Shutterstock Each cell in our bodies holds two metres of DNA that contains the six billion bits of the DNA code necessary for making a healthy human body. This is known as the human genome. It is now accepted that what makes people different, and contributes to their susceptibility toContinue Reading
Numstocker/Shutterstock A vaccine against COVID-19 is urgently needed if we’re to stop the virus spreading and prevent potentially millions of further deaths. We’re now one step closer to that goal. Today, we published early results from our clinical trial of the vaccine ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (also known as AZD1222), designed byContinue Reading
Many retired players report injuries last long after they stop playing. Roger Sedres/ Shutterstock Rugby brings a risk of injury at all levels of the game. But for professional rugby players, there’s an even higher risk of injury. And often, these injuries can last a long time. Our research foundContinue Reading
Those most at risk are male, non-elite, regular exercisers with a body mass index of over 30. Daxiao Productions/ Shutterstock If you’re a gym regular, you’re probably familiar with the feeling of achey or sore muscles a day or two after overdoing it slightly during your workout. But while thisContinue Reading
algae/Shutterstock People who have been seriously unwell and treated on intensive care units can expect to take some months to recover fully, regardless of their ailment. However, with COVID-19, evidence is mounting that some people who have had relatively mild symptoms at home may also have a prolonged illness. OverwhelmingContinue Reading
THC and CBD, both cannabis compounds, have very different effects on the brain. Dmytro Tyshchenko/ Shutterstock Cannabis use has long been associated with memory loss. But until now, this notion was largely anecdotal. As researchers begin to look into cannabis and the effect that it has on human health, they’reContinue Reading
Exercising with friends is one way of protecting your health as you age. Jenny Sturm/ Shutterstock No one is immune to developing chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cancer or arthritis as they get older. But research shows social activities, like joining clubs, interest groups or volunteering, are linked toContinue Reading
In March, 10,000 NHS staff signed a letter to UK prime minister Boris Johnson demanding better protection against COVID-19. Nurses and doctors wanted to treat patients without fear of infecting them and to minimise their own risk of falling ill. But they lacked the proper protective equipment. The problem theyContinue Reading
Raffi Kojian/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA Since the beginning of the pandemic, much work has been done to test whether antimalarial drugs can treat COVID-19. Hydroxychloroquine, the most well known, has been found to be ineffective. But in Africa, another drug has been attracting attention: artemisinin. Obtained from the sweet wormwoodContinue Reading
People going to work during the blitz. Imperial War Museum/Wikimedia Commons As COVID-19 spread in Britain, journalists and politicians took to comparing the pandemic to the blitz. From the “blitz spirit” to the death toll, the German bombing campaign in the second world war has become a go-to for evaluatingContinue Reading
