Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

LightNews

UCL News

@uclnews.bsky.social

1.3K followers 400 following 390 posts

News/media from UCL (University College London), updated by UCL Media Relations. Follow @ucl.ac.uk for highlights of UCL life. ucl.ac.uk/news/

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 1d

Quitting smoking in middle age or later is linked to slower cognitive decline over the long term, according to a new study led by Dr Mikaela Bloomberg @mapbloom.bsky.social that suggests, for cognitive health, "it is never too late to quit" @ucliehc.bsky.social @uclpophealthsci.bsky.social

Quitting smoking, even late in life, linked to slower cognitive decline

Quitting smoking in middle age or later is linked to slower age-related cognitive decline over the long term, according to a new study by UCL researchers.

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 2d

“This is really exciting. It means that we can make MRI scans — that people deserve to have — much, much more available," Prof Nick Fox tells journalist @hannagsslr.bsky.social who underwent a scan at UCL @uclbrainscience.bsky.social @alzheimerssoc.bsky.social

Major dementia breakthrough could turbocharge UK diagnosis rates

EXCLUSIVE: Scientists have found a way to dramatically accelerate one of the key tests used to diagnose the condition.

www.express.co.uk

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 2d

The time to carry out diagnostic MRI scans for dementia can be cut to one third of their standard length, finds a new study led by @uclqsion.bsky.social researchers with @uclengineering.bsky.social, who say it could at least double the number of dementia scans that can be done in one day

Faster MRI scans offer new hope for dementia diagnosis

The time to carry out diagnostic MRI scans for dementia can be cut to one third of their standard length, according to a new study led by UCL researchers.

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 5d

Women performed best on cognitive tests during ovulation but physical activity level had a stronger influence on brain function than the different phases of the menstrual cycle, according to a new study led by Dr Flaminia Ronca @uclmedsci.bsky.social
www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/oc...

Menstrual cycle affects women’s reaction time but not as much as being active

Women performed best on cognitive tests during ovulation but physical activity level had a stronger influence on brain function, according to a new study from researchers at UCL.

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 5d

The UK’s top scientific institutions are vulnerable to political interference, finds a new @uclpolicylab.bsky.social report by Prof @chrischirp.bsky.social .

Meanwhile, exclusive @moreincommonuk.bsky.social polling shows 7 in 10 Britons say it is important for these bodies to be independent.

UK’s arm’s length public bodies are highly vulnerable to politicisation

The UK’s top scientific institutions, from the Met Office to the UK Health Security Agency, have inadequate institutional defences to prevent potential political interference, a new UCL Policy Lab rep...

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 5d

And at #CPC25, @uclpolicylab.bsky.social ran a series of events focusing on everything from public service reform and higher education to social cohesion and economics.

🔗Read in full www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/oc... bsky.app/profile/uclp...

UCL Policy Lab @uclpolicylab.bsky.social · 7d

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Manchester for this year's Conservative Conference, for excellent, packed-out conversations - from the future of conservatism and public service reform, to how we can rebuild social cohesion.

A panel event with seven panellists, speaking to a packed out room on the topic of social cohesion

A panel of six panellists, speaking on the future of economics to a packed out room

A queue to attend a UCL Policy Lab event at the Conservative Party Conference 2025

A full room for a panel event on the future of universities at the Conservative Party Conference 2025

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 5d

@profgeraintrees.bsky.social chaired a private breakfast roundtable at #Lab25 with Dr Anne Lane @uclb.bsky.social, @chriscurtis94.bsky.social and @uclpolicylab.bsky.social on Euston as a place — and how we unlock inclusive growth through innovation.

UCL Business @uclb.bsky.social · 15d

What if the next global innovation supercluster wasn’t in Boston or Silicon Valley - but in Euston? 🌍

Our CEO Anne Lane joined leaders from Camden Council, Lendlease, UCL partner hospitals and more for the 'Unlocking Inclusive Growth Through Innovation' breakfast at #Lab25 in Liverpool yesterday.

Woman in purple jacket with blonde hair talks enthusiastically, sat at a table with others over coffee.

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 5d

At #LPC25 Dr Michael Spence, President & Provost, explored how universities can help support national renewal and local pride on a @uclpolicylab.bsky.social panel.

Prof @iiabubakar.bsky.social discussed how the #NHS can drive innovation through reform, investment, and innovative thinking.

Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 17d

If you are interested in universities policy I’ll be on a panel discussing this with @greenmirandahere.bsky.social @pollymackenzie.bsky.social @papiteide.bsky.social & Michael Spence on Monday 3.15pm in Liverpool

A new future for universities: how can universities help support national renewal and local pride? it Monday 29 September • 15:15 - 16:15pm ® Sherwood Room 6, ACC Liverpool

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 5d

UCL made its mark at this year’s political party conferences, bringing academic insight, student voices, and policy innovation to the national debate.

The annual conferences provide an invaluable opportunity for @ucl.ac.uk leaders, academics & students to influence and inform policy discussions.

UCL powers the conversation during party conference season

UCL made its mark at this year’s political party conferences, bringing academic insight, student voices, and policy innovation to the forefront of national debate.

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 7d

And the full @skynewsrss.bsky.social story is here: news.sky.com/video/late-c...

Late c-sections linked to future premature births

Researchers from University College London say this is likely due to scarring in the womb, which can increase the risk of early labour.

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 7d

Read more about this story here: www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/oc...

Study highlights risks of Caesarean births to future pregnancies

Women who have Caesarean births at an advanced stage of labour are about eight times more likely to develop scars in the womb which are known to increase the likelihood of premature births in future p...

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 7d

It’s important to realise there are potential consequences from having a Caesarean birth at a late stage of labour for future pregnancies, Prof Anna David @prenataltherapy.bsky.social tells @skynewsrss.bsky.social in light of new @ucl.ac.uk research led by Dr Maria Ivan @uclpophealthsci.bsky.social

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 8d

UCL and Loughborough University London have teamed up to launch the Creative Experience Lab London.

This exciting project aims to establish Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park as a leading hub for the UK's creative industries. It will showcase AI, robotics and multiverse technology.

UCL and Loughborough University London launch creative experience hub on Olympic Park

A new chapter in London’s innovation landscape has opened with the launch of the Creative Experience Lab London. Convened by UCL and Loughborough University London, it aims to establish Queen Elizabet...

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 8d

A new drug combination could significantly delay the progression of a life-threatening form of prostate cancer in men with specific genetic mutations, finds a major international trial led by Prof Gerhardt Attard @uclmedsci.bsky.social
www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/oc...

New drug combination offers hope for men with advanced prostate cancer

A new drug combination could significantly delay the progression of a life-threatening form of prostate cancer in men with specific genetic mutations, finds a major international trial led by UCL rese...

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 8d

Motor neurone disease progresses at a different rate in each individual, @ucl.ac.uk’s Prof Andrea Malaspina tells @skynewsrss.bsky.social following the news that former England rugby captain & World Cup winner Lewis Moody has been diagnosed with the condition @uclbrainscience.bsky.social

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 11d

Women with an inherited risk of developing ovarian cancer because they have the so-called Angelina Jolie gene alteration can now be tested on the NHS thanks to pioneering research led by UCL academics including Professor Adam Rosenthal
@uclpophealthsci.bsky.social

New ovarian cancer test offered for women at high risk

Women with an inherited risk of developing ovarian cancer because they have the so-called Angelina Jolie gene mutation can now be tested on the NHS thanks to UCL research.

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 12d

🖋️"The spinout sector across the UK is flourishing; £2.6bn in equity investment in 2024"

Writing in @financialtimes.com, Dr Anne Lane (CEO of @uclb.bsky.social ) argues the UK could be doing much more to leverage economic growth from university research.

www.ft.com/content/a06f...

Want a quick economic win? Look to university spinouts

UK innovators too often have to find capital in the US — the quid pro quo is often jobs and facilities there instead of here

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 12d

From finding a "universal language" in science, to comedy, conferences and following her passion, Prof Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu @ucllifesciences.bsky.social tells BBC World Service about her fascinating path to becoming a pioneer of pharmaceutical nanoscience and champion for race equality

Outlook - One suitcase, three kids: a broke scientist pursues a dream - BBC Sounds

Once a homeless single mum, Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu is now a nanomedicine pioneer

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 12d

Family affluence shields children from the risks of obesity and unhealthy eating habits, even when they're surrounded by unhealthy food options, according to a study co-led by Dr @andreadsmith.bsky.social and Prof Clare Llewellyn @uclpophealthsci.bsky.social www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/oc...

Affluence protects children from obesity even in areas with lots of unhealthy food outlets

Family affluence shields children from the risks of obesity and unhealthy eating habits, even when they're surrounded by unhealthy food options, according to a study co-led by researchers at UCL.

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 13d

A fossil found in Scotland has revealed a new species and family of Jurassic reptile linked to the origins of lizards and snakes, in a study co-led by Prof Susan Evans @ucllifesciences.bsky.social. It's named Breugnathair elgolensis, for ‘false snake of Elgol’ @amnh.org @ntlmuseumsscot.bsky.social

Fossil discovered in Scotland reveals new species of ‘false snake’ reptile

A fossil discovered in Scotland has revealed a new species and family of Jurassic reptile linked to the origins of lizards and snakes, reports a study co-led by a UCL researcher.

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 14d

A team involving @uclqsion.bsky.social and @crick.ac.uk scientists has, for the first time, directly visualised and quantified the protein clusters believed to trigger Parkinson’s disease, with a technique that could support the development of diagnostics and treatments for Parkinson’s in the future

Parkinson’s ‘trigger’ directly observed in human brain tissue for the first time

A team involving UCL scientists has, for the first time, directly visualised and quantified the protein clusters believed to trigger Parkinson’s disease.

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 14d

Lung function among people in England who used wood or coal burning stoves or open fires in their own home declined faster over eight years compared to those without these heat sources, finds a new analysis led by Dr Laura Horsfall @uclpophealthsci.bsky.social www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/se...

Indoor wood burners linked to a decline in lung function

Using a wood or coal burning stove or open fire at home may lead to a decline in lung function, suggests a new analysis from UCL researchers.

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 14d

🔊"The thing that links all these problems together is an unethical attention economy that is seeking to hold us at any cost"

Dr Kaitlyn Regehr @artshumsucl.bsky.social joins #Oprah to discuss how hate, harm and disinformation are algorithmically prioritised online.

▶️Watch from 3:00

Gen Z Tech Addiction Crisis with Oprah and Adam Alter

YouTube video by Oprah

www.youtube.com

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 15d

Breast cancer survivors with severe menopausal symptoms should be supported to make an informed decision about whether to have hormone replacement therapy or not, according to an interdisciplinary panel of experts including Prof Jayant Vaidya @uclmedsci.bsky.social
www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/se...

Experts call for change of heart on hormone replacement therapy after breast cancer

Breast cancer survivors with severe menopausal symptoms should be supported to make an informed decision about whether to have hormone replacement therapy or not, according to an interdisciplinary pan...

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 15d

The interior of the mysterious far side of the moon may be colder than the interior of the side constantly facing Earth, suggests a new study co-led by Professor Yang Li @es-ucl.bsky.social @uclmaps.bsky.social @pku1898.bsky.social of rock samples collected by China's Chang'e 6 mission

Far side of the moon may be colder than the near side

The interior of the mysterious far side of the moon may be colder than the side constantly facing Earth, suggests a new analysis of rock samples co-led by a UCL and Peking University researcher.