Prime Cure Medical Center

  There are a million things that we do every day without thinking. Brushing our teeth, drying our hair after a shower, and unlocking our phone screen so we can check our messages are all part of our routine. But what takes place in the brain as we learn a new habit? Habits drive our lives — so much so that sometimes we might want to break the habit, as the saying goes, and experience something new. But habits are a useful tool; when we do something enough times, we become effortlessly good at it, which is perhaps why Aristotle reportedly believed that “excellence […] is not an act but a habit.” 

  The new technology excels at determining different shapes and types of matter – a capability that conventional X-rays could only match by using prohibitively high doses of radiation. As such, the researchers say it could be used to identify tumors in living tissue earlier and spot smaller cracks and defects in materials. The breakthrough is the result of a major five-year international project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and led by UCL engineers. This vast potential for th e new technology is already beginning to be explored.

  Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic joint condition. A joint is where two bones come together. The ends of these bones are covered with protective tissue called cartilage. With OA, this cartilage breaks down, causing the bones within the joint to rub together. This can cause pain, stiffness, and other symptoms. OA occurs most often in older people, although it can occur in adults of any age. OA is also called degenerative joint disease, degenerative arthritis, and wear-and-tear arthritis.