A study of 3,800 pregnancies has provided the most accurate evidence to date that malaria infection reduces early fetal growth. The research found that even single episodes of treated malaria can affect fetal head size at mid-pregnancy, but may not have a lasting impact on birth weight.
A genetic variant has been linked to an increased risk of large artery ischemic stroke, the second leading cause of death worldwide. The discovery opens up new avenues for treatment and prevention, potentially leading to personalized medicine approaches.
Research from the Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging found that testosterone makes people act less cooperatively and more egocentrically in groups. The study used female volunteers who received either a testosterone or placebo supplement, and found that cooperation was reduced when given testosterone.
A genetic study found that pneumococcus bacteria can evade vaccines by swapping genome regions, making them invisible to the vaccine. The exchange of genome regions occurred through recombination, allowing the bacteria to quickly adapt and develop resistance.
The new malaria maps provide unprecedented detail on the current global pattern of the disease, allowing researchers to track changes over time. The maps reveal complex variations in malaria risk across the globe, highlighting the need for targeted resources and tailored approaches to controlling the disease.
A recent study warns that counterfeit and substandard anti-malarial medicines are circulating in Africa, posing a significant threat to public health. The medicines may contain wrong active pharmaceutical ingredients or artemisinin derivatives at low levels, leading to drug resistance and increased mortality.
Scientists discovered a gene mutation causing hereditary spastic paraplegia, which may provide clues to axon degeneration in conditions like multiple sclerosis. The study highlights new disease mechanisms that could lead to genetic counselling and testing for affected families.
A new candidate malaria vaccine has been developed to neutralize all strains of the deadly Plasmodium falciparum parasite. The vaccine induces an antibody response in animal models capable of neutralizing multiple strains, providing a promising target for vaccine development.
A new study assesses the effects of malaria and its treatment in the first trimester of pregnancy, revealing that the disease increases the risk of miscarriage. However, treating with standard antimalarial drugs reduces this risk significantly.
Researchers discovered a mutation in the GATA6 gene linked to pancreatic agenesis, a rare condition where the pancreas fails to develop. This finding provides insight into how stem cells can be programmed to become pancreatic cells, potentially leading to new treatments for type 1 diabetes.
Acquiring London's complex street layout causes structural changes in the brain and improvements in memory, particularly for capital-based information. This suggests that even adult life can lead to brain plasticity and adaptation through learning.
A team of scientists has identified the 'key' that HIV uses to enter cells' nuclei, allowing it to disable the immune system and cause AIDS. By targeting proteins in the host rather than the virus itself, researchers hope to develop more effective anti-AIDS drugs against drug-resistant strains.
The International Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Consortium (ISARIC) aims to enhance the clinical research community's preparedness for emerging public health threats. By developing standardized protocols and promoting data-sharing, ISARIC hopes to improve response times and save lives.
Researchers have developed a computer algorithm that can analyze brain scans to predict the severity of future psychotic episodes. The study found that the algorithm was able to differentiate between patients who would develop continuous psychosis and those with more benign forms in seven out of ten cases.
Research finds that IQ can increase or decrease significantly during adolescence, with changes linked to brain structure. Brain scans revealed correlations between improved verbal and non-verbal IQ scores and increased grey matter density in specific brain areas.
A study published today found a direct link between the number of 'Facebook friends' a person has and the size of particular brain regions. The researchers discovered that having more online friends is associated with having more real-world friends.
Scientists map typhoid outbreaks in Kathmandu using gene sequencing and GPS technology, revealing clusters near water spouts and lower elevations are at high risk. The study also sheds light on asymptomatic carriers' role in disease spread.
Researchers have identified two genetic variants associated with increased dengue susceptibility, offering clues to the body's response to infection. The study found changes in DNA code of MICB and PLCE1 genes that increase a child's risk of dengue shock syndrome.
Research shows that optimistic individuals tend to filter out negative information, updating their estimates only when the new data is better than expected. This faulty frontal lobe function can lead to unrealistic predictions and a lack of caution, with potential downsides for mental health and decision-making.
Researchers identified a novel mechanism by which Burkholderia pseudomallei develops resistance to ceftazidime, making it difficult to detect. The study found that genetic mutations lead to the production of a protein important for bacterial cell division, rendering the drug ineffective.
A study published in Nature found that sirtuin genes do not affect animal longevity, contrary to previous claims. Instead, dietary restriction was shown to increase lifespan independently of sirtuins.
The study identifies regions of the brain involved in tracking correlation, including the insula and anterior cingulate cortex. The researchers found that our brains learn to observe the outcome of one action and infer outcomes of other actions without needing to sample them individually.
Researchers have created stem cells with a single set of chromosomes, simplifying the study of gene function and its impact on development. This technique enables scientists to identify mutations in genes that affect cell behavior and potentially develop new treatments for diseases.
Researchers found that children with malaria are more susceptible to bacteraemia due to the infection itself, not a natural protection from the sickle cell gene. Malaria prevention strategies may also reduce invasive bacterial infections, with an estimated 50% of cases in endemic areas attributed to Plasmodium falciparum.
The Wellcome Trust report highlights progress in human functional brain imaging, including breakthroughs in statistical and computational modeling. The review emphasizes the need for continued funding and collaborations to translate findings into clinical applications.
A study funded by the Wellcome Trust found that sending text message reminders to healthcare workers in rural Africa improved the implementation of national guidelines for treating malaria. The intervention resulted in a 25% improvement in health workers' practices, leading to more patients receiving accurate antimalarial treatment.
A study involving over 5,000 people with ankylosing spondylitis has identified three regions of the genome strongly associated with the condition. The findings suggest that a particular process in cells and genetic variants of ERAP1 interact to affect disease susceptibility.
Researchers found that the medial orbito-frontal cortex is activated when people experience beauty, supporting the idea that beauty lies in the beholder. The study also found that this region was active for both visual and auditory beauty, suggesting an abstract concept of beauty within the brain.
A new, top-tier, open access journal for biomedical and life sciences research will attract the best publications from across these fields. The journal will employ a fair, swift and transparent editorial process with rapid online publication.
Researchers found that patients treated with antiretroviral drugs, particularly NRTIs, develop damaged mitochondria similar to those of aged individuals. This damage accelerates the accumulation of errors in mitochondrial DNA, leading to premature aging. The study highlights the need to repair or stall this damage and explores the pote...
A new vaccine to combat tuberculosis has been shown to be safe and effective, but its introduction into the childhood immunization schedule is complicated by concerns over immune response. The study's findings have important implications for designing the most effective immunisation schedules for children.
Researchers at UCL discovered 'inattentional deafness' when participants focused on tasks requiring high concentration. In experiments, only 2 out of 10 participants missed the tone when judging colors, but 8 out of 10 failed to notice it during length-discrimination tasks.
A four-in-one combination pill, containing aspirin and agents to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, has been shown to halve the predicted risk of heart disease and stroke. The trial tested 378 people with raised cardiovascular risk against a placebo.
Researchers identified a unique protein modification induced by fumarate hydratase deficiency in a rare type of cancer. This 'biological fingerprint' can be used as a biomarker to identify tumors caused by this mechanism, leading to early diagnosis and potential targeted treatments.
Research sheds light on origins of Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungal infection that causes meningitis in HIV patients. The study reveals the pathogen evolved and spread from Africa to Asia over 7,000 years ago.
A large clinical trial found gatifloxacin to be equally effective as chloramphenicol in treating typhoid, but with fewer side effects. The new antibiotic is more affordable and only needs to be taken once a day.
Scientists have developed a new technique to map both connections and functions of nerve cells in the brain for the first time. The 'connectomics' approach aims to understand how perceptions, sensations, and thoughts are generated in the brain, with potential applications in diseases like Alzheimer's and schizophrenia.
Researchers have found that monkeys infected with an emerging malaria strain are providing a reservoir for human disease in Southeast Asia. The study confirms that the species has not yet adapted to humans and that monkeys are the main source of infection.
Research finds smaller amygdala and insula regions in teenagers with conduct disorder, a psychiatric condition characterized by aggressive and antisocial behavior. The findings challenge the view that adolescence-onset CD is solely caused by imitating peers, suggesting a potential neurological basis for the condition.
A study published in PLoS Medicine found that re-treatment TB regimens are failing in low- and middle-income settings, with up to one-fourth of patients experiencing relapse or death. Researchers emphasize the need for tailored treatments depending on HIV status and improved access to antiretroviral therapies.
Research suggests that expert phoneticians' brains have distinct structures and connectivity patterns, correlating with training and innate abilities. The study found that areas responsible for processing speech sounds are shaped before birth, which may influence career choices.
The Wellcome Image Awards 2011 highlight the diversity of images available through the Wellcome Library's image repository. The winners use various techniques to capture the wonder of medicine and the life sciences.
A large trial in Uganda found that treating pregnant women for worm infections increased their child's chances of developing eczema. The study supports the 'hygiene hypothesis', which proposes that exposure to infections can modify the immune system and protect against allergies.
Brain scans show children with ADHD struggle to control brain activity when bored, but perform better with incentives or medication. The study provides insight into the neural mechanisms underlying attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Researchers used fruit flies to investigate the function of intestinal neurons, finding that they regulate appetite and adjust water balance during reproduction. Intestinal changes triggered by reproductive hormones may provide a benefit in terms of nutrient absorption but could come at a cost: shorter lifespan.
A new study published in Retrovirology reveals that cell samples used in previous research were contaminated with XMRV, not the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome. The researchers developed improved methods to detect XMRV and rule out infection by this virus as a cause of the disease.
Research identifies two genetic variants associated with an increased risk of developing endometriosis, a condition characterized by pelvic pain and infertility. The variants were found on chromosomes 7 and 1, respectively, and are linked to hormone metabolism and the development of the female reproductive tract.
Researchers found that individual volunteers' perceptions of optical illusions varied greatly due to differences in brain size. The primary visual cortex area affects the extent to which we see visual illusions.
Researchers are conducting a large-scale clinical trial to investigate whether treating people with HIV soon after infection can limit damage to the immune system. The SPARTAC trial, which began in 2004, is following 371 individuals across eight countries and has the potential to change how HIV is managed worldwide.
The microscopic observation drug susceptibility (MODS) test has been endorsed by WHO for use in resource-poor settings. The test delivers positive culture and drug resistance results within two weeks for less than $3 per test, improving TB diagnosis and treatment.