The MRC Biostatistics Unit have published a new report on our real-time tracking of the COVID-19 pandemic. This information is helping the government to track the COVID-19 pandemic in real time. MRC BSU have highlighted their latest findings and provided interpretation of what these findings mean. MRC BSU have also explained their recent model and […]
How baby’s genes influence birth weight and health in later life
An international genetic study of more than 150,000 people, published today in Nature, has identified genetic differences that help to explain why some babies are born bigger or smaller than others. The large-scale study reveals how these genetic differences provide an important link between an individual’s early growth and their chances of developing conditions such as […]
An hour of moderate exercise a day enough to counter health risks from prolonged sitting
The health risks associated with sitting for eight or more hours a day – whether at work, home or commuting – can be eliminated with an hour or more of physical activity a day, according to a study from an international team of researchers. Ever since a study back in 1953 discovered that London bus […]
One in ten people over forty years old in Britain are vitamin D deficient
As many as one in ten people in Britain over forty years old may be vitamin D deficient, according to a study carried out by researchers at the University of Cambridge. Vitamin D is nicknamed the ‘sunshine vitamin’ as it is produced in the skin in response to sunlight. It is also found in some […]
Gene Increases Risk of Breast Cancer to One in Three by Age of Seventy
Breast cancer risks for one of potentially the most important genes associated with breast cancer after the BRCA1/2 genes have been reported in the New England Journal of Medicine (August 7th 2014). A collaborative group of 17 centres in eight countries analysed data from 154 families without BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations which included 362 family […]
Children who later develop autism are exposed to elevated levels of steroid hormones in the womb
A study led by Simon Baron-Cohen (Department of Psychiatry) has found that children, who later develop autism, have elevated levels of steroid hormones in the womb. The finding may help explain why autism is more common in males than females. However, the researchers caution it should not be used to screen for the condition. The […]
Functional nerve cells from skin cells
A new method of generating mature nerve cells from skin cells could greatly enhance understanding of neurodegenerative diseases, and could accelerate the development of new drugs and stem cell-based regenerative medicine. By studying how nerves form in developing tadpoles, a research team at the Department of Oncology – led by Dr Anna Philpott – was […]
Lifestyles changes are more effective for combating diabetes than focusing on genetic risk
Recent research from the MRC Epidemiology Unit has found that public health strategies aimed at tackling obesity through lifestyle interventions are more appropriate for preventing type 2 diabetes than targeted changes based on an individual’s genetic risk. Lifestyle interventions can reduce the risk of developing diabetes in high-risk individuals by 50%; however, whether there is […]
Napping can increase death risk
Yue Leng (Department of Public Health and Primary Care) has found an association between daytime napping, reported by a health questionnaire, and an increased risk of death in 16,374 middle – to older – aged British adults. It was evaluated in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk cohort study and suggests that excessive daytime napping […]
Overnight home use of artificial pancreas “feasible and beneficial”
Children with type 1 diabetes have been able to use pioneering artificial pancreas technology, developed at the University, for the first time overnight at home without the supervision of researchers. All the previous artificial pancreas trials, in hospitals and in home environments, have seen researchers strictly monitor patients. This latest trial, funded by the Juvenile […]
