Scientists identify a cause and possible route to treat ALS
A team of researchers, lead by Professor William Griffiths of Swansea University Medical School and Professor Martin Turner of the University of Oxford, have published the results of a study that shows for the first time people with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) have higher levels of cholesterol in the fluid surrounding the brain than people … Continue reading Scientists identify a cause and possible route to treat ALS
Bristol University researchers looking for dogs with osteoarthritis for new study
The University of Bristol’s School of Veterinary Sciences is asking owners of dogs showing signs of osteoarthritis to take part in a first study of its kind to find out whether an omega-3 oil derived from algae can help dogs with osteoarthritis (University of Bristol, 2016). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid found … Continue reading Bristol University researchers looking for dogs with osteoarthritis for new study
Organic crystal research secures EU funding
A University of Bristol-led international project investigating a new method of controlling the growth of organic crystals has been awarded €2.9m in Horizon 2020 funding (University of Bristol, 2016). The MagnaPharm project aims to direct polymorphism in pharmaceutical compounds by crystallising them in high magnetic fields. The ability to direct polymorphism would have a transformative … Continue reading Organic crystal research secures EU funding
Study finds strobe light could be used to treat Alzheimer’s
A study in mice by researchers at MIT has found exposure to flickering light stimulated brain waves appears to prompt the brain’s immune cells to absorb the sticky amyloid proteins that are the most visible hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (The Guardian, 2016). The authors of the study don’t yet know whether the findings would be … Continue reading Study finds strobe light could be used to treat Alzheimer’s
Paralysed people use cutlery with robotic hand exoskeleton
Researchers at the University Hospital of Tübingen have helped six quadriplegic people to regain the ability to do everyday tasks like using cutlery or signing documents. The system required no surgery and is mobile enough to use outside a laboratory (New Scientist, 2016). Surjo Soekadar, from the University Hospital of Tübingen, said “The patients were … Continue reading Paralysed people use cutlery with robotic hand exoskeleton
Drones won’t effect blood product say Johns Hopkins University study
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have found that large bags of blood products can maintain temperature and cellular integrity while transported by drones (Scienmag, 2016). The findings, published in Transfusion in November, adds to the evidence that drones are a safe, effective and timely way to quickly transport blood products to remote accident or natural disaster … Continue reading Drones won’t effect blood product say Johns Hopkins University study
Cardiff University-led study finds the benefits of taking aspirin outweigh the risks to the stomach
A study led by Cardiff University has found that stomach bleeds caused by aspirin are much less serious than the spontaneous bleeds that can occur in people not taking aspirin (Cardiff University, 2016). The extensive study of the literature reveals that while regular use of aspirin does increase the risk of stomach bleeds by about … Continue reading Cardiff University-led study finds the benefits of taking aspirin outweigh the risks to the stomach
Trauma packs will save lives on Namibian roads
Trauma packs developed by Professor Judith Hall of Cardiff University and colleagues from Cardiff Metropolitan University will be used to tackle the extremely high death rates on roads in Namibia (MediWales, 2016). The Medical Research Council Public Health Intervention Development Scheme, which supports interventions addressing an important global or UK public health issue, is providing … Continue reading Trauma packs will save lives on Namibian roads
University of South Wales scientists secure grant to address antimicrobial resistance
Two lecturers from the University of South Wales have been awarded £14,000 to help develop a revolutionary machine that will improve the accuracy and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases in order to tackle the chronic overuse of antibiotics (MediWales, 2016). Microbiologist Dr Emma Hayhurst and molecular geneticist Dr Jeroen Nieuwland have formed 123 USW, which … Continue reading University of South Wales scientists secure grant to address antimicrobial resistance
Little girl can sit up next to her friends for the first time
A University of Wales Trinity Saint David graduate has helped created a specialist chair that allows a seven year old girl to sit, play and eat alongside her family and friends for the first time. Evie Hopkins, from Swansea, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, spastic quadriplegia when she was four months old. The condition affects … Continue reading Little girl can sit up next to her friends for the first time