Wrexham factory to produce millions of doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine
Up to a hundred million Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine doses will be produced for use in the UK at a Welsh facility in the coming months. Now that the UK”s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has authorised the vaccine, WalesOnline reports the production line at the CP Pharmaceuticals factory in Wrexham will go into action. The … Continue reading Wrexham factory to produce millions of doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine
Funding boost for research looking at the provision of eyecare in the community
A new project set up to study the best way to care for patients with long standing eye conditions in the community has secured a major research grant. Swansea University reports Dr Pippa Anderson and Dr Mari Jones, from their Centre for Health Economics (SCHE), are part of a multidisciplinary team which has just been … Continue reading Funding boost for research looking at the provision of eyecare in the community
“Living reviews” launched in the wake of Covid-19 research
In a combined effort to help Covid-19 researchers, Cardiff University and the University of Oxford have launched a series of “living reviews”. The reviews are available in the new open access journal of the Oxford University Press (OUP), Oxford Open Immunology. Cardiff University says the reviews will summarise literature around one topic and are a … Continue reading “Living reviews” launched in the wake of Covid-19 research
New international research looks at a way of fighting back against Covid-19
Researchers at Swansea University Medical School are helping to drive forward understanding of the virus that causes Covid-19 and how it can be tackled. The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of Covid-19, has swept across the world with unprecedented speed. Since it was initially identified there have been more than … Continue reading New international research looks at a way of fighting back against Covid-19
Key type of immune cell “self-renews” in humans
A new study has shown that a key type of immune cell “self-renews” in humans. Cardiff University says it is an unexpected discovery, as it was previously thought this specific type of “senescent” killer immune cell had reached “end-stage” and would die following one more stint at helping people fight off, or live with, certain … Continue reading Key type of immune cell “self-renews” in humans
New study to evaluate antibiotic use in Covid-19 hospital patients
A group of researchers are to evaluate whether a simple blood test for bacterial infection could help to reduce the use of antibiotics in patients with Covid-19. A procalcitonin blood test (PCT) is used in hospitals to distinguish between bacterial and viral infections and guide antibiotic treatment. Cardiff University reports this study will investigate whether … Continue reading New study to evaluate antibiotic use in Covid-19 hospital patients
Stopping asthma medication while pregnant risks preterm birth
A new study from Swansea University suggests women who stop taking their asthma medication during pregnancy are at risk of giving birth prematurely and are less likely to breastfeed their babies. Many women in the UK are prescribed medicines for asthma before or during pregnancy, at around 11.8% of the population. However, prescription records show … Continue reading Stopping asthma medication while pregnant risks preterm birth
Scientists reveal a genetic map of the human face
An international team of researchers has connected specific genetic regions which influence facial features. Cardiff University reports this means they can see the signals of normal facial features in the genome, but it is also hoped their work can shed light on craniofacial malformations such as cleft lip and palate. The findings have been published … Continue reading Scientists reveal a genetic map of the human face
Reusing face masks: are microwaves the answer?
Researchers from Cardiff University have been testing the feasibility of using microwave ovens and dry heat to decontaminate crucial PPE being used to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Reporting their findings in the Journal of Hospital Infection, the team have shown that certain types of respirators can be effectively decontaminated in just ninety seconds using an … Continue reading Reusing face masks: are microwaves the answer?
Trials in Swansea to see if a popular Boots cold remedy can stop coronavirus
A trial of a cold remedy containing seaweed which could potentially combat coronavirus is underway in Swansea. WalesOnline reports a research study by Swansea University involving four hundred and eighty frontline NHS workers in the city is examining the efficacy of Boots Dual Defence in preventing Covid illness and reducing the severity of its symptoms. … Continue reading Trials in Swansea to see if a popular Boots cold remedy can stop coronavirus
