News in Brief
Health - Oct 28
Healthcare workers and their households at increased risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation
Healthcare workers and their households at increased risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation
Computer Science - Oct 28
Bristol one of four international partners creating a global cyberinfrastructure for scientific discovery
Bristol one of four international partners creating a global cyberinfrastructure for scientific discovery
Health - Oct 28
Opinion: England’s contact-tracing system needs better data handling to beat COVID-19
Opinion: England’s contact-tracing system needs better data handling to beat COVID-19
Astronomy - Oct 28
Futuristic house for Martians brought to life by Bristol scientists, artists and architects
Futuristic house for Martians brought to life by Bristol scientists, artists and architects
news
Astronomy - Oct 29
The LIGO and Virgo Collaborations, which includes researchers from the University of Birmingham, have announced a further 39 gravitational-wave events, bringing the total number of confident detections to 50.
Health - Oct 29
The will take part in a new pilot scheme to assess the use of Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs), a new COVID-19 test designed to identify asymptomatic individuals with the virus.
Health - Oct 29
Covering up gaps around the screen separating bus drivers from passengers is an effective way to reduce Covid-19 transmission risk for drivers while they are in their cabin, according to a study by UCL researchers commissioned by Transport for London.
Economics - Oct 29
COVID-19 is having a massive impact on household finances, with personal debts increasing. But some people are seeing their savings rise as their incomes remain unaffected and their spending has been curtailed - says a new financial inclusion monitor from the University of Birmingham and the University of Lincoln.
Health - Oct 29
Taking part in leisure activity in middle age does not appear to reduce dementia risk, finds a new study led by UCL researchers. Previous studies had suggested that leisure activities such as playing cards or gardening may be associated with a lower risk of developing dementia.
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Einstein’s zoo: LIGO and Virgo confirm gravitational waves from 50 cosmic collisions
The LIGO and Virgo Collaborations, which includes researchers from the University of Birmingham, have announced a further 39 gravitational-wave events, bringing the total number of confident detections to 50. These 50 events include the mergers of binary black hole, binary neutron stars and, possibly, neutron star-black holes.
The LIGO and Virgo Collaborations, which includes researchers from the University of Birmingham, have announced a further 39 gravitational-wave events, bringing the total number of confident detections to 50. These 50 events include the mergers of binary black hole, binary neutron stars and, possibly, neutron star-black holes.
The will take part in a new pilot scheme to assess the use of Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs), a new COVID-19 test designed to identify asymptomatic individuals with the virus. The Lateral Flow Test (LFT) is one of a number of new testing technologies for Covid-19 currently being trialled across the UK. It is hoped it will help identify those most at risk of spreading Covid-19 (those who are infectious, but not aware of this) and enable them to alter their behaviour accordingly, thereby breaking the chains of transmission and reducing the infection rate.
New financial inclusion report shows growing gulf between savers and those with debts amongst UK households
COVID-19 is having a massive impact on household finances, with personal debts increasing. But some people are seeing their savings rise as their incomes remain unaffected and their spending has been curtailed - says a new financial inclusion monitor from the University of Birmingham and the University of Lincoln.
COVID-19 is having a massive impact on household finances, with personal debts increasing. But some people are seeing their savings rise as their incomes remain unaffected and their spending has been curtailed - says a new financial inclusion monitor from the University of Birmingham and the University of Lincoln.
Covering screen gaps minimises Covid-19 risk for bus drivers
Covering up gaps around the screen separating bus drivers from passengers is an effective way to reduce Covid-19 transmission risk for drivers while they are in their cabin, according to a study by UCL researchers commissioned by Transport for London. The research team from UCL's Centre for Transport Studies and UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering used computer simulations of airflow to determine the risk that bus drivers might breathe in droplets or aerosols from infected passengers.
Covering up gaps around the screen separating bus drivers from passengers is an effective way to reduce Covid-19 transmission risk for drivers while they are in their cabin, according to a study by UCL researchers commissioned by Transport for London. The research team from UCL's Centre for Transport Studies and UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering used computer simulations of airflow to determine the risk that bus drivers might breathe in droplets or aerosols from infected passengers.
Leisure activity might not reduce dementia risk
Taking part in leisure activity in middle age does not appear to reduce dementia risk, finds a new study led by UCL researchers. Previous studies had suggested that leisure activities such as playing cards or gardening may be associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. But the new study, published in Neurology , found no association between taking part in leisure activities at age 56 and the risk of dementia over the next 18 years.
Taking part in leisure activity in middle age does not appear to reduce dementia risk, finds a new study led by UCL researchers. Previous studies had suggested that leisure activities such as playing cards or gardening may be associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. But the new study, published in Neurology , found no association between taking part in leisure activities at age 56 and the risk of dementia over the next 18 years.
LIGO and Virgo announce new detections in updated gravitational-wave catalogue
The publication of a new catalogue of gravitational wave detections from the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and the Virgo Collaboration is providing valuable new insight into the workings of the universe. The catalog contains 39 new signals from black-hole or neutron-star collisions detected between April 1 and October 1, 2019, which more than triples the number of confirmed detections since the first detection of gravitational waves in September 2015.
The publication of a new catalogue of gravitational wave detections from the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and the Virgo Collaboration is providing valuable new insight into the workings of the universe. The catalog contains 39 new signals from black-hole or neutron-star collisions detected between April 1 and October 1, 2019, which more than triples the number of confirmed detections since the first detection of gravitational waves in September 2015.
A team of researchers have tested everything from t-shirts and socks to jeans and vacuum bags to determine what type of mask material is most effective at trapping the ultrafine particles which may contain viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19.
Pterodactyls and related winged reptiles that lived alongside the dinosaurs steadily improved their ability to fly, becoming the deadly masters of the sky, over the course of millions of years. A new study, ‘150 million years of sustained increase in pterosaur flight efficiency' , published in the journal Nature has shown that pterosaurs - a group of creatures that became Earth's first flying vertebrates - evolved to improve their flight performance over their 150 million-year existence, before going extinct at the same time as dinosaurs 66 million years ago.
Stromboli, the 'lighthouse of the Mediterranean', is known for its low-energy but persistent explosive eruptions, behaviour that is known scientifically as Strombolian activity. This feature has long been an attraction for tourists and volcanologists from all over the world. Occasionally, however, more intense and sudden explosions occur, most recently in July and August last year (2019).
A major goal in organic synthesis is to develop efficient reactions to convert feedstock chemicals (otherwise known as raw or natural materials) into valuable reagents that can be used to create pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. A powerful approach to this core scientific challenge is toconvert carbon-hydrogen bonds into carbon-heteroatom bonds.
Pterosaurs undergo dental examination to reveal clues about diets and lifestyles
Microscopic analysis of the teeth of pterosaurs has revealed new insights into the diets and behaviours of Earth's earliest flying reptiles. Researchers at the University of Leicester's Centre for Palaeobiology Research and the University of Birmingham used dental microwear analysis to look at the wear patterns still visible on the teeth of 17 different species of pterosaur.
Microscopic analysis of the teeth of pterosaurs has revealed new insights into the diets and behaviours of Earth's earliest flying reptiles. Researchers at the University of Leicester's Centre for Palaeobiology Research and the University of Birmingham used dental microwear analysis to look at the wear patterns still visible on the teeth of 17 different species of pterosaur.
Fourteen out of every 1,000 COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital experience a stroke, a rate that is even higher in older patients and those with severe infection and pre-existing vascular conditions, according to a report published this week. Even though the incidence of stroke among COVID-19 patients is relatively low, the scale of the pandemic means that many thousands of people could potentially be affected worldwide Hugh Markus COVID-19 has become a global pandemic, affecting millions of people worldwide.
Antiviral drugs trialled in the early stages of COVID-19
Two antiviral drugs are being given to COVID-19 positive adults to establish if they stop the virus replicating, as part of a trial led by UCL scientists. The FLARE trial aims to see if favipiravir and lopinavir/ritonavir, alone or in combination, can inhibit viral replication in early infection - within the first few days of illness.
Two antiviral drugs are being given to COVID-19 positive adults to establish if they stop the virus replicating, as part of a trial led by UCL scientists. The FLARE trial aims to see if favipiravir and lopinavir/ritonavir, alone or in combination, can inhibit viral replication in early infection - within the first few days of illness.
3D-printed neck collar shortlisted for Design of the Year
A UCL clinical researcher who developed an innovative 3D printed neck collar, helping transform the lives of people with serious neurological disorders, has been shortlisted for the prestigious 'Beazley Designs of the Year 2020'. Dr Luke Hale (UCL Surgery and Interventional Science) is the lead designer behind an innovative workflow process, which combines 3D scanning, procedural design and 3D printing to create personalised support braces.
A UCL clinical researcher who developed an innovative 3D printed neck collar, helping transform the lives of people with serious neurological disorders, has been shortlisted for the prestigious 'Beazley Designs of the Year 2020'. Dr Luke Hale (UCL Surgery and Interventional Science) is the lead designer behind an innovative workflow process, which combines 3D scanning, procedural design and 3D printing to create personalised support braces.
Smoking cessation and high-risk drinking increased in lockdown
The percentage of people who reported stopping smoking more than doubled after the Covid-19 lockdown was implemented in March, according to a new study by UCL researchers. The research also found that high-risk drinking increased after lockdown despite the proportion of adults trying to reduce their alcohol intake being twice as high as before lockdown.
The percentage of people who reported stopping smoking more than doubled after the Covid-19 lockdown was implemented in March, according to a new study by UCL researchers. The research also found that high-risk drinking increased after lockdown despite the proportion of adults trying to reduce their alcohol intake being twice as high as before lockdown.
Common diabetes drugs may help prevent Parkinson’s
Elevated risk of Parkinson's disease among people with type 2 diabetes appears to be reduced by some medications used to treat their diabetes, finds a new study led by UCL researchers. The researchers are testing one of the drugs, called exenatide, as a potential Parkinson's treatment in an upcoming clinical trial, and the new findings, published in Brain , lend support to repurposing diabetes medications for people with Parkinson's.
Elevated risk of Parkinson's disease among people with type 2 diabetes appears to be reduced by some medications used to treat their diabetes, finds a new study led by UCL researchers. The researchers are testing one of the drugs, called exenatide, as a potential Parkinson's treatment in an upcoming clinical trial, and the new findings, published in Brain , lend support to repurposing diabetes medications for people with Parkinson's.
High blood pressure and its drug treatment unlikely to increase entry of COVID-19 virus into cells
Fears that people with high blood pressure are more at risk from severe Covid-19 because it is easier for the virus to enter their cells and tissues have been laid to rest, thanks to research by an international team of scientists The team led by University of Manchester, and including University of Glasgow researchers, also show that speculation over some blood pressure lowering medications that they increase the risk of Covid-19 infection, is likely to be wrong.
Fears that people with high blood pressure are more at risk from severe Covid-19 because it is easier for the virus to enter their cells and tissues have been laid to rest, thanks to research by an international team of scientists The team led by University of Manchester, and including University of Glasgow researchers, also show that speculation over some blood pressure lowering medications that they increase the risk of Covid-19 infection, is likely to be wrong.
Over-activity in a single brain region called the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) underlies several key symptoms of mood and anxiety disorders, but an antidepressant only successfully treats some of the symptoms. We found that over-activity in sgACC promotes the body's 'fight-or-flight' rather than 'rest-and-digest' response, by activating the cardiovascular system and elevating threat responses.
The first large-scale study of the risks that countries face from dependence on water, energy and land resources has found that globalisation may be decreasing, rather than increasing, the security of global supply chains. By quantifying the pressures that our consumption places on water, energy and land resources in far-off corners of the world, we can also determine how much risk is built into our interconnected world Oliver Taherzadeh Countries meet their needs for goods and services through domestic production and international trade.
The proportion of children experiencing a probable mental disorder has increased over the past three years, from one in nine in 2017 to one in six in July this year, according to a report published by NHS Digital and co-authored by Professor Tamsin Ford at the University of Cambridge.
News from the Lab is a selection of science news that are significant or interesting for a broad readership.
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News in Brief
Health - Oct 28
Healthcare workers and their households at increased risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation
Healthcare workers and their households at increased risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation
Computer Science - Oct 28
Bristol one of four international partners creating a global cyberinfrastructure for scientific discovery
Bristol one of four international partners creating a global cyberinfrastructure for scientific discovery
Health - Oct 28
Opinion: England’s contact-tracing system needs better data handling to beat COVID-19
Opinion: England’s contact-tracing system needs better data handling to beat COVID-19
Astronomy - Oct 28
Futuristic house for Martians brought to life by Bristol scientists, artists and architects
Futuristic house for Martians brought to life by Bristol scientists, artists and architects