'High caffeine consumption may be linked to increased glaucoma risk'

UCL - Jihye Kim et al.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.12.009

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8 June 2021 

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The study analyzed the caffeine intake and DNA samples of 120,000 adults aged 39 to 73. The results suggested that high caffeine intake is associated with greater chance of glaucoma (i.e., excess pressure within the eyeball), as measured in IOP.

'New insight into protein production in brain could help tackle dementia'

UCL - Roberto Simone et al.

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03556-6

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13 May 2021 

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Researchers, for the first time, found the a layer of genetic material associated with the control of tau production, which is a critical protein in the development of degenerative disorders, such as  the Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

'Improving the lives of patients with schizophrenia by managing anticholinergic burden'

University of Toronto - Waqas Ullah Khan et al.

DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbaa093

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23 March 2021

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Drugs administered to treat schizophrenia is found to have side-effects on the memory and cognitive abilities of patients aged 55 or above. This may rather harm the livelihood of the patients. Therefore, doctors should manage the dosage of the medication wisely and maybe apply cognitive trainings to reduce the side-effects of the drugs.

'Artificial ‘brain’ reveals why we can’t always believe our eyes'

University of Cambridge & Reuben Rideaux, Andrew E. Welchman

DOI: 10.1167/jov.20.11.275

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25 February 2021

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The artificial system namely the MotionNet allows the simulation of the neural network responsible for motion processing in the human brain. It does not only model visual illusions (e.g. reverse-phi motion) that are found already, but provide further insights about the underlying mechanisms.

'High insulin levels during childhood a risk for mental health problems later in life, study suggests'

University of Cambridge

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20191-3

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13 January 2021

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A strong positive relationship between insulin levels from mid-childhood and risk of developing psychosis in adulthood is found. This has cast light onto the physical predictors of the onset of mental health problems. Further research is required to strengthen such link.

'Understanding how a key mutation influences the development of schizophrenia'

University of Toronto

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15 December 2020

'New app to monitor Parkinson’s progression at home'

UCL and Birkbeck, University of London

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18 December 2020

'Scientists have used gene therapy to regenerate damaged nerve fibres in the eye'

University of Cambridge -led research

: 10.1038/s41467-020-19436-y

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05 November 2020

'Marmoset study finds single brain region linking depression and anxiety, heart disease, and people’s sensitivity to treatment'

University of Cambridge -led research

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19167-0

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26 October 2020

'How depression impacts our brain as we age'

UCL-led research

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15 July 2020

'Neurological symptoms like fatigue common in mild Covid'

UCL - Jonathan P. Rogers et al.

DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2021-326405

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4 June 2021 

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Researchers have conducted a systematical review on 215 papers about the physical and psychological symptoms exerpienced by Covid patients. The results suggested that those experiencing mild Covid may suffer from neurological symptoms such as fatigue, loss of small and taste. Such may be moderated by psychological factors such as stress and anxiety.

'Researchers call for greater awareness of unintended consequences of CRISPR gene editing'

Univeristy of Cambridge - Gregorio Alanis-Lobato et al.

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2004832117

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12 April 2021 

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The researchers have revealed a lack in power of the conventional method in checking genetic mutations for CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, which is a common research tool for editing sections of DNA in calls. While most of the CRISPR-Cas9-induced mutations were limited, around 16% of the samples contained large unintended mutations which may lead to severe consequences such as cancer. This calls for a more sensitive and accurate genome editing and monitoring for genetic studies on embryos. 

'Can viruses hijack their hosts' circadian rhythms?'

University of Oxford - Xiaodong Zhuang et al.

DOI:10.1038/s41467-021-21821-0

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26 March 2021

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The "circadian clock" regulates bodily processes (via hormone secretion) in a 24-hour cycle. Researchers have found a close relationship between the oxygen sensing system used by this "clock" and the viral replication pathways for Hepatitis B virus (HBV). This raises concerns on the effect of the "circadian clock" on the infection of other viruses.

'Video of ‘dancing DNA’ developed by researchers'

University College London & Alice Pyne, Bart Hoogenboom
DOI: 10.1038/nmeth.4455

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24 February 2021

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With stresses and strains placed on DNA, scientists are now able to observe these protein molecules in motion rather than just static photographs. The technique allowed researchers to examine every single atom in the DNA as if they are "dancing".

'Breakthrough disease mechanism behind Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) uncovered'

King’s College London

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20191-3

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11 December 2020

'A new app explores the link between brain development and mental health'

UCL 

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17 December 2020

'Researchers show how to target a 'shape-shifting' protein in Alzheimer’s disease'

University of Cambridge -led research

: 10.1126/sciadv.abb5924

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04 November 2020

'Earwax sampling could measure stress hormone'

Researchers at UCL and KCL

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05124

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3 November 2020

'Raised blood pressure and diabetes alter brain structure to slow thinking speed and memory'

Neuroscientist University of Oxford

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7 September 2020