science wire

Smoking among women under 45 from more advantaged social groups in England appears to have increased over the past decade, according to a new study by UCL researchers. The researchers focused on women between 18 and 45 as these are ages when women are most likely to become pregnant and for whom smoking tobacco carries extra risks.

More than 10 million books and journals, published by UCL Press, the UK's first fully Open Access University Press, have now been downloaded - signalling the popularity and transformation effect of this more sustainable publishing model. UCL Press's pioneering Open Access (OA) programme spans many of the major academic disciplines, from history to philosophy and the sciences to anthropology. The Press has published 339 books that have been downloaded more than 8.7 million times, while its 14 journals have attracted more than 2.6 million downloads.

Innovative carbon beads, invented by researchers at UCL, reduce bad bacteria and inflammation in animal models, which are linked to liver cirrhosis and other serious health issues.

Removing one step from a three-part MRI scan, which could make them quicker, cheaper and more accessible, had no negative impact on diagnostic accuracy, according to clinical trial results led by UCL and UCLH.

In the field of Indigenous health, challenging systemic issues in health systems is achievable through partnerships with affected people and communities, writes Professor Sandy Oliver (Ioe, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society) alongside colleagues in The Conversation. Studies show that people often do not have opportunities to engage in health-related decision-making with their health-care providers.

Wasp scientists across the globe agree that media coverage of wasps skews negative and almost entirely overlooks their beneficial attributes, reports a team led by UCL researchers.

Chronic kidney disease patients living in the hottest countries experienced an additional 8% drop in kidney function each year compared to those living in temperate climates, finds a new study from researchers at UCL and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). The study, published in    Lancet Planetary Health , is the first global, medium-term analysis of the relationship between chronic kidney disease and heat.

A ketogenic diet, which is low in carbohydrates and high in fat, shows promise as an alternative treatment option for infants with drug-resistant epilepsy, finds a new study led by researchers at UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH). Results from the Ketogenic Diet in Infancy (KIWE) trial, outlined in The Lancet Neurology, was the first in the world to compare the impact of a ketogenic diet to further anti-seizure medication for infants aged one to 24 months with drug-resistant epilepsy.

What is the best practice for using evidence from research studies in schools? Dr Sally Riordan (Ioe, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society) argues that we don't have enough evidence to be confident that it should always be the first port of call in The Conversation.

The fact that Turkey's local elections are taking place during the month of Ramadan should help Islamist political parties such as Erdogan's AKP gain control, writes Dr Ozan Aksoy (Ioe, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society) in The Conversation.

A new fabrication process that could be used to build a quantum computer achieves an almost zero failure rate and has the potential to be scaled up, according to new research from engineers and physicists at UCL.

A new way to classify tuberculosis (TB) that aims to improve focus on the early stages of the disease has been presented by an international team involving researchers at UCL.

As part of UCL's National Student Money Week, the Money Charity led a workshop delving into the intricacies of personal finance and how students can navigate their paths to financial wellbeing.

Did you know that there used to be a scientific laboratory at UCL that researched ways to construct "better" genetics for humanity? VPEE student journalist Defne Kutay meets a group of staff and students who are exploring its history and legacy.

Giant sequoia trees are becoming a resilient part of our landscape with an estimated half a million sequoias (wild and planted) in England, writes Professor Mat Disney (UCL Geography) in The Conversation.