Researchers at the University of Bristol and University of Maynooth, in collaboration with Eli Lilly, have looked at how heightened attention improves mental capacity (University of Bristol, 2017). Their research, published in Cell Reports, reveals a chemical signal released across the brain in response to attention demanding or arousing situations. The new discoveries indicate how … Continue reading A brain wide chemical signal that enhances memory

Cardiff University scientists are hoping to create a smart patch which could detect the early onset of osteoarthritis in patients’ knees (BBC News, 2017). The team uses damage sensors from aircraft wings to catch subsonic cracking sounds in joints before the disease fully develops. They believe a disposable patch using them could save expensive diagnosis … Continue reading Cardiff University bid to create osteoarthritis smart patch

PDR and Renishaw have signed a major new research collaboration that aims to help ensure the UK is at the forefront of healthcare innovation (MediWales, 2017). The collaboration seeks to pioneer new design methods that will bring engineering levels of precision to complex surgical procedures. Renishaw’s expertise in technologies such as 3D printing in metal, … Continue reading Collaboration announced between Renishaw and PDR

A partnership between the University of Liverpool and Cypralis has been granted a new Early Stage Award worth £300,000 to develop new compounds to treat acute pancreatitis (University of Liverpool, 2017). Acute pancreatitis is an extremely painful disease that is most often associated with gallstones, excessive alcohol intake and obesity and is currently treated in … Continue reading University of Liverpool and Crypalis to develop acute pancreatitis drug

Research by scientists at Swansea University is helping to meet the challenge of incorporating nanoscale structures into future semiconductor devices that will create new technologies and impact on all aspects of everyday life (Swansea University, 2017). Dr Alex Lord and Professor Steve Wilks from Swansea University’s Centre for Nanohealth led the collaborative research, the findings … Continue reading New research helps to make the most of nanoscale catalytic effects for nanotechnology

Scientists have identified a molecular barcode in the blood of patients with the Ebola virus that can predict whether they are likely to survive or die (University of Liverpool, 2017). A team at the University of Liverpool, in collaboration with Public Health England, Boston University and other international partners, used blood samples taken from infected … Continue reading Blood test can predict life or death outcome for patients with Ebola virus

Old blood may have a powerful effect in terms of damaging organs and contributing to ageing, but a compound has been developed that seems to protect against this, preventing mice’s brains from ageing (New Scientist, 2017). The effects of blood on ageing were first discovered in experiments that stitched young and old mice together so … Continue reading Antibody can protect brains from the ageing effects of old blood

The University of Liverpool and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) have launched a new joint centre which aims to address the urgent need to develop new antimicrobials and accelerate solutions for existing and emerging infections (University of Liverpool, 2017). Translating research from across these two institutions, the Centre of Excellence in Infectious Diseases Research … Continue reading Centre of Excellence in Infectious Disease Research launched

In a UK study of 5,320 women, 3% were found to have an active eating disorder in mid-life, a figure higher than expected as eating disorders are primarily associated with adolescence or early adulthood (University of Bristol, 2017). The research, using data from the University of Bristol’s Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children cohort, … Continue reading Eating disorders are affecting more UK women in their 40s and 50s than expected, finds new sudy

Liverpool scientists and doctors are set to receive a major cash boost for research into cancer (University of Liverpool, 2017). Cancer Research UK and NIHR plan to invest nearly £1.5m over the next five years in ground-breaking work at the Liverpool Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC). The ECMC is a collaboration between researchers at the … Continue reading £1.5m boost for cancer research in Liverpool