Alzheimer’s study finds 42 more genes linked to a higher risk of disease
More than forty genes have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease for the first time in a “landmark” study offering hope for better diagnosis and treatment. The BBC reports scientists in eight countries, including specialists at Cardiff University, looked at genetic material of one hundred and eleven thousand people with Alzheimer’s. Findings suggest it is caused … Continue reading Alzheimer’s study finds 42 more genes linked to a higher risk of disease
Vaccination used to successfully treat Covid-19 for the first time
Doctors have successfully used vaccination to treat a man with Covid-19 in what is thought to be the first instance of the vaccine being used for therapy instead of prevention. Cardiff University reports the virus was finally cleared Ian Lester’s body after clinicians from the Immunodeficiency Centre for Wales, at University Hospital of Wales in … Continue reading Vaccination used to successfully treat Covid-19 for the first time
Wastewater research programme expanded across Wales
A Welsh Government led programme to test wastewater for Covid-19, first piloted by Bangor University, has been expanded to cover all Welsh health boards and local authorities across forty eight sites. Bangor University says the programme provides vital data on the prevalence of coronavirus in the community and was key to the early detection of … Continue reading Wastewater research programme expanded across Wales
Men wearing face masks deemed “more attractive”, study finds
A Cardiff University study suggests that men wearing face masks “look more attractive”. The study, published in Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, measured how different types of face masks changed the attractiveness of forty male faces. They discovered the type of covering matters. WalesOnline reports blue medical masks were found to increase facial attractiveness more … Continue reading Men wearing face masks deemed “more attractive”, study finds
Study finds pregnant women with higher BMIs feel stigmatised
Joint research by Cardiff University and the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) found women with higher BMIs felt stigmatised by risk messaging in maternity care. The BBC reports the Wrisk Project, which surveyed more than seven thousand women, looked at how risk is communicated in pregnancy following concerns it didn’t always “reflect the evidence base”. … Continue reading Study finds pregnant women with higher BMIs feel stigmatised
Scientists may have found “the trigger” that leads to extremely rare blood clots after the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine
An international team of scientists believe they may have found a molecular mechanism behind the extremely rare blood clots linked to adenovirus Covid-19 vaccines. Cardiff University reports their scientists, and colleagues from Arizona State University, worked with AstraZeneca to investigate vaccine induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), also known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), a … Continue reading Scientists may have found “the trigger” that leads to extremely rare blood clots after the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine
Anglesey start-up developing a novel therapy to target a rare bone cancer
A start-up company is to develop a novel cancer therapy, targeting a rare bone cancer and other cancers, more common in Wales, such as lung, colorectal, breast and prostate cancers. WalesOnline reports Ceridwen Oncology, based at M-SParc, Bangor University’s science park on Anglesey, is to develop and transform medical discoveries by Bangor and Cardiff Universities … Continue reading Anglesey start-up developing a novel therapy to target a rare bone cancer
Investment in students is the next step to a North Wales medical school
The Welsh Government has announced more medical students will spend all of their training in North Wales as part of moves towards establishing a medical school there. In a written statement, Eluned Morgan, Minister for Health and Social Services, said “I would like to thank Professor Elizabeth Treasure, chair of the North Wales Medical School … Continue reading Investment in students is the next step to a North Wales medical school
New regional health economics network for North Wales
A new regional health economics network is being launched by Professor Rhiannon Tudor Edwards of Bangor University. The Public Health and Prevention Economics Research Group network will link researchers working in the economics of public health and preventative interventions across Bangor University and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB). As the UK emerges from the … Continue reading New regional health economics network for North Wales
Children living with someone who has mental health issues are 63% more likely to experience similar difficulties
The risk of children developing mental ill health increases significantly when they have lived with someone who also has a common mental health disorder, according to new research from Cardiff University. The study showed children who had grown up living with someone with mental health difficulties were 63% more likely to experience any mental health … Continue reading Children living with someone who has mental health issues are 63% more likely to experience similar difficulties
