role in regulating cell growth and division, with implications for understanding tumour development.
Experimental video game technology helps therapists monitor patients' arm rehabilitation after stroke, improving recovery outcomes. A UK-led gene therapy approach has shown promising results in treating hereditary blindness, with no adverse effects reported.
Researchers have developed a new technique to measure brain activity during behavior in zebrafish with unprecedented resolution. The technique allows for the simultaneous measurement of up to 2,000 neurons, providing insights into how brain regions work together to control behavior.
Research funded by the Wellcome Trust suggests that prosthetic lower limbs and robots' legs could be made more efficient by making them less human-like. The study found that people walking normally, women in high heels, and ostriches produce similar forces on the ground due to their unique gait patterns.
Researchers developed a mouse model of delirium, finding that systemic inflammation triggers short-term memory disturbance, which is reversed by treatment with donepezil. The study reconciles two long-standing hypotheses, shedding light on the condition's causes and potential treatments.
A study revealed that ancient viruses, which infected ancestors as far back as the age of dinosaurs, became widespread in mammals' genomes due to a loss of cell infectivity. This led to a dramatic increase in viral genetic material, resembling the spread of 'superspreaders' during epidemic outbreaks.
A genetics study identifies key genome region underlying artemisinin resistance in malaria parasite, increasing concern about its spread to India and Africa. The region may provide a tool for mapping resistance, but containing its spread is expected to be challenging.
A genome study has identified three genetic variants associated with an increased risk of podoconiosis, a disabling leg swelling caused by an abnormal reaction to soil minerals. The discovery confirms the immune system link to the disease and suggests that drugs targeting immune responses may be useful in treating it.
A study published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology found that people with autism possess a higher capacity for processing information, especially when faced with rapid presentations and distractions. This increased ability can be beneficial in careers such as IT, where intense concentration is required.
Researchers have created a genetic map of recombination in chimpanzees, showing that hotspots differ significantly from those in humans. The study reveals the complex evolution of this process, which drives genetic diversity and adaptation.
Chimpanzee populations living in close proximity exhibit substantially more genetic diversity than humans on different continents. This study provides a valuable tool for chimpanzee conservation, enabling the identification of population origin and provenance.
Research funded by the Wellcome Trust found that clean delivery kits significantly reduced neonatal deaths in South Asia, particularly in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. The study revealed a 48% relative reduction in mortality when kit usage was associated with improved hand washing and sterilized blade use.
Scientists have discovered a specific brain region associated with social conformity, which influences individuals' tendency to align their opinions with those of others. The lateral orbitofrontal cortex plays a key role in recognizing cues of social conflict, prompting subjects to update their opinions accordingly.