Atrial fibrillation affects millions worldwide, increasing risk of stroke and heart failure. A new study finds Apixaban and VKAs safe for treatment during catheter ablation procedures, with a significant improvement in cognitive function. The results will reassure clinicians that continuous Apixaban is an effective alternative to VKAs.
Researchers found that regular exercise can slow down muscle mass loss, body fat, cholesterol levels, and immune system decline with age. The study of amateur cyclists aged 55-79 showed no signs of aging in their muscles, bodies, or immune systems.
A new study reveals that primitive air-breathing fish, such as the South American lungfish, exhibit similar mechanisms controlling the heart as mammals. These mechanisms include a periodic breathing pattern and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), which enables the fish to maximize oxygen uptake during air-breathing bouts.
Researchers have developed a new method to estimate ancient atmospheric water content based on fossil plant leaf waxes, which can help predict future climate changes. By studying the chemistry of these compounds in soils and sediments, scientists can reconstruct past climates and test their understanding of global warming.
Researchers found that patients with regularly monitored blood pressure at home had significantly lower blood pressure after 12 months compared to those managed in the clinic. The use of telemonitoring also showed promise for faster and more efficient blood pressure reduction.
Researchers have pinpointed a single genetic code variation in African Salmonella that enables its virulence, contributing to devastating bloodstream infections. The discovery has implications for understanding and combating this dangerous strain of bacteria.
Researchers found higher levels of leisure-time physical activity linked to lower diabetes risk in Chinese adults with impaired fasting glucose. A 12-25% reduction in diabetes risk was observed with increased physical activity levels, highlighting the urgent need for promoting physical activity as a strategy for diabetes prevention.
Patients in low income nations are more likely to develop surgical infections and are infected with bacteria resistant to medicines. The study found a significant link between antibiotic use and infection, highlighting an urgent need to tackle surgical infection globally.
A new scanning technology could almost halve the number of liver biopsies carried out on people with fatty liver disease. The study used digital image scanning to diagnose liver disease and found it to be superior to other tests in grading disease severity and excluding patients at increased risk.
A new study found that school-based healthy lifestyle interventions did not lead to significant changes in pupils' weight. The WAVES study intervention aimed to support children in keeping their weight at a healthy level by promoting physical activity and healthy eating.
Researchers recommend changes to international guidelines to collect more patient-reported outcomes, improving understanding of treatment impacts on patients' health and quality of life. The updated guidance aims to facilitate high-quality data analysis and reporting, ultimately enhancing patient-centered care.
Researchers have shed new light on the TRAPPIST-1 planetary system, revealing that all seven planets are mostly made of rock and contain up to 5% water. The study also found that five planets lack a hydrogen-dominated atmosphere, similar to Neptune or Uranus.
A new study on turtle brain evolution reveals that their brains have changed slowly and constantly over 210 million years, with modern turtles showing a wide variety of brain shapes and sizes. The first turtles with fully formed shells were likely living on land, contradicting previous hypotheses about their origins.
Scientists at the University of Birmingham and other institutions have identified 902 genes related to blood feeding and 478 genes linked to non-blood feeding in the mosquito Wyeomyia smithii. The goal is to isolate universal non-biting genes that could be manipulated to control vector-borne diseases.
Research found that women diagnosed with GDM were over 20 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, nearly twice as likely to develop hypertension, and almost twice as likely to develop ischemic heart disease. The study highlights the need for targeted risk factor management to improve long-term metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes.
The new guidelines recommend a set of blood tests to diagnose patients with liver disease, including bilirubin, albumin, and liver enzymes. They also provide guidance on how to manage patients with abnormal test results, aiming to reduce unnecessary repeat testing for those unlikely to have significant liver disease.
A new study found that community screening for osteoporosis reduced hip fractures by 28% in older women. Screening identified those at risk and led to targeted treatment, resulting in a significant decrease in hip fractures.
Researchers have identified a potential target for treatment to heal damaged blood vessels, which could be administered by paramedics on arrival at the scene. The study found that endotheliopathy occurs within minutes of injury and that improving the lining of blood vessels can reduce rates of organ failure.
Researchers have developed a new method for 3D printing metals that achieve exceptional strength and ductility. The breakthrough uses ultrafast cooling rates, resulting in non-equilibrium states that lead to improved mechanical properties.
A comprehensive study found that inflammatory bowel disease has become a global disease with accelerating incidence in newly industrialized countries. The research highlights the need for prevention and preparedness measures as these countries struggle to manage this complex and costly disease.
A tool developed by University of Birmingham researchers identified a critical vulnerability in 400 security-critical apps, including those from major banks like HSBC and NatWest. The 'Man in the Middle Attack' flaw could allow attackers to decrypt and modify network traffic, compromising user credentials.
Researchers found that captive gorillas can learn to clean food without witnessing others do it first. In 75% of trials, gorillas demonstrated food cleaning techniques when given dirty apples coated with sand.
Researchers studied brain activity of patients with PTSD using EEG tests and found enhanced responses to deviant tones, correlating with poorer cognitive performance on memory tests. This study may lead to the development of a new neurobiological marker for PTSD diagnosis and assessment of treatment outcomes.
A UK study found that less than one per cent of children born with congenital heart disease participate in clinical trials, highlighting a need for improved treatment options. Researchers suggest establishing a congenital heart disease research network to conduct well-designed clinical trials and improve surgical outcomes.
Researchers found that vitamin D is effective in preventing the onset of inflammation but less effective once inflammatory disease is established. The study suggests that patients with rheumatoid arthritis may require higher doses of vitamin D or a new treatment to bypass vitamin D insensitivity in immune cells.
New research from the University of Birmingham suggests that rapid global warming could result in more extreme rainfall and flood events. The study found a four-fold increase in sediment delivery from land to the deep ocean during a 56 million-year-old event, likely caused by increased rainfall intensity.
A review and meta-analysis found a strong link between low vitamin D concentrations and lower live birth rates after assisted reproduction treatment. Women with sufficient vitamin D had a 34% higher chance of having a positive pregnancy test and a 46% higher chance of achieving clinical pregnancy.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham identified two previously unknown mechanisms that bacteria use to protect themselves from antibiotics. The discovery provides new insights into how bacteria develop resistance and could lead to the development of new drugs to combat bacterial infections.
A report by the University of Birmingham calls for policymakers to focus on measurable objectives and simple language in their action plans. The current EU and UK plans have been criticized for lacking specificity and consistency, making it difficult to track progress and evaluate success.
A consensus statement from a group of neonatologists and pediatric cardiologists recommends routine pulse oximetry screening for all European babies within 24 hours of birth to detect critical congenital heart defects. Early detection is crucial for the best outcome, and current methods may miss up to 50% of affected infants.
Scientists at the University of Birmingham are pioneering a new approach to bowel cancer treatment using mini tumor models. The study, funded by Cancer Research UK, aims to identify new treatments and improve existing ones for this common yet deadly disease.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that first-time mothers with an epidural who adopt a lying down position during the second stage of labor are more likely to deliver their baby without any medical intervention. The study involved 3,093 women and found a 5.9% increase in the chance of spontaneous birth in the lying down group.
A new guideline has been published by the British Society of Rheumatology to improve the diagnosis and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus). The guideline aims to provide advice on how to diagnose and treat patients with mild, moderate, and severe lupus, reducing disease flares and improving survival rates.
A new study reveals that mass extinctions have predictable consequences, leading to low diversity and the emergence of dominant species. The researchers analyzed nearly 900 animal species between 260-175 million years ago and found a global pattern of 'disaster faunas'.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have discovered a novel approach to tissue regeneration, utilizing extracellular vesicles to stimulate cell production and facilitate tissue repair. The study shows promise in treating bone fractures, osteoporosis, and cartilage damage, with potential applications for widespread use.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham found that chimpanzees can spontaneously learn to use sticks to scoop food from water surfaces. The study suggests that some tool-use behaviors are within their pre-existing behavioral repertoire, contradicting the assumption that apes must observe others to learn new behaviors.
Researchers have developed a solution to a longstanding problem in end-to-end encryption, which ensures only sender and recipient can read a message. The new protocol, called DECIM, forces attackers to leave evidence of any such activity and alerts users to take action.
A genetic fault in the CDKN2A gene has been linked to reduced effectiveness of leukemia treatment, highlighting the need for personalized treatment approaches. The study, which treated 259 people with AML or MDS, found that those with the mutation survived for 4.5 months on average, compared to 11 months for those without it.
A large study found that individuals with 'metabolically healthy obese' (MHO) have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease events, including coronary heart disease and strokes. This contradicts the notion that MHO is harmless and highlights the importance of weight loss for all obese individuals.
Chinese children who go to bed later and sleep less are more likely to be overweight, with each hour later bedtime increasing BMI scores. The study suggests cultural factors, such as emphasis on studying and academic achievement, contribute to shorter sleep durations.
Glacier mass loss has significant societal implications, affecting ecosystem services, water resources, and biodiversity. The authors outline four key recommendations to mitigate these impacts, including detailed mapping of glacier change and adaptive management plans.
A ground-breaking concussion study is underway, involving rugby players, to develop a rapid test for diagnosing concussions. The test, which measures biomarkers present in saliva and urine, has the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment of brain trauma, particularly in sports.
Researchers suggest black holes seen via gravitational waves spin slowly or rapidly, with tumbling behavior in dense environments; these findings provide new target for understanding black hole formation.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have discovered that GLP-1 agonist extendin-4 significantly reduces brain pressure in an animal model, with effects lasting at least 24 hours. The treatment shows promise as a novel new way to lower brain pressure, potentially benefiting patients with conditions such as traumatic brain injury...
A new mechanism has been discovered that allows white blood cells to recognize and expel pathogens, preventing the spread of infections like Cryptococcosis to the brain. Researchers have identified a key molecule called ERK5 that can be manipulated to enhance this process, offering potential therapies for diseases such as this.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine reveals that changes to the immune system occur rapidly after a traumatic injury, with levels of immune cells and molecules altered within minutes. The research aims to improve outcomes for patients who have suffered trauma by identifying those at risk of developing life-threatening complications.
The University of Birmingham has been awarded £7 million by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to establish a global surgical research unit. The unit will focus on developing sustainable international research hubs across low and middle-income countries.
Scientists have identified three inflammatory biomarkers that can detect traumatic brain injury (TBI) within hours of occurrence. The discovery could lead to the development of a test for diagnosing TBI on the sidelines of sports pitches or by paramedics, allowing for timely treatment and reduced disability.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have discovered that increased male hormones, particularly AKR1C3 enzyme activity in fat tissue, drive PCOS women's risk to develop diabetes and fatty liver disease. Abdominal fat tissue is a major source of high levels of male hormones in women with PCOS.
A study by the University of Birmingham reveals a significant treatment gap for patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, where fewer are prescribed anticoagulants for stroke prevention. This results in preventable strokes, increased risk of death and disability.