First person in Wales undergoes pioneering robotic surgery
Denise Casey, who has epilepsy, has become the first person in Wales to undergo pioneering robotic surgery (BBC News, 2017). The robot, built by Renishaw in Rhondda Cynon Taff, implanted probes into the woman’s brain. Denise Casey, of Skewen, Neath Port Talbot, was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of thirty one and has had … Continue reading First person in Wales undergoes pioneering robotic surgery
Number of people with Type 2 diabetes trebles since 1991
A Cardiff University study has concluded the number of people in the UK with Type 2 diabetes has trebled over the last two decades (Cardiff University, 2017). The new findings, based on data collected by GP services in the UK between 1991 and 2014, also show a marked increase in life expectancy for people with … Continue reading Number of people with Type 2 diabetes trebles since 1991
New way to make artesmisinin
Researchers at Cardiff University have devised a new way of creating artesmisinin, a drug commonly used as the first line of defence against malaria (Cardiff University, 2017). Artemisinin is a drug recommended by the World Health Organisation for treatment of all cases of severe malaria and works by attacking all stages of the malaria parasite … Continue reading New way to make artesmisinin
No meaningful benefit using antibiotics for mildly infected eczema in children
Estimates suggest that 40% of eczema flares are treated with topical antibiotics, but findings from a study led by Cardiff University suggest there is no meaningful benefit from the use of either oral or topical antibiotics for milder clinically infected eczema in children (Cardiff University, 2017). Eczema affects around one in five children in the … Continue reading No meaningful benefit using antibiotics for mildly infected eczema in children
A 1950s living room for people with dementia
A devoted husband built a nineteen fifties living room in a ward in Llandough Hospital, Cardiff to help his wife, who had Alzheimer’s (ITV News, 2017). George Drummond decorated the room with period wallpaper, a TV, black and white photographs, and racks of vinyl to help his wife Elaine remember happier days. He said sitting … Continue reading A 1950s living room for people with dementia
Barriers to taking up running revealed
Cardiff University researchers have revealed the biggest barriers to people taking up running as exercise (Cardiff University, 2017). Cardiff University’s School of Healthcare Sciences investigated what motivated people to run.The barriers include people simply being too busy, safety fears over running alone, particularly among women, and concerns about running on busy roads. Study participants were … Continue reading Barriers to taking up running revealed
Genetic variation is the reason some immune systems overreact to viruses
Researchers at Cardiff University have discovered genetic variation is the reason why some immune systems overreact to viruses (Cardiff University, 2017). Previous research had revealed that a gene called Ifitm3 influences how sensitive people are to influenza, with a variant form of the gene making cells more susceptible to viral infection. This new research reveals … Continue reading Genetic variation is the reason some immune systems overreact to viruses
MoU between Cardiff University and Monash University
Cardiff University’s Systems Immunity Research Institute and the Biomedicine Discovery Institute at Monash University have signed a memorandum of understanding (Cardiff University, 2017). The five year mutual agreement recognises highly productive joint projects already being conducted around inflammation and immunity, and provides a mechanism for enabling additional projects in the areas of research collaboration, exchange … Continue reading MoU between Cardiff University and Monash University
Cardiff University announce partnership with Northwick Park Institute for Medical Research
Cardiff University has announced its scientists will develop new treatments, technologies and techniques with the charity-based Northwick Park Institute for Medical Research (NPIMR) (Cardiff University, 2017). They will develop pre-clinical medical research across areas including medical device technologies, regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Initial projects with NPIMR, based in Harrow, Middlesex, will focus on work … Continue reading Cardiff University announce partnership with Northwick Park Institute for Medical Research
Cardiff University’s new way of making drug compounds
Researchers at Cardiff University have developed a new “highly-efficient” method of making disease-fighting compounds, including for an anti-malaria drug (BBC News, 2017). Sesquiterpenes can be found in spicy foods, plants and beer, and are used to battle colds, cancer and malaria. A Cardiff University team said it could synthesise them more quickly and cost-effectively than … Continue reading Cardiff University’s new way of making drug compounds
