Initiative to Revolutionise Health Data Recording in Wales
A pioneering approach to data that predicts peaks in demands on health services is being developed by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) (Business News Wales, 2017). The system, once up and running, could save the NHS across the UK millions of pounds and enable services to be closely targeted at hot spots. Funded by … Continue reading Initiative to Revolutionise Health Data Recording in Wales
New understanding of AIDs-related dementia
Researchers from Cardiff University and UCLA have made a breakthrough in the understanding of AIDS-related dementia, discovering the role of a neuron protein which was also found to affect learning abilities in healthy subjects (Cardiff University, 2017). Professor Kevin Fox, who led the work at Cardiff University’s School of Biosciences, said “Our work represents a … Continue reading New understanding of AIDs-related dementia
Wearable technology can tell when you’re going to get ill
A new study has found that wearable technology can be used to tell if someone is falling ill (New Scientist, 2017). Stanford University geneticist Michael Snyder wore eight fitness tracking devices every day for two years to see if there were any differences between them (Scientific American, 2017). He and several colleagues also put the … Continue reading Wearable technology can tell when you’re going to get ill
Statins may reduce the risk of blood clots in the vein
A study published by Dr Setor Kunutsor of the Musculoskeletal Research Unit in the University of Bristol’s School of Clinical Sciences, with colleagues from the University of Leicester, has confirmed that statins could play an important role in reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism (University of Bristol, 2017). Statins are groups of medications that reduce … Continue reading Statins may reduce the risk of blood clots in the vein
Heart attack risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients almost halved by biologic drugs
A biologic drug which treats rheumatoid arthritis has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks in arthritis patients by up to 40% (University of Manchester, 2017). Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have a 60% higher risk of heart attacks than the general public, which is thought to be linked to the inflammation caused by … Continue reading Heart attack risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients almost halved by biologic drugs
140 jobs under threat at Elanco site in Merseyside
Elanco, the animal health division of Eli Lilly and Company, has outlined plans to cut costs at its facility in Speke, Merseyside through proposed redundancies of approximately one hundred and forty staff (Insider Media, 2017). Elanco is proposing to embark upon a non-contractual voluntary redundancy programme for permanent employees and a review of contractors’ current … Continue reading 140 jobs under threat at Elanco site in Merseyside
Frontier Medical expands its sharps disposal range
Frontier Medical Group has launched of a new 1.8L drug tariff container designed for the safe disposal of insulin and needle pens, as part of its Sharpsafe range (MediWales, 2017). The Sharpsafe range starts at 0.2L boxes, going up to 30L protected access units. The new 1.8L container can hold twenty five needle pens vertically … Continue reading Frontier Medical expands its sharps disposal range
New research on how bacteria resists last-resort antibiotic
A team of University of Bristol-led researchers has provided the first clues to understand how the mcr-1 gene protects bacteria from colistin, a last resort antibiotic used to treat life-threatening bacterial infections that do not respond to other treatment options (University of Bristol, 2017). Last year, members of the team, led by Dr Jim Spencer … Continue reading New research on how bacteria resists last-resort antibiotic
Aberystwyth University submits planning application for new Innovation Campus
A planning application has been submitted for a new £40.5m Innovation and Enterprise Campus at Aberystwyth University (WalesOnline, 2017). Based on the University’s Gogerddan campus, the Aberystwyth Innovation and Enterprise Campus (AIEC) development will feature a bio-refining centre, future food centre, analytical science laboratories and a seed processing and biobank facility. The campus is planned … Continue reading Aberystwyth University submits planning application for new Innovation Campus
Swansea University study looking at delaying the onset of dementia
Dr Claire Hanley, a psychologist from Swansea University’s College of Human and Health Sciences is recruiting for a study using transcranial direct current stimulation, a technology which could ultimately delay the onset of dementia (Swansea University, 2017). Dementia costs £1.4bn per year in Wales. Dr Hanley specialises in cognitive neuroscience, specifically what happens to the … Continue reading Swansea University study looking at delaying the onset of dementia
