A recent clinical trial found that artesunate reduces deaths from severe malaria by 22.5% compared to quinine, and is associated with fewer complications such as seizures and low blood sugar in children. The findings have prompted a call for change to treatment guidelines worldwide.
Scientists at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics identified a genetic variant influencing left-right hand preference in individuals with dyslexia. The study found a strong link between PCSK6 gene variants and relative hand skill, suggesting a novel genetic basis for handedness.
The study confirms the 'malaria hypothesis', which suggests that the sickle cell gene provides protection against malaria, allowing it to survive and thrive in areas of intense transmission. The global map shows a significant geographical overlap between the frequency of the sickle cell gene and malaria prevalence.
Researchers have identified a preclinical candidate that may slow the natural decline in memory associated with ageing. The new synthetic compound selectively blocks an enzyme involved in high levels of 'stress' steroid hormones, which are linked to memory loss.
Children with ADHD have more missing or duplicated segments of DNA compared to other children, suggesting a strong genetic link. The study also found significant overlap between these segments and genetic variants implicated in autism and schizophrenia.
A study published in Science shows that neutrophils release enzymes that cause collateral damage to surrounding tissue, leading to chronic lung diseases. However, another enzyme LTA4H degrades a molecular fragment PGP, breaking the cycle and preventing damage.
A recent study published in Science found that two heads can be better than one, but only if both partners are equally competent and can freely discuss their disagreements. The research showed that joint decisions were even better than the decision made by the better-performing individual.
Researchers have identified a rare form of kidney disease linked to a genetic mutation in the innate immune system, causing progressive kidney malfunction and blood in urine. The condition, named CFHR5 nephropathy, has been found in over 100 people of Cypriot descent and is potentially serious but can be detected through DNA testing.
Research reveals vitamin D's impact on multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, cancers, and dementia. The study identified 2,776 binding sites for the vitamin D receptor across the genome.
Researchers identified a genetic variant on chromosome 18 associated with increased TB susceptibility in African populations. The study demonstrates the feasibility of genome-wide association studies in Africa, which have been successful in European populations but faced challenges due to high genetic diversity.
A new experimental antibiotic has been shown to be effective against bacteria that are resistant to existing treatments. The compound works by targeting a specific enzyme in the bacteria's internal machinery, preventing it from reproducing.
Research suggests that a pregnant mother's diet can interact with her child's genetic predispositions to affect the type or severity of birth defects, including congenital heart disease. A high-fat diet has been shown to increase the risk of this condition in mice offspring, highlighting the importance of a balanced diet during pregnancy.
The Wellcome-Wolfson partnership is funding £30 million of large-scale university infrastructure projects in the UK. This initiative aims to facilitate internationally competitive biomedical research, enabling scientists to make groundbreaking discoveries and turn them into clinical applications.
Research published in Science reveals that muscle weakness and coordination problems in children with neonatal diabetes are caused by neurological issues rather than muscle problems. The study provides implications for developing improved treatments for the disease, which affects one in 100,000 infants in the UK.
A recent brain study published in the Journal of Neuroscience has found that increased levels of dopamine in the brain make individuals more likely to choose instant gratification over longer-term rewards. This is linked to conditions such as ADHD, where high dopamine levels contribute to impulsive behavior.
The UK10K project will analyze the genomes of 4,000 people with extensive health data and 6,000 people with extreme obesity and other conditions. The goal is to identify rare genetic variants important in human disease and improve our understanding of genetics.
Researchers found that competition between rival bacteria can cause deadlier forms of bacteria to evolve, making them more deadly when they enter the bloodstream. This can lead to serious diseases like pneumonia and meningitis.
Researchers found that when people agree with our opinions, the 'reward' area of the brain is activated, indicating a satisfying experience. The study used fMRI to examine brain activity in response to expert opinions on music preferences, finding that agreement tends to increase brain reward activity.
A large study of Swedish men found a clear link between lower IQ scores and attempted suicide, with almost 18,000 hospital admissions recorded. The researchers suggest that low IQ may be linked to social disadvantage, poor health behaviors, and reduced resilience to stress, although the exact mechanisms are unclear.
A recent study suggests that current malaria interventions could have a more dramatic positive effect on reducing the spread of malaria than negative effects caused by climate change. The research found that disease control measures such as insecticide-treated bed nets and modern antimalarial drugs can potentially counteract the effect...
Researchers have identified a genetic link between the CISH gene and increased susceptibility to tuberculosis, malaria, and serious bacterial infections. The study found that a single genetic variant in the CISH gene increases disease risk by 18% compared to those without the variant.
The study found that patients with mild disease responded favourably to oseltamivir treatment, reducing viral clearance and transmission. Containment measures may have delayed large-scale transmission by at least three weeks in Vietnam.
The European Union has approved a new, inexpensive Hepatitis B test that delivers accurate results within half an hour, enabling doctors to take immediate action on health decisions. The test is expected to make a significant impact in helping to curb the spread of disease and has been developed with support from the Wellcome Trust.
Researchers found that antibodies from HIV-infected Africans bind to LPS, blocking protective 'killing' antibodies. Removing these antibodies allows for effective killing of Salmonella bacteria. The study identifies potential alternative vaccine targets in outer membrane proteins.
The Wellcome Trust extends its Seeding Drug Discovery initiative with a £110 million investment over five years. This support enables the progression of promising drug discovery projects to attract follow-on investors and develop novel medicines.
A recent study found two genetic regions associated with lower birth weight, one of which is also linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The research analyzed over 38,000 Europeans and showed that individuals with a specific gene variant were 25% more likely to develop diabetes if they had low birth weight.
Researchers found that behavioral incentives improved attention and reduced impulsivity in children with ADHD, normalizing brain activity similar to that of control groups. Medication had the most significant effect, but combining it with rewards and incentives boosted its benefits.
A study of copy number variations in the genome found no significant link between these changes and common diseases. However, rare genetic variants and epigenetic factors are believed to play a role in disease susceptibility. The research suggests that focusing on other genetic variations may lead to important advances in human health.
Researchers discover the 'doublesex' gene plays a crucial role in shaping fruit fly brain architecture and behavior, leading to distinct male and female neural circuits. The study sheds light on sex determination and coordination of sex-specific physiology in fruit flies.
A computer algorithm was able to predict which film a volunteer was recalling based on their brain activity, suggesting that memories are recorded in regular patterns. The key areas involved in recording episodic memories were the hippocampus and its immediate neighbors.
A study published in the Lancet found that women's community groups in India led to a dramatic improvement in neonatal survival rates, with a 45% reduction in mortality rates. The groups also showed significant reductions in maternal depression and improvements in hygiene practices among new mothers.
Researchers discovered that crowding does not make peripheral vision random, but rather creates a 'blending' effect that makes the world appear more regular. This process can help improve the recognition of objects in crowded environments for people with central vision loss due to eye diseases.
A new genetic variant has been identified that offers protection against tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy. This discovery opens up potential new targets for drug development, particularly for improving treatment schedules for patients with these diseases.
A pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has been shown to prevent 74% of recurrent cases of pneumonia and meningitis in HIV-infected adults in Africa. The vaccine was particularly effective in patients with low CD4 counts, a group previously considered ineligible for vaccination.
Researchers found that GP referrals for gynaecological investigation were delayed for older women with suspected ovarian cancer. Women over 70 years old had a 20-week wait for referral, while those aged 75-79 years had a peak wait of 24 weeks. The discrepancy may be due to differences in data recording and GPs' motivation.
Scientists have developed a simple and cheap way to make vaccines stable at tropical temperatures, eliminating the need for refrigeration. The method involves mixing vaccines with sugars and drying them on membranes, preserving the active part of the vaccine and allowing it to be shipped at normal temperatures.
Researchers studied patients with amygdala lesions to understand how decisions are made and what influences risk-taking behavior. The results show that a fully functioning amygdala makes people more cautious, while impaired amygdala activity leads to reduced loss aversion and increased willingness to gamble.
Researchers found that infants as young as five months old engage in joint attention with adults, activating the left prefrontal cortex, a region involved in complex cognitive and social behaviors. This suggests that the human brain develops this important social skill surprisingly early in infancy.
Research from Malawi and the UK reveals a two-pronged immune response that could combat even the most resilient strains of nontyphoidal Salmonella. Protective antibodies have been identified that recognize bacteria in the blood and kill them without immune cell help, offering hope for an effective vaccine.
The study found that basic emotions are shared by all humans, with laughter being a universally recognisable sound. The researchers used a short story with different emotional sounds to test participants from Britain and Namibia.
A new study funded by the Wellcome Trust suggests that getting the correct balance of proteins in our diet may be more important for healthy ageing than reducing calories. Researchers found that varying the amount of amino acids in a diet can affect lifespan and fertility, with certain amino acids being crucial to maximising both.
Malaria parasites adapt their molecules to evade the host's immune response, with different approaches used in children and adults. Researchers discovered a limit to severe disease-causing variants and found evidence for a vaccine against this deadly form of malaria.
Researchers are gaining insights into how Gram-negative bacteria infect host cells and spread antibiotic resistance. The crystal structure of the outer membrane part of type IV secretion systems has been revealed, offering potential targets for novel antibiotics.
Two large-scale genetic studies identified key regions linked to susceptibility in both adult and childhood inflammatory bowel disease, highlighting the role of epithelial defects in creating an 'open door' for bacteria. The findings also suggest potential new targets for treatment by tightening up the mucosal barrier.
The UK research community has secured £7.5 million in funding to study the development and spread of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009. The projects aim to understand how the virus mutates, jumps species barriers, and causes disease in humans and pigs.
The Wellcome Trust has awarded €2.8 million to the Laboratory for Virology and Experimental Chemotherapy at K.U.Leuven to search for new treatments for dengue fever, a viral disease prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. Researchers will collaborate with the pharmaceutical industry to develop medications for this deadly virus.
Researchers discovered a connection between rare testicular tumors and severe childhood genetic disorders, suggesting that older fathers' genetic mutations may increase the risk of affected children. The study highlights the role of 'selfish' mutations in sperm production, which can lead to serious conditions in offspring.
Researchers used former Colombian guerrillas to study brain structure changes after learning to read. They found higher grey matter density in left hemisphere areas responsible for letter recognition and increased white matter connections, particularly with the angular gyrus.
Infecting mosquitoes with Wolbachia parasite wMelPop reduces transmission of lymphatic filariasis by up to 85% and boosts mosquito immune system. Researchers aim to introduce this strain into other mosquito species to combat diseases such as malaria.
Scientists extend mice lifespan by up to a fifth and reduce age-related diseases through blocking key molecular pathway, mirroring health benefits of calorie restriction. The study suggests that drug treatments targeting the S6K1 pathway may be feasible, building on existing research on calorie restriction's potential for human longevity.