The chances of a dental appointment resulting in an antibiotic prescription increased dramatically during the pandemic, and new led by Dr Wendy Thompson from 黑料网吃瓜爆料 shows prescribing levels across each of the UK鈥檚 four nations have been slow to return to where they would have been if the pandemic hadn鈥檛 happened.

Though the Government has begun commissioning 700,000 urgent appointments, the British Dental Association says the total unmet need is far higher.

Dr Thompson also leads on antimicrobial stewardship for the College of General Dentistry and chairs the FDI World Dental Federation's Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Infections task team.

She said: 鈥淭oo many people have been unable to access urgent dental treatment for toothache, and have ended up with antibiotics. The best way to protect us all from the existential threat of antibiotic resistance is to ensure patients have timely access to urgent care.

鈥淓ven before the COVID-19 pandemic, we knew that dentistry was responsible for around 10% of antibiotic prescriptions and that rates of unnecessary use were high. During the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic, the amount of antibiotic prescribing by NHS dentists

鈥淥ur research has shown how were at this situation which UK Health Security Agency researchers have linked to the use of , where care is given remotely. Our latest shows just how slowly antibiotic prescribing in NHS dentistry is returning to its pre-pandemic pattern.

鈥淎ntibiotics don't cure toothache although our research shows that many people wrongly believe they are necessary. Unnecessary use puts patients and the public at risk from the spread of infections which don't respond to antibiotics. The for toothache and dental infections is generally a procedure rather than a prescription, although sometimes antibiotics are vital. found that appointments where dentists provide procedures take more time than just giving antibiotics.鈥�

鈥淭hat is why FDI World Dental Federation argues that to the right oral health care at the right time to prevent and treat toothache and dental infection should be an essential part of national efforts to tackle antimicrobial resistance by reducing the unnecessary use of antibiotics.鈥�

She added: 鈥淩outine monitoring of antibiotic prescribing by dentists providing care to NHS patients is key, but until prescribing by dentists is digitised, this will be impossible. Integrating high-street dentistry into NHS digital systems will be an important part of national efforts to help keep patients safe by ensuring antibiotics are only prescribed when strictly necessary.鈥�

Researchers at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and 黑料网吃瓜爆料, with colleagues in Newcastle, Germany and the USA, collaborated with clinicians across the world to identify changes in two different genes, that both result in Perrault syndrome.

Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Action Medical Research, The Royal National Institute for Deaf people (RNID) and the Medical Research Council, the results from two separate studies, which identified changes to the DAP3 and MRPL49 genes, have been published in the American Journal of Human Genetics.

Professor Bill Newman, Consultant in Genomic Medicine at MFT, and Rare Conditions Co-Theme Lead at the NIHR 黑料网吃瓜爆料 BRC, who co-led the research, said: 鈥淔inding the causes of rare conditions like Perrault syndrome are the first steps in understanding why people are affected, providing clearer diagnosis, and developing novel treatments.

鈥淧reviously up to half of all people with Perrault syndrome could not have this diagnosis confirmed by a genetic test. These new discoveries through this research will provide an accurate diagnosis to more affected people.鈥�

Initial research into the condition began in 2011 at The 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Centre for Genomic Medicine, Saint Mary鈥檚 Hospital, part of MFT, when researchers led by Professor Newman undertook genetic studies on a local family with Perrault syndrome. Their research identified a novel gene and changes within the gene which led to the diagnosis of the syndrome. Further studies by the 黑料网吃瓜爆料 group and other researchers around the world have found eight different genes that cause Perrault syndrome.

Sam鈥檚 story

56-year-old Sam was diagnosed with Perrault syndrome when she was 28 years old, after being under the care of various hospitals to diagnose her rare genetic condition. 

Sam is profoundly deaf and was fitted with hearing aids before the age of one, which is a common feature of the condition. Other symptoms that led to her diagnosis include short stature, very small ovaries and the absence of periods.

 Sam was identified with a DAP3 genetic change through this research in August 2024.

DAP3 is found in every cell of the body and is important in a part of the cell called the mitochondria, often referred to as the powerhouses of the cell. Some tissues in the body are very susceptible to when the mitochondria do not work properly, and it is why researchers believe hearing and ovarian problems occur in Perrault syndrome.

Sam said: 鈥淲hen I was told I had DAP3 gene changes I was pleased as it helped me make sense of my symptoms and better understand Perrault syndrome.  

鈥淭his research is incredible and will help others who are in a similar position to me. I struggled for years not knowing what was wrong with me so, I hope it will help others too 鈥� especially those who are younger so they can get an earlier diagnosis and access to the help they need. 

鈥淚 would advise anybody who is concerned to get advice as soon as possible. Thanks to this research, family members will also be tested which will provide an early diagnosis for more people potentially affected by the condition.鈥�

This research will now be used globally to provide an accurate diagnosis for those at risk or undiagnosed with the condition.

Professor Ray O鈥橩eefe, Professor of Molecular Genetics at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 co-led the work. Professor O鈥橩eefe said: 鈥淕enetic testing helps families to get diagnosed earlier and to access the right care and support sooner.

鈥淲hen patients 鈥� particularly children, are presenting with hearing loss or changes on their brain scan, they can be genetically tested to see if their health problems are caused by changes in these genes.

鈥淕enetic testing removes the need for unnecessary investigations, allows closer monitoring to spot problems earlier and enables accurate genetic counselling for other family members who may be at risk.鈥�

Dr Ralph Holme, Director of Research at RNID said: 鈥淲e are delighted to have been able to support this important research.

鈥淎s ovarian problems are a key feature of the diagnosis, men are rarely diagnosed even though they have the same risk of being affected. Early, accurate diagnosis can result in improved hearing outcomes.

鈥淯nderstanding rare types of hearing loss, such as Perrault Syndrome, also gives us important insights that may be relevant to more common forms of hearing loss.鈥�

Professor Newman, who is also Professor of Translational Genomic Medicine at The 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Centre for Genomic Medicine at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, added: 鈥淎lthough genetic research into Perrault syndrome is complex, this new information provides important pieces in the jigsaw. We are continuing to look at all the genes that cause Perrault syndrome as understanding how these genes are all linked together means that perhaps it would be possible to create a treatment that would work for all of them.

鈥淲e have also started to make hearing nerve cells from skin cells of individuals with Perrault syndrome. This is exciting as testing the cells that are actually affected by the condition will help us to develop treatments targeted to the correct cell type.鈥� 
 

Both research papers are available to read in the American Journal of Human Genetics:

(published 2 January 2025).

Published 4 March 2025).

These body ideals continue to be influenced by visual exposure to different body weights into adulthood, the research also found.

The results show that people鈥檚 perceptions of body weight are flexible and adult-like from seven years of age onwards and have implications for our understanding of body size and the perceptions, and possible misperceptions, of weight in health and wellbeing.

Professor Lynda Boothroyd, from Durham University鈥檚 Department of Psychology, carried out a first-of-its-kind study to examine the flexibility of body weight perceptions in children and young adults.

The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, found that children as young as seven years old adjust how heavy or light they rate other people鈥檚 bodies after seeing a series of pictures of low or high weight bodies.

The analysis uncovered a significant shift in weight perceptions after exposure to images depicting various body weights. The results showed that the manner in which our brains represent what constitutes 鈥渉eavy鈥� or 鈥渓ight鈥� develops at a very young age.

The research, which involved more than 200 individuals aged seven through to adulthood, also indicated that media influences known to shape adult body perceptions can almost certainly impact children to the same degree, starting from early childhood and continuing to evolve into adulthood.

Lead author, Professor Lynda Boothroyd said: 鈥淚t has been clear for many years that we need to be wary about visual media which present only a narrow range of bodies, because this affects adults鈥� body perceptions. 

鈥淣ow we know that鈥檚 true for children, too. Even very neutral images can adjust their ideas about what is heavy or thin if they see enough of the same kind of body.鈥� 

C-author Dr Amelia Parchment from 黑料网吃瓜爆料 said: 鈥淭his was such an interesting study to work on and highlights that body-weight perceptions are shaped early on in life and continue into adulthood. Our findings have important implications, including the potential impact of unrealistic body weights, typically seen in visual media, on the lifelong body weight perceptions of children as young as 7-years old. 鈥�

Professor Boothroyd鈥檚 team at Durham has previously shown that adults鈥� ideas about what is an 鈥榓ttractive鈥� body weight or muscle mass are affected by visual experience. This includes the effect of television access on body perceptions among remote communities in Latin America and, in a separate study, finding that White Western women have lower body appreciation and experience greater pressure from the media to be thin compared to Black Nigerian and Chinese women across all ages.

Looking ahead, the team is now investigating how best to address body image concerns in young adults across the globe in a major 拢2 million (鈧�2.5M) research project and developing novel play-based techniques to investigate children鈥檚 understandings of body weight and body ideals from a younger age.

Professor Boothroyd added: 鈥淩esearchers often assume that children鈥檚 body perceptions and their ideas about body image work the same way as adults. We鈥檝e shown that that鈥檚 true, down to seven years, for basic perceptual impacts on body weight perception. But there鈥檚 more to explore in how that converts into their own body image and their own feelings about weight.鈥�

This new study included data gathered during the University鈥檚 鈥楯unior Scientist鈥� event, which actively involves families from the local communities around Durham, UK, in various research and educational activities.

Additionally, the research involved stimuli provided by Northumbria University and contributions from a Post-doctoral Research Associate at the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料.

Dr Lucy Buckley, a leading figure in the Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 business community, will start the Royal Society , part of its , on 1 March 2025. 

Dr Buckley, who has over 20 years of experience in business across diverse sectors of healthcare, will spend one day a week at the university, developing bespoke projects with university staff and students. 

Her career spans the healthcare system from academic drug discovery to all aspects of the product life cycle in the pharmaceutical industry. 

Latterly, she has turned her hand to digital health, launching a Care Quality Commission-registered online fertility clinic. She has also held clinical roles in both the NHS and private sector. 

Throughout her professional life, Lucy has been committed to her values of strong governance, ethics and compliance and has experience of a wide range of regulations across healthcare and data security. 

She will provide support and expert advice on promoting innovation and the translation of research, as well as research and development. 

And she will pass on her extensive knowledge on the scientific challenges faced by industry in the health sector. 

After qualifying as a pharmacist at Cardiff University, and working in community and hospital pharmacy, she went on to take a PhD in drug discovery at 黑料网吃瓜爆料鈥檚 for applied pharmacokinetic research in 2006.

 The PhD was sponsored by a major pharmaceutical company which meant she spent time in their labs, her first taste of working across academic and industry.

 From 2014, she worked at a major pharmaceutical company and built relationships with both clinical and academic key opinion leaders and worked with them as advisors to help drive scientific projects and improve patient outcomes. 

Soon, she was in a position to set up her own business, called Dr Fertility, the first online primary care provider for fertility to be registered with the Care Quality Commission. 

The company raised over two-and-a half million pounds to make the transition from ecommerce into a digital health provider for fertility. Dr Fertility provided fertility care delivered by both Doctors and nurses for anyone trying for a baby. 

Her new venture, The was launched in November 2023 to improve quality of care in digital health while supporting businesses to grow and scale.

The company has brought together a diverse range of experts and healthcare professionals with experience in academia, the pharmaceutical industry and the private and public healthcare sector.

Dr Buckley said: 鈥淚 have experienced the roller coaster of raising venture capital and the challenges of being an executive.鈥�

鈥淪o, I have lots of experience to pass on to the scientific community in the Faculty of biology, medicine and health.鈥�

She added: 鈥淪cientists are sometimes regarded by investors as not having commercial acumen. Many often undersell themselves.鈥�

鈥淎cademics have many transferable skills that are essential in business such as identifying problems, developing innovative solutions, testing hypotheses, gathering and analysing data and making evidence-based decisions鈥�

鈥淥ne of my key aims of this role is to help bridge that gap between academia and industry.

鈥淚f your business idea is strong, I passionately believe there are always opportunities to make that dream happen.鈥�

Professor Allan Pacey, Interim Dean and Vice President of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health said 鈥淚t is very exciting to welcome Lucy to the Faculty though this prestigious Royal Society scheme鈥�

鈥淚 first met Lucy over 10 years ago when I helped with the first start-up company Dr Fertility. It鈥檚 been great to see her go from strength to strength and be recognised by The Royal Society by being awarded this prestigious Royal Society scheme

鈥満诹贤怨媳� is a global leader in Digital Health, being ranked by the Times Higher Education as first in the UK and fourth in the world.

鈥淚 hope that Lucy will be able to help us capitalise on this and held our researchers to navigate the tricky path of commercialisation.鈥�

University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Scientists are among the researchers at the Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre in 黑料网吃瓜爆料 have developed a simple blood test which can tell doctors at a very early stage if the melanoma is back even if a scan looks normal.

The test is now being used as part of a Cancer Research UK funded clinical trial, led by researchers at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, for patients across the region which could mean quicker diagnosis for people at risk of a relapse.

Among those taking part is mum of two Karen Dickinson, who was at a routine appointment for her arthritic knee, when her osteopath pointed out an irregular looking mole on her lower back.

The next day, the 57-year-old IT manager, now living in Lancaster, went to see her GP, who referred her for tests which revealed that Karen had melanoma 鈥� the most serious form of skin cancer.

Unfortunately, she was also told that the melanoma 鈥� which affects 2,200 people in the North West every year* - had spread to her lymph nodes.

Karen had surgery to remove the mole including a wider area of skin as well as the affected lymph nodes and she was unable to work for a month.

She said: 鈥淚t was such a shock. I had noticed the mole one day getting out of the shower and wondered if it was slightly darker. I thought it may have been due to the fact we鈥檇 been on holiday, even though it had been covered up. So, I had decided to keep an eye on it, but when my osteopath pointed it out and said I should get it checked sooner rather than later, I went straight to my GP. Then it all just happened so fast. They had removed it and diagnosed me with melanoma skin cancer all within a few weeks.

鈥淚 had no idea how serious melanoma was, and you do worry that you could die. Telling my husband Stephen and my two girls Chelsea and Alex was hard. Having cancer has changed my outlook on life. You do worry it might come back, but it absolutely doesn鈥檛 define who I am. It鈥檚 made me prioritise my time and not take my health for granted anymore. My time is precious, and I value what is most important to me more than ever.鈥�

Now Karen is one of 50 people to sign up to the DETECTION-2 clinical trial which aims to prevent people from having unnecessary treatment if their cancer is unlikely to return.

For most people who are diagnosed with melanoma at an early stage, the cancer will be successfully removed by surgery. But in a small percentage of patients the cancer will come back.

On the NHS, patients are currently offered a one-year preventative drug treatment aimed at reducing the risk of recurrence. But with this new blood test, it could be possible to identify patients most at risk, so that further treatment is only given to those who really need it. 

The blood test spot can spot small fragments of DNA shed by cancer cells - known as circulating tumour DNA or ctDNA.

The trial, which launched last month, is led by teams of researchers from 黑料网吃瓜爆料, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit.

Consultant medical oncologist at The Christie, Professor Paul Lorigan is leading on the trial. He said: 鈥淲hile immunotherapy or targeted therapy after surgery can help to prevent cancer returning, the majority of patients do not need this.  Giving this treatment to everyone means that many patients may unnecessarily receive additional treatment, which can have serious and long-term side effects. Ideally, only patients likely to have the melanoma return would receive the additional treatment and we therefore want to see if we can use a simple blood test to spot those patients who are most at risk.鈥�

Senior Lecturer in medical oncology at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and Principal Investigator on the trial, Dr Rebecca Lee added: 鈥淚f ctDNA is detected, then we can fast-track patients on to treatment and this would mean that only those patients who really need drug treatment receive it.鈥�

The research team, which is working closely with the charity Melanoma Focus and its patient groups, has recently begun recruiting patients at eight hospitals across the UK, including The Royal Preston Hospital where Karen had her first blood test which has shown no signs of melanoma.

Patients who decide to take part will be randomly assigned to one of two groups, half will receive the standard NHS care and the other half will have regular ctDNA blood tests following surgery instead. The results will be compared at the end of the study and if successful, the trial will be expanded to more hospital sites and more patients.

All patients will continue to have regular scans and skin checks and will be followed up for 5 years.

Karen added: 鈥淭he benefit for me of this brand-new trial is that I don鈥檛 need to go on medication, that could make feel very ill, if I don鈥檛 need it. Also, I have that reassurance that alongside the regular scans and checks, I will have these fantastic blood tests every three months that show up signs of the cancer coming back up to 12-months earlier than a scan. So for me it鈥檚 hugely beneficial both mentally and physically.鈥�

Analysis by Cancer Research UK showed that rates of melanoma have increased by almost a third over the past decade with around 16,000 people diagnosed with melanoma every year in the UK.**

With melanoma cases in the UK on the rise, this clinical trial has come at a crucial time according to Cancer Research UK鈥檚 Executive Director of Research and Innovation Dr Iain Foulkes. He said: 鈥淐ancer Research UK is dedicated to discovery science while ensuring our findings in the laboratory have patient benefit. This project is an important step towards ensuring that our understanding of cancer can provide more personalised treatment for people diagnosed with melanoma, whilst sustaining their quality of life."

Melanoma Focus CEO Susanna Daniels added: 鈥淚t鈥檚 hoped that by using these ctDNA blood tests, doctors will be able to identify very early on which patients have a high chance of the melanoma returning and treat those patients accordingly. Doctors will also be able to provide reassurance to those patients that do not have ctDNA in their blood that their melanoma is not returning, and therefore avoid unnecessary treatment and potential side effects for many patients.鈥�

Image: Karen Dickinson

The  guideline establishes new standards for managing fungal infections, which affect millions of people worldwide every year, and was recently published in Lancet Infectious Diseases. 

The new guideline contains detailed recommendations on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of various forms of candidiasis 鈥� from superficial infections to life-threatening invasive infections 鈥� for clinicians, including innovative diagnostic procedures and the latest therapeutic approaches. 

Particular attention is paid to new challenges such as resistance to common antifungals and the increasing spread of Candida auris, a multiresistant pathogen 

鈥淲ith this guideline, we have taken an important step towards improving treatment for patients worldwide,鈥� said Professor Cornely, head of the global initiative. Co-lead Dr Sprute added: 鈥淥ur aim was to pool the expertise of a global network to provide doctors and healthcare professionals with a practical and scientifically sound tool. 

The document is the result of four years of intensive collaboration among more than one hundred experts from 35 countries. Supported by the expert associations ECMM (European Confederation of Medical Mycology), ISHAM (International Society for Human and Animal Mycology) and ASM (American Society for Microbiology).

Dr Cornely invited potential authors for the guideline based on speciality, geography, and gender. Six coordinators were appointed to ensure the structure of the guideline, assign topics, identify missing aspects and monitor progress.

The guideline has been endorsed worldwide by seventy six international expert associations as an important guide for practising physicians and meets the highest standards of quality and relevance to clinical care.

鈥淥ur compilation is unprecedented and provides a basis for improving the treatment and chances of survival of affected patients worldwide,鈥� said Cornely, underlining the significance of the work.

Dr Riina Rautemaa-Richardson, Senior Clinical Lecturer in Infectious Diseases and Medical Education at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 said: 鈥�"It was a mammoth project to bring practically the world together to agree how to diagnose and manage the most common invasive fungal disease. For the first time, all continents are represented and all aspects of Candida infections covered, including the very common superficial ones (thrush).鈥�

"It was amazing to see how much more evidence there is to support the recommendations made compared to the previous European guideline 10 years ago. Although we had over 100 expert authors in the group it was easy to agree on the recommendations.鈥�

Published in the and led by David Denning, Professor of Infectious Diseases in Global Health at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, the team analysed fungal infection management policies from the Netherlands,Italy, South Korea, China, and India. 

The contrast between the countries gives a representative picture of policies around the world according to Professor Denning. 

The research focussed on recognition and prioritization, awareness and education, prevention and monitoring, diagnosis and coordinated care, access to appropriate treatment, and diagnostic and treatment innovation. 

They also found worrying gaps in policy coverage, including low prioritization of diagnostics and omission of fungal pathogens from antimicrobial resistance policies.

There was also a general lack of awareness, poor healthcare professional training on optimal management of the potentially deadly infection which often presents with minimal, vague, or nonspecific symptoms.

Professor Denning said: 鈥淒evelopment of efficient and coordinated national systems to reduce avoidable deaths from fungal diseases has lagged behind other infectious diseases.

鈥淎 key element is timely and appropriate use of antifungal agents, based on diagnostic results, prevailing resistance trends and stewardship.

鈥淲e hope this article will provide a stimulus for all countries to put in place comprehensive plans for fungal diseases and monitor their implementation.鈥�

The policy framework that was developed is summarised in 6 areas: policy recognition, awareness and education, prevention and monitoring, diagnosis and coordinated care, access to appropriate treatment and innovation.

Each item in each country was scored using a traffic light system.

A 拢1m funding award from the Medical Research Council in collaboration with Innovate UK will accompany 拢1.2 million of in-kind support from 85 partners to fund the pilot phase of the UK Centre of Excellence on In-Silico Regulatory Science and Innovation (UK CEiRSI). This Centre will collaborate globally to address some of the sector's most pressing challenges and target unmet patient outcomes and safety needs. 

The consortium will work with computational modelling and simulation and AI techniques鈥攁ll of which are poised to revolutionise the healthcare landscape. The UK CEiRSI will contribute to making the UK the best milieu for delivering medical innovations using in silico evidence and regulatory science. 

The Centre will consist of leading universities from the UK鈥檚 four nations, world-class companies, and health systems and regulatory bodies, including the UK鈥檚 Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Health Research Authority (HRA) but will also collaborate with colleagues in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US, and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in mainland Europe.

Professor Alex Frangi, Bicentennial Turing Chair in Computational Medicine at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, will direct the Centre.

He said: 鈥淗uman and animal trials often face high failure rates resulting in delays, increased costs, and potential risks to patients.

鈥淥n average, pharmaceutical products take 12  years to develop, with testing consuming up to 30% of costs.

鈥淗owever, we will seek to address these critical inefficiencies by developing in-silico technologies that produce digital evidence for the digital age. Our aim is to reflect engineering practices in other sectors where physical testing is complemented by virtual testing and product optimisation. This will result in improved medical products (drugs or devices), faster and more affordable lifesaving therapies for patients, and innovative regulatory approval processes.鈥�

He added: 鈥淭hese cutting-edge tools can greatly enhance reliability in testing, while substantially reducing development time and costs, as well as improving the diversity of testing conditions, leading to more equitable care.鈥�

鈥淎nd that will benefit patients through reduced failure rates and recalls, while fostering economic growth by driving innovation in pharmaceuticals and medical technologies.鈥�

However, despite their transformative potential, a regulatory deadlock for in-silico technologies means the technologies face barriers to adoption. Regulators lack frameworks to assess in-silico evidence, while developers hesitate to invest without clear pathways to approval.

The UK CEiRSI aims to break the deadlock and position in-silico technology and virtual trials as a mainstream approach to eliminate risk from future medical and pharmaceutical innovation developments. To tackle this impasse, the Pilot phase will implement an In Silico Airlock Initiative where actors from industry, academia and regulatory bodies will explore 10 industry-led pre-commercial regulatory pilots and assess the opportunities and limitations of current credibility frameworks.

Building on the success of a six-month discovery phase, UK CEiRSI will bring together industry leaders, regulators, Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and standardisation bodies, academics, and patient representatives - to test and refine frameworks for assessing in-silico evidence.

Reports from the project will address key issues such as regulatory frameworks, legal and ethical implications, and patient risk reduction, paving the way for in-silico technologies to make a real impact on our lives.

• "in silico"  is a term used to describe experiments or studies that are performed using computer simulations or software. 

For more information visit:

• UK CEiRSI LinkedIn
• InSilicoUK
• InSilicoUK
• InSilicoUK
• InSilicoUK L 

Alex Theodossiadis, 25, died five years ago on 28 January 2020, after struggling to get a GP appointment. 

Reception staff had failed to realise  that the DJ鈥檚 symptoms needed urgent evaluation and offered him an appointment in three weeks. 

Alex had developed a severe and debilitating headache, and felt so ill and weak he was unable to eat properly or go out, which can be symptoms of meningitis in which the three thin layers of tissue that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord become inflamed, usually by an infection. 

Symptoms also include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion and drowsiness muscle pain, stomach cramps and fever with cold hands and feet, and a rash, though they may appear in any order. Some may not appear at all. 

Alex was taken by a friend to Leeds General Infirmary and then transferred across the city to St James' Hospital where he stopped breathing after falling from his hospital bed and banging his head on the floor.

 An inquest heard he was likely to have already succumbed to the infectious disease, which was complicated by the head injury. 

His mother, Professor Sue Astley Theodossiadis, a medical imaging expert at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, has been working with the charities Meningitis Now and the PSHE Association to develop the resources. 

They consist of two lessons which teach 16 to 18-year-olds  how to recognise serious illness in themselves and others, and to have the confidence and knowledge to navigate the healthcare system. One section includes role playing on how to get a doctor鈥檚 appointment. 

The pack was part-funded by the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health  at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and part-funded by Meningitis Now. 

She said: 鈥淲e strongly feel Alex鈥檚 care could have been better, and that his death might have been preventable. 

鈥淗e was told he had to wait for three weeks for a GP appointment. But after becoming progressively unwell, he went to a walk-in clinic where the first words written by the nurse at the appointment were 'cough and cold' symptoms, despite his most concerning symptoms including a new, debilitating headache. 

鈥淗e was so ill he couldn't even climb the stairs to his bedroom, but the duration and severity of his symptoms wasn鈥檛 discussed at the appointment. 

鈥淚t's likely that his inexperience in presenting his symptoms contributed to a presumption of a flu type viral infection; he left the surgery with painkillers for the headache.鈥�

A record of his Facebook messages to his friends and family, compiled by Professor Astley Theodossiadis, reveals the heartbreaking progression of the symptoms caused by the disease.

After posting one message to a friend in Germany which said he was 'in and out of naps', another friend took him to hospital, where he died three days later.

She added: "The coroner picked up the need for GP receptionists to ask questions and help people to be clearer about their symptoms so they can triage them more appropriately to get urgent appointments.

"This resource pack draws on Alex鈥檚 experience to help young people recognise serious illness in themselves and others, and to have the confidence and knowledge to navigate the healthcare system.

鈥淯ntil the time of his illness, Alex鈥檚 interactions with the NHS had mainly been for sports injuries, and many of those were when he was young, so I was there with him.

鈥淢y hope is that this will help prevent others dying in a similar way.  All healthcare professionals, including receptionists, need to be aware of the difficulties young people have in explaining themselves. The resources also highlight when to seek help urgently, either for yourself or for someone else鈥�

Director of Meningitis Now Dr Tom Nutt said: 鈥淲e welcome this valuable resource and thank Alex鈥檚 mother Sue for her tireless efforts to raise awareness and fight back against the disease that sadly took her son鈥檚 life.

鈥淵oung people are an at-risk group of meningitis and research tells us that up to a quarter of 15 to 24-year-olds carry the bacteria that cause meningococcal meningitis in the back of their throats, compared with one in 10 of the general population.

鈥淐ommon complaints such as a hangover and Freshers鈥� Flu are often given as reasons for a person not feeling too well 鈥� but we are asking young people not to simply assume this is the case. A headache and fever are also common signs of meningitis.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important that young people have the confidence and the knowledge to understand what may be happening to them when they are unwell and to know when to seek medical help or the help of others. This means taking a few minutes to learn the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia, and to know that it鈥檚 OK to seek urgent medical help if you are concerned that someone maybe unwell and getting worse.  This new resource will give young people the knowledge and confidence on how best to go about this.鈥�

Monica Perry from PSHE Association said: 鈥淭hese lessons will help students to develop responsibility for monitoring and maintaining their health and wellbeing; learning how to access reliable health information, recognising when to seek medical care, and rehearsing communication with healthcare professionals.

鈥淵oung adults have an increased risk of contracting meningitis or meningococcal disease 鈥� this resource will support students to be aware of vaccinations available, common signs and symptoms of the disease and what to do if someone is seriously unwell.鈥�

The HDRC is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). It will connect the Council, University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 researchers and other academic institutions to give local people an equal say in research and the ability to influence decisions made from that research, using both real-life experiences and building on current ways of doing things, to make sure the benefits last long after the programme ends.

The funding approval given today  follows last year鈥檚 submission to the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The collaboration, led by 黑料网吃瓜爆料 City Council, University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and partner organisations, is a significant step in uniting 黑料网吃瓜爆料 academic institutions and residents with other key players including voluntary and faith organisations, and public and private sector partners.

It aims to enhance better understanding of the factors affecting health and health inequalities, increase research capacity and use this evidence to inform future policy and planning and improve health outcomes in areas of high deprivation.

Councillor Thomas Robinson, Executive 黑料网吃瓜爆料 for Healthy 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and Adult Social Care said: 鈥淭his is a wonderful opportunity for 黑料网吃瓜爆料 to lead the way in tackling health inequalities by ensuring that local people鈥檚 voices are at the heart of shaping policy. By building our research capacity and working closely with partners and local people across the city we can develop a deeper understanding of the challenges our communities face and create evidence-based solutions that will have a real and lasting impact on people鈥檚 lives.

"This collaboration allows us to continue to shape the future of health and wellbeing in our city which is the central tenet of our Making 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Fairer Programme to address health inequity and preventable deaths by looking at all the social factors that mean that some people in the city die earlier than others.鈥�

Professor Arpana Verma from 黑料网吃瓜爆料, Academic Lead for the HDRC, said: 鈥淲e are so proud that 黑料网吃瓜爆料 has been awarded full HDRC status. This is a testament to our communities and public contributors who have helped us as the HDRC team create a plan of work that will strengthen our partnership. The HDRC will ensure we continue to hear the voices of the unheard, make the invisible, visible and making sure that we don鈥檛 leave anyone behind.

鈥淧utting people at the heart of this exciting initiative is vital for inclusive research and improving health and wellbeing. As we look to the next 5 years, we will continue to build our research-active communities and research-responsive policies to tackle inequalities together."

This commitment to addressing health inequalities across 黑料网吃瓜爆料 is echoed in the University's recent investment in interdisciplinary research focused on delivering fairer health outcomes for all through its  research platform.

The study of special bacteria, which have evolved nanoscopic syringes 鈥揟ype 6 Secretion Systems (T6SSs) 鈥� that inject cocktails of deadly toxins into rival microorganisms, is published today in the journal PNAS. 

Microbes been fighting their own wars on germs for Millions of years  鈥� battling for survival against each other.

The new Wellcome Trust-funded research shows that toxin cocktails used in these fights have a highly valuable property 鈥� they limit resistance evolution to T6SS attacks.

In both computer simulations and lab experiments, the researchers found that microbes readily evolved resistance to individual T6SS toxins, but that resistance did not occur when the toxins were injected together.

That means multi-toxin T6SSs might be ideal candidates for resistance-busting antimicrobials of the future.

T6SS-armed bacteria are already being harnessed as antimicrobials, with applications in crop protection or aquafarming.

Attacker bacteria could also be engineered as 鈥渓iving biotherapeutics鈥�, targeting drug-resistant bacteria or fungi inside hosts. 

The new results could now be used to improve these technologies,using toxin combinations to limit resistance evolution and extend their lifespan.

The work also suggests that microbes themselves might have much to teach us when it comes to overcoming resistance.

While the idea of combination therapy 鈥� using multiple toxins together to prevent resistance 鈥� dates from the 1950s, bacteria seem have been beaten humans to the discovery.

鈥淏acteria have been using T6SSs to attack other microbes for millions of years, and have developed their own type of combination therapy 鈥� injecting a range of toxin types together ,鈥� said Lead author, Dr Will Smith, from the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料.

鈥淚t鈥檚 possible this evolved to limit resistance in competitors. If so, what other mechanisms might microbes have to do this?鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 an exciting prospect that we might make better antimicrobial therapies by consulting our top microbial assassins: the germs themselves鈥�

• Video shows attacker and target bacteria. The dead bacteria is stained pink

Led by researchers at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and 黑料网吃瓜爆料 University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), alongside researchers in Australia and United States, the study will enable researchers to track changes in brain structure over time in children and young people with NF1.

The research is funded by a 拢2.2 million award from the US Department of Defence and is the largest investigation into brain development in NF1 to date. Using advanced machine-learning techniques, the team will analyse the brain structure of over 10,000 MRI scans, comparing them to healthy individuals of the same age.

By doing that, they will shine a light on how specific genetic changes affect the brain and how alterations in brain structure may predict learning difficulties outcomes.

The Children鈥檚 Hospital of Philadelphia, the Murdoch Research Institute in Melbourne and the Complex NF1 Service hosted by the 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Centre for Genomic Medicine at Saint Mary鈥檚 Hospital, part of MFT, which is a world leading centre for clinical care and research in NF1, have all signed up to the project.

NF1 affects approximately 1 in 2,500 children. Although the severity of the condition varies from person to person, about half of all children affected by the condition may have difficulties with learning, autism or ADHD.

Dr Shruti Garg, Senior Lecturer at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Mental Health Theme Capacity Development Lead, is leading the international research.

Dr Garg, who is also Honorary Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at the Royal 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Children鈥檚 Hospital, part of MFT said: 鈥淟earning and behavioural difficulties in NF1 can profoundly impact the quality of lives of affected children and young people. This funding provides a crucial opportunity for researchers to deepen our understanding of how changes in the NF1 gene impact brain development.

鈥淛ust like 鈥榞rowth-charts鈥� are widely used to monitor children鈥檚 physical growth, our research will enable us to create NF1-specific 鈥榖rain charts鈥� to serve as a reference for age-related changes in brain structure.鈥�

Dr Nils Muhlert, Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Neuroanatomy at the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 said: 鈥淭his project is a powerful illustration of collaboration across the world, and we are tremendously excited about what it might achieve.鈥�

Karen Cockburn, Charity Director of Nerve Tumours UK, said: "We fully endorse this extremely important global project, and the work of Dr Shruti Garg, who is also a member of the charity's Medical Advisory Board. This research and its potential findings will be of huge benefit for the NF1 community.鈥�

Dr Grace Vassallo, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist and Clinical Lead for the Complex NF1 Service at the 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Centre for Genomic Centre for Medicine at Saint Mary鈥檚 Hospital, said: 鈥淲e are incredibly grateful for this unique opportunity to collaborate in cutting edge research into the developing NF1 Brain charts which will in future improve the clinical care for children and young people with NF1.鈥�

The new suggests that repeated head injuries, such as concussions, a known risk factor for Alzheimer鈥檚 disease (AD), may reactivate a common dormant virus in the brain, increasing the risk of AD and other neurodegenerative conditions. Researchers found that even mild brain trauma can trigger this chain reaction, leading to harmful changes associated with memory loss and cognitive decline.

, the researchers demonstrated the roles that common viruses, such as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) (the so-called cold sore virus) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) (which causes chickenpox and shingles) play in the development of AD. HSV-1 can lie dormant in human cells for a lifetime, but when it re-awakens it can cause changes that resemble changes observed in AD patients鈥� brains - amyloid plaque-like formations (PLFs), gliosis, neuroinflammation, and decreased functionality.

In the latest study, published today in Science Signaling, the researchers once again used their small, 3D, bioengineered human brain tissue model to test the effects of physical trauma on the brain cells. When the brain tissues were exposed to repeated "mild blows," similar to concussions, the previously dormant HSV-1 virus became active. This reactivation triggered inflammation, beta-amyloid plaque build-up, and the formation of harmful tau proteins, which can damage brain cells and impair memory.

Importantly, the researchers also found that blocking an inflammatory molecule called Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1尾) prevented many of these harmful effects in lab models, opening the door to potential new treatments for those at risk. 

Professor Ruth Itzhaki, who led the research with Drs Cairns and Kaplan at Tufts, has been researching the potential role of HSV-1 in AD for more than 30 years, beginning at the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料, where her team discovered HSV-1 DNA is present in the human brain in a high proportion of older people - the first microbe to be detected definitively in normal human brains. 

Professor Itzhaki, Visiting Professorial Fellow at the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing and Emeritus Professor at the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淗ead injuries are already recognised as a major risk factor, as are the cumulative effect of common infections, for conditions such as Alzheimer鈥檚 and dementia, but this is the first time we have been able to demonstrate a mechanism for that process.

鈥淲hat we鈥檝e discovered is that in the brain model these injuries can reactivate a dormant virus, HSV1, setting off inflammation which, in the brain, would lead to the very changes we see in Alzheimer鈥檚 patients.

鈥淯nderstanding both the risk factors for dementia and Alzheimer鈥檚, and the mechanism by which they develop, is important in being able to target treatment and prevention at as early a point as possible.鈥�

The researchers hope their work will pave the way for new treatments to protect against neurodegeneration, particularly for those at high risk due to repeated concussions.

The full paper, 鈥楻epetitive injury induces phenotypes associated with Alzheimer鈥檚 disease by reactivating HSV-1 in a human brain tissue model鈥�, is published in.

The English Language Support Academy for Medics will work with the gynaecologists, surgeons, paediatricians, emergency medical doctors and GPs in 2025.

The Belfast programme is supported by REACHE, a 21-year-old medical education programme funded by NHS England that in 2024 has helped 123 health professionals, mainly doctors and nurses on their journey to regain their professional registrations in England.

The programme is being led by Dr Aisha Awan, Director of REACHE at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, and a clinical lecturer at 黑料网吃瓜爆料. 

Dr Awan said: 鈥淩EACHE offers an excellent return on investment. Its nearly six times cheaper and takes half the time of training medical students in the UK.

鈥淭he fall of the Assad regime in Syria brings the plight of refugees and asylum seekers sharply into focus.

鈥淏ut rather than wasting the experience of these skilled medical professionals when we need doctors and nurses desperately, REACHE supports them to be part of the solution to our national challenges.鈥�

She added: 鈥淩efugee doctors have an average of seven years post-registration experience under their belt.

鈥淲ith specialist language and acculturation training alongside strong pastoral support, they are well able  to fill the estimated shortfall of around 50,000 doctors in the NHS.鈥�

According to REACHE, the recruitment of refugees and asylum-seeking doctors and nurses prevents them from becoming deskilled through inactivity in their host country.

That way they can then return to their nations after conflicts end and provide health services to traumatised citizens and rebuild their country.

• Image 1 : the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray welcomes a refugee group of doctors at the opening of the programme. From L to R they are  Dr Ghaleb Daher,  Lord Mayor, Dr Yasmeen Ahmed and Dr Mohameden Omer 
• Image 2: From Left to right they are: Jennifer Taggart, NHS service manager; Councillor Micky Murray; Aisha Awan; Dr Kathy Cullen, interim Centre Director, Queen's University

The study - led by two University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 researchers and published in Nature Communications - significantly advances our understanding of how Aspergillus fumigatus rapidly develops drug resistance.

 The mould, found in soil, composts, and decaying vegetation, is potentially deadly to people with a range of health conditions including those with weakened immune systems and respiratory problems.

Millions of people develop invasive and chronic aspergillosis infections around the world every year, with mortality rates ranging between 30% to 90%.

Only three classes of antifungal drugs available to treat disease, and only one class, the azoles, is suitable for long-term oral administration.

Resistance to azoles is spreading due to the use of a class of fungicides in agriculture, known as the DMIs. Resistance can double the risk of mortality from invasive aspergillosis.

According to the study funded by The Wellcome Trust, strains resistant to azoles are over five times more likely to acquire resistance to new treatments currently in clinical trials. 

The study follows previous research by the team showing how an agricultural fungicide called ipflufenoquin- currently under consideration by authorities worldwide - could have a devastating effect on a new drug, olorofim, currently being trialled to treat Aspergillus fumigatus infections. 

F2G Ltd 鈥� a spin out company from 黑料网吃瓜爆料 鈥� invested more than 拢250 million over 20 years in the development of olorofim, which is in late-stage clinical trials and aims to be clinically deployed within the next few years. 

Because olorofim works against azole resistant infections, it could save many lives of affected patients. 

However, ipflufenoquin, could severely impact the new drug because it has the same biological target and kills the fungi the same way as olorofim. 

Co-author Dr Michael Bottery from 黑料网吃瓜爆料 said: 鈥淥ur discovery, coupled with our previous research on the impact of an agrochemical on antifungal resistance, highlights the urgent need for innovative strategies to combat the growing public health threat of antifungal resistance. 

鈥�Aspergillus fumigatus produces billions of spores. Even slightly elevated rates of mutation mean it is highly likely resistant mutants will arise.鈥� 

By exposing billions of spores from genetically different natural strains of Aspergillus fumigatus to a range of drugs they accelerated evolution in the lab to predict how likely it was for resistance to evolve. 

Strains that evolve faster, they found,  were also the ones already resistant to azoles. These strains had genetic changes in genes that control the fungus鈥檚 system which repairs mutated DNA  -  known as the mismatch repair system. 

By using CRISPR-Cas9 to reproduce these variants in the lab, they were able to directly link the changes in the mismatch repair system with the ability of Aspergillus fumigatus to evolve resistance to new drugs. 

Co-author Prof. Michael Bromley from 黑料网吃瓜爆料 said: 鈥�Specific strains of Aspergillus fumigatus are resistant to azoles, the only effective long-term treatment for chronic aspergillosis.

鈥淏ut these strains also have elevated mutation rates due to changes in their DNA mismatch repair system - the fungus鈥檚 system which repairs errors in its DNA.

鈥淭his means that isolates that are already resistant to our first line treatments could develop resistance to new drugs 5 times faster than drug resistant isolates, potentially leading to strains that are resistant to all antifungal medications.鈥�

The  paper "Elevated mutation rates in multi-azole resistant Aspergillus fumigatus drive rapid evolution of antifungal resistance," to be published in in Nature Communications, is published in Nature Communications.

The duration reduction of around 10% could provide significant cost savings to health systems, limit unwanted drug side-effects, reduce overtreatment and reduce the development of antimicrobial resistance in individuals, across communities and internationally.

The study was commissioned and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and its leading partners were 黑料网吃瓜爆料, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust and Warwick Medical School鈥檚 Clinical Trials Unit,  who specialise in research in emergency and critical care.

Chief investigator Paul Dark, Professor of Critical Care at the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 will present the findings to a global online audience at the prestigious this week (10/12/24), where it will be scrutinised and debated by some of the world鈥檚 leading experts in the field.

The research team are also to publish their peer reviewed findings in JAMA-  one of the world鈥檚 leading medical  journals today

According to the charity Sepsis Research FEAT, around 50,000 people are estimated to die of sepsis in the UK each year, which develops when the body's immune system overreacts to an infection and starts attacking its own tissues and organs.

Accounting for 100,000 hospital admissions a year in the UK, it is estimated that there are 49 million cases and 1 million deaths a year globally.

Recognising sepsis and starting antibiotics  early are crucial but until now the recommended duration of such treatment has been uncertain.

The only available option recommended for doctors currently is to use their judgement  to decide when to discontinue the potent  broad spectrum antibiotics, usually reserved to treat the condition.

The new decision support system is based on a simple blood test, carried out daily and available in most  NHS hospital laboratories.

It tests for levels of a circulating protein called procalcitonin (PCT), which is produced as part of the body鈥檚 immune system responses to bacterial infections.

Higher levels indicate a greater likelihood of bacterial infection and sepsis, with subsequent falling levels indicating favourable responses to treatments

A computer automated response, based on the PCT levels from the blood test,    advises doctors whether to discontinue antibiotic treatment or not.  A further commonly measured circulating inflammation protein (C-reactive protein or CRP) was also tested.

The randomized controlled trial was based at 41 intensive care units across the UK, involving 2,760 adults from January 2018 to June 2024.

It compared 918 patients on a  PCT protocol with 924 patients on a  C-reactive protein (CRP) and 918 patients on current standard care.

Clinicians responsible for managing patients received daily standardized written advice on either standard care or on PCT or CRP biomarker-guided antibiotic discontinuation.

The protocols in the study were uniquely designed to  conceal laboratory test results  from clinical  staff to reduce potential bias and patients were randomly assigned to one of the three groups.

The team found that a PCT protocol reduced total antibiotic duration by 10% and all-cause mortality, a key patient safety measure, was the same as standard care .

There was no difference in total antibiotic duration between standard care and CRP protocols..

Professor Dark, who is also an NHS Consultant in Critical Care Medicine at Salford Royal, said: 鈥淭his simple protocol, if implemented, could significantly change the way sepsis is treated and safely help to combat antimicrobial overuse and resistance-  one of the world鈥檚 leading health challenges.

鈥淚t is also a powerful illustration of how precision medicine can make a real difference to patient care  when treatment is tailored to  individual test results  of each patient.

鈥淚t鈥檚 also important to acknowledge that this study would not have been possible without the generous contribution  of patients with this life threatening condition who like all of us, are committed to finding better ways to deal with sepsis.鈥�

He added: 鈥淪epsis has been at the forefront of policy makers minds ever since the publication of 2013 Health Service Ombudsman report which focused on sepsis patients who were not treated urgently enough.

鈥淓ver since then, developing better diagnostics and treatment guidance for GPs and hospital clinicians to help them recognise sepsis at an early stage has been a national priority.

鈥淭his trial has been planned to address NICEs recommendations so that its results will inform their future guidance on antibiotic duration in sepsis.鈥�

Sepsis Research FEAT trustee Beth Budgen developed sepsis as a result of a seemingly innocuous Strep A infection on Christmas Day 2022, resulting in quadruple amputations.

She said: 鈥淲ithin 24hrs I was fighting for my life and have been left with life changing injuries as a result. If this can happen to me, it really can happen to anyone. It really is that scary

鈥満诹贤怨媳� study is one of several significant projects currently being undertaken in the UK in the field of antibiotic treatment for sepsis patients - an extremely important area of research which Sepsis Research FEAT fully endorses.

鈥淭he priority setting partnership exercise that the charity recently completed with the James Lind Alliance will also now be crucial in ensuring that the best research into sepsis takes place UK-wide.鈥�

Professor Gavin Perkins, Warwick CTU Trial Lead said: 鈥淪epsis claims tens of thousands of lives each year in the UK.  The findings from ADAPT-sepsis will help doctors ensure that critically ill patients with severe infections get the right duration of treatment with life-saving antibiotics.鈥�

• Critically ill patients recruited to the trial had already commenced antibiotics for sepsis, so the study does not provide evidence for biomarker use in initiating antibiotic therapy.
• 黑料网吃瓜爆料, University of Warwick and Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust researchers would like to thank the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) for help delivering the study in the NHS and the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme for funding the trial.  The collaborative  co-investigator  funded team  in this national study are linked here    .  We would also like to thank Abbott and Roche Diagnostics for their contracted support to assist NHS laboratories participate in the study. 
• Beth鈥檚 story is available to read in full and she also appears on the Sepsis Research FEAT  . The PSP outcomes page on their  website can be found .

Professor Adam Greenstein, Professor of Medicine at the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淭he team and I are delighted to have been chosen as the winners of the British Heart Foundations Research Story of the Year award. Our research marks a revolutionary step forward in understanding the vascular causes of dementia by uncovering new routes for drugs which could slow the progression of  this devastating condition.

The British Heart Foundation has been funding my work for the last 12 years, and it has been the privilege of a lifetime. None of these breakthroughs would exist if it wasn鈥檛 for their unwavering and continuous support. Dementia in the over 65鈥檚 is largely a vascular illness 鈥� together with the British Heart Foundation we are going to stop it in it鈥檚 tracks鈥�

The Research Story of the Year category invites the public to vote for their favourite BHF-funded research project addressing some of the biggest challenges in cardiovascular disease.

The 黑料网吃瓜爆料 team, co led by Professor Greenstein and Dr Harry Pritchard won for their study that unmasked the hidden dangers of even slightly high blood pressure, revealing how it disrupts communication between the cells that make up the arteries in the brain.

Blood flow in the brain is regulated by two cell structures. When blood pressure increases, these structures help to transmit messages that tell arteries to dilate, allowing more blood to flow through them.

But the researchers found that, when blood pressure remains consistently high, these two structures move further apart. This stops messages reaching their target, causing arteries to remain permanently constricted and limiting blood flow to the brain.

Brain cells that don鈥檛 receive enough blood are starved of oxygen and nutrients, causing them to become damaged over time and die. This can lead to lack of concentration and poor memory, both symptoms of dementia.

These results in mice still need to be confirmed in humans, but the team are already looking at potential drugs that could restore this communication. They hope that this could improve blood supply to affected areas in the brain, slowing the progression of all dementia syndromes.

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive at the British Heart Foundation, said:

 鈥淐ardiovascular disease affects the lives of too many families, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. But, thanks to the incredible commitment and generosity of our BHF supporters and researchers, there is hope on the horizon.

鈥淭his study is just one example of the incredible research happening in labs and hospitals across the UK. Every day, our awe-inspiring BHF-funded researchers bring us one step closer to the next breakthrough that will save and improve lives of people affected by cardiovascular disease.鈥�

2025 will mark two decades since the partnership between 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and Mansoura University was forged, a relationship which led to the development of Egypt鈥檚 first international medical programme.

In 2006 an initial cohort of 60 students were welcomed on to the scheme. Today the programme takes on just under 400 trainees annually, with 50% of these being international students. These students to date have hailed from 45 different countries, including students from neighbouring countries in crisis who receive their medical education through scholarships in Mansoura.

With many medical schools closed in these regions, Mansoura is helping to ensure a medical service can continue in these countries and is playing an instrumental role in educating the next generation of doctors, while helping to meet the urgent global need for an increased health workforce.

Professor Keith Brennan, Vice Dean for Internationalisation, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 said: 鈥淎s we continue to celebrate our 200th year anniversary and the impact of our teaching and research partnerships, we can also see how our international partnerships are directly contributing to meeting global need and the huge difference they are making towards meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly Goals 3 Good Health & Wellbeing and 4, Quality Education鈥�.

Additionally, The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that there will be a global deficit of 10-14.5 million healthcare workers by 2030, 6.1 million of this deficit will be in Africa and a further 1.7 million will be in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East.

The Mansoura 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Medical Program directly addresses this deficit, providing training for the next generation of doctors in the region. As the programme provides an integrated training, graduates are able to work in any healthcare system globally.

The programme takes the best approaches to medical education seen globally, which put the patient first and emphasise competencies meaning graduates are in a better place to diagnose and treat patients.

Professor Ashraf Shoma, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University said: 鈥淚nternational partnerships such as this brings enormous benefits for our students, staff and local populations. Our graduates are able to join a global workforce that can meet patient needs, both here in Egypt and overseas鈥�.

Professor Lucie Byrne-Davies, Associate Dean for Internationalisation, Teaching & Learning Partnerships, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 said: 鈥淭he Mansoura 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Medical Program is a truly collaborative initiative that combines 黑料网吃瓜爆料鈥檚 holistic curriculum with the quality teaching delivered by our colleagues in Egypt. Our programme provides healthcare education that will equip students with the lifelong learning and research skills they need to thrive in their future careers.鈥�

Attending the latest cohort鈥檚 graduation were Professor Keith Brennan, Professor Lucie Byrne-Davis and Professor Joanne Hart.

The first Whitworth debate in November 2023, called Culture of care or culture of concern - let鈥檚 debate animal research, received the accolade on Monday at a ceremony at the Crick Institute in London. 

Wendy Jarrett CEO of Understanding Animal Research (UAR), Penny Hawkins Head of the Animals in Science Department, RSPCA Science and Policy Group and  Celean Camp CEO of the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME) took questions from students and staff at the event. 

The event kicked off with Dr Maria Kamper, Director of the University's Biological Services Facility signing a public pledge to uphold a culture of care within the unit. 

The University, a winner of two other openness awards over the past 7 years, is a signatory of the Concordat on openness on animal research, a set of commitments to enhance animal research communications. 

It has been recognised internationally as a leading exponent of openness in animal research. 

The judges, who included senior figures from science, academia and the RSPCA, praised the event as a space for people to come together to ask questions and hear issues around animal testing. 

They particularly recognised the efforts that would have been needed to obtain the necessary internal support for holding such an event. 

鈥淲e hope its success inspires other signatories [of the Concordat] to hold similar events, with a continuing broadening of the perspectives represented on the stage, and of those attending,鈥�  they added. 

Dr Kamper said: 鈥淲e are so proud to be recognised as a leading exponent in openness by our distinguished peers. 

鈥淭here is absolutely no doubt that openness reaps huge rewards for science, scientists-  and ultimately the public who are the beneficiaries of new medical treatments and procedures. 

鈥淎nd shining a light on animal research, also ensures that the highest standards of care and welfare are adhered to by those who work in the sector.鈥� 

The debate was chaired by communications lead for animal research Mike Addelman, from the Directorate  of communications, marketing and student recruitment. 

He said: 鈥淭his event was conducted in the best possible way. Though our panellists covered many of the hotly debated areas in animal research, they were constructive in what they had to say, and engaged a lively and appreciative audience. 

鈥淚t was clear that audience members went home feeling as though they had learned something - and that they understood where people with differing views were coming from."

• Image  from left to right:  Mike Addelman, animal research comms lead University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料, Val Summers, Regulatory Affairs Manager at Envigo who presented the award, Dr Jo Stanley,  Named Training and Competency Officer and 3Rs manager at The Biological Services Facility, University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料

The review also finds that 15% of people with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) die in the first year following other lung diseases.

The international study of CPA - which kills 340,000 people a year around the world - is  led by Professor David Denning from 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and published today in the leading journal Lancet Infectious Diseases.

Though still high, CPA patients with prior tuberculosis (TB) had a lower overall 5 year mortality of 25%, according to the study.

Though patients with TB tend to be younger, a multivariable analysis showed prior TB was 24% less lethal than other lung conditions, even accounting for age, though the reason for the difference in outcome was not identified.

Being older than 60, having interstitial lung disease, current cancer and smoking-related lung disease carried worse outcomes.

Co-authors Dr Abinhav Sengupta and Dr Animesh Ray from All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi examined the death rates in 8,778 patients described in the literature from all continents except Antarctica.

CPA, in which lungs gradually scar over months and years, is a debilitating condition which causes severe tiredness, weight loss, breathlessness and coughing up blood.

Caused by exposure to airborne spores of the mould Aspergillus, it is harmless to most people, but not to those with lung damage.

A small group of patients with disease in only one lung have it removed surgically have a much lower mortality.

In contrast, very ill patients tend to be treated with the antifungal drug voriconazole and had a significantly higher mortality.

David Denning, Professor of Infectious Diseases in Global Health at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 who led the study said: 鈥淭his truly international collaboration highlights the poor outcome of diagnosed and treated patients with CPA.

鈥淢any are not diagnosed or misdiagnosed as having TB, and then not treated with antifungal agents.

鈥淭reatment with antifungal drugs or surgery improves symptoms and probably reduces deaths from this truly disabling disorder, although as this study shows new strategies to reduce deaths are required, especially straight after diagnosis.鈥�

Earlier in 2024, Professor Denning that CPA developed in 1.8 million people each year, leading to 340,000 deaths (18%), taking into account diagnosed and undiagnosed patients.

Of the deaths, an estimated 204,000 were directly attributable to CPA. This new research takes the CPA mortality down and consequently the number of patients living with CPA up. The last figure (prevalence) was estimated by Denning at over 6 million.

The paper Mortality in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis is available

In a position statement published today, British Society of Audiology, the British Academy of Audiology and the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists say the misinformation is promoting a sense of alarm and stigma around hearing loss, and may discourage people experiencing hearing difficulties from seeking help.

They also argue the focus on what causes the co-occurrence of hearing loss and dementia could inadvertently distract from much needed research on how to assess and help people who live with both conditions.

The statement published by the organisations, provides a more balanced view of the link between the two, arguing there is no evidence to support or refute either of the claims.

Factors which are predictive of dementia include depression, traumatic brain injury, diabetes, lower levels of education, and social isolation. Hearing loss comes much further down the ranking and has a clear but weak association.

The lead author Kevin Munro, Professor of audiology at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淚t is true that hearing loss and dementia both increase with age. But it does not follow that one causes the other.

鈥淪ocial responsibility is paramount, and any misleading negative messaging may distract from the importance of good hearing in its own right.

鈥淗earing loss is a huge challenge because it ranks third in terms of years lived with a disability.鈥�

There is clear evidence that treating adult-onset hearing loss facilitates an active, engaged, independent, and healthy older age, and that could be good for people with or without dementia.

鈥淭he topic of dementia raises considerable fear and alarm because of the potential devastating consequences for individuals, with a significant impact on families and carers, as well as the health and care system.鈥�

Siobhan Brennan, Chair of the British Society of Audiology said: 鈥淲hile the nature of the link has yet to be determined, it is a mistake to think that if two things co-occur, one must have caused the other.

鈥淲e can say with certainty that just because someone experiences age-related cognitive change, and changes in their hearing, this does not mean that they will go on to develop dementia.鈥�

Listening and trying to communicate with others when you have a hearing loss can be a challenge. Hearing aids have proven benefits for improving communication and this helps to keep the user cognitively and socially active.

Professor Munro added: 鈥淚f hearing aids help you to hear more easily, this means your brain probably doesn鈥檛 have to work so hard. That could free up your brain to do other things. This is a simple and clear message: hearing better can help you to live better.鈥�

Claire Benton, President of the British Academy of Audiology said: 鈥淲e need to change the narrative, so society appreciates the importance of healthy hearing. We are in an ageing society and the more people who enter older age in good health, the better. Healthy hearing is an important component of healthy ageing.鈥�

Michael Marchant, Vice President of the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists, said: 鈥淭his document is designed to reassure our members and help them navigate any concerns. Since causation between hearing loss and dementia has not been proven, it鈥檚 essential that our members approach this topic with sensitivity, ensuring patients feel informed and supported rather than alarmed.鈥�

The authors of the report stress that the content is specific to adult-onset hearing loss. It does not apply to people who identify as being Deaf and are members of a vibrant community that uses sign language to communicate.

The position statement and clinical guidance is called: The link between adult-onset hearing loss and dementia. It is published this week by the British Society of Audiology, the British Academy of Audiology and the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists.

The full mission statement is  available  

Developed by researchers at Saint Mary鈥檚 Hospital, part of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and 黑料网吃瓜爆料, in collaboration with 黑料网吃瓜爆料-based firm genedrive Plc, the rapid bedside test could save the NHS 拢5 million every year by reducing the need for interventions, such as cochlear implants.

The innovative test was first piloted at Saint Mary鈥檚 Hospital and Liverpool Women鈥檚 Hospital, in 2020 as part of the Pharmacogenetics to Avoid Loss of Hearing (PALOH) study. Following its success, the test was implemented into routine clinical practice at Saint Mary鈥檚 Hospital in 2022 and extended to all three maternity units at MFT, Saint Mary鈥檚 Hospital, Wythenshawe Hospital, and North 黑料网吃瓜爆料 General Hospital, in 2023.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) conditionally recommended the genedrive test for use in the NHS last year. It has since been implemented into routine clinical practice at all eight Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 neonatal units, with funding from Health Innovation 黑料网吃瓜爆料 (HInM). So far, the test has prevented the hearing loss of 11 babies at MFT and across Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料, with 4,000 babies tested to October 2024.

As part of its recommendation, NICE identified areas requiring more information to determine whether the test should be recommended for use at all neonatal sites across the NHS. This includes how the test impacts the time it takes for a baby to be given antibiotics, how the results affect antibiotic prescribing decisions, and the technical performance and accuracy of the test.

Now, having successfully received 拢1.4m funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the Office for Life Sciences, researchers at MFT will lead PALOH-UK, a new two-year study across 14 neonatal units, from large intensive care units to small special care baby units.  

Dr John McDermott, Clinical Geneticist at MFT and joint lead for the PALOH-UK study said: 鈥淲e are incredibly proud to be leading this research at MFT, having already seen the difference this new genetic test has made across Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料. We are excited to explore how it can be used effectively at other neonatal units across the UK.  

鈥淭he PALOH-UK study will demonstrate how the test can be used in a timely way to ensure babies get a safe, effective antibiotic without affecting normal clinical practice, on a much larger scale.鈥�

Using a cheek swab, the test can identify in 26 minutes whether a critically ill baby admitted to intensive care has a gene change that could result in permanent hearing loss if they are treated with a common antibiotic, gentamicin.

While gentamicin is used to safely treat approximately 100,000 babies a year, one in 500 babies carry a gene change that can result in permanent hearing loss when given the drug.

The test replaces a previous method that traditionally took several days and is the first use of a rapid point of care genetic test in acute neonatal care. Babies found to have the genetic variant can be given an alternative antibiotic within the NICE recommended 鈥榞olden hour.鈥�

The 24 month, PALOH-UK study, due to start in November 2024 will be co-led by Professor Bill Newman, Consultant in Genomic Medicine at the 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Centre for Genomic Medicine, Saint Mary鈥檚 Hospital and Professor of Translational Genomic Medicine at 黑料网吃瓜爆料.

Professor Newman, who is also Rare Conditions Co-Theme Lead at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), said: 鈥淲hile we were delighted that NICE recommended the use of the genetic beside test, we understand that evidence is needed to understand implementation in smaller centres and in more diverse populations, which is what this study will do.

鈥淲e are looking forward to working with partners across the NHS to take this research to the next level and hopefully bring this test closer to implementation across every NHS neonatal unit in the UK.鈥�

Dr Gino Miele, Chief Executive, genedrive plc, said: 鈥淲e are delighted with the successful funding award to MFT, to address the areas where NICE has identified a need for further information.  We are proud to be at the forefront of pharmacogenetic testing in emergency care settings and look forward to working with all partners across the UK to progress implementation of this worlds-first rapid genetic test in neonatal settings, positively impacting patient outcomes and healthcare finances.鈥�

Dr John McDermott, who is also a NIHR Fellow at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 added: 鈥淚t鈥檚 fantastic to see this research moving forward and highlights how genomic medicine can be integrated into routine clinical practice to improve healthcare outcomes. Most importantly, having this test available nationally will ensure no baby will go deaf unnecessarily.鈥�

• Image: using the genetic test

The supports healthcare professionals and students in developing leadership skills essential for shaping the future of healthcare.

Al-Saffar, a Final Year Medical Student, will join a community of scholars selected from a competitive pool of applicants from across the world. Scholars will attend several leadership workshops throughout the year, along with mentorship, coaching and networking opportunities with HLA Alumni and prominent healthcare leaders.

During the programme, each scholar will undertake a Scholar Project aimed at addressing a key healthcare challenge. Al-Saffar plans to focus on improving access to medical school for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Of the award, Noor said: 鈥淚 am thrilled to have been accepted onto the HLA with a scholarship. As someone who is passionate about global health leadership and policy-making, this is an excellent opportunity to cultivate and develop my leadership skills. I am very much looking forward to collaborating with Scholars from around the world, and sharing expertise. Very grateful and honoured to be part of the HLA community, and for the support and mentorship that I will undoubtedly derive from it for years to come.鈥�

Johann Malawana, Director of The HLA, said: 鈥�After a rigorous and competitive application process, we are delighted to welcome our new cohort of 2024-2025 scholars. At a time of great global challenge in healthcare, it is important that the next generation of healthcare leaders are motivated, inspired, and prepared in order to best look after the populations they serve.鈥�

Founded in 2016, The HLA recognises individuals with proven leadership potential  and offers an opportunity to future nurture their leadership skills to the next level. This year鈥檚 cohort has a mix of medical students from across various healthcare professions from over 10 countries.

The HLA is an associate member of The Council of Deans of Health in the UK, commissioned by NHS England, works with institutions across multiple countries and partners with Medics Academy.

The new tool -  now used across the world - was developed by research fellow Dr Richard Naylor who made it possible to use zebrafish larvae to easily and quickly screen new drugs for treating different kidney diseases. 

Replacement, reduction and refinement 鈥� known collectively as the 3Rs -  are an increasingly important area of biological research. 

By law scientists must demonstrate they have adhered to the principles of the 3Rs before their project license is granted by the Home Office. 

Dr Naylor will pick up his award today (14 November) at the second ever University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料  3Rs symposium, organised by the University鈥檚 animal unit, where  scientists will hear about the latest advances in 3Rs science. 

Using organisms that are not able to feed independently and are therefore considered to be minimally sentient - the judges recognised the tool as a novel alternative to mammals but also for its ability to reduce animal numbers and enhance the care they receive. 

Kidney disease is a major cause of illness and accounts for 10% of all deaths in humans. 

Protein in urine is produced when kidneys do not work properly and is easily tested in humans with a simple dipstick. 

Zebrafish- which have similar genetics to humans and possess 80% of human disease-causing genes - are a popular species used by research scientists because they produce large numbers of eggs (200 to 300 per week per female), which develop externally. 

In the past it was virtually impossible to test for protein in the urine of zebra fish larvae because the tiny amounts of urine produced are immediately diluted in the fish tank. 

However, a new genetically modified zebrafish larvae model, designed and generated by Dr Naylor and his team, contains a luminescent molecule called NL-D3 in its blood. 

When kidneys are damaged, NL-D3 leaks out of the kidneys and into the urine. NL-D3 can easily be detected in embryos using a luminometer which measures the light produced by urine in the water. 

As a result, scientists can now easily test for the level of protein in high numbers of the organisms which - at less than 5 days old - are not considered to be fully sentient under the law. 

The team tested the new tool by generating a zebrafish model of Alport syndrome, a kidney disease characterized by protein in the urine, publishing their results in the prestigious journal . 

In Alport zebrafish, levels of NL-D3 increased but could be subsequently reduced using captopril, a drug that lowers blood pressure, demonstrating the efficacy of the tool. 

Dr Naylor said: 鈥淔inding 3Rs solutions to animal research is incredibly important because as scientists we care about the welfare of the animals we are privileged to work with. 

鈥淭hat is why it is so exciting we have demonstrated how is possible to conduct fundamental research on kidney disease without necessarily relying on mammalian models. 

鈥淭estament to this, we have had seven research groups in the US and Europe request embryos be sent to them. 

鈥淎nd even more excitingly, we are currently collaborating with a large pharmaceutical company to model acute kidney injury and screen drugs to treat it.鈥� 

Dr Maria Kamper, Director of the animal unit at the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 said: 鈥淎s Director of the Biological Services Facility, I am delighted to present our inaugural University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 3Rs prize to Dr Naylor and his team. 

鈥淭heir innovative work exemplifies our commitment to advancing scientific discovery while upholding the highest standards of animal welfare. The widespread adoption of this model by kidney disease researchers worldwide proves it is an outstanding achievement in the 3Rs space.鈥� 

Replacing mouse models
Until now, protein in the urine as a marker of kidney dysfunction in disease and in response to drug treatments was mainly used in mouse models or from human patients. But with the new tool, the ability to use zebrafish to accurately monitor kidney dysfunction increases the appeal of pre-independent feeding stage zebrafish to model kidney disease for researchers worldwide. 

Fewer numbers needed
Previously, high numbers of embryos were needed due to high variability in methods used to test kidney dysfunction in zebrafish. The new tool, however, has reduced the number of procedures needed to be performed on zebrafish embryos to zero.  As the scientists now only need to analyse embryo medium, no animals are injected or are required to be anaesthetized. And fewer larvae are needed to achieve statistical significance. 

No need to anaesthetize the embryos
Before the paper was published, the only way to measure kidney dysfunction in zebrafish was to inject fluorescent dextran directly into the animals and observe how quickly the fluorescence was lost from the blood vasculature over the subsequent days. The approach meant having to anaesthetize zebrafish embryos repeatedly, which is now lo longer necessary.

• The paper A novel nanoluciferase transgenic reporter measures proteinuria in zebrafish is published in
• Images are of zebrafish larvae

The findings from a survey and interviews provide an important context to the retention crisis for pharmacy technicians, who are leaving their current employers or the role altogether in numbers. 

Published in the journal Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy this week, the study reveals their role is characterised by heavy workloads, inadequate staffing, and lack of support. 

A minority of the 603 respondents - 489 of which were women - also reported favouritism, bullying, and racism, especially in community pharmacies and some hospitals. 

The findings are a stark warning to policy makers that urgent action is needed to retain the 26,500-strong English pharmacy technician workforce. 

After formal recognition of the role in the early 2000s, registration was made mandatory in 2011, requiring two years of study. 

Pharmacy technicians are now regulated pharmacy professionals, who are taking on increasing levels of responsibility in community and hospitals, and increasing numbers are working in general practice. 

Government plans for newly qualified pharmacists registering as independent prescribers from 2026 and delivery of increasing levels of clinical services through community pharmacies will mean pharmacy technicians are needed to take on more responsibility to free up pharmacists鈥� time. 

However, according to NHS England, current workforce projections (Based on 2021 figure from Health Education England. Pharmacy Technician and Pharmacy Support Staff Workforce Development Strategy) suggest the number of pharmacy technicians will not meet the demand, which could lead to a vacancy rate of 9% across the acute and primary care sectors.

NHSE also estimates that vacancy rates in community pharmacies are even starker at 20% and rising. 

Lead author Dr Imelda , research fellow at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 said: 鈥淥ur study discovered many complexities behind the falling numbers of pharmacy technicians. 

鈥淭hese include low pay, limited career advancement, lack of recognition by employers and stressful work environments, characterised by heavy workloads, inadequate staffing, and lack of support. 

鈥淥ur evidence shows that staff turnover is influenced by a multitude of factors such as career commitment, organisational commitment, job satisfaction and job stress.

鈥淏ut as Government policy sees their role as increasingly important, these issues need to be resolved.鈥�

Co-author and the study鈥檚 principal investigator Professor Ellen said: 鈥淭here are challenges preventing pharmacy technicians from effectively fulfilling their expanded roles.

鈥淥ne is the lack of clarity surrounding their roles and responsibilities, particularly in community pharmacy settings.

鈥淏ut the heart of the problem could lie in the lack of adequate support and recognition of their inherent value, leading to job dissatisfaction and high turnover rates.

She added: 鈥�Employers need to address compensation disparities, offering fair and competitive wages that reflect the pharmacy technician's extended roles and responsibilities. 

鈥淧rioritising career development opportunities, such as mentorship, demonstrates a commitment to pharmacy technician growth and job satisfaction. 

鈥淐ultivating supportive and inclusive work environments is equally important. This involves fostering a culture that values pharmacy technician contributions and promotes work-life balance. 

鈥淎 stable, committed workforce, will benefit the organisation, the pharmacy technician鈥檚 workforce and ultimately, patient care.鈥�

It was sent by the NHS England funded Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) to 11,762 people who had agreed to be contacted for marketing and evaluation purposes. 

The team also carried out 19 qualitative interviews to understand the views and experiences of pharmacy technicians and the factors that contribute to their intention to leave practice.

One of the respondents told the researchers:  鈥�Within the career itself, I don't think pharmacy technicians鈥� role is very well described. People don't actually know what we do.鈥� 

Another said: 鈥淚 have left community pharmacy after 10 years of stress and bullying by customers, staff and management.鈥�

And another commented: 鈥�you could get 拢3 an hour more stacking shelves in supermarket, which is pretty eye opening.鈥n pharmacy you make a mistake and you have got a whole raft of things that you need to be seriously worried about and that is only worth 30 pence more an hour.鈥�

The paper Why are pharmacy technicians leaving?: Factors contributing to turnover intention and strategies for retention is available

Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the research will investigate how current youth worker services for children and young people with physical or mental health LTCs are organised, provided and experienced across the UK.

Around a quarter of young people aged 11 to 25 have an LTC, such as diabetes, depression or autism, and the number of young people with mental health problems has increased significantly in England since 2017. Recent figures published in 2023 indicate that 20 per cent of 8 to 16-year-olds, 23 per cent of 17 to 19-year-olds and 22 per cent of 20 to 25-year-olds are now reporting LTCs.

Youth workers have been introduced into healthcare settings to support young people, however there is little evidence to support this introduction, and little is known about their role and the best way of providing youth work services.

The 30-month study, jointly led by Professor Marie Marshall MBE, Deputy Director of NMAHP for Research and Innovation at MFT and Professor Sue Kirk, Professor Family and Child Health at UoM, aims to fill this evidence gap and to standardise and improve how support is delivered in healthcare settings across the UK, to benefit the health and wellbeing of young people.

Professor Marie Marshall at MFT, said: 鈥淎dolescence is a life stage when patterns of health behaviour are established that continue into adult life, which makes this a key time to intervene, to improve health, social and educational outcomes in adulthood.

鈥淭he study findings will help services develop and provide youth work services that will be used in the NHS and other organisations, to improve young people's health, confidence, social relationships and resilience. This could support young people living with LTCs to have a better quality of life both now and in adulthood.鈥�

The study will be carried out in two stages; in stage one researchers will conduct a national survey to find out what types of youth worker services there currently are for young people with LTCs in the UK. This will include those provided by the NHS and other organisations.

In stage two, six youth worker services drawn from the survey will be selected to compare the different ways of providing youth work services. Researchers will study these services in detail and talk to young people, parents, professionals and managers about their views on the services.

12 young advisors and parents, including one or two young people at Royal 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Children鈥檚 Hospital, part of MFT, with a LTC will also help with the research.

Their input will ensure the work is relevant and matters to young people by developing the study materials, advising on the best way to carry out the research, helping researchers understand the findings and co-develop the guidance for developing the future of youth work services.

Joint study lead, Professor Sue Kirk at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淭his study will develop the evidence-base for youth work services for young people with LTCs and identify the best way of providing these services to improve health and wellbeing. We are a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, practitioners, managers and researchers from across the UK, working closely with our young people鈥檚 advisory group and study advisory group to help ensure the guidance we develop is appropriate and used by commissioners and services.鈥�

The study will run until 31 March 2027, and findings from the research will be used to develop guidance on the best way of providing youth work services for young people with LTCs in the NHS and other healthcare settings.

The research, led by researchers at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and McGill University in Canada which analysed over 1 million patients newly initiated on opioids, found prescription of strong opioids was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality compared to taking codeine.

 Strong opioids include morphine, fentanyl, and oxycodone, as well as combination opioids. 

Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research the UK , the study findings, published today in  the journal Pain is one of the first to provide clarity on the comparative safety of different types of opioids across different countries. 

Additionally, patients taking 50 or more morphine milligram equivalents per day experienced an incremental higher risk of death. 

Morphine milligram equivalents are a way to compare the strength of different opioid medications to morphine which enables measurement of how much opioid a person is taking, no matter which specific drug is prescribed.

 The researchers also found that:

• UK patients on morphine had more than 12 times the risk of all-cause mortality compared to codeine users after adjusting for confounding factors. Similarly elevated risks were observed in the US and Canada after such adjustments. Elevated risks were also seen with fentanyl, oxycodone and buprenorphine.
• A history of depression and prior substance abuse were associated with an increased risk of death across all cohorts and in most subgroups.
• In the UK, the use of antipsychotics and benzodiazepine medications at the same time as an opioid was associated with higher risk of death across all three subgroups.
• Being on more than one type of opioid was associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality.. 

Dr Meghna Jani, NIHR Advanced Fellow and Senior Clinical Lecturer at the Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, 黑料网吃瓜爆料 was the lead author of the study. 

She is also based at the North Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust  and a researcher within the NIHR 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Biomedical Research Centre. 

She said: 鈥淚t is understandable that some people do need to be prescribed opioids for pain especially in the short term given the limited options for pain relief. 

鈥淲hat these study findings allow is for people to make more informed choices about the types of pain relief or specific opioid to get started on based on scientific evidence across multiple countries.鈥� 

She added: 鈥淭he morphine milligram equivalent thresholds at which the risks of opioid use are considered to outweigh the benefits, vary considerably across current international guidelines. 

鈥淭his study highlights the importance of closely monitoring patients on or approaching doses of 50 or more morphine milligram equivalents per day. 

鈥淚t also suggests having earlier, open discussions with patients on such doses to explore alternative treatments and provide additional support, especially for those with risk factors for serious opioid-related harms. 

鈥淗owever instead of stopping the use of stronger opioids outright, shared decisions need to be made collaboratively between patients and healthcare professionals, considering each person鈥檚 unique situation鈥�.

An embargoed copy of the paper Comparative risk of mortality in new users of prescription opioids for non-cancer pain: results from the International Pharmacosurveillance Study , published in Pain  - the journal from the International Association for the Study of Pain -is available

The research examines the unmet healthcare needs of marginalised communities in Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 during the pandemic and how community-based organisations and networks stepped up to help address these challenges.

Led by researchers at the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 (ARC-GM), the study highlights the frustration, fear and loss of faith in the healthcare system from people within these communities, who felt they were not supported sufficiently by mainstream services.

VCFSE organisations and community networks mobilised to meet health and wellbeing needs, such as providing food and care packages to vulnerable households, food bank services, support for people experiencing homelessness, and online support groups.

The research found that these community-based approaches were deemed crucial to the success of the vaccination drive thanks to the unique position to reach members of diverse communities to boost uptake of the vaccine.

These efforts included VCFSE group helping run vaccine pop-up sites in community spaces, such as mosques and other religious sites, children鈥檚 centres, and local specialist charities such as refugee and sex worker charities.

The findings suggest that the support delivered by the VCFSE sector remains under-recognised and under-valued by the health system and decision-makers, and has prompted calls for more inclusive, community-driven solutions in future health crises.

Lead author Stephanie Gillibrand from 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and NIHR ARC-GM, said: 鈥�The important contribution of community engagement initiatives during the pandemic and vaccine rollout is made clear in this study. Not only did VCFSE organisations and community-led networks provide significant health and wellbeing support to people across Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料, but they also played a pivotal role in building trust within hard-to-reach communities to help boost vaccine uptake.

鈥淭he value of this work needs to be recognised and learned from so steps can be taken to remove the current barriers within the health system that are stifling effective joined-up working with VCFSEs.

鈥�Our study underscores the need to create a broader, more inclusive system which allows and promotes cross-sector collaboration, with flexibility and adaptability at the heart of future service delivery.

鈥淲ith the right mechanisms in place, there is real potential to harness capacity to tackle inequalities and build trust through shared learning and greater collaborative working.鈥�

The qualitative study, which is published in , drew insights from interviews and focus groups with people from local marginalised communities, health and care system stakeholders and VCFSE representatives.

Community participants involved groups that had been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in England, including ethnic minority groups, young adults, and those with long-term physical and mental health conditions.

During the research, concerns were raised about inability to access health services during the pandemic, including GP and specialist services. Participants also described their fear of catching the virus if they did attend healthcare settings, as well as fear of insufficient care due to well-publicised pressures in NHS settings. 

The study also found that:

• Participants felt strongly that this increased support provided by the VCFSE sector and community networks remains under-recognised and under-valued by the health system and wider public.
• Operational and logistical barriers created dissonance between communities and the system. This included difficulties with decision-making and power-sharing between VCFSE and commissioning or clinical organisations, organisational cultural clashes, red-tape and bureaucracy, and complex systems and power structures to navigate.
• Health systems should engage with the full breadth of the VCFSE sector, encouraging the involvement of smaller scale and less formal organisations as partners.
• Traditional health and care partners such as the NHS and local authorities should consider how their ways of working may need to change to foster full VCFSE inclusion on an equal standing.

in BMC Health Services Research at: https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-024-10921-4#Abs1

The researchers, from 黑料网吃瓜爆料 publish their findings in the journal Child Development.

Children start to say words around their first birthday, and for a while only say one word at a time, though they rapidly build their vocabulary during their second year.

But the researchers found  they do not do this by adding a complete form of new words to their own personal dictionary.

Instead, they put a new word in their dictionary which has some, but not all of the meaning, slowly finetuning  it as they hear more language.

To show how children do this, the researchers set up a study in 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Museum, working with a group of three to eight-year olds.

An experimenter built either 4 blocks stacked up, or 4 blocks lined up flat on a table, and then the children were asked to respond to different size words by building a bigger, smaller or taller version.

The researchers compared how their structure differed from the experimenter鈥檚 in each dimension , using mathematical modelling  to describe what types of changes children made, and how patterns varied with age.

Three and four-year-olds tended to treat bigger, smaller, and taller with the same meaning: they built things that were bigger in all directions.

鈥淚t seems that when children first learn words, they pick up a general idea of what they mean- in this case, that the words mean a size change鈥�, said co- author Dr Alissa Ferry,  a lecturer at 黑料网吃瓜爆料.

鈥淭his seems to be how we end up with children  calling a cow a dog, or all round fruit apples, even though they鈥檝e never heard an adult do that. But with more experience they fine tune their word meanings.

鈥淲e do think all children go through this process of fine-tuning word meanings, but which words are fine-tuned and when depends on what they hear around them.鈥�

鈥淪ize words鈥�, explained Co Author Dr Katherine Twomey, also from the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料, 鈥渁re trickier to learn because they describe relations between all different kinds of objects, which makes it harder to find what is common.

鈥淭hat makes it easier for us to see how the meaning changes with age development.鈥�

By around  age 5, the children generally worked out that smaller meant they should use fewer blocks.

But it was not until about age seven they reliably worked out that taller really means bigger but specifically in the 鈥榰p鈥� direction.

Most of the 3-year-olds built bigger things when the researchers asked for smaller ones, though some of them seemed to work it out faster than others.

It was not until about age 7 when most of the children  knew that taller meant specifically 鈥榰p鈥�.

However some 3- and 4-year-olds already seemed to know that taller meant 鈥榰p鈥�, probably because they had exposure to those words more frequently in conversations with their caregivers.

Dr Ferry added: 鈥淟earning a language is a uniquely human experience; children just pick it up from being exposed to it.

鈥淵et, we don鈥檛 quite know how that happens, which is why we carried out this study.鈥�

Also on the research team were four sixth form Nuffield Research Placement summer internship students who helped design and collect the data.

The paper Bigger Versus Smaller: Children's Understanding of Size Comparison Words Becomes More Precise With Age is published

Cancer Research UK is investing a total of 拢5.9 million to develop new radiotherapy technologies and techniques over the next five years. In close collaboration with The Christie, the funding will support University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 researchers to discover ways to improve radiotherapy treatments with the use of virtual clinical trials.

A virtual clinical trial is a computer simulation used to predict how medical treatments might work. It creates "virtual" groups of patients based on real-life data and tests how different treatments or devices would perform. These simulations let researchers explore questions and test ideas at a faster rate than traditional clinical trials and without the need to involve real patients.

The grant, awarded this month, is the second wave of investment into the multimillion-pound Cancer Research UK RadNet radiotherapy research programme which saw 黑料网吃瓜爆料 chosen as one of just seven centres of excellence in a UK-wide network that will accelerate advances in radiotherapy research.

Professor Rob Bristow, Director of the 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Cancer Research Centre and Chief Academic Officer at The Christie, is lead researcher for the project. He said: 鈥淲e are very proud that  黑料网吃瓜爆料 has been awarded this grant to continue our work on bringing the next generation of precision radiotherapy treatments to patients sooner. The funding supports basic and discovery science to develop new approaches using state of the art radiotherapy technologies to help more people survive cancer, with fewer side effects and a better quality of life after treatment.

Our work will investigate patient-specific genetics and the microenvironment of the tumour and apply this knowledge to the latest technologies in tandem with other therapies, including immunotherapy.

Importantly, we will also be delving further into the use of artificial intelligence in radiotherapy trials. Virtual clinical trials are a new and exciting way to preview and test out new ideas using computerised simulation and improve the results of clinical trials. They help reduce the risk associated with investing in large-scale clinical studies by allowing a better tailoring of trials to patients which makes the research trial process faster, safer and less expensive, and less burdensome on our patients.

鈥淎ll of this is only possible with the world leading infrastructure and expertise we have built here in 黑料网吃瓜爆料."

One project will focus on the use of virtual trials to compare a form of pioneering proton beam therapy to standard radiotherapy using photons for lung cancer treatment.

Martin Storey, 70, from Wythenshawe knows all too well why radiotherapy research is so important. In 2009 he was diagnosed with lung cancer and treated with intensive radiotherapy alongside chemotherapy as part of a clinical trial.

The retired delivery driver went to see his GP after work one day when he was worried about being off his food. Countless tests found nothing of concern but eventually a scan on his lungs discovered a mass.

Now after 15 years in remission, Martin, who is married to Julie, 69, is delighted that funding is being awarded by Cancer Research UK into the development of advanced radiotherapy techniques, which he says helped to save his life.

The great-grandad who also has two children and six grandchildren said: 鈥淚 feel blessed every day. Not everyone survives lung cancer, and I was one of the lucky ones to be able to go on a trial. Now thanks to research I鈥檝e lived to be a great grandad. I think artificial intelligence is the future and if more can be done with virtual trials to improve the effectiveness of clinical trials, then it will help more patients, and more people will be able to survive their cancer like I did.鈥�

Cancer Research UK and the Christie supported some of the earliest research into the treatment of cancer with radiation and pioneered the first use of radiotherapy in the 1920s. In its simplest form, this treatment works by blasting tumours with x-ray radiation, killing cancer cells by irreversibly damaging their DNA. Today, over 130,000 patients are treated with radiotherapy on the NHS every year.

Cancer is the number one cause of death in the UK*, and in the North West, around 44,100 people are diagnosed with the disease every year.**

In the 1970s, 1 in 4 people in the UK survived cancer for 10 years or more. But today, thanks to progress in research, it鈥檚 2 in 4.***

Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Cancer Research UK, Dr Iain Foulkes said: 鈥淐ancer Research UK, and its predecessors, have been at the forefront of radiation research for the past 120 years. Thanks to research, radiotherapy treatment is becoming kinder, more precise and less intensive across different cancers. 

鈥淭his funding marks a new phase of our RadNet network, advancing research which will further accelerate improvements in radiotherapy treatment in the clinic. This funding will work alongside our investments in pioneering radiotherapy clinical trials to ensure more people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.鈥�

The database study, which looked at the records of 613 people who died by suicide among adult patients in England between January 2001 and May 2019, also found that more than 40% of those who died within two weeks of being discharged had at least one primary care consultation before taking their lives. It further revealed  that discharged patients who died by suicide were more likely to have diagnoses of anxiety, adjustment or related disorders, depression, or personality disorders, than schizophrenia. 

Researchers at the NIHR GM PSRC, University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and at Keele University, say the study, published in BJGP Open, highlights the opportunity  that general practices have in helping to reduce suicide risk among people recently discharged from inpatient psychiatric care. 

The research team has called for hospitals to arrange post-discharge appointments for patients with a GP as soon as possible and for GPs to be given more support, with the study also finding earlier visits are linked to lower suicide risk. 

The study鈥檚 principal investigator, Professor Roger Webb (NIHR Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Patient Safety Research Collaboration, University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料) said: : 鈥淭hese findings will inform healthcare providers, especially those in primary care. They indicate the need for GPs and mental health practice colleagues to provide timely enhanced support for discharged patients in helping to reduce their risk of dying by suicide as they return to living back in the community.鈥�

Professor Carolyn-Chew Graham OBE, Professor of General Practice Research at Keele University, said: 鈥淭he investigation revealed that most patients who died by suicide within a year of discharge engaged with primary care services, and that more than 40% of those who died by suicide within two weeks of their discharge consulted with a GP. This shows there are opportunities to monitor these patients following discharge and intervene during this risky transition period. 

鈥淕eneral practice has a key role to play in preventing suicides among people recently discharged from inpatient psychiatric care. Most recently discharged people do access primary care, and each contact presents an opportunity to reduce suicide risk.鈥� 

In England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on transition between inpatient mental health settings and the community includes two primary care specific recommendations - the discharging hospital should consider organising a GP follow-up appointment within two weeks of discharge; and ensure that a discharge letter is emailed to the patient鈥檚 GP within 24 hours, and a summary sent within a week, subject to the patient鈥檚 agreement.

However, Prof Chew-Graham, who is also a practising GP, said this does not always happen, adding: 鈥淟etters often don't arrive in the practice for a few weeks after a patient has been discharged, and our practice is not contacted to ask us to offer a patient an appointment just after discharge.鈥�

The researchers say clear communication and liaison between services is essential to provide timely support.

 

 [RW1]The study was led from UoM and it was funded by the GM PSTRC, so I reckon that the two institutions ought to be mentioned in the order that I鈥檝e indicated here.

Professor Carolyn-Chew Graham OBE, Professor of General Practice Research at Keele University, said: 鈥淭he investigation revealed that most patients who died by suicide within a year of discharge engaged with primary care services, and that more than 40% of those who died by suicide within two weeks of their discharge consulted with a GP. This shows there are opportunities to monitor these patients following discharge and intervene during this risky transition period. 

鈥淕eneral practice has a key role to play in preventing suicides among people recently discharged from inpatient psychiatric care. Most recently discharged people do access primary care, and each contact presents an opportunity to reduce suicide risk.鈥� 

In England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on transition between inpatient mental health settings and the community includes two primary care specific recommendations - the discharging hospital should consider organising a GP follow-up appointment within two weeks of discharge; and ensure that a discharge letter is emailed to the patient鈥檚 GP within 24 hours, and a summary sent within a week, subject to the patient鈥檚 agreement.

However, Prof Chew-Graham, who is also a practising GP, said this does not always happen, adding: 鈥淟etters often don't arrive in the practice for a few weeks after a patient has been discharged, and our practice is not contacted to ask us to offer a patient an appointment just after discharge.鈥�

The researchers say clear communication and liaison between services is essential to provide timely support.

The new , also the first of its kind in the UK, evaluated the specific clinical conditions that lead to the initiation of opioid prescriptions using data from nationally representative GP electronic health records.

The study team from 黑料网吃瓜爆料, The Northern care Alliance and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) publish their results in the journal Pain. The research was funded by NIHR and FOREUM.

The findings are published amid a backdrop of a considerable rise of opioid prescriptions over . A 48.9% increase in opioid-related hospitalisations from 2008 to 2018 has also been reported, paralleled by an increase in opioid-related harms over two decades.

From a statistical evaluation of over 2 million records of patients prescribed opioids for non-cancer pain, 61% were women and 77% were aged over 45.

The researchers also discovered a pattern of opioid use for respiratory conditions such as cough, infections, trauma and injuries such as sprains and strains, neurological issues such as headaches, and post-surgical pain.

The most frequent musculoskeletal conditions were osteoarthritis and lower back pain.

The most common surgical indications were total knee and hip replacements, followed by hernia repairs.

In 2021, previous research has shown that opioids were involved in nearly half (2,219) of all UK drug poisoning deaths.

Organisations including the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Royal College of Anaesthetists, currently suggest alternatives to weak opioids unless other types of pain relief is contraindicated.

Strong opioids are no longer recommended for or .

Joint first author of the study and research associate, Carlos Ramirez Medina from 黑料网吃瓜爆料 said: 鈥淲hile our study does not aim to evaluate the appropriateness of opioid prescriptions, it uses nationally representative data to increase awareness of the possible reasons for opioid initiation in UK primary care and encourage a re-evaluation of prescribing practices."

Senior author of the paper is Dr Meghna Jani, an NIHR Advanced fellow and Senior Clinical Lecturer at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, Consultant Rheumatologist at Salford Royal Hospital.

She said: 鈥淥ur study indicates that opioids are commonly prescribed in patients with musculoskeletal conditions, despite scientific evidence suggesting limited effectiveness, especially in conditions such as osteoarthritis.

鈥淔or chronic lower back pain and osteoarthritis in particular, the ongoing prescription of opioids may suggest a complex landscape of pain management given limited drug treatment options for these conditions and access to helpful interventions such as physiotherapy.

鈥淭he increasing proportion of opioid use in musculoskeletal conditions over time in our study may also be reflective of an aging population who are more at risk of developing conditions such as osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain.

鈥淢aking informed shared decisions between health care professionals and patients is especially important, especially in such groups where opioids may cause more harm due to side effects and interactions with other medicines.鈥�

Primary care electronic health records from January 2006 to September 2021 were used from the Clinical Research Practice Datalink (CPRD) to identify opioid prescriptions.

She added: 鈥淲e hope these findings will help inform targeted interventions in specific disease areas and future policies to support non-pharmacological interventions in the most common conditions where opioid associated harms outweigh benefits.鈥�

Research led by University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 academics funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 (ARC-GM), examined the attitudes of people from minoritised ethnic groups, young adults and those with long-term physical and mental health conditions toward the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

Researchers found that a 鈥減erfect storm鈥� of marginalisation and experience of structural inequalities led to distrust of the COVID-19 vaccination drive 鈥� and that marginalised communities felt 鈥榣eft behind鈥� by policy and decision-makers prior to and during the pandemic. 

The study, which is published , concludes that wider social inequalities, combined with experiences of marginalisation and discrimination, have long-lasting and widespread implications for vaccination uptake and health outcomes.

During the pandemic, Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 experienced higher levels of mortality from COVID-19, higher case rates and greater impacts to productivity than the national average 鈥� with disproportionately high COVID-19 mortality rates in the most deprived areas and amongst Black African, Pakistani and Black Caribbean groups.

For some study participants:

• The choice to not have the vaccine became almost a metaphor for political dissent against institutionalised failures.
• Elements of distrust appeared to be established prior to the pandemic 鈥� and enhanced due to intensified episodes of racism experienced over the course of the pandemic.
• Feelings of distrust were emphasised via the perceived mishandling of the pandemic by the government and paradoxical government policy-responses to aspects of the pandemic, including U-turns and mixed public messaging.
• Culturally insensitive public messaging and practices during the pandemic heightened longstanding and widespread disenfranchisement.
• Longer-term injustices were perceived to be further intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic - links were made between long-term failings for underserved communities and the disproportionate impact of the pandemic.
• Pushback against the vaccine was articulated via a sense of establishing boundaries against an oppressive system.

Stephanie Gillibrand, Research Fellow at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淓xisting research in this area tends to focus on the psychological or socio-economic factors that influence an individual鈥檚 uptake of vaccination. We sought to understand the complexities around vaccination motivations, exploring broader social and historical contexts or people鈥檚 experiences of marginalisation.

鈥淲e found that wider social inequalities, intersecting with experiences of marginalisation during the pandemic, have long-lasting and widespread implications when it comes to vaccination 鈥� and public health policy must recognise this broader context for future public health crises and vaccination drives..

鈥淭hese implications may already be apparent, where new data has suggested that MMR vaccination rates are at a ten-year low since the start of the pandemic, and other childhood immunisations rates have also fallen.鈥�

This - made possible by the collaboration of experts including Dr Joanna Taylor from 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and the work of thousands of volunteers - highlights Davy's immense contributions to science, and even reveals that two common chemical elements could have had different names.

The platform, funded by the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council, allows the public to explore Davy's notebooks and gain insight into his groundbreaking discoveries, such as the isolation of potassium and sodium 鈥� which his notes reveal were almost labelled "potarchium" and "sodarchium."

In addition to scientific insights, the platform includes fascinating details of Davy鈥檚 experiments with nitrous oxide, including his personal experience as the first person to inhale the gas and recognise its pain-relieving properties. The notebooks also reveal Davy's frustrations over the lack of recognition for his inventions, such as his miner鈥檚 safety lamp which saved tens of thousands of lives.

Led by Professor Sharon Ruston of Lancaster University, the project is the result of a major international effort involving , the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, University College London, and .

The platform, which launches officially on Saturday 19 October, was made possible through the work of 3,841 volunteers who transcribed more than 13,000 pages of Davy鈥檚 notes, creating a valuable resource for researchers and the general public alike. The collection is now publicly available on Lancaster University Library鈥檚 digital platform.

Dr Taylor鈥檚 expertise in understanding how Davy鈥檚 scientific work intertwined with his personal reflections on nature and poetry was pivotal in interpreting the notebooks in a way that reveals Davy鈥檚 deep intellectual engagement with the world around him.

鈥淭he publication of these notebooks, images of the pages, their transcription and explicatory notes is a beginning rather than the end of a project,鈥� said Professor Ruston. 鈥淣ow everyone can read what Davy wrote 200 years ago and, I hope, will make full use of this new resource.鈥�

The announcement has been made as part of a collaboration agreed between Lilly and UK Government today, unveiled at the Government鈥檚 International Investment Summit. 

The study will evaluate the real-world effectiveness of tirzepatide in weight loss, diabetes prevention, and prevention of obesity-related complications for adults with obesity. 

The evidence generated will seek to increase the global evidence base on the long-term impacts of weight loss medicines and potentially inform the UK's care pathway approach to the treatment of obesity. Significantly, the five-year study will also aim to collect data on healthcare resource utilisation, health-related quality of life and changes in participants鈥� employment status and sick days from work. 

Health Innovation 黑料网吃瓜爆料 has worked with the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and local digital trials company NorthWest EHealth to develop the study approach.

Mayor of Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料, Andy Burnham, said: 鈥淕reater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 is worldrenowned as a hub for innovation in health and life sciences. The results of the trial announced today could have a far-reaching impact on how we treat obesity globally, and our city-region is ready to make a significant contribution through our outstanding health data assets, R&D expertise, and the strong partnerships between industry, universities and public sector organisations.

鈥淭he International Investment Summit will provide an opportunity to showcase our local strengths in health innovation to an audience of global business leaders and investors. This partnership could be the first of many and give Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 residents access to other innovative treatments.鈥�

Professor Rachel Batterham, Senior Vice President for International Medical Affairs at Lilly, said: 鈥淎t Lilly, we are deeply committed to improving lives by partnering across the health system to address complex health challenges like obesity. We鈥檙e delighted to partner with Health Innovation 黑料网吃瓜爆料 on our plans for the SURMOUNT-REAL UK study. This collaboration will add to the evidence base on the real world impact of obesity treatments on the health of people with obesity, and will explore a broad range of outcomes including health-related quality of life and impact on individuals鈥� employment status.鈥�

Martin Rutter, Professor of Cardiometabolic Medicine, University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料, and principal investigator for the Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 study, said: 鈥淭his five-year real-world study aims to demonstrate the long-term efficacy and safety profile of tirzepatide in a primary care setting compared to usual care. It will specifically quantify the medicine鈥檚 long-term effects on obesity, diabetes incidence, and obesity-related complications, as well as its impacts on employment and health economic outcomes.鈥� 

Ben Bridgewater, CEO at Health Innovation 黑料网吃瓜爆料, commented: 鈥淕reater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 (GM) is well placed to deliver novel trials and real-world evidence studies to develop a deeper understanding of the impact that industry-led innovation can have on population health. Through this landmark partnership with Lilly we will show how a medicine impacts people鈥檚 long-term health outcomes. This will help us understand its effects people with obesity in GM as well as inform national strategies and pave the way for further research and development in this critical area.鈥�

Mark Britnell, Chair of Health Innovation 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淥wing to our strengths in life sciences, academia and digital, Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 has all the ingredients to be truly world-leading in health innovation. This is demonstrated through our partnership with Lilly, which will help to propel our sector strengths even further forward for the benefit of local patients.鈥�

Mark Fisher, CEO of the NHS Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Integrated Care Board, said: 鈥淎round 600,000 adults in Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 live with obesity, many of whom also suffer with other obesity-related illnesses which reduces their quality of life and puts additional pressure on the health and care system. Working collaboratively with industry to solve these problems is paramount, and I am delighted to support the study coming to the Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 integrated care system.鈥� 

Jonathan Wogel, Chief Executive Officer, NorthWest EHealth, said: 鈥淲e are excited to be partnering with our colleagues at Health Innovation 黑料网吃瓜爆料 to deliver this new study which is aimed at generating data to support patients with obesity. It is not only a milestone for NWEH and Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 (GM), but a significant moment for the UK clinical trials industry. By combining GM鈥檚 well established health system with our innovative technology, we are demonstrating the future of clinical trials, where technology and health data integrate to make research more efficient, helping develop and deliver better care for patients.鈥�

The analysis shows that regionally, Yorkshire and the Humber and the North East had the lowest resilience scores, while London and the South East had the highest.

In addition, rural and coastal areas showed significantly lower resilience compared to urban and inland areas of the country.

Led by academics from Health Equity North (HEN), the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 (ARC-GM), the study examined local authority data to identify geographical patterns in different communities鈥� ability to navigate and thrive in the face of prolonged challenges.

The research, which has been published in the , provides the first detailed assessment of community resilience in England at a local authority level.

The timely findings come off the back of a number of 鈥渃hronic shocks鈥� in the UK including the global financial crisis, the social and economic impacts of leaving the European Union, the COVID-19 pandemic and an ongoing cost of living crisis.

Researchers developed a Community Resilience Index (CRI) which measures multiple elements, such as employment, education, social and community context and housing, to measure resilience in local authorities, enabling them to be ranked from most to least resilient.

It is hoped the framework will serve as a tool for policymakers to identify priority areas and to guide the equitable allocation of funding to address geographical inequalities.

The study found that:

• The average community resilience index score for local authorities in England was 83.1, ranging from 53.3 in Tendring to 108.9 in Elmbridge.**
• Yorkshire and the Humber and the North East were the least resilient regions, with CRI scores of 75.2 and 77.5, respectively. Comparatively, London and the South East were the most resilient regions, with scores of 95.2 and 87.3 respectively.
• A North-South disparity was evident with the North of England having lower resilience scores (80.6) than the South (including the Midlands) at 83.9.
• Coastal areas featured heavily in the lowest ranking local authority areas with significantly lower resilience scores (76.0) compared to inland areas (84.9).
• Similarly, rural areas were less resilient scoring 79.1 compared to 85.1 in predominantly urban areas.
• When examining the specific social and environmental measures assessed as part of the overall index, there were further geographical disparities found:
• Access and infrastructure: London achieved the highest score followed by the North West and North East. The North of England scored higher in this domain than the rest of the country conversely, coastal and rural areas scored lower.
• Economic wellbeing and opportunity: The South East and London scored highest, indicating robust economic activity and employment opportunities. The North overall and coastal areas had lower scores, suggesting lower economic resilience.
• Social capital and connectivity: London again scored highest. There was no significant North-South divide or difference between coastal and inland areas. However, rural areas scored lower.
• Diversity and inclusion: There were higher scores for the North of England and rural areas, while coastal areas had significantly lower scores.
• Equity and stability: London was the most resilient and the North East was the lowest. Northern and coastal areas scored lower in this domain, but urbanicity did not significantly affect the scores.
• Academics behind the research are now calling on government to prioritise targeted interventions to build resilience where this is most needed.

Christine Camacho, lead author and PhD Fellow at NIHR ARC-GM, said: 鈥淯nderstanding a community鈥檚 capacity to cope, adapt and transform in the face of adversity is critically important to create a more resilient country.

鈥淭he Community Resilience Index we developed offers an invaluable insight into the social, economic and environmental factors that can hold communities back making them less able to overcome unexpected challenges. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the findings of our research highlight yet further regional inequalities with the North, rural and coastal areas among the least resilient in the country.

鈥淎ddressing these challenges requires both bottom-up approaches, such as community empowerment, and top-down strategies from central government to provide the necessary infrastructure and economic opportunities to enable these communities to thrive.鈥�

Dr Luke Munford, Co-Academic Director at Health Equity North, and Senior Lecturer in Health Economics at the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淭he CRI provides a framework that could be used to explore associations between community resilience and health outcomes. This makes it a potentially valuable tool for examining inequalities in broad aspects of people鈥檚 everyday lives, therefore offering a more nuanced understanding of the factors that contribute to health inequalities.

鈥淲e hope that policymakers take advantage of this opportunity to enhance understanding of how resilient communities foster better health and well-being, providing insights for targeted public health interventions and policies that are data-driven and effectively targeted.鈥�

A breakdown of Local Authority data can be accessed in an online CRI tool available at:  

The report, led by researchers from the Universities of Bristol, New South Wales, Glasgow, and 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and involving an international team of experts, is published today9/10/24).

Self-harm remains neglected worldwide.  There are at least 14 million episodes every year, with the greatest number in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

It is defined as instances of people hurting or injuring themselves intentionally, regardless of the reasons.

However, shame and stigma can often stop people from seeking help. Self-harm can occur at any age but is most common in young people and is increasing in this group.  Self-harming behaviour leads to an elevated risk of death by suicide. People attending health services only represent the 鈥榯ip of the iceberg鈥� for self-harm. 

The Commission makes a number of recommendations that could change the experience of people who have self-harmed for the better.

They include suggestions for more compassionate and effective delivery of health and social care services as well as whole of government approaches to address the causes of self-harm and reduce stigma.

The commission also highlights the necessity of seeing self-harm through a global lens, responsible handling of the topic of self-harm in all types of media, and the involvement of people with lived experience in designing and delivering care.

Prof Nav Kapur, Professor of Psychiatry and Population Health at the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 has helped lead a number of NICE guidelines on self-harm and suicide prevention.  He co-led the Commission with Professors Paul Moran, Helen Christensen and Rory O Connor.  The report includes over 40 authors from around the world. 

Prof Kapur said: 鈥淚t was great to be part of the team which produced this Commission.  I鈥檝e been working in services for self-harm for 30 years but what was striking for me with this piece of work was the integration of mental health and public health with global, indigenous, and lived experience perspectives鈥�.

The team of researchers from the Universities of 黑料网吃瓜爆料, Dundee and Aberdeen reviewed the evidence from 157 studies which compared communities that had fluoride added to their water supplies with communities that had no additional fluoride in their water. They found that the benefit of fluoridation has declined since the 1970s, when fluoride toothpaste became more widely available.

The contemporary studies were conducted in high-income countries. The impact of community water fluoridation in low- and middle-income countries is less clear, due to the absence of recent research.

Fluoride, used in many commercially available toothpastes and varnishes, is known to reduce tooth decay. Governments in many countries have added fluoride to the drinking water supply to improve population oral health, although there are polarized views on whether this is the right action to take.

鈥淲hen interpreting the evidence, it is important to think about the wider context and how society and health have changed over time,鈥� says co-author Anne-Marie Glenny, Professor of Health Sciences Research at the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料. 鈥淢ost of the studies on water fluoridation are over 50 years old, before the availability of fluoride toothpaste. Contemporary studies give us a more relevant picture of what the benefits are now.鈥� 

Results from studies conducted after 1975 suggest that the initiation of water fluoridation schemes may lead to slightly less tooth decay in children鈥檚 baby teeth. Analysis of these studies, covering a total of 2,908 children in the UK and Australia, estimates that fluoridation may lead to on average 0.24 fewer decayed baby teeth per child. However, the estimate of effect comes with uncertainty, meaning it鈥檚 possible that the more recent schemes have no benefit. By comparison, an analysis of studies with 5,708 children conducted in 1975 or earlier estimated that fluoridation reduced the number of decayed baby teeth, on average by 2.1 per child.

The same contemporary studies (conducted after 1975) also looked at the number of children with no decay in their baby teeth. The analysis found that fluoridation may increase the number of children with no tooth decay by 3 percentage points, again with the possibility of no benefit.

The review was only able to draw conclusions about the impact on children鈥檚 teeth, with similar findings across both baby and permanent teeth. There were no studies with adults that met the review鈥檚 criteria.

鈥淭he evidence suggests that water fluoridation may slightly reduce tooth decay in children鈥� says co-author Dr Lucy O鈥橫alley, Senior Lecturer in Health Services Research at the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料. 鈥淕iven that the benefit has reduced over time, before introducing a new fluoridation scheme, careful thought needs to be given to costs, acceptability, feasibility and ongoing monitoring.鈥�

Advocates have suggested that one of the key benefits of water fluoridation is that it reduces oral health inequalities. This updated review sought to examine this question and did not find enough evidence to support this claim, although this doesn鈥檛 necessarily mean there is no effect.

The review鈥檚 findings accord with recent observational studies including the , which compared anonymised dental health records with water fluoridation status for 6.4 million adults and adolescents in England between 2010 and 2020. People in fluoridated areas needed slightly fewer invasive dental treatments with no significant impact on inequalities.

鈥淐ontemporary evidence using different research methodologies suggest that the benefits of fluoridating water have declined in recent decades,鈥� says Tanya Walsh, Professor of Healthcare Evaluation at the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料, co-author on both the Cochrane review and the LOTUS study. 鈥淥ral health inequalities are an urgent public health issue that demands action. Water fluoridation is only one option and not necessarily the most appropriate for all populations鈥�.

鈥淲hilst water fluoridation can lead to small improvements in oral health, it does not address the underlying issues such as high sugar consumption and inadequate oral health behaviours鈥� says co-author Janet Clarkson, Professor of Clinical Effectiveness, University of Dundee. 鈥淚t is likely that any oral health preventive programme needs to take a multi-faceted, multi-agency approach.鈥�

The study published today (2/10/24) in the open-access journal PLOS ONE was led by researchers from 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and University  Alberta, in collaboration with colleagues world-wide.

The study also looked at women鈥檚 quality of life in different age groups and found:

• Younger women under 45, reported the poorest health-related quality of life of any age group, and on every domain, although their quality of life was adequate.
• Women over 45, reported that  quality of life in every domain except physical, had improved and was reported as good or very good.
• By 60, older women generally had the best quality of life level in their life. These high levels were sustained up to 75 years of age and beyond, peaking for environmental quality of life. 

Commonly cited measures of quality of life for use in health (such as EQ-5D) have often focussed their assessments on the physical and psychological dimensions.

But that means the environmental, social, and spiritual dimensions of quality of life, internationally agreed to be important, are overlooked, with consequences for how we understand women鈥檚 health and wellbeing.

Data from four World Health Organisation (WHO) surveys was collected in 43 countries world-wide and included responses from 17,608 adults, aged15 to 101 years.

A cross-culturally developed measure known as the WHOQOL-100 assessed respondents鈥� quality of life and health on six key dimensions: physical, psychological, independence, social, environmental, and spiritual.

The researchers found that environmental quality of life explained a substantial 46% of women鈥檚 overall quality of life and health, and home environment  was the biggest contributor.

Other important factors included having enough financial resources to meet their needs, perceptions of opportunities for recreation and leisure, access to health and social care, and their physical environment.

Evidence of better spiritual quality of life in some women was derived from spiritual connections and faith. Studies of gender inequalities have tended to report that physical and psychological quality of life is better for men, which the study confirmed.

Co-author Professor Suzanne Skevington from The University 黑料网吃瓜爆料 said: 鈥淔rom our study it is possible to speculate about the  environmental actions by younger women around the issue of climate change and its effects on the environment.

鈥淲e speculate these actions may be initiated by their self-awareness that their environmental quality of life is only acceptable rather than good, during the early adult years; hence a desire to improve it.

鈥淰ery good environmental quality of life in older women could provide sufficient reason for them to work towards retaining this nourishing feature of their life for their family, and future generations鈥�.

The study data was collected before it was widely appreciated that reducing climate change and biodiversity loss would depend upon changing human behaviour, which, say the authors, could be the topic of future research.

She added: 鈥� These findings underscore the importance of choosing a quality of life measure  in healthcare clinical or research that includes assessments of environmental, social, and spiritual quality of life

鈥淭hat, will more fully capture knowledge about women鈥檚 quality of life and health.

鈥淢any existing surveys have ignored factors more relevant to women, which has meant that our understanding of quality of life has been skewed toward the experiences of men and not women.

鈥淭his profile of information could be useful in enhancing the quality of life of women from all age groups.鈥�

DOI of the study is: 

The Nature Genetics communication , published today (02/10/24), has shown that around a year with rare genetic diseases never receive a diagnosis, many dying without the underlying cause being determined.

The researchers also emphasise existing research that calculates the of pursuing lengthy diagnostic journeys rare genetic diseases to the NHS is over 拢3 billion per decade. 

Hospital geneticists rely on published evidence to make diagnoses, but because of inconsistent variant naming, say the authors, they are often unable to locate relevant information, even if it exists. 

Many geneticists, they say, are using simpler but less accurate nomenclature, preventing databases like ClinVar and the Leiden Open Variation Database (LOVD) from properly identifying and adding literature to their records. 

However, a system called devised by researchers at the University of Leicester and now based at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 is being used by leading medical journals to give each variant a standardized name.  That allows diagnostic evidence to be shared and found. 

In the communication paper the authors urge doctors to use the system to name genetic variants.

Though rare diseases, caused by variations in DNA sequences, affect fewer than 1 in 2,000 people the sheer number of rare genetic disorders at around 8,000 impact about 8%-10% of births worldwide.

Lead author Dr Peter Freeman from 黑料网吃瓜爆料, whose son has an undiagnosed genetic disorder, is lead scientist in the team that devised and develop VariantValidator.

He said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 widely recognized that doctors often describe DNA variants using various outdated or non-standard naming systems.

鈥淏ut the accurate naming of variants is crucial so that doctors can reference them and provide a diagnosis for patients with a genetic disorder.

鈥淪adly, many people, including my son, have not received the diagnosis they need which has difficult implications for them.

鈥淔or example without a diagnosis it can be very difficult to get a place at an appropriate school, or access desperately needed services.

鈥淚t鈥檚 galling to know that someone out there might have identified the variant which caused his illness, but may not have named it correctly so there鈥檚 no way of finding it.鈥�

He added: 鈥淰ariantValidator has been around for 7 years and is considered the gold standard in terms of naming genetic variants accurately so other clinicians will be able to find the definition and use them.

鈥淏ut in a vast number of cases that is just not happening because it鈥檚 easier and quicker to cut corners or rely on outdated systems only recognisable in specific clinical disciplines.

鈥淭he problem is so widespread I鈥檝e even come across experts responsible for setting clinical standards making these errors when naming variants in genetics focussed policy guidelines鈥�.

鈥淥ur work is with the Human genome, but the nomenclature of genetic variants in viruses and other pathogens are also similarly non-standardised - and that鈥檚 also a problem which needs to be addressed.

鈥淣omenclature should accurately describe the changes in DNA sequencing observed when there is a variant when compared to a standard sequence. But in many cases, this is simply not happening and is part of a complex set of problems that is causing miss or missed diagnoses.鈥�

The paper Standardising variant naming in literature with VariantValidator to increase diagnostic rates is available

Natalie has extensive experience of social responsibility (SR) and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), most recently as Director for SR in the School of Medical Sciences for six years, and since 2022 as Associate Dean for EDI. In this role, Natalie has had many successes, developing and delivering a number of sustained initiatives in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (BMH). She recently brought together a team for a successful Faculty-level Athena Swan application, and has contributed to several recent successful University-level Race Equality Chartermark, Disability Confident and Stonewall applications. Natalie is particularly passionate about patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) and engagement with our communities, and increasing access to, and equity within, higher education.

Her collaborative and collegiate approach is demonstrated through her support and encouragement to staff and students seeking to make a positive change. This is evident in the many nominations for the 鈥樷�� awards for staff and students across this Faculty. Natalie herself was also recognised for her commitment to SR&EDI, through her nomination for an 鈥楢gent of Change鈥� Award in 2022 from Northern Power Women, and a 鈥楳aking a Difference鈥� award for Widening Participation鈥� in 2018.

This role was previously held by Professor Mahesh Nirmalan, who stepped down in July 2024. Mahesh transformed the way the Faculty viewed social responsibility, seeking to embed it in all aspects of our teaching and research.

Professor Gardiner said: 鈥淢ahesh is a hard act to follow. He has had a tremendous impact on the SR agenda in BMH and across the University, and globally.  I am very much looking forward to building on his work and working with you all to further strengthen and embed SR&EDI in everything we do 鈥� whether teaching and learning, research and innovation, internationalisation or operations. I am privileged to work with such a fantastic team of people and in a Faculty which already has so much of social responsibility built into its ethos.鈥�

Feri Anita Wijayanti spoke at the event, 鈥業nvesting in the Future: Unlocking Sustainable Financing for Sexual and Reproductive Health鈥�, which took place in New York last month.

Co-convened by the UNFPA, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the , the summit invited prominent figures across different sectors to promote sustainable investments towards SRH.

Feri was a Young Midwife Leader in a programme organised by the , from 2021 to 2023. She was invited to speak as a representative of frontline SRH workers, particularly midwives, and in recognition of the real-world impact she has in advocating for improvements in SRH.

Feri told the summit: 鈥淚 live in the fourth most populous country in the world, spanning over seventeen thousand islands. My country is home to diverse communities, with nearly half the population residing in rural areas.  Around 14 % of women in Indonesia faced an unmet need for family planning services.

鈥淚n my country, a midwife is the heartbeat of health and well-being of the entire community - our responsibilities extend far beyond delivering babies as we are at the forefront of whatever reproductive health needs a woman might have.鈥�

Wijayanti is now studying for a PhD in Medicine, under the supervision of Professor Alexander Heazell and Dr Kylie Watson at the School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. Her research focuses on health professionals鈥� and women鈥檚 perceptions of reduced fetal movement in Indonesia.

Throughout the summit, speakers emphasised the life-changing power of SRH. The event raised awareness, as well as promoting financial investment, into the importance of effective and accessible SRH services. Many speakers pledged support via financial investments in SRH services, increasing access to contraceptives and maternal healthcare, and donating resources to family planning organisations.

The commitment demonstrated by Wijayanti and her fellow speakers at the summit illustrates a step forward in closing the considerable financing gap in SRH faced by many countries.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the UK's most common life-limiting inherited diseases, affecting over 11,000 people and nearly 200,000 people worldwide.

The condition causes mucus to build up in the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system. This can lead to chronic chest infections, lung inflammation and other complications such as digestive problems. For many people, managing their health involves a rigorous daily treatment regime including physiotherapy and antibiotics which can be given orally, through a nebuliser (a device where liquid medicine is turned into a mist that can be inhaled) and occasionally intravenously (through a vein).

Despite recent advances in treatment, there is still no known cure for CF, and the average age of death is just 33.

The multi-million-pound Innovation Hub in 黑料网吃瓜爆料 will be part of a new 拢15 million Translational Innovation Hub Network, funded by medical research charity LifeArc and leading charity Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Research in 黑料网吃瓜爆料 will take place at Wythenshawe Hospital, part of MFT, focusing on understanding why people develop lung exacerbations (flare-ups) and how to personalise treatments for them. By sharing samples, recording results at home, and measuring their home air pollution levels, people with CF will play an important part in studying what triggers these flare-ups and who is most affected.

The responses of people with CF to intravenous (IV) treatments for exacerbations will also be studied using similar monitoring systems. The results of these studies will be essential in helping researchers to find different ways of preventing and treating exacerbations.

Research space, laboratories and specialist lung function support will be provided by the at Wythenshawe Hospital. Samples will be processed by the NIHR Centre for Precision Approaches to Combatting Antimicrobial Resistance, also at the hospital site.

The 黑料网吃瓜爆料 CF Innovation Hub Director is Professor Alex Horsley, a Consultant at the 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre at MFT and Professor of Respiratory Medicine at 黑料网吃瓜爆料.

Professor Horsley, who is also Clinical Director of the NIHR 黑料网吃瓜爆料 CRF at Wythenshawe Hospital and leading researcher in the Respiratory Medicine theme at the NIHR 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), said: 鈥淭his is an amazing opportunity to improve the lung health of people with CF in a way that we鈥檝e never had the opportunity to do before. Together with scientists at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and clinicians at Wythenshawe Hospital, part of MFT, we鈥檙e building on existing partnerships with doctors and scientists in teams around the country. We hope our research will help us understand why people with CF get flare-ups (exacerbations) and how to better prevent and treat these. This will lead to more effective, shorter and tailored or personalised treatment plans that will reduce exacerbations and the disruptions they cause to people鈥檚 lives.鈥�

Researchers from the Respiratory Medicine theme, which aims to identify better ways to diagnose lung disease and which factors decide how well people respond to treatments, will act as Principal Investigators for the studies delivered by the 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Hub.

Laura, 35, has Cystic Fibrosis and is Patient Lead for the Innovation Hub in 黑料网吃瓜爆料. She said: "CF has a huge impact on my daily life, it's 24/7. Even if I want to go out for the day, I have to think about getting all my treatment done, have I got enough tablets and how long am I going to be out for. The symptoms change frequently and can change from one day to the next. As soon as I wake up and until I go to bed, it does occupy a lot of my thoughts and impacts how I live my life.

Laura, who receives care at the 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Cystic Fibrosis Centre at MFT, added: "I had an exacerbation when I was 9 or 10, and that really changed the trajectory of my health. Research looking into exacerbations, what the triggers are, and the treatments, is massively needed. I think these Innovation Hubs are a fantastic opportunity to be able to change the way CF is managed."

The Network will be made up of four Innovation Hubs, led by the universities of 黑料网吃瓜爆料, Liverpool, Cambridge and Imperial College London, as well as partners across the UK and overseas. Guided by insights and experiences of people with cystic fibrosis, the Hubs will address areas of unmet medical need and help to overcome some of the barriers that can prevent scientists from turning their discoveries into real outcomes for patients.

Dr Catherine Kettleborough, Head of Chronic Respiratory Infection at LifeArc said: 鈥淓ven with the development of new treatments like Kaftrio, people with cystic fibrosis still face many challenges which impact their quality of life and life expectancy. The Innovation Hub Network is a unique approach to addressing these problems, using shared knowledge, partnerships and investment to accelerate new tests and treatments for people living with CF.鈥�

Through innovative research, including using AI, sniffer dogs and new home monitoring tests to detect and even predict infections, the Innovation Hubs will aim to transform the way lung infections are managed.

Dr Lucy Allen, Director of Research and Healthcare Data at Cystic Fibrosis Trust, said: 鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled to be partnering with LifeArc and expanding our Innovation Hub programme, combining our expertise and exploring exciting areas of research to maximise the impact for people with CF.

"Those with the condition are particularly susceptible to lung infections, meaning they often have to spend time in hospital having IV antibiotic treatments and this has a huge impact on all areas of their life. These new Innovation Hubs will help transform our understanding and lead the way to new ways to test and treat lung infections.鈥�

Based at Wythenshawe Hospital, the specialist 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre at MFT is one of the largest and longest established adult CF centres in the UK, with an international reputation for excellence and innovation.

Images: Laura and Alex Horsley

The rankings are determined by scholars鈥� H-index, a metric evaluating productivity and citation impact, following examination of over 166,000 profiles across all key scientific disciplines.

, Emeritus Professor of Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Epidemiology at the University, placed 29^th in this year鈥檚 list with a H-index score of 122 and 82,294 citations.

Deborah said of the recognition: 鈥淚 retired and published my last paper in 2016. It is pleasing to find that the cumulative citation of my research leads to this high ranking and I hope that gives encouragement to those who are currently working in the field of musculoskeletal epidemiology.鈥�

, Emeritus Professor of Physiology and former President and Vice-Chancellor of 黑料网吃瓜爆料, placed 37^th on the list with 49,760 citations and a H-index of 119.

In 79^th position in this year鈥檚 ranking is , Emeritus Professor of Evidence Based Care, with a H-index of 105 and 46,311 citations.

Helen said of the achievement: 鈥淚 have spent my career collaborating with, and supporting, many extremely talented female researchers, and I feel that my success has only been enhanced through these positive working relationships. I jointly led Cochrane Oral Health until 2020, developing a team that continues to undertake methodologically rigorous systematic reviews that inform policy in areas of international policy.

鈥淚 have also been responsible for the design of several NIHR funded randomised controlled trials in dental primary care. The reviews and trials I have collaborated on frequently challenged orthodox care and impacted on the global understanding of effective oral health interventions and practices.鈥�

This year鈥檚 ranking, the third instalment of the list to date, is based on data from a variety of sources including OpenAlex and CrossRef.

The ChUSE[1] trial, led by Dr Sarah Parry, strategic research lead at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust鈥檚 young people's mental health research centre, Professor Filippo Varese of the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and in collaboration with Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, follows six-years of research with children and parents.

Dr Sarah Parry explains: 鈥淒istressing sensory experiences are a common development phenomenon, although these experiences can be frightening and confusing, especially for children already struggling with their mental health.

鈥淰ery few children who have distressing sensory experiences will ever receive a diagnosis of early-onset psychosis; but the associations between voice hearing and psychosis in our culture can cause great anxiety for families of children who hear voices.鈥�

The new talking therapy, the ChUSE intervention, has received over 拢260,000 in funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and will provide much-needed support for parents and children.

Anxiety and stress about distressing sensory experiences can adversely impact the ability of young people and families to cope, which is why it is so important children and families can access timely and tailored support.

Many mental health practitioners feel ill-equipped to offer psychological therapies for distressing sensory experiences for younger children due to a lack of child-centred research to inform national clinical guidelines.

Delayed access to support often increases anxiety further, exacerbates family stress, and often worsens the original symptoms.

Professor Filippo Varese from 黑料网吃瓜爆料, adds: 鈥淚n the UK, we have made great progress in offering psychological support to people who begin to struggle with hearing voices and other unusual and distressing perceptions for the first time.

鈥淭hese treatments, however, are only available to young people that are at serious risk of future severe mental health problems. The ChUSE trial represents an important step forward in extending psychological support to a much wider group of children and young people and their families.鈥�

The trial will work with 60 children aged 8 to 15 years old and their parents in Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 over the next 12 months. They will take part in the ChUSE talking-therapy intervention and parent support sessions, to develop new skills for coping and space to talk about.

The results will then be used to develop future therapeutic approaches for young people in in children and young people鈥檚 mental health services with distressing sensory experiences across England.

You can find out more about the trial at .

[1] ChUSE - Children and young people with unusual sensory experiences

Since joining the University in 2003 as a clinical academic, Paul built an impressive career and, in addition to his substantive role as Chair of Clinical Medicine within the Faculty, Paul is also an honorary Consultant in Critical Care Medicine with the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust and an honorary NHS Research Consultant at the 黑料网吃瓜爆料 University NHS Foundation Trust.  

Alongside these roles, Paul has also held national and international positions. This included being seconded to the UK Chief Medical Officers鈥� Urgent Public Health pandemic research advisory committee during Covid and, most recently, holding the position of National Deputy Medical Director for the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). 

Professor Allan Pacey, Interim Dean for the Faculty said "Paul鈥檚 knowledge of the healthcare sector and experience in engaging with a broad and complex range of stakeholders will be instrumental in continuing to foster those critical partnerships integral to achieving our institutional and common goals across the region" 

Professor Dark said: "I am thrilled to be taking on this new role and look forward to working closely with Faculty colleagues and our health and care partners as we develop and align our strategic responses to key challenges and opportunities presented by changes in legislation, technology or government policy"

The increase 鈥� identified from data between 2015 and 2022 - occurred alongside an overall drop in GP supply of 2.7% over the same period, due to falling contractual hours.

The Health Foundation funded study found the median contracted full-time equivalent (FTE) for each fully qualified GP fell from 0.80 to 0.69 between 2015 and 2022.

This reduction was driven primarily by male GPs, who have significantly reduced the hours they are contracted to work from 0.99 to 0.85 FTE.

However the figure for male GPs remains above the levels of their female counterparts, whose hours fell slightly from 0.67 to 0.65 FTE.

Practices in the most deprived areas had 17% more patients and 19% more chronic conditions per GP FTE, compared with the least deprived areas.

All regions reported more chronic conditions per GP FTE than London, which had less demand for GPs.

Lead author of the study published in the British Journal of General Practice today (17/09/24), is Dr Rosa Parisi.

Dr Parisi said: 鈥淭he NHS in England is facing a year-on-year reduction of the total working hours by general practitioners.鈥�

鈥淭his decrease is down to early retirement, high levels of GP turnover and low retention, insufficient number of newly trained GPs joining the workforce, and lack of overseas recruitment.鈥�

鈥淏ut reduction in working hours is also a major factor. We show that while GP supply decreased by 2.7% from 2015 to 2022 practice population increased by 9%, while the demand, as measured by the total presence of chronic conditions, increased by 32%.鈥�

鈥淭he largest contributor to the overall decrease in supply was a fall of 8.7% in GP鈥檚 contractual hours of GPs, especially male GPs.鈥�

鈥淲e鈥檙e not entirely sure why male GPs are reducing their hours, but policies are desperately needed to incentivise them to work longer.鈥�

She added: 鈥淲e fear GPs are likely to be unwilling or unable to face more of the intense day to day pressures in UK primary care.

鈥淗owever, policies to reduce administrative workload, increasing support by allied healthcare professionals could incentivise GPs to increase their work hours.

Senior author Professor Evan Kontopantelis said: 鈥淚n 2015 and 2019, the Government promised 5,000 more GPs by 2020 and an additional 6,000 GPs by 2024, respectively.

鈥淭hough there was a rise in GP headcount of 5.9%, specifically 2,154 GPs between 2015 and 2022, the promised increase has not happened. That is why the change in working patterns of GPs makes the challenges facing primary care even more acute.鈥�

He added: 鈥淥ur results also highlight an existing disparity in GP supply between practices located in the least and most deprived areas.

鈥淧ractices in the most deprived areas had 17% more patients and 19% more chronic conditions per GP FTE, compared with the least deprived areas.

鈥淪o, in addition to policies aimed to recruit and retain more GPs, it is also necessary to incentivise GPs to work and remain in deprived areas to achieve more equitable levels of care 鈥� something easier said than done, we acknowledge.鈥�

The paperGP working time and supply, and patient demand in England in 2015鈥�2022: a retrospective study"., published in the British Journal of General Practice is available here.

The comment piece -  published in The - was coordinated by scientists at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, the Westerdijk Institute and the University of Amsterdam.

According to the scientists most fungal pathogens identified by the World Health Organisation - accounting for around 3.8 million deaths a year - are either already resistant or rapidly acquiring resistance to antifungal drugs.

The authors argue that the currently narrow focus on bacteria will not fully combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

September鈥檚 United Nations meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) must, they demand, include resistance developed in many fungal pathogens.

Resistance is nowadays the rule rather than the exception for the four currently available antifungal classes, making it difficult - if not impossible 鈥� to treat many invasive fungal infections.

Fungicide resistant infections include Aspergillus, Candida, Nakaseomyces glabratus, and Trichophyton indotineae, all of which can have devastating health impacts on older or immunocompromised people.

Dr Norman van Rhijn from 黑料网吃瓜爆料 coordinated the comment piece with Professor Ferry Hagen from the Westerdijk Institute in the Netherlands.

Dr van Rhijn said: 鈥淢ost people agree that resistant bacterial infections constitute a significant part of the AMR problem.

鈥淗owever many drug resistance problems over the past decades have also been the result of invasive fungal diseases largely underrecognized by scientists, governments, clinicians and pharmaceutical companies.

鈥淭he threat of fungal pathogens and antifungal resistance, even though it is a growing global issue, is being left out of the debate.鈥�

Unlike bacteria, the close similarities between fungal and human cells which, say the experts, means it is hard to find treatments that selectively inhibit fungi with minimal toxicity to patients.

Professor Ferry Hagen from the University of Amsterdam added: 鈥淒espite the huge difficulties in developing them, several promising new agents including entirely new classes of molecules, have entered clinical trials in recent years.

鈥淏ut even before they reach the market after years of development, fungicides with similar modes of action are developed by the agrochemical industry resulting in cross-resistance.

鈥淭hat sets us back to square one again. It is true many essential crops are affected by fungi, so antifungal protection is required for food security. But the question is, at what price?鈥�

The scientists recommend:

• Worldwide agreement on restricting the use of certain classes of antifungal molecules for specific applications.
• Collaboration on solutions and regulations that ensure food security and universal health for animals, plants, and humans.
• Adding priority to AMR to fungal infections at the UN鈥檚 meeting in September.

Comment pieces are written by experts in the field, and represent their own views, rather than necessarily the views of The Lancet or any Lancet specialty journal. Unlike Articles containing original research, not all Comments are externally peer reviewed. 

The paper Beyond Bacteria: The Growing Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance in Fungi is available