Imperial College

A new process that speeds up the collection of the malaria parasite promises to speed up vaccine development

Medical

"Mosquito smoothies" streamline production of promising malaria vaccine

A new technology developed at Imperial College London could give one of our most promising malaria vaccine candidates a huge boost, by streamlining the development process through the use of what are described as "mosquito smoothies."

Scientists have developed a probe with fluorescent molecules, that glows more brightly in the presence of enzymes associated with cardiovascular trouble

Medical

Glowing probe lights up the signs of cardiovascular trouble

Researchers in the UK have developed a new type of glowing probe that increases its fluorescence in the presence of an enzyme linked to plaque buildup in the arteries, possibly acting as an early warning sign for cardiovascular disease.

The superbug Pseudomonas aeruginosa, after being "popped like a balloon"

Medical

Last-resort antibiotic found to pop superbugs like balloons

By turning modern scientific tools on an antibiotic discovered 70 years ago, researchers have unearthed a previously unknown mechanism it uses to pierce and pop superbugs like balloons, raising new hopes in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria.

New research has found diabetics who go on to develop dementia display higher blood pressure for years before cognitive decline appears, compared to diabetics who don't develop dementia

Health & Wellbeing

High blood pressure suggested as link between diabetes and dementia

Researchers have long detected higher rates of cognitive decline in people with type 2 diabetes and new findings indicate cardiometabolic factors associated with diabetes, such as increased blood pressure, could be contributing to the development of dementia.

Materials

Cartilage-inspired material may find use in self-lubricating bearings

As anyone with arthritis will know, cartilage plays a vital role in allowing our joints to move freely. Scientists have now replicated its qualities in a synthetic self-lubricating material, that only needs occasional infusions of water.

For the first time, a trial has directly compared the efficacy of psychedelic psilocybin psychotherapy for depression against a common antidepressant medication

Science

First head-to-head trial pits psychedelic therapy against antidepressant

A first-of-its-kind trial has pitted a common antidepressant against psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms. The results are mixed but suggest the drug is at least as effective as common antidepressants in treating depression.

Peat fires can burn for weeks and are difficult to extinguish

Environment

Wetting agent douses underground "zombie" fires with great efficiency

Researchers in the UK have come up with a new formula for tackling smoldering "zombie fires", which can burn through carbon-rich organic matter underground and trigger flaming wildfires again once the danger appears to have passed.

The barriers should also reduce traffic noise, plus they could be used as a scaffolding for greenery

Environment

Study suggests roadside barriers could deflect harmful exhaust

There are currently many projects aimed at reducing the air pollution emitted in automobile exhaust, but in the meantime couldn't we just … redirect that exhaust? A new study suggests a possible means of doing so.

A unique study suggests reported benefits of psychedelic microdosing may be evidence of a strong placebo effect

Health & Wellbeing

First-of-its-kind trial finds psychedelic microdosing is equal to placebo

A landmark "self-blinded" trial testing the effect of psychedelic microdosing has found the practice may be an example of a strong placebo effect. The research suggests there is little difference in reported benefits between a microdose and a placebo.

After months of planning, a UK ethics body has approved a controversial COVID-19 human challenge study

Health & Wellbeing

UK ethics body approves COVID-19 trial to infect healthy subjects with virus

A controversial world-first human challenge trial is set to commence in weeks following approval by a UK ethics committee. The research aims to test vaccine efficacy, but the first step will investigate the lowest dose of virus that leads to COVID-19.

An upside-down dragonfly rights itself by performing an aerial backflip

Science

Dragonflies' self-righting mechanism could find use in safer drones

If a drone were to inadvertently end up upside-down while flying, it would be good if the aircraft could automatically flip itself back over again, to avoid crashing. Such may someday be the case, thanks to a recent study on dragonfly flight.

Treating current COVID-19 patients with antibody-containing blood plasma from people who have recovered from the disease continues to be studied

Health & Wellbeing

COVID-19 blood plasma therapy ineffective in severely ill patients

Early findings from a clinical trial suggest severely ill COVID-19 patients do not benefit from a therapy involving infusions of plasma from those recovered from the disease. The trial continues to investigate the therapy in moderately ill patients.