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Pharmacology - Life Sciences - 15.11.2021

New stroke clot-buster drug shows ’exciting potential’ in mice
A novel clot-busting drug formulated and tested by University of Manchester scientists is able to effectively restore blood flow in the brains of mice, opening the door for a safer and more effective stroke treatment. The compound - an enzyme called caADAMTS13 -could dissolve clots in patients that are resistant to current treatment, according to the study published in the journal Blood today (15/11/21).

Health - Pharmacology - 04.11.2021

Non-invasive ventilation for COVID-19 patients isn’t linked to heightened infection risk
New research carried out in collaboration with the University of Birmingham has found that the use of non-invasive breathing support to treat patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 in hospitals isn't linked to a heightened risk of transmitting infection to others as currently thought.

Pharmacology - Health - 03.11.2021

Three days of antibiotics is ’safe and effective’ for children leaving hospital with pneumonia
Children being discharged from hospital with pneumonia can be treated with three days of antibiotics rather than seven, finds a large UK-wide trial led by UCL. The results of the multi-site CAP-IT trial, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association , show that the number of doses given to children at home can be reduced safely, without impacting recovery.

Pharmacology - 03.11.2021

New research aims to make prescribing of medication safer for people in prison
Manchester-based researchers have taken an important step towards making it safer for people in prison who are prescribed medication. The research*, published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology , involved searching electronic health records to uncover how many people in prisons have been affected by a potential problem related to their prescribed medication.

Pharmacology - Health - 03.11.2021

Novel drug liberates tumour vessels to aid cancer drug delivery
A therapeutic antibody developed by scientists at UCL has been shown to unblock and normalise blood vessels inside cancerous tumours, enabling the more effective delivery of targeted cancer treatments. The findings in mice, published in the journal  MED , are the first to demonstrate that inhibiting the activity of LRG1, a protein produced in many tumorous tissues, liberates disorganised angiogenesis (blood vessel formation) - a leading cause of morbidity in numerous diseases including cancer.

Health - Pharmacology - 01.11.2021

’Promising’ new way to predict older mums’ pregnancy risks revealed
Scientists have revealed new ways of calculating older mums' personal risk of serious pregnancy problems like having stillborn, premature, or very small babies. The Manchester Advanced Maternal Age Study (MAMAS) was led by Alex Heazell, Professor of Obstetrics at The University of Manchester and Honorary Consultant Obstetrician at Saint Mary's Hospital (SMH) - part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) - with funding from Tommy's charity.

Pharmacology - Health - 27.10.2021

Triple-drug combo could prove key weapon in fight against cancer
Combining three existing drugs - a commonly-used anti-epileptic, a contraceptive steroid and a cholesterol-lowering agent - could form an effective and non-toxic treatment for a range of aggressive blood cancers, a new study reveals. The discovery by University of Birmingham scientists has led to a £1 million funding award from Blood Cancer UK to run a randomised clinical trial to test the new drug combo against another experimental agent (Danazol) in patients living with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS).

Pharmacology - Health - 26.10.2021

Specific cell population plays a key role in the affect arthritis has on the body and the pain patients feel
Specific cell population plays a key role in the affect arthritis has on the body and the pain patients feel, study finds Scientists at the University of Birmingham have led a study which has identified a new specific population of cells that plays a key role in the affect arthritis has on the body and the subsequent pain felt by patients.

Life Sciences - Pharmacology - 19.10.2021

Largest ever global study of tuberculosis identifies genetic causes of drug resistance
Using cutting-edge genomic sequencing techniques, researchers at the University of Oxford have identified almost all the genomic variation that gives people resistance to 13 of the most common tuberculosis (TB) drug treatments. The Comprehensive Resistance Prediction for Tuberculosis International Consortium (CRyPTIC) research project has collected the largest ever global dataset of clinical M. tuberculosis samples from across the world consisting of 15,211 samples from 27 countries on five continents.

Health - Pharmacology - 06.10.2021

Simple, low cost tests could help China’s battle to identify COPD sufferers
Researchers working with primary care patients in China have discovered that a simple questionnaire and airflow measurement test could identify adults suffering with undiagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a new study funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) reveals.

Health - Pharmacology - 06.10.2021

Implantable tech could be a game-changer for heart patients
Implantable heart technology is being used in Manchester to assess when a patient is at high risk of dying, thanks to University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust -led research. The implantable pacemakers and defibrillators contain multiple sensors that allow continuous monitoring of a patient's heart health, 24 hours a day.

Health - Pharmacology - 06.10.2021

Video games can have similar health benefits to jogging
Active video games could be a motivating way for Type 1 diabetics to keep active and help manage their condition. Last updated on Wednesday 6 October 2021 Active video games have similar positive health effects on the body as traditional exercises, such as jogging on a treadmill, according to a new study.

Pharmacology - Health - 05.10.2021

Campaign could reduce risk of UK opioid ’epidemic’
A campaign that urged GPs to 'think-twice' before putting a patient on opioid medicines is effective in reducing opioid prescribing in primary care, according to the findings of a major study by researchers from the University of Leeds, the University of Manchester and NHS Bradford Districts Clinical Commissioning Group, West Yorkshire.

Pharmacology - Health - 30.09.2021

Staying on long-term antidepressants reduces risk of relapse
When people stop taking antidepressants after a long period of use, just over half (56%) experience a relapse within a year, compared to 39% of those who stay on medication, finds a new study led by UCL researchers. The researchers say their findings, published in The New England Journal of Medicine , can help doctors and patients to make an informed decision together on whether or not to stop their antidepressants after recovery from a depressive episode.

Health - Pharmacology - 29.09.2021

New cancer ’inhibitor’ could lead to improved treatment options
Researchers have discovered a potential advancement in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), which they hope will one day offer an improved option for treating patients with this form of blood cancer. The study- published today in Science Translational Medicine and led by the University of Glasgow in collaboration with LifeArc - has discovered a potential 'autophagy inhibitor' which, when used in combination with current cancer therapies, could lead to better treatment options for CML cancer patients.

Chemistry - Pharmacology - 24.09.2021

Assembly theory could spell good news for drug discovery
A new method of exploring chemical space could help create scientific breakthroughs in areas including drug design and discovery, its creators say. The concept, known as assembly theory, is outlined in a new paper published today Advances by a team from the University of Glasgow's School of Chemistry.

Health - Pharmacology - 21.09.2021

Pioneering EEG test could dramatically increase early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s
A two-minute passive-test that measures people's brain waves in response to a series of images, 'Fastball EEG', could help expand early dementia diagnosis. Last updated on Tuesday 21 September 2021 A simple but revolutionary approach to early Alzheimer's diagnosis is being pioneered by researchers through an initiative that could pave the way for improved outcomes for individuals who develop the disease in the future.

Pharmacology - Health - 20.09.2021

New drug shows promise in slowing growth of bowel cancer
A new drug has shown promise in slowing the regrowth of tumours among some bowel cancer patients, according to new findings of a major trial run by researchers at UCL in collaboration with Oxford, Leeds and Cardiff universities. The results of the FOCUS4-C trial, which was funded by Cancer Research UK, the EME Programme - an MRC/NIHR partnership - and AstraZeneca, will be presented on Saturday (18 September) at the European Society of Medical Oncology and published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology .

Health - Pharmacology - 20.09.2021

New Covid-19 treatment for patients with diabetes shows early promise
A new Covid-19 treatment for people with diabetes has shown promising results in a trial led by UCL researchers. The trial was conducted by St George Street Capital (SGSc) - a medical research charity - with the the goal to find new purposes, where there is a real clinical need, for drugs that have already passed safety checks Professors John Martin (UCL Division of Medicine) and Pete Coffey (UCL Institute of Ophthalmology) founded the charity along with an American philanthropist to trial new medicines four years ago.

Pharmacology - Psychology - 17.09.2021

’Spice’ withdrawal symptoms more severe than cannabis - new study
New research from the Addiction and Mental Health Group at the University of Bath highlights challenges for people trying to give up the drug 'Spice'. Last updated on Friday 17 September 2021 Research published today by psychologists at the University of Bath suggests that 'Spice' - which contains synthetic drugs originally designed to mimic the effects of cannabis - is more harmful than cannabis and that users are likely to experience more severe withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit.