science wire

Dr JD Carpentieri (Ioe, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society), Chao Fang (University of Liverpool) and Sarah Akhtar Baz (University of York) explore in The Conversation how long COVID patients helped us understand what it's like to lose all sense of identity and purpose.

A beautiful new image of the Ring Nebula captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, which reveals new features in the outer regions of the ring, has been released by ESA, NASA and CSA and an international team co-led by a UCL astronomer. The image, from James Webb's MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) ( on the right of the main image above ), complements an image issued earlier this month, showing the Ring Nebula at shorter wavelengths of infrared light, taken by James Webb's NIRCam (Near Infrared Camera) ( above left ).

A system of ancient ceramic water pipes, the oldest ever unearthed in China, shows that neolithic people were capable of complex engineering feats without the need for a centralised state authority, finds a new study by UCL researchers. In a study published in Nature Water , the archaeological team describe a network of ceramic water pipes and drainage ditches at the Chinese walled site of Pingliangtai dating back 4,000 years to a time known as the Longshan period.

In a piece for The Conversation, Dr Karen Nokes (UCL Laws) and Professor Richard Moorhead of the University of Exeter describe the origins of the Post Office scandal, possibly the largest miscarriage of justice in UK history, and explain why it is ongoing.

Up to 34% of A-level students are considering living at home if they get into their preferred university following results day, finds a new study by researchers at UCL and The Sutton Trust.

A 'tumour-busting' drug developed at UCL, which scientists say could improve the outlook for people with pancreatic cancer, is set to be trialled in patients following U.S regulatory approval.

Breath-taking new images of the iconic Ring Nebula in Lyra (Messier 57), have been recorded by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), showcasing the nebula's intricate and ethereal beauty in unprecedented detail.

Professor Jenny Parkes, Associate Professor Simone Datzberger and Miss Lottie Howard-Merrill (Ioe, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society) discuss their new research in The Conversation on the links between climate change and violence against children. Every day of the northern hemisphere's summer in 2023 seems to bring a calamitous headline about the climate:  heatwaves ,  wildfires , massive  hailstorms.

Professor Mark Maslin (UCL Geography) highlights in The Conversation research that used modern climate models to map the effects of a nuclear war, and which found the resulting nuclear winter would plunge the planet into a "nuclear little ice age" lasting thousands of years.

Osnat Katz (UCL Science & Technology Studies) tells readers all they need to know about this week's supermoon in The Conversation No matter where you are in the world, and no matter how light the skies are, the Moon is always there.

UCL has been awarded funding worth an estimated £20m for Policy Research Units by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) to support research into health issues including early cancer diagnosis, mental and reproductive health.

The European Space Agency released the first images taken by the Euclid space telescope's VIS instrument, which was built by an international team led by UCL's Mullard Space Science Laboratory.

At UCL, we understand the concern around securing safe, reliable, and legitimate accommodation. As your housing search begins, you will see plenty of great options.

Pupils in state secondary schools in England are much more likely to be excluded if they have a history of receiving social care or special educational needs services, finds a new study by UCL researchers.

The Covid-19 pandemic had a disproportionate impact on ethnic minority and migrant communities, and evidence-based, responsive policies could have significantly mitigated disparities in infection rates and mortality, according to a new report by UCL researchers.

Black and ethnic minority communities experienced great anxiety over work, education and disproportionate attention from police during the Covid-19 pandemic, finds a new report by researchers at UCL, Goldsmiths and Royal Holloway.

According to an analysis of the UK's cosmetic injectables industry by UCL researchers, 68% of cosmetic practitioners who are administering injections such as Botox are not qualified medical doctors.

Dr Alberto Prati (UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies) argues in The Conversation that measuring the effects of inflation inequality is important and urgent for a policy agenda that places citizens' wellbeing at its centre.

The High Court has ordered an eight month pause of the Court proceedings brought by a group of current and former students in response to changes in teaching during the pandemic and industrial action to allow for alternative dispute resolution procedure (ADR) to be explored.

UCL is releasing its animal research statistics today in collaboration with Understanding Animal Research - a non-profit that promotes open communications about animal research. UCL and nine other institutions together conducted half of all animal procedures - those used in medical, veterinary, and scientific research - in the UK in 2022.

An update from Ian Dancy, UCL's Executive Director of Operations, with the latest news on UCL's security consultation process and details of drop-in sessions for staff.