New insights into CMV, the leading viral cause of congenital birth defects
A study led by Cardiff University has revealed why CMV, a virus responsible for 1,000 birth defects each year in the UK, is so adept at evading the immune system (Cardiff University, 2017). The new findings, published in eLIFE, could help in the development of treatments for this and other currently untreatable viruses. By studying … Continue reading New insights into CMV, the leading viral cause of congenital birth defects
Launch of Wales Institute of Digital Information
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) and the NHS Wales Informatics Service (NWIS) have joined forces to create the Wales Institute of Digital Information (WIDI) (University of Wales Trinity Saint David, 2017). Through WIDI, NWIS will have access to the talent of students and graduates by providing part-time employment opportunities, work placements and … Continue reading Launch of Wales Institute of Digital Information
New treatment for antibiotic resistant bacteria and infectious disease
A new treatment pathway for antibiotic resistant bacteria and infectious diseases, with benefits for patients and healthcare providers, has been developed (University of Birmingham, 2017). Researchers from the University of Birmingham and Newcastle University found that the unusual approach of removing antibodies from the blood stream reduced the effects of chronic infections, the requirement for … Continue reading New treatment for antibiotic resistant bacteria and infectious disease
New insight into into the role of male hormones in fertility and polycystic ovary syndrome
Research led by University of Birmingham scientists in collaboration with Northwestern University in Chicago has provided fresh insight into the role of male hormones in supporting and disrupting the production of eggs by ovarian follicles (University of Birmingham, 2017). The study, published online in Endocrinology, measured for the first time the production of hormones by … Continue reading New insight into into the role of male hormones in fertility and polycystic ovary syndrome
Combined triple inhaler can reduce COPD flare-ups
Flare-ups in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the UK’s fourth leading cause of death, can be reduced by 20% by a combined triple inhaler, according to the results of a trial of more than 2,000 people conducted by the University of Manchester (University of Manchester, 2017). The study, published in The Lancet, contains the results of … Continue reading Combined triple inhaler can reduce COPD flare-ups
£21m NIHR Bristol Biomedical research Centre launches
A £21m National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) in Bristol will launch this week (University of Bristol, 2017). The research centre, awarded to University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (UH Bristol) and the University of Bristol by the NIHR, will conduct cutting edge research to develop new, ground breaking treatments, diagnostics, … Continue reading £21m NIHR Bristol Biomedical research Centre launches
Lung probe that spots infections aims to cut overuse of antibiotics
A new imaging tool that rapidly diagnoses bacterial lung infections could help prevent unnecessary use of antibiotics in intensive care units (University of Bath, 2017). The bedside technology can detect whether harmful bacteria are present within sixty seconds, so that patients can be treated with the right medicine quickly. Experts say accurate diagnosis means unnecessary … Continue reading Lung probe that spots infections aims to cut overuse of antibiotics
Autistic children make similar mistakes recognising faces as children who don’t have autism
Young people with autism spectrum conditions have difficulties recognising and distinguishing between different facial expressions, according to research from one of the largest studies to look at emotion recognition in children and adolescents on the autistic spectrum (University of Bristol, 2017). The University of Bristol findings have been published in the Journal of Autism and … Continue reading Autistic children make similar mistakes recognising faces as children who don’t have autism
The first drug that could reverse diabetes
With no insulin injections, no avoiding sugar, a daily drug can reverse diabetes symptoms in mice, opening up the possibility of a much easier way for people with diabetes to keep their blood sugar level within safe limits (New Scientist, 2017). In 2016, the number of people living with diabetes in the UK passed four … Continue reading The first drug that could reverse diabetes
New test can predict when you’ll get Alzheimer’s
Scientists have developed a new genetic test for Alzheimer’s risk that can be used to predict the age at which a person will develop the disease (The Guardian, 2017). The study found a high score on the test, which is based on thirty one genetic markers, can translate to someone being diagnosed many years earlier … Continue reading New test can predict when you’ll get Alzheimer’s
