Queen Mary University

Children's motivation and attitudes towards learning play a key role in academic success, study finds

Children's motivation and attitudes towards learning play a key role in academic success, study finds Gaby Clark Scientific Editor Andrew Zinin Lead Editor A major new study led by researchers at Queen Mary University of London has revealed that noncognitive skills—such as motivation, curiosity, academic interest and self-belief—play a key role in translating children's genetic dispositions into academic achievement. Published in Nature Communications, the research provides new insight into...

Warming boosts natural methane emissions as microbes fail to keep pace

Warming boosts natural methane emissions as microbes fail to keep pace Sadie Harley Scientific Editor Robert Egan Associate Editor A new study led by Professor Mark Trimmer of Queen Mary University of London, published in the journal Nature Climate Change, explains how increases in natural methane emissions will be maximized under future climate warming. Say "methane" and most people think of cows, yet nearly half of all methane is produced by microbes in the natural world, especially lakes,...

Epigenetic changes can be inherited without changing DNA in animals

Epigenetic changes can be inherited without changing DNA in animals Gaby Clark Scientific Editor Robert Egan Associate Editor Typically, the information encoded in DNA allows organisms to develop, function, and pass traits across generations. Yet DNA alone does not explain how genes are switched on and off in different cells and environments. This regulation is partly controlled by other factors called epigenetics, such as DNA methylation, a chemical modification that can influence gene...

Who is David Sullivan and what are the allegations against him?

Who is David Sullivan and what are the allegations against him? The West Ham co-owner has denied allegations of abusing his power - Bookmark David Sullivan, the billionaire businessman and West Ham co-owner, has denied allegations of abusing his power and preying on women for sex over the course of several decades. Multiple women have come forward against the prolific pornography industry tycoon, their claims uncovered by a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times.

Microsoft's new quantum chip is 1,000 times more reliable than its predecessor — but why is this new chip so controversial?

Microsoft's new quantum chip is 1,000 times more reliable than its predecessor — but why is this new chip so controversial? The Majorana 2 quantum processor is built from topological qubits, and its creators claim it can sustain quantum coherence for an average of 20 seconds — orders of magnitude longer than the milliseconds that conventional chips last. Microsoft has revealed a new quantum computing chip with quantum bits (qubits) it says are capable of maintaining their quantum state for...

Does UK’s new far-right party, Restore, pose a threat to Farage’s Reform?

Does UK’s new far-right party, Restore, pose a threat to Farage’s Reform? Restore Britain’s manifesto has pledged to implement the ‘most ambitious programme of mass deportations ever seen in Britain’. When Nigel Farage, leader of the far-right, anti-immigration party Reform UK, addressed the nation while bizarrely standing in a field this week, he was a man on a mission.

New breed of political prisoner arises in Britain as anti-protest sentences rise

Some 'extinct' volcanoes may just be going through a growth spurt, before they 'wake up in this catastrophic stage,' emerging research suggests

Some 'extinct' volcanoes may just be going through a growth spurt, before they 'wake up in this catastrophic stage,' emerging research suggests A volcano that erupted after being asleep for more than 100,000 years is leading more volcanologists to say we must redefine volcano activity to ensure eruptions don't surprise us. A volcano that slept for more than 100,000 years before erupting is blowing up our understanding of when volcanoes should be defined as active or extinct. Volcanologists...

First whole-genome sequence of a Greenland shark holds clues to their extreme longevity

First whole-genome sequence of a Greenland shark holds clues to their extreme longevity A genomic study of Greenland sharks, thought to be the longest-lived vertebrates on the planet, is hinting at the secrets to their epic lifespan and cancer resistance. The first-ever whole-genome sequence of a Greenland shark has revealed genetic clues to how the animals avoid cancer and live for hundreds of years. The work may pave the way to a better understanding of age-related diseases in humans.

‘I would rush home to speak to ChatGPT’: A quarter of Gen Z would rather talk to AI than a real person, research shows

‘I would rush home to speak to ChatGPT’: A quarter of Gen Z would rather talk to AI than a real person, research shows More than two-thirds of young people would cancel plans to spend time online, according to UK survey - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments One in four young people would rather talk to AI than a real person, new research has found. A national survey of 2,000 adults aged between 18-29 also found that more than two-thirds of young people would cancel plans out to spend time...