Research using virtual reality found that nearly 40% of participants experienced paranoid thoughts, with anxiety and depression also prevalent. The study suggests that paranoia is more common than thought and can be triggered by social interactions.
A collaborative effort by over 90 researchers from 40 centres analysed genetic data from 70,000 people to identify differences in the genetic code that make some individuals more susceptible to type 2 diabetes. The study found six new genes contributing to the risk, bringing the total to sixteen, and provides valuable insights into the...
Researchers have identified promising new drug targets for Huntington's disease, which can stimulate autophagy and alleviate the toxicity of malformed proteins. Candidate drugs include verapamil and clonidine, which have been shown to be safe and effective in cell-based models.
A new global malaria map highlights the 2.37 billion people at risk from Plasmodium falciparum, with almost one billion in areas where the risk of infection is extremely low. The map aims to help researchers and funding agencies allocate resources more effectively by understanding the relative risk affecting different regions.
Alzheimer's research reveals that computers can distinguish between brain scans of patients with the disease and healthy individuals or those with other forms of dementia. The accuracy rate is as high as 96%, making it a potentially game-changing tool for early diagnosis and treatment.
The Operation Jupiter collaboration highlights the growing threat of fake pharmaceuticals, particularly in South-East Asia and Africa. Researchers found that counterfeit artesunate tablets contained no active ingredients or dangerously small amounts, contributing to malaria parasite resistance.
The Wellcome Trust plans to increase its spending from £2.5 billion to almost £4 billion over the next five years, supporting biomedical research and its impact on health and wellbeing. The charity will invest in large-scale projects globally, including major initiatives in neuroscience and mental health.
Researchers are conducting trials for a new malaria vaccine using a genetically-modified chimpanzee adenovirus to stimulate an immune response. The goal is to develop a combination product targeting both liver and blood stages of the parasite to prevent infection.
A three-year study will be conducted in UK prisons to investigate the impact of nutrition on behavior, including violence and self-harm. The study aims to identify the most important nutrients for brain function and behavior.
Researchers have identified a mitochondrial genetic bottleneck that affects the inheritance of mtDNA, leading to varying severity and location of disease. This breakthrough may enable predicting disease risk and severity in children, previously difficult to forecast.
Researchers found Plasmodium knowlesi, a monkey malaria parasite, is widely distributed in Malaysia and sometimes fatal. Accurate diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent rapid onset of complications and death.
Researchers call for GPs to be more proactive in offering HIV testing to higher-risk groups, citing low rates of early diagnosis and serious consequences. The study found that half of surveyed HIV-positive Africans were diagnosed late, despite above-average use of healthcare services.
Researchers have identified a key Lupus gene that increases risk by 50%, prompting a need for more patient DNA samples. The OX40L variant is crucial in the immune system and may hold the key to diagnosing and treating the disease.
The new Chlamydia rapid test detects infection in over 4 out of 5 infected women, even without symptoms. The test can provide results in under 30 minutes and is up to twice as accurate as current tests.
A leading neuroscientist is exploring the neural basis of creativity, beauty and love through an interdisciplinary research program funded by the Wellcome Trust. The study aims to understand how beauty and love relate and what it means to be happy, with potential implications for fields like economics and jurisprudence.
A new study published in The Lancet has shown that urban sanitation is a highly effective health measure in reducing cholera and diarrhoeal diseases in developing countries. The research found that city-wide sanitation programs can reduce the prevalence of diarrhoea by up to 43% in high-risk areas.
Common uterine infections can damage ovaries and affect fertility in cows, similar to the impact on humans with sexually transmitted infections like Chlamydia. Researchers found that bacteria can leave toxins in egg-containing follicles, suppressing oestrogen production and preventing ovulation.
A team of experts is conducting a genome-wide association scanning study to analyze DNA samples from 14,000 people with late-onset Alzheimer's disease and healthy controls. This study aims to identify common genetic variations that increase the risk of the disease, providing valuable insights into its causes.
Researchers have identified two genes, ARTS1 and IL23R, that increase the risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis, a common disease causing back pain and progressive stiffness. A potential treatment for Crohn's disease may also be applied to this disease, providing a major step towards being able to treat ankylosing spondylitis.
Researchers are developing a portable mass spectrometer to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) with greater sensitivity than smear microscopy. The device could automate the process, making it more widely available in resource-poor settings where TB kills two million people annually.
Researchers analyzed hair samples from child mummies found in the Andes, revealing a 'fattening up' process before sacrifice. The children were likely chosen from peasant backgrounds and had their status raised through diet changes and symbolic cutting of their hair.
Leading UK funders launch initiative to support research using patient record databases, citing potential for improved public health measures. The effort aims to build confidence among the general public in the use of personal data for health research purposes.
Scientists have identified the HMGA2 gene, a common variant of which directly influences height. The study found that variations in this gene make some people taller than others, with 25% of white Europeans carrying two 'tall' versions and approximately 1cm difference in height.
The Africa Centre for Health and Population Studies will receive £15 million over five years to improve health status, focusing on HIV infection. Researchers will study the impact of ART programs and develop interventions to prevent transmission.
Scientists identified how brain responds to an approaching menace, shifting from strategic areas to reactive responses. The study found that the closer a threat gets, the more impulsive the response, reducing free will.
New research shows that distributing free insecticide-treated bed nets can significantly reduce malaria cases and save lives. A successful program in Kenya distributed over 3 million nets to two-thirds of children, with no difference in coverage between rich and poor homes.
A study suggests that pregnant and breastfeeding women consuming junk food during these periods may overeat and prefer high-calorie foods in their offspring. This could lead to a higher risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Researchers have found a clear link between Alzheimer's disease and glaucoma, with key proteins implicated in both conditions. Novel drugs targeting these proteins may be used to treat glaucoma, opening up new avenues for treatment beyond intraocular pressure control.
Researchers have identified Müller glial cells with stem cell properties that can regenerate the retina and restore vision in zebrafish. The team hopes to develop this approach for human use, potentially using a person's own cells to stimulate growth and repair.
Clinical trials are underway for a new TB vaccine developed by Dr Helen McShane, which could lead to significant improvements in TB control and treatment. The vaccine has shown promising results in boosting the immune response against TB and has the potential to prevent severe forms of the disease.
Researchers have confirmed six new genetic variants that increase the likelihood of developing coronary artery disease. These variants, found in chromosomes 2, 6, 10 and 15, as well as two on chromosome 1 and one on chromosome 9, are common in white Europeans and explain a significant proportion of heart attacks.
Ancient plant and insect life found in Greenland ice cores, suggesting a more stable southern Greenland ice sheet. The discovery sheds new light on the region's climate history and challenges previous views of sea level rise.
Researchers suggest using insecticide-treated bed nets for adults and older children to protect against malaria. The strategy could substantially enhance protection of vulnerable groups by reducing mosquito transmission.
Researchers in Nepal have found a cost-effective treatment for drug-resistant typhoid fever using Gatifloxacin, a fluoroquinolone drug. The study shows that Gatifloxacin is effective against two common bacteria causing enteric fever and is relatively inexpensive at $1 per seven-day course.
The UK's position in aging research is strengthened with a £5.9 million Strategic Award, aiming to understand biological mechanisms causing aging. Researchers will explore cellular and biochemical processes using animal models, including fruit flies, nematode worms, and mice.
Researchers have discovered a new gene, LCA5, that causes inherited blindness in babies. The finding holds promise for future gene therapy treatments, which may restore vision by injecting genes into the eye.
A £9 million study of 17,000 people has identified over 10 genes that predispose to common diseases, including type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as Crohn's disease. The findings have significant implications for understanding the genetic basis of disease and developing personalized treatments.
Researchers have found that monoclonal antibodies from avian flu survivors in Vietnam are effective in preventing infection and neutralizing the virus in mice. The treatment could potentially provide a clinical benefit to humans with H5N1 infections, especially if administered early after symptoms onset.
A single dose of vitamin D can enhance immunity to mycobacteria, the bacteria that cause TB. The supplement is cheap and effective, with a potential impact on preventing reactivation of latent TB.
Researchers have found a way to induce autophagy, a process where cells recycle waste material, including misfolded proteins. By administering small molecules that enhance this process, they aim to stall the onset of Huntington's-like symptoms in humans.
Researchers found that losing money activates an area of the brain involved in responding to fear and pain, similar to a system for responding to pain. This suggests a biological basis for the concept of 'financial pain', highlighting similarities between financial loss and physical harm.
The Wellcome Trust and GSK will collaborate on a new class of antibacterials to combat rising drug resistance in Gram-negative bacteria, which cause pneumonia and septic shock. The partnership aims to accelerate development of compounds for treating these resistant infections.
A UK collaboration of scientists has identified three new genes that predispose individuals to develop type 2 diabetes. The study confirms the link between two previously-identified genes and brings the total number of genes known to be involved in the disease to nine.
Scientists have identified a strong association between an increase in BMI and a variation of the FTO gene, which carries a 70% higher risk of obesity. The study found that people with two copies of the FTO allele are on average 3kg heavier than those with no copies.
A study published in The Lancet found that exclusive breastfeeding can significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child under six months. Infants who received formula milk or solids were nearly twice as likely to be infected, highlighting the importance of breast milk protection.
A key protein called Mal alerts the immune system to respond against invading bacteria, and research has found two variants that determine how the immune system responds. The findings suggest possible new treatments for malaria and TB, as well as insights into autoimmune diseases.
Researchers used MRI scans to simulate everyday experience of people with cochlear implants, finding the angular gyrus plays a key role in decoding distorted sentences. In noisy environments, other brain regions are engaged to help interpret predictable speech.
A new study reveals that up to 1 in 10 infected infants may survive into late childhood or early adolescence without diagnosis or treatment. Late diagnosis can significantly affect their future health and long-term survival, emphasizing the need for accessible and sympathetic HIV testing and treatment services.
A study found that natural ventilation through opening windows can reduce airborne disease transmission, including TB, in resource-poor settings. The researchers compared this to mechanically-ventilated rooms and found that natural ventilation provided higher rates of ventilation, reducing the risk of infection.
An international consortium, led by Professor Dominique Gauguier, aims to understand the complex causes of coronary artery disease (CAD) and develop effective treatments. The project will use advanced genomics techniques to identify biomarkers for predicting CAD risk factors, offering insights into disease diagnosis and prevention.