UCL Science Magazine

Longer life expectancy and ageing populations will lead to an increase in the prevalence of Alzheimer's Disease across the globe. However, symptoms can be vague and non-specific, hindering diagnosis. The most effective treatments should be administered early in the progression of the disease. How can clinicians ascertain a diagnosis more quickly and accurately? Blood biomarker testing might provide the answer. Check out our latest article by Andjela Obradovic! #neuroscience #healthcare #medicine #diagnostics https://lnkd.in/evMqJF8c

From the mesmerizing patterns found in nature to the artistic beauty of microscopic organisms, science has always inspired creativity. We're therefore delighted to launch UCL Science Magazine's Creative section, a brand-new space dedicated to exploring science through photography, artwork, and creative writing by UCL students. In our first feature, we’re bringing the wonders of the night sky to life. We're thrilled to share stunning photographs taken by Astrophysics students at UCL. These breath-taking images, taken using the robotic telescopes at the UCL Observatory, reveal the hidden beauty of our universe—reminding us that science isn’t just about discovery, but also about awe and inspiration. https://lnkd.in/eXd63MFe

How has the human brain evolved over time? There are several key players in the origin of human intelligence, both biological and anthropological. In this introduction, Madeleine Hjelt explores some of the genetic drivers of human brain evolution and their pivotal role in shaping our higher cognitive abilities. Check out UCL Science Magazine's latest article: https://lnkd.in/eAvjKRKE #genetics #science #biology #sciencecommunication

Bioluminescence - the emission of light by an organism - is amongst nature’s most charming phenomena. A new phototherapy, which uses light emission from fireflies, aims at stimulating the self-destruction of remote tumours. Could this illuminate the path to a cancer-free future? Read our latest article by Calista Chan: https://lnkd.in/e9kMgj7g

Though less lively than their cartoon counterpart, deep-ocean sponges are helping researchers alleviate symptoms of Down syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. In our latest article, a UCL student shares his experience talking to Dr Laurent Meijer, whose research, spearheaded by the Perha Pharmaceuticals lab in Roscoff, France, has produced a promising drug candidate called Leucettinib-21 (derived from marine sponges!) to treat neurodegenerative conditions. The article explores the fascinating process of finding a possible candidate molecule from the wild and all the steps involved between the discovery and development of a functioning drug product. Read our latest work by Martin Gazançon! https://lnkd.in/eamXQqSg

Throughout our lives, we learn how to behave through trial and error. What if we could teach machines using the same principle? From football-playing robots to chemical reaction simulations, deep reinforcement learning is unlocking new levels of intelligence in machines. Read our latest article by Julian Tan! https://lnkd.in/e72zrxRR

Climate change is already reshaping our world, but what if nature and technology could fight back together? IVF corals and cyborg peace lilies are emerging as unlikely heroes in the battle against environmental destruction. These innovative solutions - designed to restore fragile marine ecosystems and monitor hidden pollutants- are reimagining the future of climate action. From glowing plants that detect air toxins to genetically enhanced corals resisting heat stress, the future of our planet might just lie in these cutting-edge breakthroughs. Check out our latest article by Ariella Morris! https://lnkd.in/ebeaHZkd

AlphaFold2, one of the AI programs behind the 2024 Nobel Prize win in Chemistry, provides an innovative breakthrough for tackling "The Protein Folding Problem." The protein structure prediction capability provided by AlphaFold2 not only provides a new perspective for solving this long-standing problem but also indicates the potential of AI in shaping the future of medicine. Check out our latest article by Aryan Boruah! https://lnkd.in/eXDbkhya

Fusion Reactors, while impressively useful for renewable energy production, often run into chaos due to plasma disruption events. A group of scientists tackled this problem using reinforcement learning, letting the reactor learn how to stay stable during operation. Read our latest article by Faraaz Akhtar: https://lnkd.in/ecQqqY4n

Quantum computing is one of the hottest buzzwords in technology today, but what lies beneath the hype? How does this cutting-edge tech actually work, and why is it being called a game-changer for everything from medicine to cybersecurity? Check out our latest article by Veronika Liutarevich: https://lnkd.in/e_du8b4s