Here’s an example of how AI is going to change all things medical. We now have a world-first diagnostic test, powered by artificial intelligence, which can identify a virus such as Covid in less than five minutes from just one … Read More
Ways to live longer by adding years on to your ‘inflammation clock’
There seems to be a body clock for everything. The latest one is called “inflammaging” – the body clock that controls inflammation and is the driver of many age-related health problems. When we talk of inflammation, we tend to think … Read More
Step closer to a safer way of stopping kidney failure and need for dialysis in diabetics
Diabetes, both types 1 and 2, comes with very serious complications, which could lead to amputations. It can also affect the eyes, heart and kidneys, which fail prematurely in four out of 10 people with diabetes. It means there are 4.8 … Read More
Robot prostate surgery a huge help for men, boosting confidence in the bedroom
Although it’s been a long time coming, we now have surgery for enlarged prostates with faster treatment and quicker recovery time. It’s done with a robotic-controlled waterjet, takes all of 40 minutes, can be done as a day case and … Read More
It’s clear antidepressants are not always effective for tackling chronic pain
Chronic pain has been treated with antidepressants for some time, the rationale being that while they don’t actually treat the pain, you mind it less. This can be useful for patients with long-standing unremitting pain, but are antidepressants really that … Read More
Sugary drinks tax slashed child obesity by 5,000 cases, researchers say
The launch of a sugary drink tax to put youngsters off buying sweetened drinks in a bid to reduce childhood obesity was something I supported. Well, did it work? Yes, according to Cambridge researchers. They estimate around 5,000 cases of … Read More
Women’s shopping habits could be used to help doctors work out ovarian cancer risk
How’s this for some clever research – using loyalty cards in pharmacies to track purchases of over-the-counter medicines to elicit clues about possible cases of ovarian cancer. Scientists from University College London, Imperial College London and Birmingham University were able to tie purchases of pain and … Read More
Smartphones could be used as an aid for people who are suffering with depression
We may resent the intrusion of smartphones in our daily lives, but researchers at King’s College London are finding they can be a unique aid to help people with depression. Smartphones can track sufferers’ symptoms and the impact they have on their lives, and … Read More
Lymph study is a big leap forward for bone healing
The lymphatic system isn’t an easy concept to grasp, not even for a medical student. Suffice to say it’s a network of vessels that branch throughout the body, and play an important role in the draining of excess fluid from … Read More
Living in the countryside linked to having a better memory in over 50s
Living in a city or living in the country have their own different appeals and advantages, such as access to shops and public transport, versus access to nature. It seems country folk in England have a surprising advantage over their townie … Read More