Category Archives: University College London

Missing link between severe COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s disease discovered

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The gene variant plays a role in heightened inflammatory responses influencing both Alzheimer's disease and severe COVID-19

Early in the pandemic researchers saw disproportionately high rates of dementia patients suffering from severe COVID-19. A common hypothesis was that memory impairments associated with neurodegeneration affect a person’s ability to consistently follow infection control measures such as social distancing and mask wearing. But a new study led by scientists from University College London is proposing a key gene variant, known to heighten one’s risk for Alzheimer’s, stimulates the body’s inflammatory responses and can lead to greater susceptibility to severe COVID-19.

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Rheumatoid arthritis linked with gut bacteria imbalance

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Impressive new research led by a team from University College London is suggesting bacterial imbalances in the gut microbiome may play a major role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis. The preclinical study found damage to the gut lining directl… Continue reading Rheumatoid arthritis linked with gut bacteria imbalance→

New long COVID studies warn we’re still in “uncharted territory”

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With successful vaccines helping prevent hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 scientists are racing to understand the long-term effects of this novel disease. Dubbed “long COVID”, a handful of new studies are beginning to shed light on this unusua… Continue reading New long COVID studies warn we’re still in “uncharted territory”→

Microspheres coated in stem cells could help mend broken hearts

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It’s a cruel reality that the heart has such a limited capacity to heal itself, meaning that people who survive heart attacks often go on to have more. Now, researchers at the University College London (UCL) have grown heart cells from stem cells, embe… Continue reading Microspheres coated in stem cells could help mend broken hearts→

How an extra thumb changes the way your brain perceives the hand

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A few years ago a London-based designer named Dani Clode introduced the world to the Third Thumb, a novel robotic finger controlled using pressure sensors under one’s feet. The project was more a novelty than a prototype, exploring futurist ideas surro… Continue reading How an extra thumb changes the way your brain perceives the hand→

AI identifies three subtypes of multiple sclerosis in MRI brain scans

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Scientists may have identified three new subtypes of multiple sclerosis (MS). A team trained artificial intelligence algorithms on a large dataset of MRI scans of the brains of MS patients, and uncovered patterns regarding which areas of the brain are … Continue reading AI identifies three subtypes of multiple sclerosis in MRI brain scans→

X-rays unlock secrets of the world’s oldest computer

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A team of scientists at the University College London has shed new light on the Antikythera Mechanism – the world’s first computer and one of the ancient world’s greatest technological mysteries. Using new imaging data, the multidisciplinary UCL Antiky… Continue reading X-rays unlock secrets of the world’s oldest computer→

Stonehenge may include recycled stones from another ancient circle

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Archeologists from University College London (UCL) have found the remains of a stone circle in west Wales, which indicate that part of Stonehenge was made from recycled stones. Excavations at Waun Mawn suggest that bluestones from the Welsh circle were… Continue reading Stonehenge may include recycled stones from another ancient circle→

“Game-changer” obesity drug cuts 20% of weight in a third of subjects

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In what the authors are hailing as a “game-changer” in the realm of weight loss therapy, a major global study has demonstrated how an obesity drug can cut significant body weight from many of those who take it. Originally developed to treat diabetes, t… Continue reading “Game-changer” obesity drug cuts 20% of weight in a third of subjects→

Fossil fuel pollution caused 8.7 million deaths in 2018, study finds

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While much of the criticism surrounding the burning of fossil fuels focuses on the long term impacts to the health of the planet, it can also have devastating short-term effects on the health of the human population. A new study led by Harvard scientis… Continue reading Fossil fuel pollution caused 8.7 million deaths in 2018, study finds→