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

High blood pressure can be reduced with deep brain stimulation

A Bristol team has used a deep brain stimulation technique to dramatically reduce a woman’s high blood pressure, the first time in the world the procedure has been carried out for hypertension (University of Bristol, 2017). The case led by North Bristol NHS Trust consultant neurosurgeon Nik Patel working alongside researchers at the University of … Continue reading High blood pressure can be reduced with deep brain stimulation

New drug class kills human whipworm

The human whipworm, which infects five hundred million people and can damage physical and mental growth, is killed at egg and adult stage by a new drug class developed at the University of Manchester, University of Oxford and University College London (University of Manchester, 2017). Current treatments for human whipworm are based on nineteen sixties … Continue reading New drug class kills human whipworm

New approach to reducing diabetes risk

An international clinical trial conducted by the University of Liverpool has shown that the drug liraglutide 3.0 mg may reduce diabetes risk by 80% in individuals with obesity and pre-diabetes according to a study published in The Lancet (University of Liverpool, 2017). The three year SCALE obesity and pre-diabetes trial followed 2,254 adults with pre-diabetes … Continue reading New approach to reducing diabetes risk

Parasitic genome sequenced in the battle to save honey bees

The genome of a parasitic mite that infects honey bee colonies and causes wide-spread destruction has been sequenced by scientists at the University of Liverpool and Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (University of Liverpool, 2017). Although there are many potential causes for the decline in honey bee colonies, pathogens and parasites of the honey bee, particularly mites, … Continue reading Parasitic genome sequenced in the battle to save honey bees

People with Addison’s disease lack natural killer immune cells

Research led by University of Birmingham scientists has found that people with Addison’s disease have an immune system defect which makes them prone to potentially deadly respiratory infections (University of Birmingham, 2017). The study, published online in European Journal of Endocrinology, shows for the first time that patients with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) have natural … Continue reading People with Addison’s disease lack natural killer immune cells

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

Acerchem International opening new R&D centre at Swansea University

Acerchem International, a leading Chinese health and nutraceutical group, is to establish its European HQ and R&D and manufacturing centre at the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) at Swansea University (Welsh Government, 2017). The news was announced by Welsh Economy Secretary Ken Skates who is in China on a trade mission and has met with … Continue reading Acerchem International opening new R&D centre at Swansea 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

Brain imaging identifies different types of depression

Biological markers could enable tailored therapies that target individual differences in the symptoms of depression (Scientific American, 2017). New research, published in Nature Medicine, by Conor Liston, a neuroscientist and psychiatrist at Weill Cornell Medical College, and his colleagues seems to point toward a long-sought goal in psychiatry, biological markers to distinguish different kinds of … Continue reading Brain imaging identifies different types of depression

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