University College London

Impact of a multi-strain probiotic in real-world women with perimenopause symptoms: a single-arm, virtual pilot study

Perimenopause is characterised by fluctuating ovarian hormones and a heterogeneous, multisystem symptom profile that can substantially impair quality of life (QoL). Non-hormonal management options remain limited for those unable/unwilling to use hormone replacement therapy. Emerg...

Pore morphological evolution in normally and overconsolidated natural clays under one-dimensional loading: deionised and saline pore fluid conditions

<title>Abstract</title> This study investigates how one-dimensional consolidation, swelling, and overconsolidation alter pore morphology in two natural clays of contrasting mineralogy, an illite-dominant Loess clay and an interstratified illite-smectite Lucera clay, tested under...

Bidirectional associations between loneliness and physical multimorbidity and the mediating role of social inactivity

Physical multimorbidity and loneliness are increasingly recognised as public health concerns, but the nature of their potential relationships remains unclear. Here we report bidirectional associations between physical multimorbidity and loneliness in middle-aged and older adults...

The association between pubertal timing and diurnal cortisol activity in middle adolescence

The pubertal development stage is associated with mental health. One explanation is that the pubertal stage is linked to changes in hypothalamic‒pituitary‒adrenal (HPA) axis activity. However, no study has investigated the prospective association between pubertal timing and HPA a...

The impact of chemotherapy on frontal lobe executive functioning in adolescents and young adults diagnosed and treated for blood cancers: a systematic review

Abstract Background Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), often termed “chemobrain,” is a recognised effect of cancer therapy. However, most research has focused on older adults with solid tumours, leaving the neurocognitive consequences of chemotherapy in adolescents and y...

Perspectives on Meditation-based Preparation for Psychedelic Experiences: Insights from Practitioners with Combined Meditation and Psychedelic Experience

Abstract Objectives Emerging research suggests that meditation may support more beneficial psychedelic experiences while reducing the likelihood of lasting negative effects, yet its specific preparatory benefits remain underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the perceived...

Ethical compromise, valuing life, and Fechner's Law

Ethical compromise, valuing life, and Fechner's Law Authors: Nigel Harvey, Xiaozhou TanAffiliation: Department of Experimental Psychology, University College London (UCL)Principal Investigator: Prof. Nigel HarveyLicence: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)D...

PLCG2 downregulation impairs synaptic function and increases Alzheimer’s disease hallmarks in neuronal cultures

We developed a high-content screening to investigate how Alzheimer’s disease (AD) genetic risk factors may affect synaptic mechanisms in rat primary neuronal cultures. Of the target genes identified, we found that Plcg2 downregulation in mouse dentate gyrus neurons consistently d...

Spatial qubit entanglement witness for quantum natured gravity

Abstract Witnessing the quantum nature of gravity through the entanglement of two masses has recently been proposed. Both non-Gaussian and Gaussian protocols have been shown to be useful for this purpose. In non-Gaussian protocols the complete 1/r gravitational interaction can in...

Eating Disorder Focused Family Therapy with Autistic Children and Young People: A Narrative Review of Recent Developments

Abstract Purpose of review This review aims to report the recent advances for eating disorder focused family therapy (FT-ED) for Autistic children and young people, including outcomes, experiences, and suggested adaptations. Recent findings Quantitative studies suggest that Autis...

Twenty years of inhaler therapy: A nationwide drug utilization study

AIMS: This study aimed to map nationwide trends and prescribing patterns in inhaler use from 2004 to 2023. In light of evolving clinical guidelines and attention to the environmental impact of inhalers within recent years, we also examined variation in prescribing behaviour and p...

PHOS-UK: Open-source user interface for power-hydrogen-heat optimisation for the United Kingdom

This paper introduces PHOS-UK, an open-source graphical user interface (GUI) and optimisation-based decision-support tool for optimal planning of integrated energy infrastructure in the United Kingdom (UK), including electricity, hydrogen, heating, and CO 2 infrastructures. PHOS-...

Delivering building demand flexibility for grid-interactive operation: from perception and cognition to decision, execution, and verification

As both buildings and power systems undergo rapid decarbonization, demand flexibility (DF) in buildings has emerged as a key enabler for renewable energy integration, grid reliability, energy resilience, and efficient and low carbon operation. By dynamically adjusting building en...

Early Hospital Practices Were Associated With Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Late Preterm and Early Term Infants

AIM: To assess how maternal/infant characteristics and early hospital practices influenced exclusive breastfeeding at 2-3 weeks postpartum among mothers intending to breastfeed their late preterm and early term infants. METHODS: This secondary analysis used data from a randomised...

Teaching Signal Synchronization in Deep Neural Networks with Prospective Neurons

Abstract Working memory requires the brain to maintain information from the recent past to guide ongoing behavior. Neurons can contribute to this capacity by slowly integrating their inputs over time, creating persistent activity that outlasts the original stimulus. However, when...

Multilayer networks in finance: a systematic review

<title>Abstract</title> Stress in the global financial system propagates through multiple channels, including interbank credit and funding, overlapping portfolios, and bank–firm exposures. Multilayer networks represent these channels as interdependent layers, enabling analysis of...

Restriction of access to means of suicide in veterinary workplaces: Protection, unintended consequences and complexity

BACKGROUND: Workplace access to means of suicide has been theorised as a contributor to elevated veterinary suicide rates. Workplace interventions to reduce suicide deaths among veterinary professionals require understanding of how restriction of access is experienced. METHODS: Q...

The Potential for "Needy" Socially Assistive Robots in Assisted Living: Support Workers' Perspectives

Amidst the mounting challenges posed by the ageing of worldwide populations, innovative care approaches need to be explored. Socially Assistive Robots (SARs) have emerged as a potential solution, however despite their potential benefits, they have yet to realise widespread utilis...

Categorical absorption of a non-isolated singularity

We study an example of a projective threefold with a non-isolated singularity and its derived category. The singular locus can be locally described as a line of surface nodes compounded with a threefold node at the origin. We construct a semiorthogonal decomposition where one com...

Modeling driver cognitive states for shared-control vehicles in intelligent transportation systems

This study aims to model driver cognitive states for shared-control vehicles operating within intelligent transportation systems. We introduce driving activity level as an interpretable state variable that combines attention allocation, steering behavior, and perceived situationa...