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Health - Pharmacology - 10.05.2021

TB immune response discovery could significantly reduce disease harm
A pioneering study by UCL scientists has discovered the presence of a harmful inflammatory protein in patients with symptomatic tuberculosis (TB). Researchers say, by targeting the IL-17 cytokine, a component produced naturally by the immune system in response to infection, excessive and damaging lung inflammation caused by TB may be significantly reduced to help speed up patient recovery.

Health - Pharmacology - 06.05.2021

Biomarker Detects Severe COVID-19 Early On
Severe cases of COVID-19 can now be detected at an early stage. Researchers at the University of Zurich have identified the first biomarker that can reliably predict which patients will develop severe symptoms. This can help to improve the treatment of severe cases of COVID-19. Most people who are infected with SARS-CoV-2 develop no or only mild symptoms.

Social Sciences - Pharmacology - 05.05.2021

The first step to curbing COVID vaccine misinformation is finding out who is most vulnerable
The success of Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout will depend on everyone's willingness to receive it. But experts have warned vaccine misinformation online puts Australia's communities at risk, and some more than others. Often, misinformation and undue scepticism are spread on social media. In March, the ABC reported on WeChat posts spreading the false claim the Pfizer vaccine can integrate with people's DNA to transform them into "genetically modified humans'.

Pharmacology - Social Sciences - 05.05.2021

Vaccine rollout not going well, say most Australians
Almost two-thirds of adult Australians, 64 per cent, think the Government's COVID-19 vaccine rollout is not being handled well, a study from The Australian National University (ANU) shows. The study also found there's been a small decline in the proportion of people who would not take a safe and effective vaccine, though many Australians remain highly concerned about potential side effects.

Social Sciences - Pharmacology - 05.05.2021

First step to curb COVID vaccine misinformation is finding out who is most vulnerable
The success of Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout will depend on everyone's willingness to receive it. But experts have warned vaccine misinformation online puts Australia's communities at risk, and some more than others. Often, misinformation and undue scepticism are spread on social media. In March, the ABC reported on WeChat posts spreading the false claim the Pfizer vaccine can integrate with people's DNA to transform them into "genetically modified humans'.

Life Sciences - Pharmacology - 04.05.2021

Aggressive brain tumours can mimic normal brain repair processes
Scientists at the UCL have made a 'surprising' discovery that glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, mimics normal brain repair in white matter, which leads to the tumour becoming less malignant. In the study on mice to harness this response (feature) and treat the cancer. Using the pre-clinical mouse models, the researchers found that Pranlukast, a drug clinically approved for treating asthma in people, suppressed glioblastoma growth.

Health - Pharmacology - 03.05.2021

COVID-19 test detects antibodies in hundreds of tiny blood samples
Antibody testing can be a powerful tool for tracking the spread of SARS-CoV2 infections, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. A group of scientists from EPFL, UNIGE and HUG have now developed a reliable and cheap antibody test that can analyze more than 1,000 samples at once and requires a small drop of blood, such as that from a finger prick.

Health - Pharmacology - 03.05.2021

Cheap COVID-19 test detects antibodies blood drops
Antibody testing can be a powerful tool for tracking the spread of SARS-CoV2 infections, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. A group of scientists from EPFL, UNIGE and HUG have now developed a reliable and cheap antibody test that can analyze more than 1,000 samples at once and requires a small drop of blood, such as that from a finger prick.

Health - Pharmacology - 30.04.2021

Single Covid-19 vaccine dose may boost protection against variants in those previously infected
A single dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine may boost protection against Covid-19 variants for those who have previously had the virus, according to a new study co-authored by UCL researchers. The study, published in the Science journal, is led by researchers at UCL along with Barts Health NHS Trust, Imperial College London, Queen Mary University London and in collaboration with Public Health England and Royal Free Hospital NHS Trust.

Health - Pharmacology - 29.04.2021

Ability of multi-drug resistant infection to evolve within cystic fibrosis patients highlights need for rapid treatment
Scientists have been able to track how a multi-drug resistant organism is able to evolve and spread widely among cystic fibrosis patients - showing that it can evolve rapidly within an individual during chronic infection. The researchers say their findings highlight the need to treat patients with Mycobacterium abscessus infection immediately, counter to current medical practice.

Pharmacology - Health - 29.04.2021

Treating dental pain with opioids linked to higher risk of overdose in patients, family members
Study shows certain patients have even greater risk of overdose if they fill opioid prescriptions; strengthens argument against use of opioids for most dental pain When they go to the dentist to get a tooth pulled or another procedure, patients might not think the prescription they receive to ease their pain could put them or their family at risk of an opioid overdose.

Life Sciences - Pharmacology - 27.04.2021

New MRI techniques could pave way to predict disability in multiple sclerosis
Advanced MRI techniques can detect very early changes in the brains of people with multiple sclerosis (MS), which may lead to more accurate predictions about disease progression, finds a study led by UCL researchers. The authors of the paper, published in Brain , say these previously unseen changes could have the potential to predict how disabled a person might become in the future.

Health - Pharmacology - 26.04.2021

Scientists develop new class of cancer drug with potential to treat leukaemia
Scientists have made a promising step towards developing a new drug for treating acute myeloid leukaemia, a rare blood disorder. In a study , Cambridge researchers report a new approach to cancer treatment that targets enzymes which play a key role in translating DNA into proteins and which could lead to a new class of cancer drugs.

Health - Pharmacology - 26.04.2021

Global call to action to tackle world’s leading cause of death
A team of Australian drug researchers from the University of Sydney, Monash University and La Trobe University have led a global call to action to accelerate new approaches for cardiovascular disease drug solutions. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally. Since the start of the pandemic, approximately 18 million people have died of CVD, with the majority from lowand middle-income countries.  The epidemic of CVD is a global phenomenon, however equitable access to effective therapies continues to be an international challenge.

Health - Pharmacology - 23.04.2021

Research uncovers high risk to pregnant women from COVID-19
A study of more than 2,100 pregnant women across 18 countries worldwide has revealed that COVID-19 is associated with a higher risk of severe maternal and newborn complications than previously recognised. The researchers, from the Nuffield Dept of Women's & Reproductive Health at the University of Oxford, report the findings of the INTERCOVID Study in the journal JAMA Pediatrics , providing, for the first time, detailed comparative information about the effects of COVID-19 in pregnancy.

Health - Pharmacology - 23.04.2021

Significant reductions in COVID-19 infections found after single dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
COVID-19 infections fell significantly - by 65% percent - after a first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines in this large community surveillance study. Data from the COVID-19 Infection Survey, a partnership between the University of Oxford, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), is the first to show the impact of vaccination on antibody responses and new infections in a large group of adults from the general population aged 16 years and older.

Pharmacology - Psychology - 23.04.2021

Antidepressant withdrawal or relapse? Doctors can’t really tell
Doctors need more evidence to help patients stop taking antidepressants safely and effectively, a collaborative study with The University of Queensland has found. UQ Emeritus Professor of General Practice Mieke van Driel said long-term antidepressant use was on the rise because people took antidepressants for much longer than recommended by guidelines.

Health - Pharmacology - 22.04.2021

New stroke rehabilitation system proven to work in impaired stroke patients
A stroke rehabilitation system, developed by MicroTransponder Inc and studied by a team at the University of Glasgow, has been shown to significantly improve arm impairment and function in people with long-term arm weakness after ischaemic stroke. Long-term loss of arm function after ischaemic stroke is common, and the results of the study - published today in The Lancet - showed two to three times greater improvement with Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) when it was combined with intense physical therapy, compared to intense physical therapy alone.

Health - Pharmacology - 22.04.2021

Study outlines mechanism behind rare blood clots linked to COVID-19 vaccine
New research carried out in collaboration with the University of Birmingham has characterised a rare COVID-19 vaccine-induced syndrome which causes blood clots. The research has identified fundamental laboratory and clinical characteristics, ensuring that patients are given the correct treatment approach.

Pharmacology - Health - 22.04.2021

Artificial Intelligence could create better outcomes for bowel cancer patients
A test which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to measure proteins present in some patients with advanced bowel cancer could hold the key to more targeted treatment, according to new research. A team at the University of Leeds collaborated with researchers at Roche Diagnostics to develop the technique, which will help doctors and patients to decide on the best treatment options.