What is Rabies?

Have you ever wondered what makes rabies so newsworthy? What makes rabies a serious infection? How does it affect our bodies? What countermeasures need to be taken if you suspect you’ve been infected. World Rabies Day is 28th September 2017. #WorldRabiesDay Transcript What is rabies? Is it exactly like what we see in the movies? […]

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One million people living with avoidable sight loss

One million people in the UK are living with avoidable sight loss severe enough to have a significant impact on their daily lives – leaving them unable to do things such as drive. And worryingly, this number is forecast to rise by a third by 2030, if we don’t take action now. Eyesight declines as […]

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Drug breakthrough for drug-resistant gonorrhoea

Drug-resistant gonorrhoea is a major global health concern but a new antibiotic class has now been found to be effective against the bacteria that causes the sexually-transmitted disease in the laboratory. Closthioamide, discovered in 2010, might eventually offer an alternative for current drugs that are becoming less effective against gonorrhoea, according to a paper published […]

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Breastfeeding call to action

This week is #WorldBreastfeedingWeek.  This Unicef Video highlights the issues behind the UK’s low breastfeeding rates, and calls on the UK and devolved governments to take urgent steps to tackle this. […]

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A spotlight on neglected hepatitis

On World Hepatitis Day,  Dr Philippa Matthews, a Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Fellow, puts the spotlight on neglected viruses including hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Some infections are good headline-grabbers – and alongside headlines, come education, engagement, investment, advocacy and action. On the global stage, these diseases include malaria, tuberculosis and HIV, and at home […]

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Calming immune cells

Scientists have found a way to calm immune cells, reducing inflammation which can lead to diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and sepsis. In a study published this week in the journal Nature Communications, researchers at Imperial College London, Queen Mary University of London and Ergon Pharmaceuticals, explain how blocking a single enzyme enabled them to reprogram […]

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Amazing dogs can help detect disease

We already know what an amazing sense of smell dogs have and how it protects us on a daily basis.  Dogs are used extensively to sniff out explosives, illegal drugs and other contraband. Thanks to the pioneering work of Medical Detection Dogs, a charity set up in 2008 by Dr Claire Guest and of which I […]

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EU plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat that is responsible for 25,000 deaths and a loss of €1.5 billion in the EU every year. The EU Commission has just adopted an Action Plan to tackle the problem inderpinned by a One Health approach that addresses resistance in both humans and animals. Vytenis Andriukaitis, Commissioner for Health […]

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Water treatment could be damaging DNA

Water treatment is vital to maintain human health but a method widely used in developing countries could be damaging the DNA of those drinking it. Despite poor evidence of their effectiveness as a water disinfectant, colloidal silver and silver nanoparticles are increasingly being promoted for treating potentially contaminated drinking water in low income countries. A […]

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