Ava Begley’s parents say they feel “deeply grateful” that the researchers, from 91ֱ�� University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and The University of Manchester (UoM), have made this discovery, which is one of the most common genetic causes of severe epilepsy.

Delivered through the this groundbreaking work is already transforming the lives for many children and young people around the world, providing long-awaited answers and hope for the future.

Ava’s parents, Daniel Begley and Elizabeth Dowd, from Sydney, Australia, said: “Our first reaction was a mixture of emotion – relief at finally having a diagnosis, but also sadness in understanding the seriousness of the condition and how rare it is. Above all, we felt grateful that Ava’s experience may contribute to greater knowledge and future progress and treatment.”

This new condition, which the researchers have named as “Recessive RNU2-2-related neurodevelopmental disorder”, results in difficult-to-control seizures and severe developmental delays in children, often appearing within their first year of life.

Published in the journal , the research has so far identified 84 individuals living with the new condition, while experts estimate that thousands more remain undiagnosed across the world.

The team estimates that millions of people globally could be ‘carriers’ of the faulty gene behind this disorder.

91ֱ�� lead and first author of the paper Dr Adam Jackson, Academic Clinical Fellow at the 91ֱ�� Centre for Genomic Medicine, part of MFT, and The University of Manchester, explained: “We believe that as many as in 1 in 100 people could unknowingly be carriers of this condition. If both parents are carriers, there is a 1 in 4 chance with every pregnancy that their child could be affected. We estimate roughly 1 in 40,000 people may be living with this condition, making it one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders currently known. Our discovery brings hope for many patients and families who have been searching for answers and is already having a positive impact around the world.”

This major advance builds on in which they showed the importance of the RNU genes in brain development and function.

The research team made the new discovery by analysing changes in several hundred RNU genes in data of individuals who took part in the 100,000 Genomes Project, a Genomics England initiative to sequence and study the role genes play in health and disease.

Dr Jackson, who is also an early career researcher in the NIHR 91ֱ�� BRC’s Rare Conditions Theme, explained: “What makes this discovery even more remarkable is that RNU2-2 is extremely small in comparison to other genes. Unlike most other genes, RNU2-2 does not even make a protein. We were astonished to discover how changes in this tiny gene can have such profound effects in so many individuals.”

Children with the condition experience severe early on in life, often in their first year. This means they have seizures – sudden surges of electrical activity in the brain which can cause the body to stiffen, jerk, shake and lose consciousness. These seizures can be difficult to fully control with medication, highlighting the urgent need for improved therapies.

The condition also has a profound impact on brain development, causing delays or inability to achieve key milestones such as walking or talking. Almost all affected individuals have significant learning problems.

Ava’s story

6-year-old Ava has lived with complex neurological symptoms from early childhood and requires full-time care and ongoing medical support.

Ava’s condition includes developmental delay, profound intellectual disability and severe epilepsy with frequent seizures. She would often experience 100 to 200 seizures per day, but these are now more controlled with medication.

Ava is non-verbal and cannot communicate through speech or gestures. She requires full-time support with daily life, including bathing, toileting and feeding. She also experiences major motor and balance difficulties, can only walk short distances and falls frequently. Ava often bites and pulls hair out and screams in frustration.

Collaborating with 91ֱ�� researchers, the Sydney Children’s Hospital Clinical Genetics Team who support Ava and her family, were able to link Ava’s condition to the newly identified recessive RNU2-2-related disorder.

Ava’s dad, Daniel and mum, Elizabeth, said: “Ava is a beautiful little girl with a bright presence. She loves looking through books, music, sensory play, being outdoors, and spending time with her family. Even with the immense challenges she faces, Ava brings extraordinary love and meaning into our lives. She has a deep presence about her that touches everyone who meets her.

“For many years we have been through extensive medical investigations, specialist appointments, and genetic testing, hoping to find an answer that could explain Ava’s condition and guide her care. Like many rare disease families, we have lived with a long period of uncertainty.

“Having a diagnosis is incredibly meaningful. It gives Ava a name and a place in the medical world, rather than being an unanswered mystery. It helps us feel that we are getting closer to the starting point of being able to find a cure/treatment, and provides hope that research and awareness may lead to better understanding and support in the future.

“We believe that rare disease research is vital, not only for families like ours, but for the broader medical community. Ava’s journey has been challenging, but she is deeply loved, and we are committed to advocating for her and for all children living with rare and complex conditions.”

91ֱ�� lead and senior author Consultant Clinical Geneticist at the 91ֱ�� Centre for Genomic Medicine at MFT, Professor of Genomic Medicine and Rare Diseases at UoM and Rare Conditions Theme Co-Lead at the NIHR 91ֱ�� BRC said: “Our work helps expand knowledge of conditions related to RNU genes, an emerging group of diseases which potentially affect around 1 in 10,000 individuals globally. It also shines a light on the regions of the human genome sometimes dismissed as ‘junk DNA’. We now see that so-called ‘dark regions’ are vital for health.”

Prof Banka, who is also Clinical Director of the , a virtual centre based at MFT which aims to improve the lives of people with rare conditions, added: “At MFT, we have established a dedicated RNU clinic to identify and support more patients with these conditions. Looking to the future, this discovery paves the way to help unlock life-changing treatments for the recessive RNU2-2-related neurodevelopmental disorder.”

Professor Marian Knight, Scientific Director for NIHR Infrastructure, said: “Discovering the cause for conditions like Ava’s is the first step to personalised treatment and improved lifelong health and quality of life. This breakthrough is a testament to the robust research infrastructure the NIHR has developed over the last 20 years, enabling us to turn world-class genomic science into better care.”

• The paper 'Biallelic variants in RNU2-2 cause a remarkably frequent developmental and epileptic encephalopathy is published in DOI: . 

A team of cancer genomics* scientists from The University of Manchester and The Institute of Cancer Research, London, forensically examined the genetic make-up of tumours in 16 different cancers. Their findings, which have been published in , are the culmination of six years’ of research and could significantly increase the number of cancer patients eligible for targeted and immune-based treatments. 

This landmark study was co-led by Professor David Wedge at the 91ֱ�� Cancer Research Centre and Professor Richard Houlson from The Institute of Cancer Research. It used whole-genome sequencing data from nearly 11,000 NHS patients with cancer, and is part of Genomics England’s 100,000 Genomes Project, which is the largest single genomics study for cancer ever to be undertaken worldwide. 

The researchers analysed hundreds of millions of mutations in 11,000 tumours which covered the whole genome of a human being which consists of more than three billion bases and includes around 20,000 genes. From this they were able to identify the most comprehensive map to date of genetics ‘scars’ left behind in cancer DNA. 

In total the team of ‘data detectives’ catalogued 370 million mutations and assigned them to 134 distinct mutational ‘signatures’ which are patterns of DNA damage that act like fingerprints of the processes that caused the cancer. Of these, 26 signatures were not previously included in the database of known signatures used by many scientists. 

The most significant finding was that many more patients may benefit from precision therapies than currently recognised. The study identified large numbers of tumours with evidence of homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) which is a weakness in DNA repair that makes cancers vulnerable to PARP inhibitors and platinum-based chemotherapy. HRD was identified in 16% of breast cancer tumours and 14% of ovarian cancer tumours, so based on UK figures, researchers estimated that more than 7,700 breast cancer patients and over 1,000 ovarian cancer patients in the UK could benefit from HRD-targeted therapies which is much greater than are currently identified through standard genetic testing for mutations in genes such as BRCA1/BRCA2 alone. 

This study also supports the growing theory that toxins produced by particular strains of E. coli in the gut could be the potential cause of the rise in early-onset bowel cancer in younger people. The team found this signature occurs more in younger patients than older patients, in contrast with several other signatures that tend to increase with a patient’s age. 

, professor of cancer genomics and data science at The University of Manchester said: “Every cancer develops because DNA is damaged over time. Different causes such as ultraviolet light, tobacco smoke or inherited gene faults leave different patterns in the genome. By reading these patterns we can now understand, in a larger proportion of cancers, what caused the cancer, when key mutations occurred, and which treatments are most likely to work.

“Until now, most testing has focused on mutations of a single base (or ‘letter’) in a cancer’s DNA. By analysing the entire genome and examining more complex mutations that affect multiple bases, I hope our research contributes to better predictions of which treatment might benefit specific patients. This could enable better targeting of treatment to those patients most likely to benefit, given the genetic make-up of their tumours.”

Professor Richard Houlston, head of cancer genomics at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: “The scale of this study was very large, as we analysed samples from almost every tumour type. The quantity of data was enormous, and although laborious to work through, we have been rewarded with a very exciting outcome. This study provides one of the clearest demonstrations yet that reading the full genetic history of a tumour can unlock clues to better patient care.  The future of cancer treatment lies not just in finding mutations, but in understanding the story they tell.”

Professor , Director of the 91ֱ�� Cancer Research Centre, a partnership formed in 2006 by The University of Manchester, Cancer Research UK and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust said: “This remarkable and comprehensive study demonstrates how 91ֱ�� is leading the charge in the field of big data genomics. The world-class research coming out of the Wedge lab is pioneering, and will transform our understanding of the human genome and the potential for better cancer treatments for our patients.”

The study is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) 91ֱ�� Biomedical Research Centre. 

* cancer genomics is the study of genetic changes in cancer cells to understand tumour development, progression and to guide personalised treatment.

• The study a Comprehensive repertoire of the chromosomal alteration and mutational signatures across 16 cancer types is published in https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-025-02474-x

The recovery plan launched in January 2023 after one of the most testing years in NHS history with a perfect storm of pressures resulting in overwhelmed A&E departments, and significant numbers of patients waiting over 12-hours for beds.

Using national performance data, the 91ֱ�� team show that initial improvements in the 4-hour and 12-hour waiting time targets and in the category two ambulance response times were achieved in the 12 months after the plan was announced. These initial performance improvements have since plateaued.

said: “A core aim of the recovery plan was to bring people together to coordinate a unified whole system response to tackle urgent and emergency care performance. This has happened – though the complexity of meeting national targets, addressing local challenges and responding to rising demand means that many systems have been running to stand still.”

The recovery plan set out a number of ambitions, including:

• Improve to 76% of patients being admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours by March 2024.

• Improve ambulance response times for Category 2 incidents to 30 minutes on average over 2023/24.

During the period the recovery plan was implemented, the trend of declining performance for 4-hour waits and 12-hour waits was arrested, and performance improved across 4-hour waits, 12-hour waits and Category 2 ambulance response time between February and September 2023.

However, following September 2023, initial rates of improvement were not maintained across the different indicators, and performance plateaued. The findings demonstrate that meaningful improvement towards the set targets takes time to deliver, especially in the context of rising volumes in ED, experienced over this period.

The 91ֱ�� team found that successful and sustainable change depends not only on service developments but also on three broad enablers - improved communication, partnership working, and visible and present leadership - identified via in-depth key informant interviews conducted as part of the evaluation.

said “Our real-time evaluation of the impact of the 2023 recovery has provided crucial insights that have informed current and future winter planning. This demonstrates the value of NIHR’s investment in independent, rapid and responsive evaluation to inform decision-making and future service delivery.”

The report Independent evaluation of the 2023-2025 NHS Delivery Plan for Recovering Urgent and Emergency Care Services, including prioritisation of the high-impact initiatives is available .

It follows a campaign led by a national coalition of partners, including academics from The University of Manchester, and  legal representatives from Garden Court Chambers and Bhatt Murphy Solicitors, who challenged the previous policy framework.

The rules, which affect asylum seekers who have waited 12 months or more for a decision on their initial claim, come into effect on 26 March 2026.

The previous policy restricted asylum seekers to occupations on the Immigration Salary List, excluding most health professions, including doctors and nurses.

One of the leading voices in the campaign was the Refugee and Asylum Seekers Centre for Healthcare Professionals Education (REACHE), directed by, Dr Aisha Awan, a Senior Clinical Lecturer at The University of Manchester and Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation.

Displaced clinicians at REACHE receive specialist language, clinical and acculturation training alongside strong pastoral support, enabling them to secure regulatory registration and safely return to practice within the NHS.

The policy change follows legal proceedings which highlighted that highly qualified, NHS-ready clinicians were unable to work in shortage specialties despite clear workforce need.

Dr Awan said: “As we continue to witness increasing displacement of people by conflict and global events, we must ethically address that doctors, nurses and health professionals becoming deskilled is a huge loss to humanity.

“Alongside being economically counterproductive, undermining NHS workforce capacity and negatively impacting mental health and integration.

“At a time of increasingly hostile rhetoric around migration, it’s been important to show the impressively positive impacts of this programme on the NHS and patients.

 “I’m immensely  proud to be part of our University which supports this sort of positive and impactful change. Our success demonstrates how evidence, persistence and coalition-building can influence systems, no matter how big the resistance to change.”

Undergraduate students from the University’s school of Law, Medicine, Computer Sciences and Languages were involved in the Interfaculty Service Learning project, attending the judicial review hearings.

Maria-Ioana Dicu a second year computer science undergraduate, was one of the undergraduates  to observe how research, evidence and advocacy connect within real-world policy debates.

She  said:  “These doctors resilience and desire to help others was incredibly powerful and their fight to practice shows the impact you can have if you step outside your comfort zone, even against all the odds.”

Aaron Drovandi, Senior Lecturer in Medical Education Research at The University of Manchester, who was involved in the data and evaluation for REACHE said: “The team have achieved tremendous impact on international debate and national policy, with the work being  acknowledged by a broad range of stakeholders including the British Medical Association and World Health Organisation.”

Stephanie Harrison KC, Garden Court Chambers, said: “Our clients were highly qualified doctors who wished to provide their skills to NHS patients in need. One of our clients was able to take up a role that had remained unfilled for over a year. This is an important step but the full removal of restrictions still recommended. It is important that policy is guided by reason and compassion, recognising both the contribution individuals can make and the wider needs of society.”

Becky Hart, from Bhatt Murphy Solicitors, said: “We are glad the Secretary of State has agreed to amend her policy to expand the jobs those claiming asylum can work in… to include doctors, nurses, and other skilled occupations.”

Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President (Social Responsibility), at The University of Manchester  said: “We are proud to have played a part in this success, which is a powerful illustration of how The University of Manchester values social responsibility and interdisciplinary collaboration.

“It also reflects our obligation, as a university, to act ethically, contribute positively to society, and prepare students not only academically but also as responsible global citizens. It is a concept that connects education with real-world impact, so that we do not exist in isolation but actively shape a better future.”

Image from left to right:
Front Row: Becky Hart Solicitor Bhatt Murphy; Isaac Ricca-Richardson KC Garden Court Chambers; Aisha Awan Senior Clinical Lecturer UoM, Director of REACHE 
Back row: REACHE Doctors;  Stephanie Harrison KC  Garden Court Chambers; Maeve Keaney - REACHE Founder; Maria-Ioana Dicu - UoM Yr 2 Computer Science Undergraduate, Faculty of Science and Engineering; Dorothy Anand - UoM Yr 2 Law Undergraduate, Faculty of Arts

Announced on Tuesday (24 March), the Russell Group’s 24 leading universities, including The University of Manchester, set out plans to train more than 181,000 students in subjects critical to health and care by 2030 – an increase of more than 15%. This includes doctors, dentists, nurses and midwives delivering frontline care, alongside engineers, social scientists and technology specialists whose expertise is increasingly essential to improving today’s healthcare services.

The University of Manchester already educates around 3,000 medical and dentistry students, and Russell Group universities in the North West collectively train over 17,000 people in the skills we need for a healthier future.  

The commitment will also support the growth of life sciences companies, helping to bring new treatments, technologies and high-skilled jobs to communities across the country.

While expanding training, universities will also work to remove barriers so that more students from disadvantaged backgrounds can access medical and health careers. This includes expanding initiatives, such as targeted gateway courses, summer schools and mentoring that make health and care careers more open to students from all backgrounds.

At The University of Manchester, the commitment builds on a long-standing focus on widening participation and supporting regional skills needs, particularly across Greater 91ֱ�� and the North West.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, who is chairing the Russell Group working group behind the commitment, said: “One thing that distinguishes Russell Group universities – like The University of Manchester – is our unique combination of groundbreaking discovery research and our role in training the health workforce of the future.

“Our commitment is to training 181,000 graduates in health and care-related subjects by 2030, a 15% increase; increasing access for students from all backgrounds to join these vital professions; and supporting the growth of life sciences and innovation to help create high-skilled jobs and attract investment into communities.

“And we’re going to do it in partnership with the NHS and the patients, families, workers, industries and communities we serve. It’s about ensuring that the work of our universities translates into meaningful, real-world impact.

“There is more to do, but this represents an important step forward.”

The University of Manchester recently formed a new partnership with Wigan & Leigh College and the Greater 91ֱ�� Colleges network to place PhD researchers into Further Education classrooms, helping to strengthen teaching in priority subjects such as engineering, digital skills and STEM. The programme helps colleges with specialist expertise, while giving postgraduate researchers valuable teaching experience and building stronger links between further and higher education.

Other recent initiatives include hands-on pharmacy workshops and Healthcare Careers Pathway Days, offering students opportunities to meet professionals, visit campus and gain practical advice on applications.

The University also runs , such as Lancashire Access Medics and the , designed to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds into medicine.

While delivering on these commitments, Russell Group universities will for the first time convene a nationwide series of community engagement events.

The University of Manchester will host an in-person roundtable event bringing together partners from across the region to explore the future of the healthcare workforce. It will focus on how The University of Manchester can work with the health ecosystem in Greater 91ֱ�� to expand inclusive pathways into health careers and secure a strong and sustainable pipeline of talent for the NHS.

The agreement to house the memorial at the University follows a commitment by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater 91ֱ��, to find a permanent and fitting home for it within the city-region. The memorial will now become part of the University’s collections, where it will be cared for as a place of remembrance, reflection and learning for generations to come.

Developed in collaboration with Inquiry participants, the memorial contains bottles with a message in each one written by someone affected by the scandal.

On display at the Infected Blood Inquiry until the publication of the Inquiry Report in May 2024, the memorial has been sited  in the . Its presence at the University will support research, teaching and public engagement, particularly in areas relating to patient safety, ethical practice in healthcare, trust, and health inequalities.

As a civic university rooted in 91ֱ��, the University is committed to working alongside communities to acknowledge difficult histories and to create spaces where reflection and learning can take place with care and respect. Through exhibitions, teaching programmes and public events including the annual Universally 91ֱ�� Festival, the memorial will remain accessible to the public, helping to ensure that the experiences of those affected continue to be heard and understood. 

By providing a permanent home for the Infected Blood Inquiry Memorial, the University hopes to honour those whose lives were changed forever, while supporting ongoing dialogue, understanding and learning that can help shape a more compassionate and responsible future in healthcare and public life.

Christine Burney, the widow of Peter Burney, who died of hepatitis following a blood transfusion said: “I lost my husband Peter Burney in 2019 to liver cancer, after being given hepatitis C following a blood transfusion. The inquiry memorial holds deep personal significance. As I live on the outskirts of Manchester I have visited it numerous of times since its arrival on the university grounds, finding solace in its presence.

It serves as a vital, permanent reminder of this tragedy for the medical professionals of tomorrow. My hope is that by including this history in their curriculum we ensure that the lessons of the past directly inform the care and ethics of the future.”

Sir Brian Langstaff, Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry, said: “We must never forget the devastating effects of what happened. Foremost among them is the anguish, suffering and profound loss, so eloquently highlighted by the messages carefully placed in this Memorial by people infected and affected.  I wish to thank the University of Manchester for providing a permanent home for the Memorial. It stands now, and for the future, as a testament to all of those who fought so long to be heard.  The infected blood disaster was not an accident and its like must never happen again.” 

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater 91ֱ��, said: "This memorial is a powerful way to honour those thousands of people and their family members who suffered so much and those whose lives continue to be blighted by the infected blood scandal.  I hope this memorial provides some closure, and a place for reflection for all people fighting injustice.

“I pay tribute to the campaigners like Fred and Eleanor Bates from Wythenshawe who never gave in and helped me understand the scale of the injustice. I am proud that the memorial will be based here, in the centre of Manchester, and I know they would be too.”

Professor Stephanie Snow, Professor of Health, History and Policy and Academic Lead for Public Engagement who is based at The University’s  Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine said: “Our stewardship will honour the Inquiry’s intention that the Memorial will be a permanent symbol of the human suffering and loss caused by the contaminated blood scandal.

“Many thousands of NHS patients were infected after being given contaminated blood in what has been called the biggest treatment disaster in the history of the NHS.

“According to the inquiry, the victims had been failed "not once, but repeatedly", since 1948, the date when the risk of viral infections in blood products originated. This memorial is a fitting tribute and a powerful reminder of their story. We are honoured it is to become part of the University’s collections.

John McAuliffe, Associate Vice President (Cultural Portfolio) at The University of Manchester and Director of was also part of the team who helped to bring the monument to 91ֱ��.

He said: “Our collections inspire and nurture world-class research, teaching and learning and this memorial will be of huge interest to writers, historians, social scientists, clinicians and scientists,  and others connected to the Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine, and to the University’s research platforms, Creative 91ֱ�� and Healthier Futures, which support interdisciplinary research, as well as to colleagues and students attached to the Justice Hub, the Centre for New Writing and the Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology.

Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President for Social Responsibility at The University of Manchester said: “As a civic university, we believe it is important to remember difficult histories with honesty, compassion and respect. The Memory Bank Memorial gives powerful voice to those affected by the contaminated blood scandal and stands as a reminder of the human impact behind it. 

“It is a privilege for the University to become its custodian, and we hope it will support reflection, learning and dialogue for generations to come, reflecting our commitment to social responsibility and to serving our communities in 91ֱ�� and beyond.”

• Image from left to right: Sir Brian Langstaff, Andy Burnham, Stephanie Snow, Clair Walton, Nalin Thakkar

Poorer communities often face additional difficulties to accessing consistent, proactive and clearly defined dementia support within general practice.

Based on 20 in‑depth interviews with people with dementia and their carers, the researchers highlight how socioeconomic disadvantage  adds additional  complexity to their healthcare.

Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR ) School for Primary Care Research, the study is published in the .

Participants were recruited from areas ranked in the lowest two quintiles of the ensuring that voices often absent from dementia research were highlighted.

The researchers analysed the interviews using reflexive thematic analysis, a qualitative research method used to identify, analyse, and interpret patterns of meaning.

It revealed four interconnected themes that shaped participants’ experiences:

• Proactive continuity of care is essential to helping people with dementia retain a sense of identity as the condition advances.
• Formal support often falls away just as care needs escalate, leaving families feeling abandoned at the most critical stages.
• Widespread difficulty navigating what respondents see as a fragmented and often bewildering primary care system.
• Uncertainty across general practice about who is responsible for ongoing dementia support, with many patients and carers unclear about where the condition sits within routine care.

While views varied, some participants felt local resources and individual social networks influenced the quality of care they received.

The findings suggest that clearer communication, proactive follow‑up and more consistent relationships with primary care professionals could significantly improve the experiences of people with dementia.

The study also emphasises the need for a clearer definition of primary care’s role in dementia management, particularly as policy discussions increasingly point toward primary care‑led post‑diagnostic support.

Lead researcher Dr from The University of Manchester said: “It was a real privilege to interview the people with dementia and the carers for this study, and I’m very grateful to them all.

“Our work shows that people with dementia in disadvantaged areas are navigating a system that often feels fragmented, reactive and unclear, at a time when stability and continuity matter most.”

“By strengthening proactive contact and clarifying who is responsible for dementia care, primary care services can make a profound difference to patients and families.

“Addressing these gaps is essential to ensuring equitable, person‑centred dementia care across the UK.”

Co-author , director of the NIHR Greater 91ֱ�� PSRC and professor at The University of Manchester, added: “The themes we identified are an important insight into how people with dementia feel about the healthcare they receive from their primary care teams.

“Understanding this is an important step to improving the post-diagnostic healthcare we offer for people with dementia in the community.”

• The paper Experiences of primary care for people with 2 dementia from socio-economically 3 disadvantaged areas: a qualitative study, published in the British Journal of General Practice is available DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/BJGP.2025.0407

Delivered collaboratively by the Universities of Manchester, Bristol and Liverpool, the new PhD Programme will train 40 of the UK’s most promising scientists to move beyond disciplinary boundaries and adopt integrated approaches to heart–brain health.  Together, they will uncover the biological and societal drivers that link heart and brain diseases, develop new tools for early detection, create predictive digital models for personalised care, and design therapies that target shared pathways across both organ systems. This integrated approach reflects the growing need for preventative, system-level solutions as populations age and multimorbidity rises.

 Recognising the need for integrative research linking heart and brain diseases, the programme is centred on the principles of multidisciplinary. Students will work on ambitious cross-disciplinary projects spanning discovery bioscience, engineering, data science, imaging, epidemiology and behavioural science. Bringing these different perspectives together will enable new insights into complex disease processes and help drive innovative solutions to some of the biggest challenges in cardiovascular and neurological health.

Cohort-based training across all three universities, alongside strong industry partnerships and access to world-leading infrastructure, will provide students with a rich and collaborative research environment. Together, these opportunities will equip them with the skills, networks and experience needed to become the future leaders driving innovation in cardiovascular and neurological research, with real impact for patients and health systems alike.

The programme application was led by Dr Gina Galli (University of Manchester), Professor Deirdre Lane (University of Liverpool) and Professor Alastair Poole (University of Bristol), who will be Directors of the new programme. For 91ֱ��, this sees a continuation of our sustained BHF-funded PhD programme that has been running successfully since 2009, training present and future generations of cardiovascular researchers.

Professor Ashley Blom, Vice President and Dean of Biology, Medicine and Health at The University of Manchester said: “We are delighted to be part of this national training programme which looks at  the links between heart and brain diseases, an important yet under-researched area of  cardiovascular medicine.”

According to The University of Manchester led on mice, published in the American Heart Association Stroke journal today (insert date) and funded by the Medical Research Council, the timing of anakinra must be adjusted to avoid reducing the benefits of the clot‑busting therapy known as tissue plasminogen activator(tPA).

Stroke is the second leading cause of death and disability worldwide; experts estimate the number of people affected could rise by more than 80% over the next 25 years.

But despite decades of research and thousands of experimental drugs, the only approved medicines for treating the most common type of stroke — ischemic stroke — are clot‑busting drugs known as plasminogen activators, like tPA.

Though tPA can be lifesaving for acute ischemic stroke, about 2–6% of treated patients develop potentially fatal brain bleeding, according to the ECASS III trial of the early 2000s.

Though it must be given within 4.5 hours of symptom onset, many patients arrive too late or don’t know when symptoms started.

Scientists now know that inflammation plays a major role in worsening brain injury after a stroke, mostly driven by a molecule called interleukin‑1 (IL‑1).

Anakinra  - an interleukin‑1 receptor antagonist (IL‑1Ra) -  blocks IL‑1 and has shown promise in reducing inflammation in both laboratory and early clinical studies of stroke.

However, a  phase II clinical trial known as SCIL‑STROKE based at The Northern care Alliance NHS foundation Trust found that IL‑1Ra did not improve patient recovery overall.

“The findings of SCIL‑STROKE raise questions about whether the drug might interact negatively with standard clot‑busting treatment, “ said lead author , based at the University of Manchester.

Because nearly three‑quarters of patients in the SCIL‑STROKE trial received the clot‑busting drug tPA before IL‑1Ra, the researchers set out to investigate whether the two treatments might negatively interact  with each other.

They re‑examined data from the SCIL-STROKE trial and discovered that patients who received tPA before IL‑1Ra had significantly lower levels of IL‑1Ra in their blood, suggesting the drug was being broken down.

Laboratory research confirmed that IL‑1Ra can be cut apart by plasmin, an enzyme produced during tPA treatment, meaning the anti‑inflammatory drug may be degraded before it can work.

Researchers then tested the interaction in a mouse model of stroke, using dosing schedules that matched those used in the clinical trial.

When IL‑1Ra was given after tPA, no harmful interaction was seen, and the protective effects of tPA were preserved.

However, when IL‑1Ra was given at the same time as tPA — during the clot‑busting process — the benefits of tPA were dramatically reduced, with brain damage shrinking by only 15% compared to 68% with tPA alone.

The mice receiving both drugs together also showed poorer blood flow in the brain, more inflammatory immune cells entering damaged tissue, and higher levels of harmful structures called neutrophil extracellular traps. This indicates that the drug interaction is also detrimental to the anti-inflammatory effect of IL-1Ra.

Dr Mosneag added: “Our findings suggest that IL‑1Ra can interfere with tPA’s ability to dissolve clots when the two drugs are present in the bloodstream at the same time.

“The results also help explain why IL‑1Ra levels were lower in patients who received tPA first, as plasmin generated during clot‑busting appears to break down IL‑1Ra.

”However, the  effect of tPA on IL-RA -  the opposite order -  isn’t necessarily a problem  as IL-1RA was still active in reducing IL-6 in the SCIL-STROKE study, but this needs further evaluation.”

Co-author Professor from The University of Manchester said: “This study  shows that timing is very likely to be a critical factor in the efficacy of  IL‑1Ra, which  will be beneficial if given after tPA rather than alongside it.

“We also need to test whether similar interactions occur with other clot‑busting drugs such as tenecteplase, which may be less likely to break down IL‑1Ra due to its greater specificity.”

Co-author from the University of Manchester said: “This study has important implications for further development of IL-1Ra as a treatment for ischaemic stroke, where there remains a focus on maximising delivery of thrombolysis drugs to eligible patients as quickly as possible in clinical care.  Future studies will need to investigate the timing and effectiveness of IL-1Ra treatment after receiving tPA.”

• The paper Timing-dependent cleavage of Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist by alteplase impairs neuroprotection in ischemic stroke is available

Working Well: Roots to Dental Jointly led by University of Manchester, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, and Greater 91ֱ�� Combined Authority (GMCA). The scheme has already shown how addressing oral health can make a real difference to people’s lives, improving residents’ confidence and readiness for work while supporting the training of the next generation of dentists.

One participant said: “Previously I struggled with pain when eating and sensitivity all the time. I could not drink without a straw, and this makes people look funny at you. Now I have had two root canals on my front teeth I can bite better and eat better, and it’s not sore. I feel more confident to smile as my teeth are a much better colour. I can’t wait to have the rest of them done... I think it will improve my employment prospects by looking better and having less pain.”

This success comes against a wider backdrop of unemployment linked to health and disability in Greater 91ֱ��, with oral health emerging as a significant but often hidden barrier to accessing and sustaining good jobs. Working Well: Roots to Dental is a leading example of how to integrate oral health and employment support as well as giving opportunities to dental students to make a difference to local communities. It connects directly to Greater 91ֱ��’s ambition to remove barriers to good jobs by providing everyday, neighbourhood‑based support that links health, skills and opportunity, so residents can thrive in work and life.

Following a successful pilot supporting over 200 residents, the scheme was recognised with an Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) Employability Award for Adding Social Value, won in partnership with employment support provider Ingeus. It now plans to widen access to even more Greater 91ֱ�� residents through the Working Well programme and other selected referral pathways, so that more people can benefit from integrated dental treatment and employment support.

Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, Greater 91ֱ�� lead for Technical Education and Skills, said:  

“Roots to Dental shows what’s possible when we join up health, skills and employment support in a way that works for everyone. Residents are getting the treatment and confidence they need to move closer to work, while dental students gain vital, real‑world experience that prepares them for their future careers.”

Sarah-Jade Akintomide, undergraduate dental student said:

“T����dzܲ��� Roots to Dental, I am learning to deliver high-quality treatment to help people smile again. It's about more than just teeth; it's about restoring people's confidence and improving their quality of life.”

Professor Allan Pacey, Deputy Dean and Deputy Vice President of the Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health said:

“Social Responsibility is a core goal at The University of Manchester and so I am delighted that our students are making a real difference in communities where change is so desperately needed.”

• Working Well is a family of services that support people experiencing or at risk of long-term unemployment due to poor health or complex needs.
• To date, over 92,000 residents in Greater 91ֱ�� have been supported.
• Working Well: Roots to Dental has recognised unmet need in relation to oral health and employment. Many participants were living in dental pain and felt embarrassed about their teeth, impacting on their ability to move into work.
• Data from a cohort of 4,469 participants in a related Work and Health programme showed:

o   10% had pain or problems in their mouth

o   A further 10% felt embarrassed about speaking and smiling due to dental issues

o   40% of participants had no access to a regular dentist

• Residents or key workers supporting Working Well services can find out more on the Greater 91ֱ�� Combined Authority website:

This pioneering study, led by scientists at the University of Manchester and involving teams in Denmark, has been published in

In what is considered a major breakthrough in the battle against brain cancer, scientists have found early evidence that a pair of proteins in the blood may help identify glioblastoma with high accuracy and provide insights into how the disease responds to treatment.

Glioblastoma is notorious for late diagnosis, rapid progression, resistance to treatment and extreme biological complexity. At present, diagnosis and follow-up rely largely on MRI scans and invasive surgical biopsies, which can miss early changes and cannot be repeated frequently. As a result, clinicians often struggle to determine in real time whether a treatment is working or whether the tumour is beginning to return.

The new research shows that two blood-borne proteins – coagulation factor IX (F9) and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) – form a powerful “dual-marker” signature that distinguishes patients with glioblastoma from healthy individuals with high accuracy (more than 90%). In samples taken from patients during surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the markers showed dynamic changes, reflecting treatment response and disease progression.

Professor, The Brain Tumour Charity chair of Translational Neuro-Oncology at The University of Manchester, who led the study, said: “Glioblastoma is one of the most devastating cancers we face. Late detection is among the contributing factors to poor outcomes and a source of anxiety our patients face leading up to their diagnosis. The lack of reliable tests has been a major barrier to earlier diagnosis and treatment response monitoring. What is remarkable about our findings is that, despite these tumours being very different in genetic make-up, and constantly evolving, the signal in the blood is stable, robust and highly informative. We hope that once validated, this simple blood test may pave the way for earlier diagnosis and more precise monitoring of patients during and after therapy.

 “Our dual-marker blood test achieved diagnostic accuracy greater than 90 percent and continued to perform just as well when the disease returned. This opens the door to a future where we can follow the tumour’s behaviour through a simple blood sample, complement brain scans, and potentially recognise when the treatment isn’t working and the cancer returns much earlier than is currently possible. We still have a long way to go before we would see this used in clinic, but it’s a very promising and exciting development in neuro-oncology research.”

Dr Simon Newman, Chief Scientific Officer at The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “We are immensely proud to support Petra’s role as The Brain Tumour Charity’s Chair of Translational Neuro-Oncology through a grant worth £1.35 million. Early and accurate diagnosis is absolutely critical for people with brain tumours, yet current tools are limited and often invasive. This research therefore marks a significant step towards a simple blood test that could help clinicians detect glioblastoma and monitor how patients are responding to treatment in real time.”

Professor Hamerlik, who is also the brain tumour lead for concluded: “While validation of this finding is ongoing with the generous contribution of UK patients who kindly donated their blood for this research, our results strongly support the development of a clinically accessible blood test for glioblastoma. Ultimately, this could help doctors make more informed treatment decisions, reduce the need for repeated invasive procedures, and, most importantly, give patients and families clearer, earlier answers.”

The study was co-funded by The Brain Tumour Charity and conducted at The University of Manchester and the 91ֱ�� Cancer Research Centre (MCRC), reinforcing 91ֱ��’s leading role in translational neuro-oncology research. The Danish Cancer Society and NovoNordisk Foundation in Denmark also part-funded this study.

• The paper Non-Invasive Detection and Monitoring of Glioblastoma Subtypes via Dual-Marker Plasma Proteomics DOI
• Philanthropic support has been central to enabling this research. The University is proud to partner with the Brain Tumour Charity and a number of individual donors who support Petra and her team's work. Find out more about how supporting 91ֱ�� drives impact across our research here: Challenge Accepted

The research, published in is part of the Stroke IMPaCT study (Stroke – Immune Mediated Pathways and Cognitive Trajectory), a network of European and North American researchers who are working to discover how inflammation and immune responses contribute to post-stroke cognitive decline.

The team followed patients treated for an ischaemic stroke at Salford Royal Hospital, part of Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust. They measured levels of a protein called interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the days after stroke and again at both 6-9 and 18-21months. Participants also completed detailed tests of memory and thinking.

Interleukin-6 levels increased soon after stroke and, in most people, fell back to typical levels within 6-9 months. But in some patients, levels stayed high or rose again. These individuals were about eight times more likely to develop difficulties with thinking ability.

The researchers also saw differences between smokers and non-smokers. Smokers showed a different pattern of IL-6 change after stroke, with signs of longer-lasting inflammation. This ongoing inflammation was more strongly linked to problems with thinking and memory.

Lead author an MBPhD researcher at The University of Manchester, said: “Inflammation after stroke doesn't just happen once and disappear. By tracking this protein over time, we may be able to identify patients at greater risk of cognitive problems and eventually tailor support or treatments to them.”

Professor Craig Smith, Professor of Stroke Medicine at The University of Manchester and Consultant at Salford Royal, said: “Our findings suggest it's not just the initial spike in inflammation that matters- it's whether it properly settles down after the stroke. Smoking appears to interfere with this recovery, leaving people more vulnerable to memory and thinking problems.

Professor Stuart Allan added: “When the immune system's recovery after stroke doesn't occur as expected, patients appear more likely to experience cognitive difficulties. If future studies confirm interleukin-6 is the cause, we might one day use medications that block it to protect brain health.”

Co-lead author Harry Deijnen from the University of Manchester added: “Though it is clear that more research is needed, these results point towards new opportunities to improve long-term brain health by focusing on the body’s inflammatory recovery after stroke.”

• The work  was funded by the Leducq Foundation, Kennedy Trust, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and the British Heart Foundation. Philanthropic support has also been central to enabling this research. The University is proud to partner with donors in support of this work, including Louis and Amy Wong. Find out more about how supporting 91ֱ�� drives impact across our research here: Challenge Accepted. It was supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) 91ֱ�� Biomedical Research Centre (BRC)’
• The paper Longitudinal Plasma IL-6 and Post-Stroke Cognitive Outcomes: The Stroke-IMPaCT 91ֱ�� is available DOI:

MEC’s inaugural Researcher Launchpad programme reached an exciting finale on Tuesday 10th March, as early career researchers came together to present the commercial potential of their research to a panel of expert judges.

This marked the culmination of months of entrepreneurial exploration, customer discovery and skills development delivered through the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre’s newest flagship programme.

The final session featured a closed-door pitching round in which researchers unveiled early-stage innovations from across all faculties of the University. The judging panel provided targeted feedback on each idea - assessing commercial viability, clarity of value proposition, customer insight and potential for future development.

Following deliberations, all participants reconvened for the announcement of this year’s award recipients, alongside reflections from the judging panel and a networking session that brought the 2026 cohort together with mentors, programme facilitators and supporters from across the University’s innovation ecosystem.

A new programme built on a strong legacy

Researcher Launchpad represents the next evolution of the highly successful Researcher to Innovator (R2I) initiative, which since 2019 supported dozens of researchers to progress early-stage commercial ideas and secure innovation funding.

Building on this legacy, the enhanced Researcher Launchpad programme now offers an immersive and agile eight-week pre-accelerator designed for PhD and postdoctoral researchers aiming to develop commercial ventures. Throughout the programme, participants learn to articulate the commercial potential of their research, test and validate market assumptions through customer discovery, refine value propositions and routes to market, develop their pitching and communication skills, and build the confidence and entrepreneurial mindset needed to progress their ideas.

Celebrating achievement and enabling next steps

5 awards totalling £20,000 were granted to support the further development of researchers’ ideas. These awards will enable winners to progress activities such as prototype development, market research, technical validation, IP exploration or early engagement with users and stakeholders.

Award Winners

Innovation Enabling Award: £5,000

Foldes

Balint Macsuga (School of Natural Sciences)

"Researcher launchpad has really been a stepping stone for us. The programme equipped us to identify the main challenges of the physiotherapy sector and find the largest gap in market for foldES - our next generational knee-sleeve. We are grateful for the Researcher Launchpad team for their support and can only just recommend participation in the programme."

AI for Multilingualism

Dr Nourhan Heysham (School of Environment, Education and Development

"The Launchpad gave me the structure and confidence to move my idea forward. It provided the space to step back from day-to-day research and think through the opportunity from every angle."

Innovation Enabling Award: £4,000

Curvindiks

Phumza Sokhetye (School of Natural Sciences)

“The programme was a transformative experience that helped me refine my research into a venture-ready project and better understand how it can create real-world and social impact. It provided the skills and confidence needed to communicate the value of my work and take the first steps toward commercialisation.”

Innovation Enabling Award: £3,000

INVIAM: Microbial Recycling of Critical Metals

Patrick King (School of Natural Sciences)

“The MEC Researcher Launchpad is a perfect starting point for researchers who are curious about commercialisation, as well as those who are committed to it and taking their first steps towards that goal.”

Ovasight

Faisal Bala (School of Engineering)

“Two things stand out in this program: the well-paced training that aligns PhD with venture building, and the cash prize awarded upon completion to help you get started.”

Prize winners will also receive expert support and signposting to advanced accelerator programmes and all the participants on the programme will be connected to the wider ecosystem for continued mentoring, guidance and support as they take their research ideas forward.

Looking ahead:

As the Researcher Launchpad programme concludes its inaugural cycle, preparations are already underway for the next cohort. Researchers from all disciplines, whether new to innovation or already exploring commercial routes are encouraged to .

The programme forms part of MEC’s broader Researcher Pathway, a suite of workshops, training and development opportunities designed to strengthen entrepreneurial skills and support researchers to translate their expertise into real-world impact.

Applications to the flagship Venture Further Awards 2026 (VFA) are now open, featuring a brand new “Research-Led Disruption” track. Aligned with the MEC Researcher Pathway, this track supports the critical transition from breakthrough research to commercialisation, helping founders translate innovation into real-world impact.

Full details and application link can be found .

Find out more

To learn about upcoming programmes, workshops and opportunities for researchers, visit:

The findings partly explain why around 70% of rare diseases go undiagnosed, even in the UK, which arguably has the worlds most advanced genomic medicine service.

Led by a geneticist from The University of Manchester, the findings are published by the Editorial team at the Genetics in Medicine Journal (GIM)-  considered a world-leading clinical genetics journal -  in

It is frustrating news for the parents of the a year with rare genetic diseases, most of whom never receive a diagnosis, and many dying without the underlying cause being determined.

Correct nomenclature - as it is known- could also reduce the to the NHS of pursuing avoidable lengthy diagnostic journeys into rare genetic diseases -  thought to be over  £3 billion per decade.

Miscommunication caused by inconsistent genetic naming has, over time, led to documented cases of incorrect clinical management.

The researchers found that every manuscript submitted to the Genetic in Medicine Journal (the journal of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), who develop global professional standards in Clinical Genomics),  contained one or more errors.

That, they say, substantially reduced the probability of finding variants during routine searches. Such searches are required to gather diagnostic evidence, but if the evidence cannot be found due to findability issues, then a diagnosis may be missed.

The research is being incorporated into a new ACMG-led professional standard, which is being collaboratively developed with all the major professional societies and quality assurance bodies across the US, EU, UK and Canada, to be announced later this year.

The standard will govern the minimal acceptable standards for variant data in clinical reporting, databases and literature.  

Such standards have been legally binding in the United States but there is no indication yet that the UK will follow suit; however, the quality bodies that control UK genomic medicine standards are part of the ACMG-led coalition.

Dr Freeman, formerly of the University of Leicester, and now based at The University of Manchester devised a tool called to give each variant a standardised name, allowing diagnostic evidence to be shared and found.

Working with the , the Genetics in Medicine (GIM) editors assembled a technical editing team led by Dr Freeman to develop instructions for authors on proper variant reporting.

Hospital geneticists rely on published evidence to make diagnoses, but because of inconsistent variant naming, say the authors, they are often unable to locate relevant information, even if it exists.

Many geneticists, they say, are using simpler but less accurate nomenclature, preventing databases like ClinVar and the Leiden Open Variation Database (LOVD), and widely used AI discovery tools from identifying critical evidence and adding literature to ClinVar and LOVD records.

Dr Freeman, whose son has an undiagnosed genetic disorder, said: “The language of genomics, which guides everything from discoveries of gene-disease associations to rare disease diagnosis, relies on an established standardized system of naming genomic variants.

“This study has revealed a shocking level of inaccuracy in the naming of genetic variants-  which has real-world consequences. Me and my team have yet to find a journal article which uses the correct nomenclature and did not require intervention.”

He added: “Doctors almost always describe DNA variants using various outdated or non-standard naming systems, or fail to accurately apply the current standard. This means they are publishing data which is less findable, so may be missed by others in the field attempting to reach a diagnostic decision, denying the possibility of treatment.

“But even more importantly, for children like my son, not having a diagnosis means they cannot access the support services they desperately need to support their wellbeing and development.

“Nomenclature should accurately describe the changes in DNA sequencing observed when there is a genetic variant. But in many cases, this is simply not happening and is part of a complex set of problems that is causing miss or missed diagnoses.”

The team recommend:

• Universally adopting gene/variant nomenclature guidelines within published works.
• Implementing robust peer review processes to enforce gene/variant nomenclature standards.
• Supporting automated submission of structured variant and classification data into publicly available repositories
• Work with publishers to educate production and copyediting teams.

What misnaming means for patients

In an infamous example over decades, laboratories and clinicians used conflicting naming systems for Factor V Leiden, a common inherited genetic mutation that causes ,

That resulted in misinterpretation of patients’ thrombosis risk and inappropriate treatment decisions.

In another example, inconsistent reporting of variants of the gene CFTR in cystic fibrosis  has contributed to misunderstandings of carrier status and disease risk, leading to errors in family‑planning counselling for affected couples.

• The paper Universal Presence of Gene/Variant Nomenclature Errors in Journal Manuscript Submissions is available   

The awards celebrate excellence across the North of England’s life sciences community and recognise organisations delivering meaningful impact through scientific innovation, healthcare advancement and commercial success.

Professor Emma Stanmore, CEO of the NHS-approved downloadable health platform called , and the KOKU Team accepted the accolade at the Concorde Conference Centre in Greater 91ֱ�� last week.

KOKU-  short for Keep-On-Keep-Up -  has been widely used in NHS programmes, care homes, and by older adults at home to help improve strength, balance, and independence while preventing falls.

Researchers have shown it reduces functional decline by improving strength and balance and lowers the risk of falls, helping older people maintain independence and improve quality of life while reducing pressure on health and care services.

Falls remain one of the leading causes of injury, hospital admission and loss of independence among older adults, creating a significant challenge for health systems across the UK and globally.

By combining clinically validated exercise programmes with engaging digital design, KOKU supports sustained participation in strength and balance training that can be delivered safely at home.

The platform enables older adults to access tailored exercises suited to their individual ability and progress at their own pace while maintaining motivation through game-based features.

Healthcare providers can also use the platform to support preventative care strategies aimed at improving mobility, strength and confidence in ageing populations.

This year’s awards  saw 149 applications from 86 organisations, a record level of engagement that reflected the strength and diversity of innovation across the region

Emma Stanmore  is  Professor in Gerontology and Healthy Ageing Research Group Lead at the University of Manchester ’s School of Health Sciences.

She said: “This award is a fantastic recognition of the work our team has done to create a solution that genuinely improves people’s lives.

“Our goal has always been to help older adults stay stronger, safer and more independent for longer, and we are incredibly proud to see KOKU recognised for the positive impact it is already making.

“Winning Product of the Year highlights the growing importance of digital health technologies that combine clinical evidence with scalable solutions capable of reaching large patient populations.

“KOKU continues to expand its partnerships with healthcare providers and organisations focused on healthy ageing as demand grows for digital tools that support preventative care and long-term wellbeing.”

Bionow is a membership organisation that supports and connects companies, universities, and professionals in the life sciences and biotech sectors across Northern England.

It provides networking, events, industry advocacy, and business support to help grow the regional life sciences ecosystem

• See more about KoKu

Professor Ruth Itzhaki from The Universities of Manchester and Oxford, reveals how for many woman and girls, extreme violence, sexual attacks, killings tied to the honour of a family or clan, and female genital mutilation are a common reality.

A  leading neurovirologists who is known for her pioneering research into the role of viruses in Alzheimer’s disease, her book is the culmination of years of work published by World Scientific.

She was inspired to turn her hand to global women’s rights after reading harrowing  news reports-  and a shocking TV documentary showing Dalit women in India forced to remove human waste by hand using only straw brushes and pans.

Drawing on authoritative sources from the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and under researched government surveys, she presents a comprehensive and troubling picture of women’s rights in low and middle income countries (LMIC).

The book draws on extensive evidence from LMICs where data is available, showing abuses are widespread but nearly always under‑reported.

In some LMICs, even if the crimes are punishable by law, public opinion in general tolerates or even condones the crimes.

Professor Itzhaki said: “For millions of women and girls, their value is frequently measured solely by their ability to produce sons, forcing many into repeated pregnancies regardless of age or health.

“An innocent glance at a man can lead to punishment; dishonour can lead to violent retribution or even death, inflicted by male relatives -  sometimes, with the assent of female relatives-  who believe they are restoring family pride.

“Girls can be married long before adolescence; their education restricted or banned entirely in some countries.

“Widows can be blamed for their husbands’ deaths, accused of witchcraft, dispossessed of their homes, and forbidden to remarry.

“In one country – Afghanistan - women are even banned from speaking audibly in public.”

The book also offers practical guidance on how individuals and communities can help combat gender‑based violence and discrimination.

It emphasises the importance of supporting organisations that protect survivors, promote equal rights, and work to end violence against women.

And it urges parents and educators to help shaping children’s understanding of equality, respect, and human rights, calling for conversations that help young people reject rigid expectations of how men and women should behave.

She added: “I hope this book will inspire readers to take action, advocate for justice, and support initiatives that empower women through education, healthcare, and economic opportunity.

“It shows these abuses are not isolated incidents but systemic crimes affecting vast numbers of girls and women simply because of their sex.

“But despite that,  public awareness remains dangerously low; silence allows these injustices to persist.

“Especially pertinent on international women’s day, this book is an attempt to redress that balance.”

The annual ceremony, which took  place on Wednesday  March 4 at 1:15pm, will remember the donors whose selfless gift has helped hundreds of medical, dental and science students gain a deeper understanding of human anatomy.

The donors also give surgeons a crucial opportunity to further their knowledge of anatomy in their quest to constantly improve clinical techniques and procedures.

The service, which is distinct from the final committal or funeral service of the donors, was multi-denominational so any religious belief - or those without - were warmly welcomed.

Relatives and friends of the donors attended the ceremony alongside students, academics, technical and bequethals staff along with senior leaders at the University.

There was  a candle lighting ceremony during the service where a candle will be lit for each donor and their names read out.

Professor Margaret Kingston, Director of Undergraduate Medical and Dental Education spoke alongside Dr Bipasha Choudhury, School Lead for  Anatomy.

There was bereadings from Humanist minister Paul Costello, Methodist minister Richard Mottershead and Father Dushan, a Roman Catholic priest.

The Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Greater 91ֱ��, His Majesty the King’s representative for Greater 91ֱ��, was present.

Professor Nalin Thakkar,  Vice-President for Social Responsibility at the University of Manchester said: “As a University, we would like to express our deepest thanks to those who gave their bodies to science: your final act became a beginning for countless others.

“Their generosity helps knowledge to grow, medicine and science to advance, and humanity to move forward. Their wonderful gift will not be forgotten.”

Dr Choudhury said: “We are sincerely grateful to the donors for the gift they have bestowed upon our students and staff, helping us learn human anatomy in a profoundly moving way.

“T����dzܲ��� their generosity, and the generosity of their families, future health care professionals gain a deep understanding of the form and workings of the human body.”

The wife of one of our donors said: “We were moved by the serious gratitude expressed in the words of the service. The candle and name card represent the fact that the last resting place of John’s body is not under a gravestone or in a casket but it the brain and memory of each student for whom this was his final teaching role.”

• For more details about donating your body to education and science, visit the University’s bequethals webpage .

At a time of interconnected global crises, this partnership is grounded in two-way learning: MSF’s frontline operational experience will inform research-led teaching at 91ֱ��, while the University’s interdisciplinary expertise will support critical reflection, enquiry-based learning, and innovation in humanitarian practice.

This partnership will deepen the relationship between the two institutions, developing associated teaching and research collaborations, improving awareness of mutual expertise, and expanding the networks which facilitate cooperation.

Operating in over 75 countries, such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Sudan, MSF provide life-saving medical humanitarian assistance where it is needed most and use their expertise to ease the suffering of those in crisis situations around the world.

For the next four years, the University will continue to take on cohorts of MSF staff for blended learning through its Leadership Education Academic Partnership (LEAP) Programme in Humanitarian Practice, a collaboration between the University’s Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute (), the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and MSF.

The new partnership aims to build on the benefits of staff exchange, stimulating academic input in research and development projects at MSF, and the creation of joint seminars and events, with staff from both organisations holding a mutual presence on steering committees and bodies such as MSF’s internal think tank, Centre de Réflexion sur l'Action et les Savoirs Humanitaires (CRASH).

Professor Nicolas Lemay-Hébert, Executive Director of HCRI, said: “The HCRI is committed to bringing together a broad range of expertise to facilitate positive global change and improve worldwide crisis response.

“Our part in helping to train MSF’s leaders through our multi-disciplinary approach to humanitarian solutions is an essential part of this mission. This partnership will benefit from a sharing of valuable expertise and resources and will work to accelerate that global change.”

The partnership also builds on what is an already-strong student engagement with MSF through Friends of MSF 91ֱ��, a student-led society for students interested in international crises, health equity and humanitarian work.

This new arrangement will allow the University to influence humanitarian activity by providing world-class research and resources to support MSF’s global humanitarian work in crises such as the civil war in Sudan, or widespread malnutrition, while gaining insight from MSF’s operations across the globe.

Self-harm has become increasingly common among young people in the UK. It can be a significant concern for young people themselves, their families, and the services that support them, and is associated with a range of other psychological difficulties in both the short and long term. This trial follows previous research suggesting that CAT may show promise in helping adults who self-harm.

Dr Peter Taylor, from The University of Manchester and co-lead of the trial, said: “We know that difficulties with self-harm often begin during adolescence, and for some people they can have a lifelong impact. Talking therapies can help. We believe CAT has potential here, but further research is needed.”

Professor Stephen Kellett, from Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust and the other co-lead, added:“CAT is different from many therapies currently used for self-harm, as it focuses more on the relationships young people have with others and with themselves, and how these patterns can contribute to self-harm.”

RELATE-YP is a feasibility trial, meaning it is an early step in testing whether CAT is a suitable treatment for young people who self-harm. The study will explore whether young people find CAT helpful and whether a larger trial would be appropriate.

The trial is currently running across three NHS Foundation Trusts:

1.                  Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust

2.                  Greater 91ֱ�� Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

3.                  Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust

The study is recruiting young people through Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Cameron Latham, a co-investigator who also has personal experience of self-harm, commented on why this research is needed: “Self-injury affects the lives of so many people and a brief, effective, available therapy for young people would be a valuable addition to treatment. Throughout this trial part of my role is to further ensure the well-being of those who self-injure and through PPI involvement ensure the voices of patient, parents and carers are heard.”

Published in , the study was mainly funded by the Medical Research Council. Respondents were members of a long-term project on police health at Imperial College London, which also provided infrastructure support for the survey. 

Most UK police officers wear an ear-piece in one ear. The devices are capable of high sound levels so that they can be heard over background noise. Past reports have emphasised that officers must choose low volume-control settings to protect their hearing. 

Until now, there has been no research into the volume settings actually used, or their effects on hearing health. 

The University of Manchester researchers asked 4,498 UK police personnel about their volume-control settings, patterns of ear-piece use, immediate after-effects, and long-term hearing symptoms. 

Over 45% of ear-piece users reported experiencing signs of temporary hearing loss (muffled hearing or ringing in their ear) immediately after using an ear-piece. These after-effects were more common in police who used higher volume-control settings. 

Even more important were links to long-term hearing problems. Ear-piece use accompanied by immediate after-effects more than doubled an officer’s risk of having tinnitus (spontaneously ringing ears, which can indicate permanent hearing damage). It also raised the risk of having diagnosed hearing loss by 93%. 

Crucially, symptoms were much more common in the ear with the ear-piece than the opposite ear, increasing the likelihood that hearing problems were directly linked to ear-piece use. 

The project’s senior advisor, Professor Chris Plack of The University of Manchester, said: “It’s not unusual to experience signs of temporary hearing loss after being in extremely noisy environments, such as nightclubs or concerts. For police to experience these after-effects in the workplace is concerning.” 

The lead researcher, of The University of Manchester, said: “We were surprised that ear-piece use with after-effects was so strongly linked to long-term hearing symptoms. And the fact that symptoms tended to appear in the exposed ear, rather than the opposite ear, is a particularly telling finding.”

But Dr Guest cautioned: “It’s important not to over-interpret our results, since they are based on survey responses. Going forward, laboratory hearing tests are needed to confirm whether ear-piece users have measurable differences between their ears.

“These should include standard clinical hearing tests, like those used by NHS audiologists, but also tests that are sensitive to the early warning signs of hearing damage.”

Professor Plack said: “We also need to understand why officers choose such high volume-control settings. This knowledge could help us find ways to reduce risks to police hearing, such as improved ear-piece technology, training for officers on safe use, and increased monitoring of hearing health.

“Our data aren’t the final word, but they are a notable discovery that warrants further investigation. They point to the need not only for follow-up laboratory testing but also for practical steps to reduce long-term risk.”

Dr Guest added: “We are pleased that key groups within UK policing - including the Disabled Police Association and the Police Chief Medical Officer - have been open to discussing our findings and are keen to explore measures to protect police hearing.”

• The paper, Leveraging monaural exposures to reveal early effects of noise: Evidence from police radio ear-piece use, is published at
• Simple visualisations of the key study findings are available for media professionals and the public at

The researchers found the same pattern of seasonal variation in the highest quality sperm in two very different climates— Denmark and Florida— suggesting that seasonality affects male fertility more than temperature alone.

The study was published in the peer-reviewed journal and has practical implications for male fertility care.

Understanding seasonal patterns, for example, could help clinics optimise the timing of treatment and fertility testing to provide better guidance to couples trying to conceive.

Though scientists have long known that many human biological processes change with the seasons, previous studies on the quality of semen at different times of the year have provided conflicting results due to small sample sizes or differences in climate and laboratory methods from study to study.

To address that, this new study analysed semen samples from 15,581 men applying to be sperm donors between 2018 and 2024.

The men were aged 18 to 45 and lived near Cryos International clinics in Denmark and Florida.

All samples were analysed within an hour using the same computer assisted system to ensure consistent measurement.

The team examined sperm concentration, sperm motility (how well sperm can swim and move forward), and ejaculate volume across all months of the year.

They also looked at outdoor temperatures during the month the sperm was collected and two months earlier, when early sperm development begins.

Advanced statistical models were used to identify seasonal trends while accounting for the man’s age, outdoor temperatures, and long-term changes across the study period.

The results revealed strong and consistent seasonal variation in the concentration of progressively motile sperm.

Fast‑moving sperm were most abundant in June and July in both Denmark and Florida.

Levels were lowest in December and January, even though Florida remains warm year round.

The study found no seasonal changes in total sperm concentration or ejaculate volume, suggesting the number of sperm produced does not vary by season, though their ability to move effectively does.

The number of motile sperm per ejaculate also followed a seasonal pattern, even after accounting for temperature, indicating that factors other than heat—such as variation in lifestyle, daylight, or environmental exposures—may influence sperm motility.

Co-author P from The University of Manchester said: “We were struck by how similar the seasonal pattern was in two completely different climates.

“Even in Florida, where temperatures stay warm, sperm motility still peaked in summer and dipped in winter, which tells us that ambient temperature alone is unlikely to explain these changes.”

He added: “Our study highlights the importance of considering seasonality when evaluating semen quality. It also shows that seasonal variation in sperm motility occurs even in warm climates. These findings deepen our understanding of male reproductive health and may help improve fertility outcomes.”

Medical director at Cryos international, Anne-Bine Skytte said: “These data suggest that the month of the year when a man first attends a clinic to be evaluated as a sperm donor, will impact on the quality of the sample he produces and therefore may influence the chances of him being accepted as a donor.

“Having an ejaculate that contains a high number of swimming sperm is one of the main characteristics we look for when deciding whether he is suitable or not.

• The paper Seasonal trends in sperm quality in Denmark and Florida is available https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-026-01537-w

The University of Manchester and Calgary researchers publish their study today in the Journal of Health Economics amid a backdrop of dwindling numbers of GPs practice owners-known as partners.

That, say the researchers, puts the managerial and financial burden of operating a practice on increasingly smaller numbers of GPs, with a heightened consequential risk of burnout and stress.

It is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Policy Research Unit (PRU) in Health and Social Care Systems and Commissioning.

Practices in the UK are generally owned and operated by one or more self-employed independent contractors referred to as partners.

Under most general practice contracts with the NHS, there must be at least one General Practitioner (GP) partner at a practice; however, not all partners need to be GPs.

One potential way to provide a sustainable alternative structure for general practice they say, could be non-clinical ownership with practice managers as partners.

The managers, responsible for administration, HR, and financial management, typically handle the business and operational aspects of the practice and do not usually have medical training.

By 2022, the number of practices reporting they had a manager partner had grown to 335, from 0 in 2015, serving 7% of patients registered at general practices in England.

Based on analysis of data from England’s 37,660 practice-years from 5,026 general practices between 2015 and 2023, the researchers use a range of sources to investigate the impact of non-clinical ownership stakes on key primary care outcomes.

They found that appointing a manager partner leads to significant increases in full-time equivalent (FTE) direct patient care staff, excluding GPs and nurses, as well as administrative staff numbers and total patient list size.

Practices that appoint a manager partner were found to be more sustainable because they were less likely to subsequently merge or close.

There were no significant impacts on numbers of GP or nurse staff, GP turnover, quality of care, patients’ satisfaction and access. And income from reimbursement for non-core services, such as local or direct enhanced service, quality outcome framework payments, and medication administration payments,  were higher following appointment of a practice manager as a partner.

Co -author from The University of Manchester said: “Our study shows shared GP and manager partnership has the potential to reduce risk of closure of practices while easing GP partners financial and administrative burden.”

“This ownership model is feasible within many other healthcare systems, where physicians may seek to share with non-clinical colleagues the financial and administrative burden associated with operating practices.”

Co-author Dr Sean Urwin from The University of Manchester, said: “As the number of GP partners continues to decrease, the managerial and financial burden of operating a practice is placed upon an increasingly smaller number of GPs.

“While not a like-for-like substitute for GPs, we argue that non-GP partners can alleviate some partnership burdens and offer additional managerial skills.

“Our analysis also indicates that manager partners offer a potential route for smaller practices to retain their independence rather than being integrated into larger organizations.”

Co-author Dr Ben walker from the University of Calgary, Canada, said: “The appointment as of practice managers as partners may offer a number of benefits.

“The increase in direct patient care staff in practices that appoint manager partners could be indicative of the manager’s efforts to improve the organisational efficiency and performance of the practice.

“With expertise in business planning, they may be better placed and more incentivised to maximise income, leaving more time for GPs to concentrate ion patient care and even potentially slowing the decline in GP partner retention.

“But also, manager partners’ skills in HR and financial planning may improve staff organisation and recruitment.”

• The paper Shared Stakes in English General Practice: The Impact of Practice Managers as Partners on Outcomes is available  

In a new study by University of Manchester scientists published in , researchers aimed to uncover why these treatments fail for some individuals. To do this, the team analysed blood samples from people living with MG and compared them to those of healthy volunteers to understand the underlying cellular differences that drive standard therapy resistance.

A Pattern of Immune Imbalance
The study revealed distinct immune system abnormalities in patients with refractory MG. These patients showed an overactive adaptive immune response, specifically involving increased numbers of memory B cells.

At the same time, the researchers found that regulatory T cells—which normally act as a ‘braking system’ to suppress excessive inflammation—were markedly reduced. This combination of an overactive attack and a weakened braking system contributes to significant immune dysregulation.

The research also identified changes in the innate immune system, including reduced dendritic cells and increased monocytes, along with heightened activity of the complement system, all pointing to ongoing immune-mediated damage at the neuromuscular junction.

Predicting Treatment Response
The team also examined a small group of refractory patients treated with rituximab, a drug designed to remove B cells. Although B cells were successfully reduced in all patients, only some showed meaningful clinical improvement.

The study found that those who did not respond appeared to have a version of the disease driven by long-lived plasma cells and particularly high complement activity. This discovery suggests that these specific patients may benefit more from therapies that target the complement pathway rather than just B cells.

“For patients whose symptoms do not improve with existing treatments, the lack of clear answers can be incredibly frustrating,” said , Neurology Consultant at 91ֱ�� Centre for Clinical Neuroscience. “Our findings help explain why some therapies work for certain patients but not others, and point toward more personalised approaches that could improve outcomes in the future.”

“Our study identifies a distinct immune signature associated with treatment-resistant myasthenia gravis,” said , UKRI Future Leaders Fellow at the  and lead author of the paper. “Understanding these immune differences brings us closer to predicting how patients will respond to therapy and to developing more targeted, personalised treatment approaches.”

• Lymphocyte alterations and elevated complement signaling are key features of refractory myasthenia gravis published in . DOI: 

The second half goes here

Published in the journal European Urology Oncology today (20/02/26), the researchers show men with learning disabilities are 35% more likely than similar aged men without learning disabilities to have prostate cancer symptoms but 34% less likely to have a diagnostic PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test. 

The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Greater 91ֱ�� Patient Safety Research Collaboration (GM PSRC). The research team is supported by both the NIHR GM PSRC and the NIHR 91ֱ�� Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). 

Following an elevated PSA, referrals are 17% less likely, biopsies 46% less likely and prostate cancer diagnoses 49% less likely. 

They were almost six times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer on the date of death, 79% more likely to present with metastatic disease at an advanced stage and had a two-fold increased risk of death following diagnosis. 

And they were also 61% more likely to have missing Gleason scores, the grading system used to evaluate prostate cancer based on how cancer cells look under a microscope. 

However, when prostate cancer was diagnosed at a localised stage and deemed to require treatment, men with learning disabilities received curative therapies at similar rates to those without. This suggests that the benefits of early diagnosis apply equally to this group.

The study population comprised 29,554 men with a learning disability compared to 518,739 men with no recorded diagnosis of a learning disability, linked to hospital, mortality, and cancer registry data. 

Lead author Dr Oliver Kennedy a clinical lecturer from The University of Manchester and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust said: “Learning disabilities are increasingly recognised as a hidden driver of cancer mortality. However, evidence on prostate cancer care in this population is limited. 

“This study is the first to identify specific points along the prostate cancer diagnostic and treatment pathway that may contribute to poorer outcomes for patients with a learning disability.” 

And co-author , director of the NIHR Greater 91ֱ�� PSRC and professor at The University of Manchester, said: “Learning – or intellectual - disability is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition characterised by significant impairments in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour, with onset in childhood. 

“In the UK, 1.5 million people have a learning disability. This group frequently encounters barriers within healthcare services, including communication difficulties, not doing enough to remove barriers, and the overshadowing of new symptoms on existing  health conditions. 

“Men with a learning disability face disparities across the prostate cancer care pathway, from investigation of relevant symptoms to survival after diagnosis. Targeted interventions are needed to address these inequities.”

Dr Kennedy added: “Addressing these health disparities has been recognised as a priority by the NHS Long Term Plan, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance, and the Learning from Lives and Deaths programme in England.

“We hope our study provides strong evidence that prostate cancer should be part of that conversation

Jon Sparkes OBE, Chief Executive of learning disability charity Mencap, said: “Too many men with a learning disability are being let down by a health system that doesn’t spot their cancers early enough or support them to navigate complex treatments.

“This important research into what is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK should be a wake-up call: with the right reasonable adjustments, accessible information and specialist support, these inequalities are not inevitable.

“T����dzܲ��� we’re working with health partners across the UK to get more people on the Learning Disability Register. Being on the register means they’ll receive free annual health checks and support in the way they need it, so health problems can be spotted and treated earlier.

“But we can’t do this alone. We need the NHS, government and cancer services to join us in making inclusive health a priority – acting on this evidence and putting the right support in place at every stage of the cancer pathway.”

Natalia Norori, Head of Data & Evidence at Prostate Cancer UK, said: "The results of this paper are deeply concerning. It sheds light on the stark inequalities men with learning disabilities face at every stage of the pathway - from diagnosis, to treatment and even death.

"This issue goes beyond prostate cancer, but by understanding the impact of these inequalities in the most common cancer in the UK, we can begin to tackle it.

"More work now needs to be done to understand more about why these men are facing so many obstacles to accessing care and how to prevent them. That's why Prostate Cancer UK's TRANSFORM screening trial has been specifically designed to evaluate the impact of screening in all men, including those with learning disabilities, to ensure no man is left behind."

• The paper Prostate Cancer Care in Men with an Intellectual Disability: A Population-Based Cohort 91ֱ�� of Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Survival is  available DOI : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euo.2026.01.004

The landmark licensing agreement was announced at a celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the Cypriot university this week (18 Feb) in Limassol.

The University of Manchester’s School of Medical Sciences programme will be used as a model to develop a new offering to teach undergraduate medical students at a new medical school in 2028, with a new building planned at the Limassol campus.

The agreement is testament to the quality of medical education at 91ֱ�� which can trace its roots way back over 250 years.

It is also reflects the university’s commitment to  social responsibility by helping to reduce the global deficit of health professionals.

The University of Manchester will provide training to support staff at Frederick University working with two private hospitals in Limassol: Ygia hospital and the Mediterranean Hospital of Cyprus to deliver clinical placements for the Frederick University medical students.

The programme is being thoughtfully adapted to reflect the healthcare priorities, regulatory framework, and cultural context of Cyprus, ensuring that graduates are prepared to meet local and regional medical needs while benefiting from an internationally respected academic framework.

The programme, which is still being finalised, will be submitted to the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education.

91ֱ��, one of the UK’s leading centres for medical education, research, and clinical excellence, will provide ongoing support and training for each academic year.

Deputy Dean and Deputy Vice President of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at The University of Manchester, Professor Allan Pacey and Professor Margaret Kingston,  Director of Undergraduate Medical and Dental Studies, were at the celebration.

Professor Pacey said: “As one of the United Kingdom’s largest and most innovative medical schools, we are delighted to announce this partnership.

“Based in one of Europe’s largest healthcare hubs in 91ֱ��, our medical students benefit from early patient contact, world-class teaching hospitals, and a curriculum grounded in innovation, compassion, and evidence-based practice.

“Graduates leave not only as highly skilled clinicians, but as leaders ready to shape the future of global healthcare.

“We are delighted to be able to share our experience with Frederick University so they will be able to nurture their own world class medics in Cyprus.”

Professor Tony Heagerty, Head of the School of Medical Sciences said: “The University of Manchester,  founded as a civic university, has had a historic focus on social responsibility and this partnership has been built on a foundation of those shared values.  

“Our agreement between School of Medical Sciences and Frederick University  reflects our part in helping to reduce the global deficit of health professionals.

“And It aligns with the university's commitment to ensuring teaching can make a positive, ethical, and lasting impact on society.

“In Frederick, we recognise a partner which is also focused on making a difference in Cyprus and the rest of the world.”

President of the Council of Frederick University, Natassa Frederickou said: “We are honoured to partner with The University of Manchester in this landmark collaboration, which marks an important milestone for Frederick University and for the development of medical education in Cyprus.

“The establishment of the first Medical School in Limassol reflects the shared long-term vision of Frederick University and The University of Manchester to advance medical education and research in the region. This partnership is grounded in a common commitment to academic excellence, social responsibility, and global impact.

“By sharing the curriculum approach, academic philosophy, and rigorous standards associated with one of the world’s leading medical schools, we will offer education of international calibre. Together, we aim to educate future doctors who combine scientific expertise with compassion, while strengthening healthcare systems and advancing medical research for the benefit of society. This partnership is built on shared values, and we are proud to take this significant step forward together.”

The briefing – drawing on research and insights from academics at The University of Manchester– finds that healthcare in prisons is fragmented across the health and justice departments, with responsibility split between multiple agencies and service providers and no single body in charge. Poor coordination between the Department of Health and Social Care, the Ministry of Justice and healthcare providers continues to undermine the quality and continuity of care available to prisoners.

This lack of joined-up working is compounded by severe pressures in the prison system itself. Overcrowding, staff shortages and an ageing, crumbling prison estate are making it harder to deliver basic healthcare and are contributing to poor health outcomes among prisoners. On average, people in prison have a life expectancy more than 20 years lower than the general population. While around 70% of prisoners are estimated to need mental health support, only around 10% are recorded as receiving treatment.[1]

Supporting people’s underlying health needs has been identified as a critical component of reducing reoffending. Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, highlighted offending and reoffending are strongly linked to health, with the greatest risks occur at moments of transition: entry into prison, transfers between facilities, and after release.[2]

The pressures within the system are only set to get worse, due to an ageing prison population. Nearly 1 in 4 prisoners is now aged 50 or over, a group with complex and chronic health needs that prisons were never designed to meet.[3] Deaths from natural causes among older prisoners have increased over the past decades, yet access to appropriate care, including palliative and end-of-life support, remains inconsistent.

The SMF warns that without reform, the prison health system will continue to miss the chance to break cycles of ill health, disadvantage and crime.

To address these challenges, the Social Market Foundation sets out four key priorities for government, including:

• establishing a sustainable, long-term funding settlement for prison healthcare;
• improving coordination and integration between health services, justice agencies and service providers;
• prioritising prevention and early intervention; and
• strengthening cross-government oversight of prisoner health.

Jake Shepherd, Senior Researcher at the Social Market Foundation, said: "Healthcare is a human right – that includes people in prison. Many prisoners enter custody in poor health, and weaknesses in the system mean health outcomes in prison are consistently worse than in the wider population. While investing in prison health may not be politically popular, it brings wider public health benefits and can help reduce reoffending, leading to long-term savings. Prison health is therefore not just a moral issue, but a practical one”.

“The Government should start by investing more, focusing on prevention, and improving how organisations work together on prisoner healthcare, to make prisons safer places that support healthy lives and rehabilitation.”

, Senior Research Fellow in Social Care and Society at The University of Manchester said: “This report from Policy@91ֱ�� and the Social Market Foundation identifies the systemic barriers that prevent people living in prison from accessing the health and social care they need. Health and social care in prisons should be on an equivalent footing to services provided in the community, but research at The University of Manchester shows this is consistently not the case. 

“Poor health amongst people living in prison is the product of overstretched systems, deteriorating environments, and long‑standing inequalities that follow people into prison. Crucially, this work highlights the growing health needs of older people and women of all ages living in prison. Addressing these issues will deliver benefits far beyond the prison walls, and policymakers should act on the evidence-led recommendations this report provides.” 

• The SMF report will be published at   

[1] Mental Health in Prison.

[2] The Health of People in Prison, on Probation, and in the Secure NHS Estate in England (Department of Health and Social Care and Ministry of Justice, 2025).

[3] ^cx The Health of People in Prison, on Probation, and in the Secure NHS Estate in England.

The test, say the researchers, could identify individuals at risk of the condition which is typified by loss of muscle mass and strength as well as an overall poorer quality of life. 

The study, published in the journal PLOS Med today (12/02/26) and  funded by Kidney Research UK and the Donal O'Donoghue Renal Research Centre”, is the first large scale study to demonstrate the viability of the test -  called  creatinine muscle index (CMI) in CKD. 

The researchers created CMI by combining two routine blood tests, creatinine and cystatin C. 

While both tests used to assess kidney function, creatinine levels are influenced by how much muscle a person has, whereas cystatin C is not. 

By comparing the two, the researchers were able to use this difference to estimate a person’s risk of muscle loss and therefore sarcopenia. 

Because kidney disease affects how creatinine is processed, scientists did not know if CMI would work well in people with CKD. 

However, the study shows that CMI remains independently associated with both muscle function and survival. 

The test could enable earlier detection of sarcopenia, allowing patients to start proven interventions—such as resistance exercise training and protein supplementation—sooner, and potentially lower their risk of death.

The study included 2,930 adults with non-dialysis CKD from 16 kidney centres across the UK  between July 2017 and September 2019.

Participants had their CMI and muscle function in terms of grip strength and walking speed measured and were followed up for a median of 50 months.

In both men and women, lower CMI  - indicating lower muscle mass-   was linked to weaker hand grip strength, slower walking speed and a higher risk of sarcopenia.

Higher CMI was also linked to a lower risk of death. The average CMI in men and women was 864 mg/day and 704 mg/day. For every 100 mg/day per 1.73 m² increase in CMI The risk of death fell by 15% in men and 23% in women.

And CMI outperformed other cystatin C–creatinine–based measures in predicting mortality and sarcopenia.

Lead author Dr is both a researcher at The University of Manchester and a kidney doctor at Salford Royal Hospital, part of Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust.

He said: “Sarcopenia, in people with chronic kidney disease is  associated with increased mortality, poorer self-reported health-related quality of life, and reduced functional status.

“Simple identification of sarcopenia should be routinely undertaken in people with CKD, not only because of its association with adverse outcomes but also due to the availability of interventions that can reverse it in people with CKD.

“That could have significant implications on patient wellbeing.

“Our findings also highlight CMI’s superiority over alternative tests, and provides exciting evidence for  its potential as a blood-based biomarker of sarcopenia and mortality risk.”

NURTuRE-CKD is a prospective, multicentre cohort study of people with non-dialysis CKD in the U.K

The paper Associations of Creatinine Muscle Index with Markers of Sarcopenia and Mortality in 1 Chronic Kidney Disease: A Prospective Cohort 91ֱ�� is available

The discovery, published in the journal eLife today (insert date), sheds light on how animals integrate sensory information to guide reproduction and has, say the researchers, general implications on understanding the brains’ role in reproduction. 

When male fruit flies mate, they transfer a molecule called sex peptide (SP) to the female. 

This molecule triggers two key changes: females reject courting males who want to mate again, and they lay more eggs. 

Although scientists have known about SP for years, until now the precise neurons in the female nervous system that respond have remained a mystery. 

The  findings suggest that the brain allows females to fine‑tune their responses to mating depending on their internal state and environmental conditions — helping them maximise the chances of reproductive success. 

Lead author, Dr Mohanakarthik Nallasivan, from the University of Birmingham said: “Reproductive behaviours are hardwired in the brain, rather than learned. So if we can understand this behavioural pathway, we may be able to influence it. 

“Knowing the exact nerve cells that drive key behavioural changes in female fruit flies after they mate is a very important step along that path. 

“This knowledge could, for example,  help develop methods to restrict the ability of malaria carrying female Anopheles mosquitoes to mate, which precedes the blood-meal.”

91ֱ��-lead from The University of Manchester added: “The fruit fly was the first organism with a fully sequenced genome. Now, in 2022, it is the first brain to have all its neurons catalogued and synaptic connections mapped”.

“We now have the resources available to learn how behaviour is encoded in the brain and influenced by decision making processes”.

“This pioneering work has implications for increasing our understanding of how our own brains work, particularly those behaviours that are ‘hard wired’, or built into our neural circuitry.”

To identify the neurons, the research team attached the sex peptide pheromone, that normally circulates in the insects’ blood after mating, to the cell-membrane on the outside of neurons.

When such membrane-tethered sex-peptide is expressed in the same nerve cell as its receptor, post-mating behaviours will be triggered.

To understand how the brain responds to the sex peptide, the scientists explored the complex genetic framework of key reproductive genes involved in sex determination, resulting in male or female offspring.

By combining genetic tools that mark a handful of neurons controlled by reproductive genes, the scientists identified two distinct sets of interneurons — one in the brain and one in the abdominal nerve centre — that regulate the behaviours.

The approach allowed them to pinpoint the neurons that detect the sex peptide, which they named Sex Peptide Response‑Inducing Neurons (SPRINz).

Further mapping of the neural circuits showed that SPRINz receive signals from sensory‑processing neurons and send outputs along two separate pathways.

Artificially activating SPRINz in the brain induced post‑mating behaviours, effectively mimicking a command. This demonstrates that sex‑peptide‑responsive neurons act as central hubs, integrating sensory cues and coordinating the female’s behavioural decisions after mating.

• A draft of the paper, Sex-peptide targets distinct higher order processing neurons in the brain to induce the female post-mating response  is available

This research by The University of Manchester and 91ֱ�� University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) scientists is the first of its kind to show people who stop using a prescribed treatment for COPD are at significantly higher risk of exacerbations than expected for their disease.

COPD is the name for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is a common condition, affecting about 1 in 20 people aged over 40 in England, and is a major cause of death and disability.

People with COPD often experience ‘exacerbations’ – sudden flare-ups of breathlessness and coughing that make their condition much worse. These exacerbations are a leading cause of emergency hospital admissions.

Treatment for COPD can help slow the progression of the condition, control symptoms and prevent flare-ups. This includes taking inhalers which deliver medicine into the lungs to help make breathing easier.

91ֱ�� lead Dr Alexander , researcher in the NIHR 91ֱ�� BRC’s Respiratory Theme and a Senior Clinical Lecturer at The University of Manchester, said: “Many people with COPD use inhalers every day, but some only use them for a short time and then stop. They may feel better and think they no longer need them, they may struggle to afford them if they are not free of charge, or they may simply forget to use them. Overall, that around half of all prescribed doses are missed.”

In this new study, 91ֱ�� researchers analysed data from the 2013-2016 FLAME trial, a large international research project sponsored by Novartis which investigated how patients respond to different COPD treatments. Novartis shared these trial data as per standard data sharing practices with the independent research team in 91ֱ�� to answer additional research questions beyond the original study.

The FLAME trial compared 2 types of in more than 3,300 participants with COPD – these are effective treatments used to open up the airways and reduce inflammation in COPD.

The team found that when people with COPD stop their inhalers, they face a significantly increased risk of flare-ups for around 3 months. Importantly, during this period the risk is higher not only compared with their own usual level of risk, but also compared with people who were not taking these medicines at all.

The study followed patients for a full year after stopping treatment and showed that this increase in risk is temporary. The excess risk of flare-ups is concentrated in the first 3 months after stopping inhalers, over and above what would normally be expected following treatment discontinuation. After this period, the risk settles and does not persist beyond 3 months.

The study, published in , showed for the first time that stopping a common type of inhaler called a LAMA (long-acting muscarinic antagonist) can lead to these withdrawal effects. It also confirmed that stopping inhalers containing another medication called inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) can increase the risk of flare-ups.

Dr Mathioudakis, who is also an Honorary Consultant Respiratory Physician at MFT and completed his PhD in COPD research at 91ֱ�� BRC, said: “There are situations where clinicians may need to change or stop an inhaler for specific medical reasons, and in these cases it is important to be aware that short-term “withdrawal effects” can occur.

“More importantly, many people with COPD stop their inhalers on their own, often repeatedly, without medical advice. Each time this happens, it can trigger a period of particularly high risk of exacerbations. These new findings highlight the need to clearly communicate the risks of stopping treatment to patients, to help prevent avoidable flare-ups and hospital admissions.”

• The paper “Disproportionate increase in COPD exacerbation risk for 3 months after discontinuing LAMA or ICS: insights from the FLAME trial” is available : DOI:

The study, led by the University of Aberdeen in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Manchester, University College Cork and University of Birmingham, was funded by Tommy’s, the pregnancy and baby charity, and published in .

Led by Dr Andrea Woolner, Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen and Honorary Consultant Obstetrician & Early Pregnancy Lead at NHS Grampian, the team looked at survey responses from 116 healthcare professionals working in maternity services in the UK and Ireland.

Second trimester pregnancy loss (STPL) usually refers to pregnancy loss, or miscarriage after 12 or 13 weeks' gestation. It is estimated to occur in around 3 to 4% of pregnancies. However, this study showed the definition used to describe STPL in healthcare settings varies considerably within the UK and Ireland.

Findings revealed that there is inconsistency and uncertainty around medications used following second trimester pregnancy loss (STPL), which the authors state reflects the lack of research into this devastating type of loss.

For example, almost two thirds of healthcare professionals surveyed (63%) acknowledged they were uncertain about the optimal dosage of misoprostol - a drug that can be given following STPL to induce birth - that should be used, likely due to a lack of research in this area, according to the authors.

Researchers also found that care was given in different hospital wards and not always within maternity settings in different parts of the UK and Ireland.  The authors say this highlights the need to consider how hospitals are set up for couples experiencing STPL, and to consider what the optimal referral pathways and infrastructure needs are.  The team intends to carry out further research exploring views of those with lived experience of STPL.

Following treatment in hospital, fewer than half (45%) of respondents reported that follow-up appointments took place in a dedicated pregnancy loss clinic. Many women were offered follow up in preterm birth clinics, though the research team notes this wasn’t always universal either as not every STPL involves a preterm labour.

There is a growing body of evidence that shows structured care in a dedicated pregnancy loss clinic is the best option for couples who have experienced a stillbirth (when a baby sadly dies after 24 weeks of pregnancy), and researchers say the findings of the study underline the inconsistencies faced by families who lose a baby at different stages of pregnancy.

They also noted there was variation in the investigations and care offered in the next pregnancy after a second trimester loss.

Researchers say more work is needed to understand what the best treatments are and what universal provisions should be made for couples facing the devastation of second trimester pregnancy loss

The team is planning to gain insight from those with lived experience, with the aim of developing a clear view of what is needed to improve care for the future and understanding what research is needed urgently to address these gaps.

Dr Andrea Woolner said: “Pregnancy loss at any stage is devastating. This study showed that there is a lack of research and evidence–based clinical practice around STPL in particular.

“In this survey, we wanted to hear from the people on the ground who work with bereaved parents, to find out exactly where the disparities lie from a healthcare professional perspective and what we need to do to improve things.

“Our findings highlight the lack of standardised care – this is important because we know that pregnancy loss at any stage of pregnancy has a profound impact on couples and on their next pregnancies.

“Ensuring that evidence-based and universal recommendations for birth, bereavement and future antenatal care are offered to all couples after pregnancy loss is vital, and akin to the recommendations for care after stillbirth, we hope that this work highlights clinicians, policy-makers and researchers need to also focus on care for second trimester pregnancy loss.

Professor Alex Heazell, one of the co-authors from the University of Manchester and Director of Tommy’s Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre in 91ֱ��, said: “ which showed fragmented and inconsistent care provisions but also highlighted the number of women who present to hospital in the second trimester with various symptoms including those that may be a sign of pregnancy loss.

“We urgently need better quality data to help us provide the best care.”

Dr Jyotsna Vohra, Director of Research, Programmes and Impact at Tommy’s, said: “Losing a baby is devastating at any stage of pregnancy. When the loss happens after 12 weeks – the stage at which people are often encouraged to believe they are ‘safe’ – it can be particularly traumatic for women and families.

“This study shows we need more research and better standardised care across the NHS so that anyone experiencing symptoms of loss at any stage of pregnancy knows they will receive the most effective care, treatment and support.”

Open to students across all faculties , the Semester 2 units are designed to introduce entrepreneurial thinking while allowing students to apply their ideas to real-world challenges. The units combine academic learning with practical activities, supporting students to develop creativity, problem-solving and innovation alongside their main degree studies.

This semester’s offering includes units such as , this unit  students understand the processes entrepreneurs go through when researching and developing a business opportunity, and , where students as entrepreneurs (or intrapraneurs) assess potential business opportunities using a range of business tools and models. focuses on how enterprise can be used to address environmental and social challenges through collaboration across disciplines.

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre’s taught units are designed to be accessible to students with no prior business experience, encouraging participation from a wide range of subject areas.

Alongside specialist units, students can also choose where students develop problem-solving skills, creativity, and commercial awareness acting as consultants and, , which focusses on how entrepreneurs generate the ideas that allow them to create and grow their firm,

Subject-specific options are also available, including units tailored for students in healthcare and computer science. For many students, the units provide a first opportunity to explore entrepreneurship in a supportive academic environment.

The taught units typically carry 10 credits and run over one semester. Assessment is based on coursework, presentations and group projects, reflecting real-world professional and entrepreneurial practices.

Students interested in enrolling in a Semester 2 MEC unit are encouraged to check availability through My 91ֱ�� and seek approval from their academic school where required. With strong student interest each year, the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre continues to support students from all backgrounds in developing skills that are valuable across a wide range of careers — whether in entrepreneurship, employment or further study.

To find out more about Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC), head to our website .

The research – funded by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Greater 91ֱ�� (ARC-GM) - explores how being unable to attend healthcare appointments during normal working hours affects the health and wellbeing of employees.

It found that jobs lacking flexibility for workers to attend healthcare appointments are linked with significantly lower health-related quality of life. This was driven mainly by effects on physical health rather than mental health, with workers who have long-term conditions being the most affected.

In the UK, there is no statutory requirement to allow employees to attend healthcare appointments during working hours, however some employers choose to allow this type of flexibility.

The research team, led by academics from The University of Manchester, suggest that to move towards a more prevention focused health system, people need to be able to access routine GP appointments and cancer screening before the point of serious illness.

, Research Fellow in Health Economics at The University of Manchester, said: “Working full time presents challenges for many workers whose jobs don’t offer the flexibility needed to take time away to attend healthcare appointments. This has significant implications for early diagnosis and management of long-term conditions.

“The findings of our research make it clear that population health could be significantly improved by removing barriers during typical working hours to allow workers to access primary care services, such as GP and screening appointments.

“While positive steps have been taken to address this access issue through the offer of out-of-hours appointments, there’s a wider discussion to be had about the role employers can play in supporting their employees’ health by permitting flexibility around healthcare appointments – without having to take paid leave or forego income.”

Dr , Deputy Theme Lead for Economic Sustainability at ARC-GM, and Senior Lecturer in Health Economics at The University of Manchester, said: “Work shouldn’t be a barrier to remaining healthy. But this research shows that for some people working in inflexible jobs where they aren’t able to attend healthcare appointments during the typical working day, it can have an impact on their physical health. These challenges are particularly pressing in the context of our ageing population and the more frequent need for routine healthcare among older age groups.

“We’d welcome further investigation into the impact of this barrier to accessing healthcare, and the cost-effectiveness of different policy approaches.”

Researchers used data from the National General Practice Patient Survey in England, which is a large national survey targeting random samples of individuals registered with each general practice. Data from six waves of the survey (2013-2017) was used in which a measure of health-related quality of life was collected. The measurement of health-related quality of life covers five domains: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression.

The sample used was restricted to individuals aged between 18 and 64 years and only included those in full-time employment.

• The full study - ‘Impact of Constrained Access to Primary Care on Health-Related Quality of Life’ - has been published by the Value in Health journal. You can read the report and its results DOI

People who have had a stroke are more likely to develop infections such as pneumonia. These infections can slow recovery and make brain injury worse. Understanding why the immune system becomes weaker after stroke could help doctors prevent these infections and improve patient outcomes.

Earlier studies by Dr Laura McCulloch and Dr Barry McColl at the University of Edinburgh found that in animal models, stroke activates the system behind the fight-or-flight response, which includes the release of the chemical noradrenaline.

This activation quickly impairs a group of immune cells called B cells, reducing their ability to produce protective antibodies, and was associated with vulnerability to infection. Until now, it was unclear whether the same thing happens in stroke patients.

In this study, carried out at the University of Manchester in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh team, researchers analysed blood samples from patients 24 - 48 hours after an ischaemic stroke and compared them with samples from individuals who had not had a stroke (‘controls’).

They found that stroke patients had fewer B cells than control patients and that these remaining cells were also less effective at producing antibodies and special signalling proteins called cytokines, both of which are essential for fighting infections.

“Findings from this collaborative study confirm that after someone has had a stroke important immune cells that help to fight infection are reduced, limiting the patient’s ability to make protective antibodies. Revealing these changes opens opportunities to develop new treatments that could help reduce the incidence of infection after stroke,” said Clinical 91ֱ�� Lead Prof Craig Smith from The University of Manchester. 

The teams also tested B cells from healthy volunteers. When these cells were exposed to noradrenaline, they showed the same responses as seen in stroke patients: increased cell death and reduced antibody production.

These findings suggest that activation of the fight-or-flight response itself, not just stroke, can impair immune function. Stress, illness, or extreme physical exertion may all influence how well B cells work.

Reduced numbers of immune cells (B cells) were found in the blood of patients 24–48 hours after an ischaemic stroke. When B cells were stimulated with bacterial proteins (mimicking an infection), they were less able to produce protective antibodies and signalling proteins called cytokines.

The researchers are now studying how these immune changes after stroke may affect long-term recovery, including thinking and memory, as well as further damage to the brain’s blood vessels.

They are also exploring new treatments aimed at protecting or restoring B cell function after stroke, with the goal of reducing infections and improving recovery.

This research was a collaboration between the University of Manchester (Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre and the Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation), the 91ֱ�� Centre for Clinical Neurosciences (part of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust) and the University of Edinburgh (including the UK Dementia Research Institute).

This work was funded by the Medical Research Council, NIHR, Wellcome Trust, The Royal Society, The Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research, Leducq Foundation Transatlantic Network of Excellence StrokeIMPaCT and UK Dementia Research Institute.

• Read the full paper in

Scientists have long known that inherited neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or motor neurone disease, can be traced back to genetic mutations. However, how they cause the diseases remains unanswered.

In today’s issue of the journal Current Biology Professor Andreas Prokop revealed that so-called ‘motor proteins’ can provide key answers in this quest.

The research by the Prokop group focusses on nerve fibres, also called axons. Axons are the delicate biological cables that send messages between the brain and body to control our movements and behaviour. Intriguingly, axons need to survive and stay functional for our entire lifetime!

To survive long-term, axons harbour complex cellular machinery. This machinery crucially depends on the transport of materials from the distant nerve cell bodies which is performed by motor proteins running along thin fibres called microtubules.

If mutations in motor protein genes abolish their ability to transport cargo, this causes axonal decay, and many inherited neurodegenerative diseases can be traced back to such mutations. However, another class of mutations also linking to neurodegeneration, causes motor protein hyperactivation, meaning that motor proteins are constantly active, unable to pause.

“So far, it has been difficult to explain why both disabling and hyperactivating mutations can cause very similar forms of neurodegeneration.” said Professor Prokop.

“To find answers, we use fruit flies, where research is fast and cost-effective and where many of the relevant human genes have close equivalents and perform similar functions in nerve cells. Capitalising on these advantages, we could show that disabling as well as hyperactivating mutations cause a very similar pathology in axons: straight microtubule bundles decay into areas of disorganised microtubule curling, similar to dry versus boiled spaghetti.”

Further investigations revealed that hyperactivating and disabling mutations work through two different mechanisms that eventually converge to induce this curling:

Even under normal conditions, cargo transport along microtubules generates damage, like cars cause potholes – and this requires maintenance mechanisms to repair and replace microtubules. The balance between damage and repair is disturbed if motor proteins are hyperactivated or if maintenance machinery fails - both leading to microtubule curling as a sign of axon decay.

Prokop said: “In this scenario, disabling mutations could be assumed to cause less curling because there is less damaging traffic. However, less traffic depletes supply to the axonal machinery, and this triggers a condition referred to as oxidative stress. We could show that oxidative stress affects microtubule maintenance and leads therefore to the same kind of microtubule curling as observed upon motor hyperactivation.”

“These findings suggest a circular relationship which we called the “dependency cycle of axon homeostasis”, proposing that axon maintenance requires a microtubule- and motor protein-based machinery of transport which, itself, is dependent on this transport.”

Any gene mutations affecting axonal machinery in ways that cause oxidative stress, or that disturb the balance between microtubule damage or repair, can break this cycle. This can explain a long-standing conundrum in the field: why almost any class of neurodegenerative disease can be caused by mutations in a wide range of genes linking to very different cellular functions.

He added: “Parallel work by my group strongly supports the dependency cycle model. Importantly, since the fundamental genetic makeup of fruit flies and humans is surprisingly similar, it is very likely that our findings are replicated in humans – and there are good indications already.”

The study is published in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism today (15/01/26) and is the first of its kind to compare alcohol treatment outcomes for all adolescents aged 11 – 17 seeking specialist treatment for alcohol problems in England.

It included data of marginalised groups, like those who are NEET, homeless, experiencing sexual exploitation and registered with social services.

Almost 26% of NEETs and 18% of adolescents with a child protection plan - which indicates risk of significant harm through neglect, physical, sexual or emotional abuse - did not complete treatments.

Older adolescents and those with higher alcohol use at treatment start were also at greater risk of dropping out of treatment compared with other vulnerable groups.

They also found that early onset alcohol use, mental health problems and substance use among family or household members reduced the chance of stopping drinking (becoming abstinent), by the end of treatment.

Adolescent alcohol abuse can lead to developmental problems, higher risk of addiction, accidents and injuries, mental health problems and poor performance at school.

Treatment typically involves psychosocial interventions including psychoeducation, motivational interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, family therapy and safeguarding.

A 2023 Government report showed that 5% of all school pupils said they usually drank alcohol at least once per week. The proportion increased with age, from 1% of 11 and 12 year olds to 11% of 15 year olds

There were also 14,352 children and young people aged 17 and under in alcohol and drug treatment between April 2023 and March 2024, a 16% increase from the previous year.

However, the numbers of young people in alcohol and drug treatment are 41% lower than at peak in 2008/09. Over this period concerns have been raised about cuts to funding and changing trends in alcohol consumption.

This study suggests among those who do access treatment, outcomes vary significantly based on socioeconomic disadvantage and early life adversity.

The researchers analysed National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS) data of 2,621 adolescents whose publicly funded alcohol treatment took place between April 2018 and March 2023 in England.

Lead author Dr Mica Komarnyckyj from The University of Manchester said: “Alcohol abuse is a serious problem among young people and can lead to lifelong consequences.

“So understanding which people struggle with treatment is crucial as it could help services provide more tailored support for those at higher risk.

“Many challenges that put adolescents at risk of being NEET -  such as lack of parental support, economic inequalities or emotional difficulties – may be the same barriers that make it harder for them to complete treatment.”

She added: “Young people with child protection plans also had greater risk of dropping out of treatment. Many have experienced neglect or abuse, and some use alcohol to cope with trauma. Embedding trauma-informed approaches in services is essential”

Co-author Dr Stephen Kaar, Addiction Psychiatrist from The University of Manchester said: “Treatment services for adolescents with alcohol problems need to be appropriately funded, multi-disciplinary with a professionalised workforce, have access to mental health expertise and receive multi-agency support to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations”.

An embargoed copy of the paper Associations between childhood risk factors and alcohol treatment outcomes in adolescence is available here

The first study of its kind, published in the journal Communications Psychology  and funded by Wellcome Trust, also showed that stable light exposure across a week and uninterrupted exposure during a day had similar effects.

Participants in the study experienced improved subjective sleepiness, the ability to  maintain focused attention and 7-10% faster reaction speeds under bright light when compared to recent dim conditions.

Compared with their peers who went to bed later, participants with earlier bedtimes tended to be both more reliably wakeful under bright morning light - and sleepy under dimmer evening -light.

Lead author Dr Altug Didikoglu from The University of Manchester said: “Our findings show that outside controlled laboratory conditions, where participants continue their daily routines, both recent and long-term light exposure positively influences cognitive performance.

“The beneficial effects were associated with short-term bright light and habitual light exposure patterns characterized by brighter daytimes, earlier bedtimes, and higher consistency in light exposure.”

“These improvements in cognitive performance may have practical implications for health, safety, and work efficiency, particularly in low-light workplaces, during extended work hours, or night shifts.”

Being exposed to bright, stable daytime light was linked to enhanced and more sustained attention in a visual search task in which participant were asked to find a specific target on a page.

Higher daytime light exposure and less switches between light and dark were linked to improved cognitive.

And higher daytime light exposure and earlier estimated bedtimes were also associated with stronger relationships between recent light exposure and subjective sleepiness.

However, neither the time of day nor time awake significantly impacted cognitive performance; the effect of light was stronger than the effect of time of day.

The effects, argue the scientists, are likely initiated by activation of the ipRGC system in the thin layer of light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that converts light into signals we interpret as vision, known as the retina.

Special photosensitive retinal cells in the ipRGC system containing the photopigment melanopsin are particularly sensitive to blue-green light and are  responsible for non-image-forming functions, such as regulating circadian rhythms, the pupillary light reflex, and mood.

The effects of personal ambient light exposure were measured in a sample of 58 adults over seven days of daily life.

The participants wore a special daylight exposure monitor on their wrists which effectively told the scientists how well light exposure influenced their internal body clock.

In addition, a smartphone app called Brightertime, developed at the University of Manchester, provided data on human cognitive performance compared to light exposure in their everyday life.

Forty-one of the  participants also attended a lab session which investigated how their eye pupils responded to light and compared actual light levels and their perception of light. However, this does not directly predict how light affects cognitive performance in everyday life

Dr Altug added:“Light is a fundamental environmental cue that governs numerous biological processes in humans, including body clocks, sleep, and cognition

“However, despite substantial findings from controlled laboratory studies, little is known about how these effects translate to real-world environments, where light exposure is dynamic and intertwined with daily routines.

“We think this study is an important addition to our understanding of this area of research.

”  Scientists already know that exposure to electrical light at night is known to disrupt sleep quality and delays the biological clock.

“Our new study paper now shows that bright daytime light is also critical by supporting cognitive function.”

• The paper Relationships between light exposure and aspects of cognitive function in everyday life published in Communications Psychology is available . DOI:
• The study authors previously led a on recommended healthy lighting levels: bright light during the day, dim light before sleep, and darkness at night. They also previously that meeting recommended light levels support our sleep .The current results align with these recommendations and suggest that following them long-term may also support cognitive performance.

“AI will revolutionise the care we provide, enhance diagnostics and care pathways and free up time for our clinicians to do what they do best: caring for our children and young people. This is a great example - a practical tool directly focused on better care for children with cerebral palsy” – Lead Clinician, Professor Daniel Perry (surgeon at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and NIHR Research Professor).

Children with cerebral palsy are at high risk of developing hip problems, with the ball of the hip moving out of the socket. This movement can cause the child severe pain, problems sitting down, and difficulties with personal care. The dislocation, however, can be prevented through regular X-ray measurements and prompt intervention with reliable procedures if a problem is spotted.

The system, developed in conjuncture with clinicians at Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, is intended to be integrated into the Cerebral Palsy Integrated Pathway (CPIP), the national framework used to monitor the musculoskeletal systems of children with cerebral palsy. CPIP involves affected children receiving regular assessment, physical examination and regular hip X-rays, which are then examined by medical experts in order to identify changes and predict risks. 

This process, however, is not nationally standardised, and uptake differs between regions. Due to the large amount of clinician time it consumes, and the extra costs and delays involved, levels of CPIP uptake are often limited by the resources available to a particular region. This means that the standard of care for a child with cerebral palsy may be higher in one area of the country than another.

This new tool, however, will help to change that - by automating the process of hip x-ray interpretation, data capture and monitoring, enabling more patients to benefit from early detection and prevention as a result.

Professor Mike Lewis, NIHR Scientific Director for Innovation, said: "This project demonstrates the NIHR’s commitment to transforming healthcare for all of society, adults and children. We are already supporting research that embeds innovation directly into NHS services and tools like this automatic AI system have real potential to reduce waiting lists, improve long‑term outcomes for children with cerebral palsy, and help clinicians make better decisions at earlier stages of care.

Dr Claudia Lindner, who co-leads the project with Prof. Cootes, states, “This software can be used to ensure prompt and consistent diagnoses. We want to make sure that every child with cerebral palsy in the UK receives the same high level of care.”

The AI algorithm has been trained using thousands of X-ray images and is capable of automatically locating the outline of children’s hip bones, and is able to detect cases where the hips are just beginning to dislocate, through to full dislocation. The accuracy of the tool has been thoroughly tested and was found by researchers to be similar to that of human medical experts, while taking a fraction of the time to perform the analysis.

91ֱ�� Imaging Ltd will take the AI algorithm developed at the University of Manchester and build a Medical Device that will be integrated into hospital systems, making it easy for clinicians to use.

The medical device will be used to monitor hip movement, picking out areas of concern in hip X-rays and flagging up areas where a serious problem is likely to occur, identifying when preventative intervention is likely to be needed.

The researchers say that by using the tool, clinicians will save significant amounts of time and will improve patient outcomes by speeding up the treatment process. 

Professor Timothy Cootes, who works on the research, said this, “We hope that by automating this process, we can standardise our level of care across the board, and ensure that the CPIP can be fully integrated throughout the NHS.”

By using this tool to processes thousands of images across the country, X-ray image data will be automatically entered into the national CPIP database. This will enable new research to better understand the course of the disease and the benefits of monitoring. 

Dr Steve Cooke, national orthopaedic lead for CPIP, remarks, “With nearly 14,000 children on CPIP there is a huge opportunity for ground-breaking research, but we need more and better data. An accurate, streamlined tool that automates what is currently a labour-intensive task will transform the way we monitor the hip in children with cerebral palsy.”

Dr Tom Williams, Chief Technical Officer at 91ֱ�� Imaging Ltd, commented, “We are excited to be furthering our working relationships with our esteemed academic and clinical colleagues. We look forward to bringing our expertise in translating leading-edge AI algorithms into devices that directly benefit patients, ensuring real-world impact from cutting-edge research.”

The study, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) 91ֱ�� Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is published in the journal today

The findings, based on the analysis of four linked national datasets comprising over 24,000 patients in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, hold true even when accounting for the different complexities and durations of the surgery.

The data showed late-morning surgery was linked to an 18% higher risk of death - almost one fifth - from heart related causes compared with early-morning surgery.

And the most common surgical start time was 07:00–09:59- early morning - accounting for 47% of all surgeries.

Though complication rates and readmissions were unaffected by the time of day, the findings still pose questions about the best time to schedule heart surgery.

They also give an important insight into the potential influence of the body clock - a set of 24-hour biological cycles present in our cells and organs – on surgery as a whole.

Lead author is Dr Gareth Kitchen, Clinical Senior Lecturer at The University of Manchester. He is also part of the Respiratory Theme and Co-Lead for Industry and Commercialisation at the NIHR 91ֱ�� BRC.

He said: “Given that over 25,000 heart operations are performed across the UK every year with around a 2.7% mortality, even small improvements in timing-related outcomes could have significant benefits to patients.

“This research shows a slightly higher risk of heart related mortality is likely to occur when heart surgery starts in in late morning.

“However, though the risk is statistically significant, it is relatively modest and patients can be reassured that most people will almost certainly be unaffected.

“It is though, our duty as clinicians to ensure the best possible outcomes, and moderating timings is a potentially inexpensive method to achieve that.”

The researchers compared four starting times for the 3 to 5 hour operations: early morning (07:00 to 09:59); late morning (10:00 to 11:59); early afternoon (12:00 to 13:59); and late afternoon (14:00 to 19:59).

The main outcomes they examined were hazard of death from cardiovascular disease and time to hospital readmission for heart attack or acute heart failure.

Secondary outcomes included duration of postoperative hospital stay, occurrence of major cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality.

The researchers accounted for potential bias by taking into account key mortality predictors such as age, sex, diabetes and urgency of surgery.

Dr Kitchen added: “Integrating body clock biology into the planning of heart surgery could support a more personalised, precision medicine approach.

“As some people’s body clock makes them early birds and others makes them night owls, it is worth exploring tailored operative times through further research.

“With more understanding of how body clock biology varies between individuals, precision and personalised scheduling of cardiac surgery may one day allow us to achieve better patient outcomes.”

• The paper Time of Day and Outcomes Following Cardiac Surgery in the UK: A Secondary Analysis of Linked National Datasets is available . doi.org/10.1111/anae.70125

The review including 21 studies involving more than 6,000 patients who underwent blood tests for procalcitonin, a biomarker that becomes elevated during bacterial infections, is published in the journal today (9/01/26). 

The analysis was undertaken by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded Applied Research Collaboration Greater 91ֱ�� (ARC-GM), the NIHR 91ֱ�� HealthTech Research Centre in Emergency and Acute Care and the NIHR 91ֱ�� Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), in collaboration with The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust and 91ֱ�� University NHS Foundation Trust. 

It revealed that health professionals who used procalcitonin tests as part of their decision making were able to safely stop antibiotics about two days earlier than when they were not used, without increasing risk of death. 

The review findings suggest that more, higher-quality studies are still needed to determine whether another test, known as C-reactive protein is safe to use when deciding about antibiotic use in these patients. 

The results are an important milestone in the care of sepsis, a life-threatening condition where the body’s response to infection damages its own tissues, leading to organ failure and death. 

Treatment for the condition, one of the leading causes of death worldwide, usually involves 7-10 days of antibiotics. 

But using antibiotics for too long can cause serious problems, including antibiotic resistance, bacterial infections that no longer respond to medicine, a global health crisis which kills millions globally.

Reduction in antibiotic use could also provide significant cost savings to health systems and limit unwanted drug side-effects.

UK health authorities, such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), have not recommended routine use of these blood tests in hospitals because earlier evidence was limited and lacked UK trial data.

However, the review addresses the gap in knowledge and includes recent clinical trial data from the UK ADAPT-Sepsis trial, also led by University of Manchester researchers.

In their review, the researchers assessed randomised controlled trials which compared procalcitonin tests with standard care and C-reactive protein tests with standard care, where antibiotics are given according to international, national, or local clinical guidelines, without biomarker testing.

In patients with sepsis, the findings show that procalcitonin tests may help healthcare professionals stop antibiotics about two days earlier than standard care and may reduce the risk of death by 5%.

However, it is still unclear whether using procalcitonin tests prevents people from getting sick again or leads to longer hospital stays.

91ֱ�� co-author, Professor Paul Dark, is Vice Dean for health and care partnerships at the University of Manchester and Professor of critical care medicine at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust.

He said: "Our findings show that using a procalcitonin test can help healthcare professionals safely stop antibiotics for people with sepsis more quickly. This is exciting because it supports safe care whilst reducing the risk of antibiotic-resistant infections in the future.

“This will be better for patients, who will experience more limited side effects, and better for health care systems by providing significant cost savings.”

He added: “Our  recent cost effectiveness that was part of the ADAPT-Sepsis trial also suggests that implementing daily procalcitonin measurement into routine NHS sepsis care would likely be cost effective.

“This approach supports the UK’s 10-Year Health Plan to tackle antibiotic resistance and could inform future NICE sepsis guidelines, paving the way for routine use of these blood tests in sepsis care.

• The paper Clinical effectiveness of procalcitonin- or C-reactive protein-guided antibiotic discontinuation protocols for adult patients who are critically ill with sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis  is available

Her three-year Fellowship will focus on understanding how the most aggressive type of womb cancer called p53-abnormal (p53abn) womb cancer, develops, who is most at risk, and whether early changes can be targeted to prevent it.

Womb cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer, and the fourth most common cancer in women. It affects 9,700 women and people with gynae organs each year in the UK. There are four main subtypes, and p53abn womb cancers are the most aggressive. They are more likely to spread, more likely to return after treatment, and have worse outcomes than other types of womb cancer. They are also more common in Black women.

Despite the impact these cancers have, we still don’t know what causes them to develop, whether early warning signs can be detected, or how we might prevent them. Dr Sarah Kitson hopes to change this. She aims to improve our understanding of how these cancers develop, find out whether the process is the same for all p53abn womb cancers, and learn about the risk factors that make someone more likely to develop it. Her hope is that this research will reveal ways to prevent these cancers from developing and help save lives.

To do this, Sarah will invite 50 women undergoing surgery for p53abn womb cancer to donate blood, womb tissue and a cervical screening sample. She will use these samples to look for the earliest gene changes that signal a cancer is forming, examine how the cancer grows and changes over time, and explore how the body’s own defence system responds during the early stages. She hopes this information could allow researchers to identify individuals at a high risk of p53abn womb cancer long before symptoms appear. This would hopefully open the door to future screening tests or ways to prevent it developing.

If successful, this project could point towards potential new drug treatments to try stop p53abn womb cancers from developing. The research team would then need to develop and test these treatments in the laboratory before moving on to clinical trials with people at a high risk of developing this type of womb cancer.

Dr Sarah Kitson, Eve Fellow and Principal Investigator said: “I am extremely honoured to have been awarded The Eve Appeal/North West Cancer Research Fund Fellowship to learn more about how p53abn womb cancers develop and to explore ways in which we could try and stop these aggressive cancers from forming. The two charities have contributed greatly to cancer research and gynaecological cancer prevention, and it will be a huge privilege to join their world-leading groups of researchers.”

Athena Lamnisos, CEO of The Eve Appeal said:  “p53-abnormal womb cancers are the most aggressive of the womb cancer subtypes, and we urgently need answers about how they develop and how we can prevent them. Sarah’s work will take us a step closer to reducing one of the biggest inequalities in gynaecological cancers, that Black women are twice as likely to die from womb cancer as their White peers. We are incredibly proud to support her, and we believe this project could help change the future of this aggressive form of womb cancer.”

Alastair Richards, CEO of North West Cancer Research said: “We are incredibly proud to once again partner with The Eve Appeal to co-fund another outstanding research Fellow. Together, our charities have now invested more than £1.2 million in pioneering gynaecological cancer research. In the North West, womb cancer rates continue to rise, and aggressive cases like p53abn cancers pose a real challenge for women in our region. Dr Kitson’s project is especially important because it seeks to understand how these cancers begin—and how we might stop them. This is exactly the kind of ambitious, high-impact research we are committed to supporting.”

Principal Investigator Dr Imelda McDermott said: “Our evaluation shows how different independent prescribing models were expected to work (or not) and achieve their intended outcomes.”

Under the NHS 10 year health plan, community pharmacies will become better integrated with primary care and general practice; pharmacists are becoming increasingly clinically qualified, many with the ability to prescribe.

In anticipation of the change , NHS England is running the Independent Prescribing in Community Pharmacy Pathfinder , which was evaluated by the researchers.

The programme allows community pharmacist prescribers in around 200 ‘pathfinder’ sites to deliver prescribing models as part of integrated primary care clinical services.

Participating pharmacists reported significant increases in job satisfaction and many felt the programme "saved" them from leaving the sector by allowing them to use their full clinical skills.

The pathfinder sites tested three different clinical models to examine how pharmacist prescribing can be incorporated into community pharmacy clinical services:

• Existing services, including acute minor illnesses and contraception
• Long-term conditions, including prescribing for cardiovascular diseases (e.g. hypertension, lipid optimisation), respiratory diseases, and women's health.
• Novel services, including reducing over prescribing, reviewing antidepressants and menopause

For the Long-term condition models, a ‘joint partner’ approach between the pharmacist prescriber and the local GP practice was fundamental, to ensure joined up collaboration for improved patient access and care.

However the implementation and long-term viability of an IP service were found to be dependent on five key areas as laid out by Stephen  , Minister of State for Care: clinical governance, clinical supervision, optimal skill mix, digital infrastructure and a financially viable funding model.

Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) -  the regional NHS organisation in England responsible for planning and funding local health services - were instrumental in guiding sites through assurance processes, developing clinical governance, and fostering stronger relationships between GPs, community pharmacy and other stakeholders.

However, securing clear indemnity to deliver pharmacist prescribing in community pharmacy was challenging due to insurance companies’ lack of familiarity with the new model.

Clinical supervision, something which is traditionally scarce in community pharmacy, was usually provided by a GP through regular one-to-one sessions and was highly valued by pharmacist prescribers as it helped to build their confidence and GP’s trust.

The researchers also found:

• Commissioning strategies were needed to generate predictable patient volumes to ensure a financially viable service
• Having read-only access to patients’ medications and limited details of their medical histories made holistic patient care more challenging. Those IP pharmacists who had read/write access to patient records found it easier to collaborate in a timely fashion with GPs and other GP practice based healthcare professionals.
• A good skill mix is needed across the wider pharmacy team to ensure pharmacist prescribers have the capacity to deliver the service.

 The analysis – featured in the journal Clinical and translational medicine  – revealed molecular signals that in one case prompted re-examination of archived fallopian tube tissue and led to the retrospective identification of a pre-invasive or very early cancerous lesion. 

“This is important as it is now known most ovarian cancers don’t start in the ovary itself. Instead, they start from pre-cancer lesions which develop in the fallopian tube before spreading to the ovary and beyond,” said Dr Christine Schmidt, Senior Lecturer at The University of Manchester’s Division of Cancer Sciences. 

The findings from the  study could in the longer term  form the basis for future approaches aimed at informing ovarian cancer risk assessment and  contributinge to less invasive interventions for some high-risk women. 

Surgery to remove the tubes and ovaries is often currently used to reduce risk for high-risk women. 

However, the study raises the prospect of delaying  risk-reducing surgery for some women, preserving their fertility. 

This could be particularly beneficial for the women in the UK who are at high genetic risk of ovarian cancer because they carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation.

Though uncommon in women with an average risk, existing shows that roughly half to three-quarters of women with a high genetic risk of ovarian cancer currently choose surgical removal of the ovaries.

Despite evidence suggesting a prolonged window between pre-cancer lesions inside the fallopian tube and more serious cancer in the ovaries and other tissues, there are currently no clinical tests available to help detect these early pre-cancer changes without invasive surgery.

However, the team in 91ֱ�� have shown that fluid washed through the inside of the fallopian tube could be used to test for broad patterns of molecular changes associated with early tumour development using a technique known as proteomic analysis.

The researchers used the approach in an exploratory study of the fallopian tubes of 27 women who had had them surgically removed.

The women were divided into different groups. The first group were either high-risk BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation carriers or they had an abnormal ovarian growth. A second group had other gynaecological conditions unrelated to ovarian cancer.

The researchers took the samples from the soft, frilly, finger-like edge at the open end of the tube next to the ovary known as the fimbriae.

They were able to detect different patterns of proteins in the washes from high-risk fallopian tubes and tubes associated with ovarian cancer compared to normal.

Some of these proteins overlap with previously proposed biomarkers for advanced disease stages and some may form the basis for future exploratory studies to identify potential targets for ovarian cancer prevention.

Dr Schmidt added: “While further exploration and validation in larger cohorts is needed, our findings point to a promising direction for less invasive ovarian cancer risk management strategies that could – in the longer term –  help reduce reliance on invasive prophylactic surgeries while preserving fertility in some high-risk women.”

“We look forward to taking this novel approach forwards and hope that one day the findings can contribute to the development of an approach that cmight eventuallyan be used in the clinic.”

• The study was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the International Alliance for Cancer Early Detection (ACED) programme.
• The  paper, Fallopian tube lavage sampling towards early detection of pre-invasive ovarian cancer, is available

The £8m programme, which aims to recruit up to 100 patients over 5 years, has secured £3.4 million from the Medical Research Council (MRC), with support from industry partners Poolbeg Pharma plc, Johnson & Johnson, Randox Laboratories Ltd and Sanius Health.

The programme, called RISE*, aims to address one of the biggest challenges in advanced cancer immunotherapies – reducing the potentially life-threatening side effects of powerful therapies such as CAR-T and T-cell engaging bispecific antibodies. These next-generation treatments are already transforming survival prospects for patients with blood cancers like lymphoma and leukaemia, but many experience severe immune system overreactions, including Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) which can cause ‘flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue and muscle ache and can be potentially life-threatening. Approximately two hundred people are given advanced cancer therapies every year, a quarter of whom are treated at The Christie. Nearly a fifth of patients with CRS suffer severe side-effects such as difficulty breathing, organ dysfunction or neurological complications, needing intensive care treatment. 

Dr Jonathan Lim, Honorary Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Christie and Senior Lecturer at The University of Manchester and programme lead for RISE said: “RISE brings together experts from across 91ֱ�� to understand how powerful new cancer immunotherapies work, and why they sometimes cause serious side effects. Our ambition is to position the UK as a global leader in research focused on the safe delivery of cell therapies.”

Talking about her experience, Elkie said: “CAR-T was basically the only option left for me and without it I wouldn’t be here. I was told my bone marrow was about 90% leukaemia, so my prognosis was very poor. I was given a 20% chance of the treatment being successful and told about the side-effects which scared me, but I didn’t have an alternative. I was in hospital for a month and a half and spent a week in the critical care unit. I got neurotoxicity and my personality changed over-night. I was in and out of consciousness and very confused. I had hallucinations and woke up on Easter Sunday convinced I was Jesus. I became paranoid and thought I was kidnapped and chained up, but it was just the IV tubes around the bed. I even tried to attack my poor mum.

“It was very tough, but the tremendous support from my mum, boyfriend and the whole family got me through, as well as the fantastic Christie medical team. If there’d been a drug available to prevent the side effects, I would have felt less anxiety beforehand and would have had a much better experience altogether. If the researchers find a way of preventing these awful side-effects, that will make a massive difference for patients like me. It could be a real game-changer.

“My memory isn’t what it was, and my immune system is very weak, so I have to have an infusion once a month to give it a boost. I also get tired very easily but I’m now back working part-time at a hair salon and enjoying life with my boyfriend, Christy and the rest of my family.”

In parallel, the 91ֱ�� Wearables Research Group and the Christabel Pankhurst Institute at The University of Manchester, core partners of the RISE programme, will deploy a digital monitoring platform to track patients receiving standard-of-care CAR-T therapy. This technology aims to detect early signs of inflammation and enable earlier clinical intervention, before complications escalate.

Professor Alejandro Frangi, Director of the Christabel Pankhurst Institute and co-lead of RISE said: “To push the boundaries of what’s possible in immunotherapy research, we’re embedding artificial intelligence and machine learning from the outset. These high-risk and potentially high-reward tools will help uncover insights that traditional methods might miss – accelerating discovery and enabling smarter, faster solutions.”

Any patients interested in taking part in clinical trials should discuss this option with their consultant or GP. Not all patients will fit the criteria for a specific trial. While clinical trials can be successful for some patients, outcomes can vary from case to case. More information about taking part in clinical trials can be found .

*RISE stands for ‘Reducing Immune Stress from Excess Cytokine release in advanced therapies’.

Dr Glenn Wells, Medical Research Council Deputy Executive Chair, said: “This project is part of a £9 million public sector investment through MRC’s first Prosperity Partnerships. With additional contribution from industry and close collaboration with key regulatory bodies, we are addressing the safety and toxicity of advanced therapies. This research is critical to improving how gene, cell-based, and nucleic acid-dependent therapies are developed for conditions such as cancers and rare genetic disorders, so we can make meaningful improvements to patient outcomes.”

A patient who welcomes the news about this research is Elkie Mellor, 22, from Bebington in the Wirral, Merseyside who underwent CAR-T treatment for  in March 2024. This was the third time she’d had leukaemia, having first been diagnosed when she was 14 years old.

Led and funded by researchers at The University of Manchester and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Greater 91ֱ�� (ARC-GM), and NIHR 91ֱ�� Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). The papers, published in The British Journal of Psychiatry, examined adults and young people who accessed the Greater 91ֱ�� Resilience Hub, which was established to coordinate psychological support following the attack.

The attack on 22nd May 2017 killed 22 people and around 19,500 people were present at the Arena, including concert-goers, staff, parents and emergency responders.

Adult study: timely help seeking is linked to lower levels of mental distress

The first paper analysed data from 2,627 adults who registered with the Resilience Hub during the three years after the attack. Researchers examined screening results for symptoms of trauma, depression, anxiety and problems with social or work functioning. Participants were grouped according to when they first registered—from three months to more than three years after the attack—and followed over time.

Those who sought help earlier were less symptomatic when they first contacted the Hub. People who waited longer to register tended to have higher levels of distress, depression and anxiety, but all groups showed improvement in mental health over time. Later registrants improved at a slightly faster rate once they engaged with support.

The analysis also showed that individuals who had more contact time with Hub staff, through assessments, therapy sessions or group workshops, tended to experience greater reductions in depression and anxiety scores.

Researchers concluded that early and sustained engagement with mental health support services can be beneficial after a traumatic event. They also found that even those who delayed seeking help experienced improvement once they accessed care.

Dr Louise Hussey, lead author and Research Fellow at the  University of Manchester said:

“These papers explore how the Resilience Hub supported people affected by the 2017 traumatic event. They add to existing evidence showing the benefits of providing timely mental health support after major incidents. The research also offers valuable insight into how the Hub was developed as a rapid and ongoing response to urgent needs. This work is helping to inform future service planning and provision, with the aim of improving outcomes for those affected by similar events.” 

Sister paper: impact on children and adolescents

A companion study, “Has mental health changed in children and adolescents registered with a dedicated support service responding to the 91ֱ�� Arena attack: 3-year follow-up,” examined similar data from younger registrants of the Hub. It explored how symptoms changed over time among children and adolescents affected by the attack, including those present at the Arena and those indirectly affected through family members. Researchers also looked at some of the children and adolescence mental health screening scores in relation to those provided by their parents/guardians. Parents/guardians with a higher level of mental distress were observed to assign higher anxiety scores to their child or adolescent in relation to the score reported by the young person themselves. This showed that parental wellbeing was associated with child’s mental distress indicating shared family trauma should be considered when planning care.

Together, the two studies provide a detailed picture of the psychological impact of the 91ֱ�� Arena attack and the long-term value of proactive, coordinated mental health support.

Wider lessons

The authors note that the findings reinforce the importance of early outreach and accessible psychological services following mass trauma events. We recommend that future emergency response planning should include systems for early identification, regular follow-up and data collection to support ongoing evaluation.

Read more about the project here:

Read both papers in full via the links below;

Anyone impacted by the 91ֱ�� Arena attack can still contact the Greater 91ֱ�� Resilience Hub on 0333 009 5071 or email gm.help@nhs.net. The Hub provides a range of specialist, psychological support services to help people affected by trauma; including supporting anyone living in Greater 91ֱ�� affected by the 91ֱ�� synagogue attack in October 2025.

Published in Brain, Behaviour and Immunity, the study adds to the emerging idea of the “gut-brain axis” – in which scientists suggest allows communication between the two organs in both health and disease.

The study casts more light on the biology of stroke, a life-threatening medical emergency that disrupts blood flow to parts of the brain often causing long-term effects to mobility and cognition.

Stroke patients are also at risk of secondary bacterial infections and often exhibit gastrointestinal symptoms including difficulty swallowing and constipation.

Increasing evidence suggests these gastrointestinal complications are associated with changes in the commensal microbiota – the community of “good bacteria” that normally keep our guts healthy.

The changes are seen both in stroke patients and in animal models of stroke, yet the underlying reasons for these gut symptoms and their importance for stroke severity or recovery have been poorly understood.

Previous studies from scientists who co-authored the current study have shown how signals from the nervous system may act to change gut immune responses following stroke.

The latest study, funded by the Wellcome Trust,  shows the axis may also work in both directions, with antibody-producing immune cells moving to the brain and the associated membranes during stroke – although the importance of this for stroke severity and prognosis is not yet known.

Using mice, the team studied the changes that happened in the small intestine after a stroke,  revealing populations of immune cells that make antibodies became altered in the first few days.

In particular they found that a specialised subset of cells that make an antibody called Immunoglobulin A (IgA) became hyper-activated. IgA acts to manage the populations of commensal bacteria that live in the intestine and determine gut health.

The researchers then found that mice lacking IgA do not exhibit the same degree of changes to the gut microbiome following stroke – suggesting altered immune function could in part explain some changes seen in the intestinal tract of stroke patients.

Lead investigator Professor Matt Hepworth from  the Lydia Becker Institute of Immunity and Inflammation at The University of Manchester said: “Stroke is a devastating neurological event but also has many long-term consequences that can leave the patient at risk of airway infection, as well as gastrointestinal complications.

“Working with neuroscientists, we were able to begin to uncover how the immune system in the gut becomes disturbed following a stroke, and how that might lead to changes in the way the gut deals with its “good bacteria”.

“We now think these immune changes might contribute to the intestinal symptoms and long-term complications seen in stroke patients.”

He added: “While the focus remains on stroke prevention, as well as early intervention to minimise the damage in patients who do suffer stroke we reveal new understanding of the secondary pathologies experienced throughout the body and that contribute to long-term complications for recovering patients.

“As immune-targeting therapeutics are increasingly used in the clinic, this opens up the possibility of treating immune driven disease symptoms following a stroke to improve patients’ quality of life.”

• The paper Cerebral ischaemic stroke results in altered mucosal antibody responses and host-commensal microbiota interactions  available . DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2025.106184.

Girls vaccinated before the age of 16 were found to be 80% less likely to develop cervical cancer. The reviews also confirm that HPV vaccines are only likely to cause minor, transient side effects such as a sore arm. The reviews were supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Professor Emma Crosbie, Honorary Consultant in Gynaecological Oncology at Saint Mary’s Hospital, part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, was involved in the new Cochrane reviews.

Prof Crosbie, who is also Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Co-Theme Lead at the NIHR 91ֱ�� Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and Professor of Gynaecological Oncology at The University of Manchester, specialises in the screening, prevention and early diagnosis of gynaecological cancers.

She said: “Cervical cancer is an essentially preventable disease; we can prevent it through screening and vaccination. The Cochrane review looked at all the available evidence from all the studies that have been done so far looking at the effectiveness of HPV vaccination and its long-term safety.”

HPV is a family of common viruses, including the viruses that cause skin warts. Whilst many types of HPV are harmless, other ‘high-risk’ types can cause cancers of the cervix, anus, penis, vulva, vagina, and throat, and others cause anogenital warts.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide and causes more than 300,000 deaths each year, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. The new reviews confirm that vaccination against HPV can prevent most of these cancers from developing.

Prof Crosbie said: “Unfortunately, year on year, we have seen a drop in the number of people taking up vaccination. HPV vaccination is incredibly safe. The work we have done with Cochrane show there are no negative long-term health impacts associated with vaccination. Many millions of people have now been vaccinated with the HPV vaccine, and we have not seen any safety issues.”

Watch this video to hear Professor Crosbie discuss the importance of the HPV vaccine, alongside senior author, Dr Jo Morrison and Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist, Laura Pope who was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Clinical trial evidence supports effectiveness and safety

The first review focused on randomised controlled trials and included 60 studies with 157,414 participants. They found that all HPV vaccines were effective in preventing infections that can lead to cancer and other HPV-related conditions, with no evidence of serious safety concerns.

Because cancers caused by HPV can take many years to develop, most studies did not follow participants long enough to measure direct effects on cancer itself. However, vaccines such as Cervarix, Gardasil, and Gardasil-9 reduced precancerous changes in the cervix and other tissues in people aged 15 to 25 years, as well as the number of people needing treatment for HPV-related disease. The vaccines that included protection against the relevant HPV types significantly reduced the risk of anogenital warts.

Short-term side effects like mild pain or swelling at the injection site were common, but serious side effects were rare and occurred at similar rates in both vaccine and control groups.

“Clinical trials cannot yet give us the whole picture on cervical cancer, as HPV-related cancers can take many years to develop,” says Hanna Bergman, co-lead author. “That being said, the evidence from these trials confirms that HPV vaccines are highly effective at preventing the infections that lead to cancer, without any sign of serious safety concerns.”

Real-world evidence confirms long-term protection

The second review analysed evidence from 225 studies involving more than 132 million people across multiple countries. It looked at observational study designs, including population-level studies comparing outcomes before and after introduction of the vaccine. Findings show that HPV vaccination clearly reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer and pre-cancerous changes of the cervix. The results came from studies of various designs across different follow-up periods.

Girls vaccinated at or before the age of 16 were 80% less likely to develop cervical cancer than unvaccinated girls. The review also found substantial reductions in pre-cancerous changes (known as CIN2+ and CIN3+), and in anogenital warts, which are also caused by HPV infection. Reductions were greater in people who received the HPV vaccine at or before the age of 16.

Importantly, the review found no evidence to support claims that HPV vaccination increases the risk of serious adverse events. By cross-referencing alleged adverse events with real-world follow-up data, the review team found no relationship between reported serious side effects and HPV vaccination.

“We now have clear and consistent evidence from around the world that HPV vaccination prevents cervical cancer,” says Nicholas Henschke, co-lead author. “An important finding was that the commonly reported side effects of the vaccine, often discussed on social media, were found to hold no evidence of a real link to vaccination.”

Global impact and next steps

Together, the two Cochrane reviews provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date evidence on HPV vaccination to date, drawing from both large-scale real-world studies and rigorous clinical trials. Evidence shows that HPV vaccination is a safe and highly effective public health measure, capable of preventing cancers that affect hundreds of thousands of people every year.

The findings underscore global recommendations to vaccinate both girls and boys, ideally before the age of 16, to achieve the greatest protection against HPV-related cancers. Protection is strongest when vaccination occurs before sexual debut and exposure to the virus.

However, the authors also note some evidence gaps. Most research has been conducted in high-income countries, meaning more studies are needed in low- and middle-income settings, where cervical cancer is more common and screening programs are lacking; it is in these countries that HPV vaccination will have an even more positive impact. However, to achieve the World Health Organisation’s ambition to eradicate cervical cancer, high rates of HPV vaccination, cervical screening and treatment of pre-cancers detected by screening remain crucial.

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for the prevention of cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases: a network meta-analysis is available
• Effects of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programmes on community rates of HPV-related disease and harms from vaccination is available

In February this year, Oliver (Ollie) Chu, was treated for Hunter syndrome in a clinical study being delivered at Royal 91ֱ�� Children’s Hospital (RMCH) in collaboration with the 91ֱ�� Centre for Genomic Medicine at Saint Mary’s Hospital – both part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) The trial is managed and sponsored by the University of Manchester.

Children with Hunter syndrome, a rare, inherited condition also known as mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II), have an error in a gene, meaning they cannot produce an important enzyme that breaks down complex sugar molecules. Over time these sugars build up in organs and tissues, leading to joint stiffness, hearing loss, breathing and heart problems, developmental delays and cognitive decline, resembling childhood dementia. Hunter syndrome can be life-threatening, with life expectancy typically between 10 and 20 years. Currently the only licensed drug that can help to improve life for children with Hunter syndrome is Elaprase – a weekly enzyme replacement therapy that takes approximately three hours, that children must take for their whole life. Approximately 50 patients in the UK receive Elaprase, which costs around £375,000 a year per patient. The drug can reduce mobility and organ problems but cannot improve mental decline.

Now, several months on from the procedure, Ollie has fully recovered from the transplant, and his parents and the 91ֱ�� researchers are excited by his progress.

The clinical study at RMCH is investigating a one-off gene therapy which involves removing the child’s stem cells, replacing the faulty gene and re-injecting the modified cells into the patient. These stem cells can produce high levels of the missing enzyme and also reach the brain.

Professor Rob Wynn, Consultant Paediatric Haematologist and Director of Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Programme at RMCH and joint clinical lead, said: ““For many years we have performed bone marrow transplant for children with Hunter Syndrome and similar illnesses. However, these are difficult procedures that can only deliver as much enzyme as the donor’s blood naturally has.

“Gene therapy is not only safer and more effective, but it enables us to use the child’s own cells which cuts out the need to find a donor, and means we can produce more enzyme for the patient.

“The principles of using gene therapy of blood cells to treat patients with this disease can be applied to many other conditions which offers exciting prospects for patients and healthcare professionals. Our medicine is becoming safer, and better, and that can only be a good thing!”

Professor Simon Jones Consultant in Paediatric Inherited Metabolic Disease at the 91ֱ�� Centre for Genomic Medicine at Saint Mary’s Hospital,  joint study lead, said: “Since having the gene therapy Ollie is no longer having weekly Elaprase infusions, but instead of seeing levels of the previously missing enzyme dropping we are seeing very high levels in his blood, and this is an extremely encouraging sign that the treatment is working.

Professor Jones, who is also a Medical Director of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) 91ֱ�� Clinical Research Facility (CRF) at RMCH, added: “I have worked in researching treatments for children with rare genetic diseases for over twenty years and I have sadly seen many children lose their lives to these devastating conditions. This is a truly exciting development which could lead the way for treating similar genetic conditions and bring hope to other families.”

Ollie Chu is the first of five young children with Hunter syndrome to participate in this study. The research is jointly funded by the University of Manchester and by LifeArc, a self-funded, not-for-profit medical research organisation, and developed by researchers at MFT and The University of Manchester, working in partnership with the University of Edinburgh and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), where patients’ cells are taken to be modified with the missing gene in their specialist laboratories.

Ollie’s story

Ollie was diagnosed with Hunter Syndrome after five-year-old brother, Skyler, was found to have the condition.

Ollie, who lives in California with mum Jingru, dad Ricky, and Skyler travelled to the UK to be part of the research, after tests showed he was still in the early stages of the condition.

Ricky said: “Although it was a big commitment to travel to the UK, of course we want the best for our children, so when this opportunity came up in 91ֱ��, we discussed it as a family. Due to Skyler’s age, he was not eligible to take part in the 91ֱ�� trial and is taking part in a different study in the United States. That has meant splitting up the family, but it was something we were willing to do for Ollie to have the opportunity to be in this trial.

“There are very few times where your child can have a reset on life so if you can give them that chance, then it’s just something you do.

“Ollie is doing great since having the gene therapy. We have seen dramatic improvements, and he continues to grow physically and cognitively. Our hope for Ollie because of this treatment is that he will continue to make his own enzymes and live a normal life without infusions.

“We’re excited for Ollie’s future. Seeing the difference for Ollie pre-and post-transplant has made us believers.

“We will be forever grateful to the entire research team for allowing us to be part of this research. I’ve been a huge advocate of this trial. The medical team is very transparent and provides all the information that they can.

"We think it’s wonderful that there is research being done on rare conditions. Our priority is our children but knowing that this could result in helping other children around the world is very meaningful for us. We hope that one day, a treatment becomes available for all children at all stages of Hunter syndrome.”

Brian Bigger, Honorary Professor at The University of Manchester, academic lead said: “This therapy was developed over the course of 10 years at the University 91ֱ�� and seeing this now tested in patients by the clinical team at MFT has been incredibly rewarding.”

“We developed an improved method of stem cell gene therapy which adds a short tag to the missing enzyme, allowing it to cross the blood-brain-barrier and improve the amount of enzyme delivered to the brain. This helps break down complex sugars that build up in the brain and aims to prevent the devastating dementia-like decline seen in children with severe Hunter disease. Parents have told us that this symptom is the most important factor to improve quality of life for their family.”

• Philanthropic support from individual donors and not-for-profit medical research organisations such as , has been essential in driving this progress forward. Philanthropy helps to bridge critical funding gaps and translate breakthrough science into life-changing therapies. To learn more about the University's fundraising for research, visit: Challenge Accepted.