Lesterman/Shutterstock Two months ago I received an email from a colleague inviting me to join a global campaign to support a form of vaccine research that would involve deliberately infecting volunteers with COVID-19. This might seem like a strange idea. Some people have raised concerns about this research. Some evenContinue Reading
Polio patient in an iron lung to help them breathe. Everett Collection/Shutterstock If you have been following the media coverage of the new vaccines in development for COVID-19, it will be clear that the stakes are high. Very few vaccine trials in history have attracted so much attention, perhaps sinceContinue Reading
Comfortable shoes with a curved tip make it easier to move, but weaken foot muscles. lzf/ Shutterstock Evolution dictates that the human body adapts to cope with stresses present in the environment. The removal of stress from our environment means we cease to use that adaption. This is why yourContinue Reading
A series of new measures has been announced to stem rising cases of coronavirus in the UK. People are again being encouraged to work from home if they can, while pubs and bars will be required to close at 10pm. Masks will be required for hospitality workers and passengers inContinue Reading
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
