news

Here's a batch of fresh news and announcements from across Imperial. From genes that may increase the risk of autoimmune disease, to new twisting laser lights to visualise molecules, here is some quick-read news from across the College. Neurodegenerative disease dynamics Many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's (PD) are associated with the accumulation and aggregation of certain proteins that form deposits in the brain.

New research suggests a new solar energy design, inspired by nature, may pave the way for future renewable energy technologies. Photovoltaic solar energy is obtained by converting sunshine into electricity - and researchers from Imperial have developed a new leaf-like design with increased efficiency.

Here's a batch of fresh news and announcements from across Imperial. From psychedelic therapies to exercise interventions for school pupils, here is some quick-read news from across the College. Psychedelic gambling treatment Researchers in Imperial's Centre for Psychedelic Research are set to investigate whether the active compound in magic mushrooms could help problem gamblers to break their addiction.

Bringing ultrafast physics to structural biology has revealed the dance of molecular -coherence- in unprecedented clarity. How molecules change when they react to stimuli such as light is fundamental in biology, for example during photosynthesis. Scientists have been working to unravel the workings of these changes in several fields, and by combining two of these, researchers have paved the way for a new era in understanding the reactions of protein molecules fundamental for life.

Old stars roaming through new star-forming regions could be responsible for a radioactive heat source thought to be important for young planets. The discovery of an older star travelling through a star-forming region shows how these kinds of stars could provide essential radioactive elements to developing solar systems.

Fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus has acquired resistance to agricultural fungicide and first-line clinical antifungal drugs. Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungus which plays a key role in the break down of plant and soil organic matter. But exposure to this mould can cause a chronic and acute life-threatening disease in humans, called aspergillosis.

Urgent action is needed to address the significant risk posed by fur farms for the emergence of future viral pandemics, Imperial scientists warn. Mink fur farms could provide the optimum conditions for H5N1 influenza to mutate and make the jump to humans, potentially leading to the next global pandemic, warn scientists from Imperial College London.

New research has investigated the potential impact of living near Heathrow airport on cardiovascular hospitalisations and deaths. The sound of airplanes flying overhead late at night is linked to a slight increase in hospital admissions for heart-related problems the following day, a study from Imperial College London suggests.

Observations of a wild colony of macaques over three years show same-sex sexual behaviour among males is widespread and may be beneficial. The results, published today in Nature Ecology and Evolution , suggest same-sex sexual behaviour (SSB) has evolved and may be a common feature of primate reproduction.

Here's a batch of fresh news and announcements from across Imperial. From research into DNA changes that may affect obesity, to citizen science tools for monitoring pollinators, here is some quick-read news from across the College. Decoding obesity Researchers have identified over 800 DNA switches that are changed in people with extreme obesity.

Researchers who found novel coronaviruses in UK bats say genetic surveys of the viruses should be regularly conducted. Working with a network of bat conservationists, a research team led by Imperial College London and University College London researchers screened faecal samples from UK bats for coronaviruses.

Here's a batch of fresh news and announcements from across Imperial. From new analysis on combining multiple medications for cholesterol , to research into the mechanisms that control the menstrual cycle , here is some quick-read news from across the College. Cholesterol guidelines Combining multiple medications could help more than half of European patients achieve healthy cholesterol levels, finds new analysis.

New research is increasing our understanding about why some women with the most lethal form of ovarian cancer respond better to treatment than others. Researchers at Imperial College London have confirmed that the tumours of some women with high-grade serious ovarian cancer (HGSOC) contain a type of lymphoid tissue - known as tertiary lymphoid structures, or TLS - and that the presence of this tissue gives women a significantly better prognosis.

The Parker Solar Probe has flown close enough to the surface of the Sun to detect the fine structure of the solar wind close to where it is generated. In a paper published today in the journal Nature , a team of researchers including from Imperial College London used data from NASA's Parker Solar Probe to explain how the solar wind is capable of surpassing speeds of one million miles per hour.

New analysis shows how the SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads from the nose to the air and surfaces in the immediate surroundings. The findings are the second batch of results to come from the COVID-19 Human Challenge Programme , led by Imperial College London and partners*, and provide granular insights into how people infected with SARS-CoV-2 spread the virus to their immediate surroundings.

Here's a batch of fresh news and announcements from across Imperial. From research into using sandstones to calculate ancient river flood events , to a project on the design principles of plant leaf structures , here is some quick-read news from across the College. How floods formed Welsh sandstones Researchers in the Department of Earth Science and Engineering have shown how it is possible to calculate the magnitudes and durations of ancient river flood events, using Welsh sandstones formed 300 million years ago.

Residents in Lambeth started driving less once their area became a low traffic neighbourhood relative to those living in surrounding areas. This is according to a new study of the London borough of Lambeth, which found that annual driving by residents living in four new LTNs introduced in 2020 decreased by 6% in the two years since their introduction compared to other control areas.

How easily birds can fly between suitable areas strongly determines whether a particular species can survive habitat fragmentation. A new study shows why tropical birds are likely to be more vulnerable to forest fragmentation, and suggests conservation policies need to take into account the role of climate in determining the ability of animals to move across fragmented landscapes.

The magnetometer instrument on the JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) spacecraft has been rigorously tested and is ready to fulfil its mission. The magnetometer instrument (J-MAG), led by Imperial College London researchers, consists of three sensors, all of which were shown to be operating well. The deployment also marks the first time a quantum interference sensor - a precise but delicate technology - has been used beyond Earth orbit.

Researchers have created a spinning disc of plasma in a lab, mimicking discs found around black holes and forming stars. The experiment more accurately models what happens in these plasma discs, which could help researchers discover how black holes grow and how collapsing matter forms stars. As matter approaches black holes it heats up, becoming plasma - a fourth state of matter consisting of charged ions and free electrons.