ImageFlow/Shutterstock In early January, the first genome sequence of Sars-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19 – was released under the moniker “Wuhan-1”. This string of 30,000 letters (the A, T, C and Gs of the genetic code) marked day one in the race to understand the genetics of thisContinue Reading
These effects may have the greatest impact on elite athletes. Leonard Zhukovsky/ Shutterstock The menstrual cycle, the pill and their potential impact on sporting performance have long been considered a taboo subject. Yet for most females who undertake any form of exercise or high-performance sport, there are a range ofContinue Reading
alinabuphoto/Shutterstock The COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the world has prompted job losses and business closures, and an increase in stress and anxiety as lockdowns separate people from their friends and families. It’s become clear that we are struggling to maintain our mental health as the world changes around us, and theContinue Reading
In the middle of the 17th century, Mrs Townsend found a lump in her breast. Diagnosed with breast cancer by a local physician, she underwent a mastectomy without anaesthetic – an agonising procedure. Her bravery impressed the male surgeons who had gathered to watch the operation. One commented that heContinue Reading
This link was found in veterans, war refugees, and those with non-combat traumatic experiences. ESB Professional/ Shutterstock Dementia is one of the greatest global health challenges. As the world’s population continues to age and to live longer, the number of people affected by dementia is expected to rise to 130Continue Reading
Research shows that as burnout increases, empathy decreases. Robert Kneschke/ Shutterstock Empathy is being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, or being able to sense the emotions of the other person, and convey that understanding to them. While undoubtedly important for many aspects of life, being empathetic isContinue Reading
Breslavtsev Oleg/Shutterstock In our joints, a slippery, elastic tissue called cartilage covers the ends of the articulating bones. If this protective covering is lost through injury or ageing, it leaves bone grinding painfully against bone. Cartilage injuries are very common and rarely heal spontaneously. This can cause further damage toContinue Reading
Oleg Golovnev/Shutterstock A recent, much-anticipated report called First, Do No Harm has described in detail the suffering undergone by thousands of women over the last 50 years due to the devastating effects of three medical products. Two of these are pharmaceutical products. Primodos was a hormone-based pregnancy test used inContinue Reading
Crisp sounds can trigger ASMR. Andrey_Popov/ Shutterstock ASMR is the third most popular search term on youtube worldwide. But in case you haven’t heard of it, it stands for autonomous sensory meridian response. ASMR is a complex emotional state that only some people experience when they hear, see, and feelContinue Reading
Some UK care homes are to deploy robots in an attempt to allay loneliness and boost mental health. The wheeled machines will “initiate rudimentary conversations, play residents’ favourite music, teach them languages, and offer practical help, including medicine reminders”. They are being introduced after an international trial found they reducedContinue Reading
