Search for: "NHS" - 250 articles found

News • Urologie

Urine test detects 9 in 10 bladder cancers in NHS study

A non-invasive urine test detected more than 9 in 10 bladder cancers in a large NHS study – and could reduce urgent cystoscopies significantly.

News • Medical professionals after the referendum

How Brexit transformed the UK health care workforce

Decreased health care worker migration, worsening physician shortages: Brexit – the UK's vote to leave the EU – has profoundly impacted the English healthcare system, a new study finds.

News • Digital transformation

“From bricks to clicks”? Experts flag risk of patient harm from NHS 10 Year Health Plan

The NHS 10 Year Health Plan goes all-in on digital transformation. But experts warn that widespread lack of safety documentation could lead to “patient harm at an unprecedented scale”.

News • Implementation assessment

Patient safety: Can “Martha's Rule” save lives?

“Martha’s Rule” is designed to give patients and families the opportunity to report concerns during hospital stay. Five years after its introduction, a study evaluates the benefits.

News • Skilled professionals

Study: Supportive workplaces key to retaining nurses

What keeps experienced nurses from leaving their jobs? A new study suggests that improving the work environment should be a central part of efforts to keep experienced staff alongside wider measures.

News • Wound management

Compression for venous leg ulcers: which method works best?

Strong compression is important for people with venous leg ulcers, to improve blood flow and support healing. Now, a study explores the pros and cons of different bandages, wraps, and stockings.

News • Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy

New technique could aid targeted lung cancer treatment

Detecting genetic mutations associated with lung cancer via laboratory tests can be expensive and time-consuming, and use up valuable tissue from small biopsy samples. A new approach aims to fix this.

NHS AI use cases spotlighted by World Economic Forum for work with FLock.io

FLock.io has been spotlighted by the World Economic Forum (WEF)’s MINDS programme for two NHS trusts using its privacy-preserving AI to tackle major diseases. Both trusts use its federated learning platform to train clinical models while maintaining 100% data sovereignty.

News • Support for family carers

Dementia care: Digital platform helps reduce anxiety, depression

A new digital therapy platform, for use on mobile devices or computers, aims to help carers looking after people with dementia, reducing anxiety and depression levels.

News • Femoral neck fracture treatment

Hip replacement: Study shows benefits of dual mobility-THR

Using dual mobility total hip replacements (DM-THR) instead of the standard THR approach greatly reduces the likelihood of dislocation post-surgery, a new study finds.

News • Patient-specific AF models

'Digital twin' hearts could help treat Atrial Fibrillation

A cross-University paper led by researchers at Queen Mary University of London shows how better ‘digital twins’ could help doctors treating people with Atrial Fibrillation.

Article • Choosing the right modality for expectant mothers

Abdominal imaging in pregnancy: Balancing diagnostic accuracy with fetal safety

Imaging pregnant women with acute abdominal pain remains a significant clinical challenge – not only because of concerns about the impact on the unborn child, but also due to the anatomical changes that can obscure diagnosis. At the European Congress of Radiology (ECR) in Vienna, radiologists Vikas Shah and Charis Bourgioti examined the protocols for safe imaging in pregnancy and the management…

Article • Experts call for joined-up NHS services

Reshaping women’s healthcare – from postcode lottery to personalised pathways

Fragmented care pathways, persistent data gaps and a ‘postcode lottery’ of services continue to undermine the quality of healthcare for women across the United Kingdom. At the HETT25 conference in London, a panel of experts from primary and secondary care, research, femtech and digital health innovation discussed how integrated care models and digital tools can reshape outcomes – and why…

News • Patient perception

Pushy AI chatbots risk putting patients off screening appointments

"Let's book you in": AI chatbots are generally seen as a welcome tool for managing medical screening appointments. However, too much of a good thing can backfire, a new study finds.

News • Infection prevention

Needle-free ‘universal vaccine’ could protect from future virus outbreaks

A research team has developed a way to engineer better vaccines that could provide broad protection from thousands of variants of viruses - such as coronaviruses or Ebola - in a single vaccine.

News • OPTIMA trial results

Gene test could safely spare breast cancer patients of chemotherapy

Many people with breast cancer can avoid chemotherapy with a gene test, potentially sparing them side effects without increasing the risk of the cancer returning, a clinical trial has found.

News • Prediction of myocardial viability

Heart’s ‘natural bypass’ could spare patients from risky procedures

A new study reveals how a simple angiogram scoring system could help identify patients whose heart muscle is still alive - even when a major artery has been completely blocked for months.

News • Focus on cellular senescence

Urine test could help detect lung cancer years before symptoms occur

A simple, affordable urine test could detect early signs of lung cancer months, or even years, before symptoms appear, as well as monitor whether treatment is working and identify potential relapse.

News • Decarbonisation effort

“MedZero”: Global database shows carbon footprint of healthcare products

Data experts have created the first global carbon analytics database – a new resource to help hospitals and clinics save money, reduce waste, improve patient care, and tackle climate change.

News • Study measures health impact

Reusable catheters = infection risk? New study says no

For decades, patients have been strictly advised to use single-use catheters to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). However, a new study suggests that reusable options are equally safe.

News • Remote rehabilitation

iRehab: Towards better recovery for intensive care survivors

A new clinical trial has identified new opportunities to improve recovery for intensive care survivors through remote rehabilitation delivered in patients’ homes.

News • Recovery aid

VR rehabilitation after spinal and brain surgery shows promise

Patients recovering from brain and spinal cord injuries could soon benefit from virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation delivered directly at their hospital bedside, according to a new study.

News • Healthcare economy

Hiring more staff won't fix NHS surgery backlogs (but other measures might)

Researchers from some of the UK’s leading academic institutions have warned that simply hiring more NHS staff will not be enough to reduce surgery backlogs, in newly published research.

News • Bone healing ‘superpower’

Wrist fracture in children: Trial favours cast-first approach

Most children with a broken wrist can be treated without surgery, a major trial finds, suggesting that a cast-first approach delivers similar long-term recovery while reducing risks and costs.

News • Behavioural, lifestyle and psychosocial information

“Digital twin” AI links mental health to type 2 diabetes

A new study using a “digital twin” AI model has found that factors such as loneliness, insomnia and poor mental health substantially raise a person’s future risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Article • Perioperative pathways

Smart waiting lists: From one-size-fits-all to personalised pre-op care

Digital solutions that integrate surgical waiting lists with GP records are helping hospitals improve perioperative pathways and reduce unnecessary appointments. Dr Simon Rang, Consultant Anaesthetist at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, explains how risk stratification is transforming patient care.

News • Image encryption approach

Embracing chaos to enhance cybersecurity of medical images

Leveraging the power of chaos theory, experts have developed a new way to encrypt medical images such as X-ray, CT and MRI scans, keeping them secure even if hospital networks are breached.

News • AI-powered care operations

AI triage to cut NHS waiting lists by 70%

Sword Intelligence applies AI to triage and care coordination, reporting a 70% cut in musculoskeletal waiting lists and a fourfold boost in operational capacity.

News • Study shows stage-specific outcomes

Screening increases survival rate – even in advanced breast cancer

Study shows women with stage IV breast cancer detected through screening have a 60% chance of survival ten years after diagnosis – compared to under 20% for those not detected through screening.

News • Alternative to anaesthesia

Mindfulness might be the key for more effective endoscopies

Less cancers missed, fewer complications: Mindfulness enables procedures to be done to a higher standard in awake patients than is currently possible under general anaesthesia or sedation.

Pharmaceutical Press shares the most common types of medication errors

In this on-demand webinar, participants will learn how to safely administer drugs to patients with swallowing difficulties or enteral feeding tubes, including injectable drug compatibility.

News • Medical equipment

Endoscope receives balloon control upgrade

Fujifilm Healthcare Europe has announced a new upgrade for its EN-840T therapeutic double balloon enteroscope, which enables single-switch control of the PB-30 balloon control unit directly from the endoscope during double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) procedures.

News • Laboratory Information Management System

Blood transfusion service receives LIMS upgrade

The Blood Transfusion service at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) has implemented Clinisys WinPath LIMS, marking the first deployment of this system in Wales.

News • Study finds faster regain than ending diet programmes

GLP-1 discontinuation: weight-loss drugs work – until you stop

Drawbacks of GLP-1 discontinuation: People tend to regain weight rapidly after stopping weight-loss drugs - and faster than after ending behavioural weight loss programmes - according to new research.

News • Clinical phase entered

'Final push' for new device to prevent birth trauma

A first-time mother has about a 30% chance of complication in the second stage of labour, requiring assisted delivery or emergency C-section. A new device could help reduce birth trauma.

News • Prevention of unnecessary emergency admissions

Mobile Stroke Units could reduce pressure on healthcare systems, study finds

Mobile Stroke Units, equipped with a CT scanner, point-of-care laboratory, and communications capabilities, could reduce unnecessary emergency department transfers by 86%, a new study finds.

News • Adaptive re-planning

Repurposed radiotherapy scans to guide prostate cancer treatment

Radiotherapy is effective against prostate cancer but can cause side effects. Using AI, scientists found that images originally taken to help position patients could also predict rectal bleeding.

News • A £15.5 million price tag

Avoidable knee surgery cancellations: a costly, painful problem

Thousands of NHS knee replacement operations are cancelled at short notice every year, many for avoidable reasons, a new study shows. This costs the NHS millions of pounds and increases waiting times.

News • Research anthology

Finding solutions to sexual harassment in medicine

One-third of junior doctors have experienced sexual harassment and abuse within their healthcare system. A new research anthology aims to help understand and tackle the root causes, and find potential solutions.

News • New decision making framework

BAt: Towards precision medicine for COPD

A European consortium has developed a new decision making framework for health professionals which they hope will transform the care of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

News • Classification of morphology

Generative AI to spot blood cell abnormalities missed by doctors

Researchers have created a system that uses generative AI to study the shape and structure of blood cells, and spot unusual or rare cells that may indicate disease such as leukaemia.

Article • Security’s double-edged sword

Building cyber resilience in the age of AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare, but it also introduces new cybersecurity risks that challenge IT teams. While AI streamlines diagnosis and workflow, cybercriminals are leveraging the same technology to infiltrate hospital systems. Experts addressed these emerging threats and strategies for resilience during the ‘Maximising What You Have for Cyber Resilience – Ask the…

News • Fueled by glucose

No batteries required: powering medical implants with body sugar

In the future, health monitors and medical devices could be powered by the body’s natural sugars: A new research project aims to harness power from glucose for implantable medical devices.

News • Implant longevity

Smart feature management to extend pacemaker battery life

Pacemakers have a range of different functions, not all of which are needed for every patient – switching off unnecessary features could help extend the battery life of the devices by several years.

News • Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Blood test for ME/CFS unveiled

Chronic fatigue (ME/CFS) affects millions worldwide, but is poorly understood and has long lacked reliable diagnostic tools. Now, a new blood test claims to diagnose the condition with 96% accuracy.

News • Study explores clinical potential of WGS

Whole genome sequencing could help 15,000 breast cancer patients per year, study finds

Breast cancer claims around 670.000 lives each year. Now, researchers propose that whole genome sequencing (WGS) could help many patients find better treatments or match them with clinical trials.

Article • Personalizing stroke care

Advancing genomic medicine from promise to practice with digital technology

Stroke patients in four NHS hospitals are now receiving genetic tests that determine whether a commonly prescribed drug will work for them – a breakthrough that could transform treatment for millions. Digital approaches are spearheading a drive to help make genomic medicine part of everyday care. The role of digital tools was a central theme at the HETT (Healthcare Excellence Through…

News • Focus on methylation changes

Detecting tumour DNA in urine to identify bladder cancer

Researchers from the University of Birmingham’s Bladder Cancer Research Centre have found a new way of detecting tumour DNA in urine to identify bladder cancer.

Article • Complexities of doctor-patient communication

“Very rarely a chance of heart attack or death” – Wait, what?

Hospitalists frequently discuss the risks associated with tests, treatments, and/or surgical procedures with their patients. But is everyone in the clear on what a “slight risk of complications” actually means? A session on the meaning of risk to patients and how to effectively communicate risk was discussed at SHM Converge 2025, the annual meeting of the Society of Hospitalist Medicine.

News • Hurdles for AI implementation

What's holding back the digital transformation of NHS healthcare

Digital transformation, including AI, is key to improving healthcare services - but this may be easier said than done: A new UK study identifies hurdles for AI implementation in NHS hospitals.

News • Flying lifesavers

Sending defibrillator drones to respond to cardiac arrests

A new study demonstrates drones can deliver life-saving AEDs in just minutes from an emergency call – potentially doubling survival rates in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

News • Response to changes in pH levels

‘Artificial cartilage’ releases drugs to counter arthritis flare-ups

A squishy new ‘artificial cartilage’ material could improve arthritis treatments by releasing anti-inflammatory drugs in response to a flare-up.

News • Clarithromycin versus endoscopy

Sinusitis: Study favors surgery over antibiotics

Surgery or antibiotics? For the first time, a major clinical trial compared treatment options for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), or sinusitis – clearly favoring the surgical approach.

Article • From H&E to multiplex

Self-learning AI: a boost for digital pathology

Self-learning artificial intelligence approaches are offering a number of advantages for digital pathology when compared to established AI options. The benefits, which range from greater speed and capacitive flexibility to ‘wholly interpretable’ analyses, were outlined at the Digital Pathology and AI Congress in London.

News • Evidence-generated sockets

Data-driven designs to improve prosthetic legs

Researchers have developed a new, data-driven way of fitting prosthetic legs which could lead to better fitting prosthetics, in less time and at a lower cost.

News • SEBS material safety

New artificial heart valve passes long-term test in animals

An artificial heart valve made from SEBS, a new type of highly durable and biocompatible plastic, could be a step closer to use in humans, following a successful long-term safety test in animals.

News • Endoscopic magnetometer

Finding cancer with diamond sensors

Researchers report they have built a new non-toxic and non-radioactive handheld device that uses the unique properties of diamonds to diagnose metastasized breast cancer.

Article • Digital support for the women’s health agenda

Bridging the gender health gap

Digital technology is being harnessed to support the women’s health agenda in the UK and address issues of equity and access to healthcare through a range of innovative initiatives. Delegates to the HETT (Healthcare Excellence Through Technology) North conference in Manchester heard how digital technology is being leveraged to support women’s health Hubs – which tailor care to meet…

News • Research into socioeconomic factors

Why poor patients often have poorer surgical outcomes

Lower income, higher BMI, less time and fewer resources to improve their health: A new study links social and environmental factors in patients from deprived areas to poorer outcomes in surgery.

News • Study explores drug misinformation

Breastfeeding and medication: safety advice often unfounded

Breastfeeding women often choose not to take their medications because they worry about their baby; or stop breastfeeding because of their medicines. However, new research suggests that this is often unnecessary.

News • Environmental control, ePR interaction, and more

Digitizing rehabilitation with ‘intelligent bedside terminals’

‘Intelligent bedside terminals’ installed at the upcoming NHS National Rehabilitation Centre in Loughborough are designed to help patients engage in their ongoing rehabilitation.

News • Prediction of regurgitant valvular heart diseases

AI identifies hidden heart valve defects from a patient’s ECG

A new AI tool has been shown to accurately predict who would go on to develop leaks in the heart valves – conditions known as regurgitant valvular heart diseases, at a very early stage from an ECG.

Article • Realising the potential of Smart Hospitals

Digital technology to optimize use of hospital space

From identifying under-utilized rooms to tracking spare mobile equipment like wheelchairs, spatial awareness technology is evolving to improve day-to-day operations on healthcare sites. The technology, which is already being deployed in airports, universities and industrial premises, is now seeing growing applications within hospitals. At the HETT (Healthcare Excellence Through Technology) North…

News • Sex differences of coronary microvascular dysfunction

Study reveals hidden heart risks in women with type 2 diabetes

Women with type 2 diabetes are nearly twice as likely as men to have hidden heart damage, according to a major new study. This could lead to sex-specific risk assessment and treatments.

Article • Digital resilience

Healthcare cybersecurity: from basics to best practices

Building resilience for digitally driven healthcare: At the HETT (Healthcare Excellence Through Technology) North conference in Manchester, leading IT specialists highlighted the need for high levels of education, awareness and vigilance among healthcare staff in the fight to protect systems against cyberattack.

News • Emergency hospitalisation driver

Polypharmacy: hidden risks for older patients

Too many medicines, too many hospital visits: Inappropriate polypharmacy is a major driver of emergency hospital admissions among adults aged 65 and over, according to a new study.

News • Integration of digital pathology and AI tools

Digital pathology partnership to streamline workflows and enhance diagnostics

Digital pathology software company Fujifilm Healthcare Europe and Ibex Medical Analytics, specializing in AI-powered cancer diagnostics, announce a formal partnership to support efficient and accurate cancer diagnosis.

Article • Precision approach through the eye socket

Orbital gateway to surgical removal of brain tumours

Using a keyhole surgery approach, surgeons have found a new way to access previously difficult-to-reach brain regions with faster recovery times. With the help of 3D modelling technology, the neurosurgeons succeeded in removing complex tumours from the cavernous sinus through the eye socket, avoiding complex brain surgery and enabling their patients to make a quicker recovery.

News • NHS rollout

Liquid biopsy: new ‘blood test-first’ approach for lung cancer

A new ‘liquid biopsy’ test can help fast-track lung cancer patients to receive targeted therapy up to two weeks earlier, while helping avoid further tests and treatments including chemotherapy.

News • Machine learning analysis

Cancer genomics: new ML tool weeds out false positives

A major challenge in cancer genomics is separating meaningful mutations from false positives. A new tool uses machine learning to significantly reduce these errors.

News • Neuroimaging

MS diagnostics: MRI can replace painful lumbar puncture

Experts from the University of Nottingham have proven that multiple sclerosis can successfully be diagnosed using an MRI scan, meaning patients no longer need to undergo a painful lumbar puncture.

News • Appeal for tailored care approaches

Breast cancer: Study reveals ethnic differences in development and outcomes

When it comes to breast cancer, ethnic differences matter, putting some women at a significantly higher risk, a new study finds. Genetic ancestry should therefore be considered as a risk factor.

News • Intestinal disease diagnosis

Next-generation tools find infections missed by standard tests

A University of Liverpool study has used advanced genetic and genomic techniques to offer a major step forward in understanding and diagnosing infectious intestinal diseases.

News • Comparison of imaging methods

4D flow MRI to quicker diagnose aortic stenosis

A new 4D flow MRI method could accelerate diagnosis of aortic stenosis, a progressive and potentially fatal heart condition.

News • Diagnostic technology

First European reference site for new digital pathology solutions

North Bristol NHS Trust and Fujifilm Healthcare Europe continue their long-standing relationship, with the establishment of a reference site agreement for the company's new pathology solution.

News • Additional patient deaths assessment

Nurses leaving: the "life-or-death consequences" of Brexit

In the years following Brexit, many EU nurses have left the UK, and the quality of care suffered for it. Now, a new study puts a number of additional patient deaths as a result of the referendum.

News • New organ-preserving options explored

Five major advances in anal and rectal cancer treatment with radiotherapy

From organ-preserving treatments to chemo-immunotherapy combinations: five studies presented at ESTRO 2025 showcase how radiotherapy is reshaping the treatment landscape for anal and rectal cancer.

News • Healthcare communication

Don't call it diabetes: Campaign for life-saving name change

Arginine vasopressin deficiency (AVP-D) is a rare condition affecting the body's water management. However, it is also known under a different name – this can lead to fatal mix-ups.

News • Cardio-diagnostics for untrained users

Heart disease screening made easy with new handheld device

A new device for people with or without medical training could be used as an easier, more forgiving alternative to stethoscopes to accurately detect valvular heart disease (VHD).

News • Brain MRI analysis

AI tool tracks effectiveness of multiple sclerosis treatments

A new AI tool can extract key information from brain MRI scans of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. This could be used to improve disease and treatment response monitoring.

News • Landmark surgery trial

Gastric bypass, sleeve or band? Study weighs up surgical options for severe obesity

Severe obesity comes with serious health risks, which can be reduced with metabolic and bariatric surgery. Now, a landmark study reveals which operation is most effective or cost-effective.

News • European system launch

Fujifilm welcomes the future of endoscopy

With the Eluxeo® 8000 system, Fujifilm Healthcare Europe is bringing their latest in endoscopy to European markets. The system – the first in an all-new series – features new therapeutic capabilities, workflow management and improved image quality.

News • Parallel transmit

New MRI technique enables surgery in treatment-resistant epilepsy

Using ‘parallel transmit’ technique, researchers have found a new way to detect lesions in the brain of patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy in an MRI scan, without imaging signal dropouts.

News • Actionable genetic variants

Look into "Viking Genes" shows benefits of personalised health insights

A research project investigating the genetics and health of volunteers from the Hebrides, Shetland or Orkney shows how distinct genetic populations can benefit from tailored screening programmes.

News • Field cycling imaging

FCI sees 'previously undetectable' cancer spread

Using a prototype field cycling imager (FCI) scanner to examine breast cancer tissue, scientists distinguish tumour material from healthy tissue with more accuracy than current MRI methods.

News • Variations in patient access

Biliary tract cancer: inequalities across Europe

Research on biliary tract cancer is advancing rapidly, ranging from targeted treatments to new drugs. However, the delivery of these advances to patients is lagging behind, new European studies find.

News • Coronary computed tomography angiography

CCTA routine scans prevent thousands of heart attacks, study finds

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) 3D imaging of the heart greatly contributes to preventing heart attacks, compared to standard tests, a new study finds.

News • mpMRI vs TURBT

Bladder cancer: MRI scanning and biopsy as shortcut to correct treatment

Patients with a common aggressive type of bladder cancer could get correct treatment significantly quicker as new research suggests that initial MRI imaging and biopsy could reduce wait times.

News • Osteosarcoma research

Driver behind aggressive bone cancer identified

By analysing the largest collection of whole-genome data from osteosarcoma patients, researchers identified a driving mechanism behind the aggressive development of these bone cancer tumours.

News • Pandemic-induced treatment delays

“Heartbreaking”: the impact of Covid on children with brain tumours

Paediatric brain tumours are difficult to diagnose and treat – especially, when delays occur. A new study explored the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on children with brain tumours.

News • Eco-friendly equipment

Plant-based caps bring more sustainability to the operating theatre

Around 800,000 single-use theatre caps are consumed every year in Scottish hospitals. A new type of caps made from cellulosic fibre offer a sustainable alternative to traditional disposable options.

News • Underdiagnosis of gestational condition

Over half of pregnant women unaware of diabetes, study suggests

More than half of pregnant women in the UK with gestational diabetes are unaware of their condition due to insufficient diagnostics, a study suggests. This could lead to unneccessary complications.

News • PET compound

New radiotracer lights up aggressive cancer tumours

A new radiotracer – an injected compound used in PET scans – could help inform doctors that a patients aggressive cancer will not respond to chemotherapy before treatment is given.

News • Reduction of severe side-effects

A 'kinder' chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma

Treating patients with Hodgkin lymphoma with a different form of chemotherapy shows promise to reduce severe side effects, shorten hospital time and increase likelihood of recovering fertility.

News • Study on care and outcomes in Scotland

Sex differences in treatment after heart attack revealed

After a heart attack, women in Scotland are less likely to receive preventative medicine than men, a new study shows. This could put them at greater risk of further heart attacks, strokes and CVD.

News • Longitudinal study

High hospital staff turnover linked to increased patient deaths

Analysing almost a decade of hospital data, new research shows a clear association between high turnover rates of nurses and doctors in NHS hospitals and a troubling rise in patient mortality rates.

News • Research on bearing materials

Hip replacement: Study shows which implants are built to last

New research has identified hip implant materials with the lowest risk of needing revision, helping hospitals, surgeons and patients to choose what hip implant to use for replacement surgery.

News • Predicting bloodstream infections

AI to tackle antimicrobial resistance, sepsis, in the ICU

UK scientists are harnessing the power of AI to assess the antimicrobial resistance of patients in intensive care units (ICUs) and identify sepsis-causing bloodstream infections.

AI making earlier detection of colorectal cancer possible

Early detection is crucial for effective treatment of colorectal cancer, but the initial stages are easily missed during endoscopy screenings. With GI Genius, Medtronic presents an AI-powered tool to help detect precancerous lesions in real-time. In an upcoming large-scale trial, the intelligent endoscopy module will demonstrate its benefit in the clinical context.

Article • Automated glucose monitoring

Pregnancy and diabetes: reducing complications with technology

Women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes often have difficulty getting pregnant, due to complications from the disease, being obese or seriously underweight, or having conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome. Once pregnant, they face challenges of having a safe pregnancy and delivering a healthy baby. Recent advances in diabetes technology, including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and most…

News • Trial of laboratory service

Drone delivery of blood samples debuts in London

The delivery of blood samples via drone from a hospital to a medical laboratory can save a lot of time, compared with land-based transport. A new trial explores the potential in London.

News • Planning of implant positioning

Force sensor to improve hip replacement surgery

A sensor that measures forces passing through the hip joint could help surgeons assess and balance the soft tissues before performing hip implant surgery, leading to more accurate implant positioning.

News • AnWj blood group antigen

MAL: new blood group system discovered

Researchers identified the genetic background of the previously known but mysterious AnWj blood group antigen. The findings allow identification and treatment of patients lacking this blood group.

Article • Liver, renal, pancreas, paediatric and multi-organ transplants

Important role for ultrasound in transplantation imaging

Ultrasound plays a pivotal role in the assessment of organ transplant patients. It enables physicians to safely and easily assess progress, identify complications and resolve problems, as well as deliver long-term monitoring. The value of ultrasound in the transplant space was highlighted in a session at ECR 2024, covering liver, renal, pancreas, paediatric and multi-organ transplants with…

News • COPD and asthma

Certain lung conditions could "mask" lung cancer, delay diagnosis

Certain long-term health conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, can obscure early symptoms of lung cancer, leading to delays in diagnosis, a new study finds.

News • Towards personalised risk assessment

Training an AI to early detect dementia with big data

With enough medical training data, AI can predict health conditions with astounding accuracy. Now, researchers want to use brain scans of the entire Scottish population to have an algorithm early detect dementia.

News • COLO-DETECT trial

Bowel cancer: AI improves early detection

Artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to great effect in colonoscopies to spot abnormalities potentially leading to bowel cancer. This is the result of the recently completed COLO-DETECT trial.

News • Recurrence timeframe analysis

Breast cancer radiotherapy: new insights on duration of protective effect

After breast cancer surgery, radiotherapy helps prevent the cancer from returning. However, this protection does not last forever. A long-term study shows the duration of the treatment's benefits.

News • Concerns about hurried adoption

Survey: Is medical AI taking over too quickly?

The pace of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in personalised medicine is unsettling for great parts of the public. A new survey reflects the worried state of mind in the UK.

News • Public survey on medical conditions

Cancer seen as #1 health concern, AI as solution

Cancer, dementia, heart attack: these are the medical conditions people are most worried about, according to a new UK survey. It also reveals hopes for AI in the future of cancer research and care.

News • New technology approach

‘Personalised’ hip replacements to improve outcomes

Using advanced technology from the automotive and manufacturing industries, researchers are driving medical advancement to create ‘personalised’ hip replacements.

News • Cardiac imaging analysis

AI greatly speeds up heart chamber segmentation from MRI scans

From 45 minutes to just a few seconds: A new computer model utilises AI to examine cardiac MRI scans in the four-chamber plane, potentially offering speedy and dependable heart health evaluation.

News • Evolution and host-specific adaptation

Pseudomonas aeruginosa: origins of an epidemic pathogen

How do pathogenic bacteria evolve to become epidemic? To find out, researchers examined DNA data from almost 10,000 samples taken from infected individuals, animals, and environments around the world.

News • Biomarkers enhance early detection

Parkinson's: blood test predicts disease up to seven years before symptoms

A novel blood test shows promise to predict Parkinson's disease in risk patients up to seven years before the typical motor symptoms appear.

Article • Professional perspectives

Theranostics: A career opportunity for Nuclear Medicine Technologists

What is an advanced clinical practitioner (ACP) and why should nuclear medicine technologists strive to become one? At the 2024 annual meeting of the SNMMI in Toronto, ACP Luisa Roldão Pereira outlined the position and its importance in the clinical context.

Article • Benefits of seated placement

Patient positioning during cancer radiotherapy: Upright is alright

The concept of delivering radiation therapy to cancer patients seated in an upright position is undergoing a major resurgence. Evidence is already highlighting that patients feel more comfortable seated upright and enjoy better communication with radiotherapists during their care. In addition, there are indications of less internal organ movement, enabling more accurate treatment delivery.…

News • UK study confirms

Lung cancer screenings: benefits across all socioeconomic groups

Lung cancer screenings save lives – especially for those who live in economically deprived areas, a new study confirms. The researchers further demonstrate the benefits of using low-dose CT imaging.

News • Women's health equipment

Breast biopsy: New disposable needle now available in Europe

A new type of biopsy needle for breast biopsies designed to capture larger samples, potentially reducing patient discomfort and time under compression has now become available in the European market.

News • Improved detection of heart failure

New MRI model for better imaging of women's hearts

Researchers have been able to fine-tune how magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to detect heart failure in women’s hearts, making it more accurate for female patients.

News • Study on NHS programme

Digital help for weight loss proven effective

A 12-week digital weight management programme has been shown to achieve clinically meaningful weight loss in patients with high BMI plus hypertension, diabetes or both.

News • Voice box cancer treatment

Laryngeal cancer: AI software to better predict outcomes

Experts at Newcastle University have discovered artificial intelligence can be used to analyse medical imaging from CT scans, which is aimed at predicting survival in patients with laryngeal cancer.

News • Biparametric scan

Prostate cancer screening: two-part MRI is enough, study shows

A three-part ‘multiparametric’ MRI of the prostate is standard of care in the UK for patients suspected of having prostate cancer. Now, a study shows two-part scans are sufficient for diagnosis.

News • Preventive blood test

Prostate cancer screening: Study advocates 5-year-interval

How often should men get checked for their level of PSA, a marker for prostate cancer? A German study involving over 12,500 men shows that a five-year interval between tests is safe.

News • Technique comparison study

Oesophageal cancer: standard or keyhole surgery?

When treating oesophageal cancer, surgeons may have a preference towards either open surgery or keyhole techniques. Now, a study explored superiority of one over the other in terms of recovery time and complications.

News • Review calls for immediate action

Medical devices: prone to unfair bias, study finds

Pulse oximeters delivering poorer results in people with darker skin tones, underdiagnosis of cardiac conditions in women: some medical devices are not as fair as the ought to be, a new review finds.

News • Revealed by AI

Prostate cancer: more than just one disease

Artificial Intelligence has helped scientists reveal a new form of aggressive prostate cancer which could revolutionise how the disease is diagnosed and treated in the future.

News • Alternative to endoscopy

Sponge-on-a-string test as less invasive method to diagnose oesophageal cancer

A new test to help diagnose Barrett’s oesophagus – a condition that can lead to oesophageal cancer – has reduced the need for invasive endoscopy in thousands of low-risk patients.

News • Work-life balance

Study: How to make nurses stay

Staff shortage remains an immense challenge in healthcare. To address this, new UK research points out ways to make clinical working environments more attractive for nurses.

News • Stress and cost of finding suitable childcare

Why doctors quit: Survey identifies critical reasons

A new BMJ survey shows many doctor parents find it almost impossible to fit their work in with available childcare options. For some, childcare costs are more than they earn.

News • Sexual health pilot project

Vending machines offer convenient STI testing

Vending machines dispensing self-test kits for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have proven to be an effective and widely accepted means of reaching individuals who rarely or never get tested.

News • Accelerated sample analysis

Digital pathology cleared for use in cancer screening programmes

Digital pathology brings benefits for sample management and optimisation, lets pathologists work on samples remotely: The UK Government has now approved the use of the technique for cancer samples.

News • Blood-based diagnosis of glioblastoma

Sparing brain cancer patients from undergoing risky surgery

A simple blood test could help diagnose patients with glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain cancer, sparing them from undergoing invasive and highly-risky surgery, report UK researchers.

Article • UK research project

"Our Future Health": Shifting from curative to preventive care

As a result from better living standards and medical advances, population longevity increases – a development which, paradoxically, current healthcare systems are ill-prepared for, Sir John Bell points out. The UK’s Our Future Health programme, which he chairs, exemplifies the paradigm shift to a prevention-centered healthcare approach.

News • Concerns over new law

How would a WhatsApp ban for doctors affect patient care?

UK law changes threaten the security of messaging apps – and their use in the NHS. Doctors warn that patient care will suffer if they can no longer use apps such as WhatsApp to share information.

News • Telemedicine study

Most patients in favor of online GP consultations

The largest-ever study of patient views on online GP consultations saw a strong backing for the new option. Important benefits named were greater convenience and flexibility, but also efficiency.

Article • Tackling gender inequality

Radiology – still a “man’s world”?

Gender equity is a key factor in achieving excellence in academic medicine. So far, however, this is only partly reflected in reality: In Europe, women represent 54% of physicians and 40% of radiologists. However, female representation in radiology decreases at increasing levels of leadership. A panel of experts assessed the challenges women have to face in radiology and explored strategies to…

News • Encouraging results of DARS trial

A ‘new gold standard’ for head and neck cancer radiotherapy

New research suggests a new approach to precision radiotherapy can reduce the risk of swallowing problems for patients, without impacting the success of treatment.

News • Susceptibility detection in Escherichia coli

How AI can detect antibiotic resistance in 30 minutes

A new deep-learning approach to AMR testing has been shown to detect antimicrobial susceptibility within as little as 30 minutes - significantly faster than current gold-standard approaches.

News • Study on NHS DPP

Diabetes prevention: UK programme may have global impact

A nationwide programme to reduce the risk of developing diabetes in the United Kingdom is proven beyond reasonable doubt to work, a new study reveals.

News • Study shows untapped potential

Nurses’ professional judgement not utilised in strategic decision making

Health systems depend on nurses' professional judgement for operational staffing decisions, but often, the potential of their insights remains untapped, new research reveals.

News • Septoplasty assessment

Crooked septum: surgery beats nasal spray

Surgery to straighten a crooked septum (the thin wall of bone and cartilage dividing the space between the two nostrils) is more effective than nasal sprays, a new study suggests.

News • Myocardial infarction, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and aortic stenosis

Research reveals striking inequalities in NHS heart care

Stark inequalities in diagnosis and treatment of four of the most common heart conditions in the UK have been revealed in new research led by a team at the University of Leeds.

News • Spirometry distribution

The ‘silent scandal’ of missing lung tests across England

A new survey by The BMJ reveals shortages of vital diagnostic tests for respiratory conditions, such as COPD and asthma, across some of the most deprived areas of England.

News • Electrostatic precipation in the OR

Researchers use electric fields to stop virus spread during surgeries

New research finds the use of an electric field a promising means to prevent aerosol spread of viruses in healthcare environments, for example during surgery.

News • Tool for myeloid neoplasms

New test to identify risk of AML and related cancers

Using data from more than 400,000 individuals, researchers have created a platform for predicting the risk of developing blood cancers such as acute myeloid leukaemia over a 10-15-year period.

News • Safe practice

New guidance to prevent injection errors in anaesthesia

To reduce avoidable errors, especially involving injectable medications in anaesthesia care, UK experts have published a new guidance on safe injection practice.

Article • Disaster victim identification

Radiology in DVI: distressing insights and “hidden gems”

Identifying victims of major disasters remains a significant challenge for investigators. Often, identification can take weeks or longer but new approaches are paving the way for greater accuracy and quicker identification whilst preserving the body without unnecessary invasive investigation. An expert session at ECR heard about how new imaging technology can help with disaster victim…

News • Imaging for targeted biopsy

MRI and ultrasound "fusion" improves prostate cancer detection

Combining ultrasound and MRI technology can help detect prostate cancer at an earlier stage and potentially save lives, according to new University of Dundee research.

News • Sustainability in healthcare

Creating a circular economy for medical testing plastics

Global healthcare consumes millions of tonnes of single use plastic every year. A team at the University of Birmingham is taking on this sustainability challenge.

News • Promising trial results

Radiotherapy boost cuts breast cancer treatment time by at least one week

Treatment times for radiotherapy could be reduced for some early breast cancer patients, according to a trial led by University of Cambridge and The Institute of Cancer Research, London.

News • UK research findings

Digital health tools could prevent hundreds of thousands A&E admissions

UK researchers find that digital health products, e.g. health apps, could make a substantial contribution to tackling NHS urgent care pressures, by keeping patients out of hospital in the first place.

News • 3D vascular models

'Virtual blood vessel' technology could improve heart disease care

Patients with heart disease could benefit from less extensive interventions thanks to technology that creates 3D computer models of blood flow through the heart's arteries, according to new research.

News • Study shows need for better education and awareness

Cardiac arrest: defibrillators only used in 1 of 10 cases

Defibrillators are being used in just one in ten cardiac arrests where the lifesaving devices are available, according to new research presented at a British cardiology conference in Manchester.

News • MCED for 50+ cancer types

Multi-cancer blood test shows real promise

A trial of a new blood test for more than 50 types of cancer correctly revealed two out of every three cancers in more than 5,000 people who had visited their GP with suspected symptoms.

News • Statement against "unacceptable behaviours"

British cardiologists take a stand against bullying in the specialty

British societies BCS and BJCA publish a joint policy statement to stamp out bullying, harassment, and discrimination in the specialty, endorsed by 19 affiliated organisations.

Protecting patients and healthcare workers

In the last decade, regional and global health organizations have pushed for making safety a central pillar of procurement, with a directive that cost should not be a barrier. The crucial question is: How easy is that to implement? How can a confident decision be reached that protects patients and healthcare workers without straining costs?

News • Accuracy gain

Bowel cancer: double testing for better detection

Scientists from the University of Edinburgh have found that the accuracy of detecting bowel cancer is increased to almost 100% by carrying out a common test twice rather than once.

News • Oncology & Immunology

Researchers find new IgE antibody targeting skin cancer

A new class of immunotherapy shows promising results for fighting the most aggressive form of skin cancer.

News • Surgery & medical economics

Carbon footprint of single-use surgical items in common operations

A new analysis of the carbon footprint of products used in the five most common surgical operations shows that 68% of carbon contributions come from single-use items.

News • Genetic diseases

Study sheds light on causes of rare genetic diseases in 5,500 people

Around 5,500 people with severe developmental disorders now know the genetic cause of their condition, thanks to a major nationwide study in the U.K..

News • Cardiovascular diseases

Smart watches could predict higher risk of heart failure

Wearable devices such as smart watches could be used to detect a higher risk of developing heart failure and irregular heart rhythms in later life, suggests a new study led by researchers from University College London (UCL).

News • Radiotherapy trial

Prostate cancer: radical approach greatly reduces treatment visits

A new clinical trial has shown that men diagnosed with prostate cancer can benefit from ‘radical radiotherapy’ that delivers treatment in five hospital visits instead of the typical 20.

Article • Plenary discussion at ECR 2023

Sustainable radiology: why it takes more than “greener” imaging systems

It’s clear that radiology is lacking in the “green” department: healthcare still causes a large share of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, not least due to diagnostic imaging. Dr Sarah Sheard from Imperial College Healthcare, UK, invited her ECR audience to take a closer look at radiology’s climate footprint – and revealed ways to make the field more sustainable.

News • Global warming effects

UK hospitals report surgery cancellations due to 2022 heatwave

The 2022 summer heatwave resulted in a fifth of UK hospitals being forced to cancel operations during the three days when temperatures soared, a new study reveals.

Article • Existing solutions need to mature, experts find

Interactive mobile cancer apps: promising, but formative

Interactive mobile apps have become ubiquitous in daily life. The Covid-19 pandemic has escalated the use of disease-specific monitoring apps. Mobile apps enabling cancer patients to self-manage their physical condition and symptoms can help them to evaluate toxic side effects of their treatments, offer artificial intelligence (AI)-generated recommendations to minimize them, and alert them to…

News • OrQA

Transplant organ quality assessment via AI: a promising approach

A pioneering new method to assess the quality of organs for donation has the potential to revolutionise the transplant system, saving lives and tens of millions of pounds.

News • Study shows lack of reliability

Can an AI predict Covid-19 from cough sounds? Not really, study finds

Predicting a Covid-19 infection from the sound of a cough? Researchers found that technology using Machine Learning performed no better than simply asking people to report their symptoms.

News • Study evaluation shows improving patient integration

25 years of AI in healthcare: You've come a long way, baby

After 25 years of AI health tech research, computers are slowly beginning to listen to patients. This is the conclusion of a review of a quarter of a century's worth of studies on the topic.

News • Optional treatment

Radiotherapy: no benefits for older patients with early breast cancer

Radiotherapy does not improve survival rates in older patients with early breast cancer, new research suggests.

Video • Foundation announces launch

Championing focused ultrasound in the UK

The newly founded UK Focused Ultrasound Foundation is dedicated to advancing the development and adoption of the technology, which can be used to non-invasively treat tissue deep in the body.

News • Rapid screening diagnostic

94% accuracy: new prostate cancer blood test beats PSA method

Researchers have developed a new blood test to detect prostate cancer which displays greater accuracy than the current prostate-specific antigen (PSA) method.

News • Critical care study

Blood "combo bags" could save lives after major trauma injury

A new blood product combining red blood cells and plasma in one bag is associated with a better survival from a penetrating major trauma injury, a new study has found.

News • "Critical" critical care

Study shows soaring mental health challenges for frontline Covid nurses

Nurses who worked in critical care during the Covid pandemic are at an increased risk of mental health problems, according to a new study.

News • Environmental pollution

Microplastics found in operating theatres

High levels of microplastics were detected in surgical environments in a new study. Microplastic was found in both the operating theatre and anaesthetic room, in cardiothoracic surgeries.

News • Workflow assessment

Speeding up surgery times with separate patient preparation

Preparing patients for surgery in a separate space from the operating theatre brings significant benefits in freeing up operating theatre schedules and staff time, according to new research.

Article • Centralised image library and archive

From regional to national: digital pathology network transformation

Transforming a regional digital pathology network into a national programme across the UK has the potential to save the NHS around £100m a year. Such a network – one that sees a centralised digital pathology image library and archive, as opposed to individual hospitals having their own infrastructure and teams to manage it – can also offer a range of other benefits alongside significant cost…

News • Prevalence of metastatic BRCA

New research shows scale of secondary breast cancer in England

A cancer researcher and consultant has estimated for the first time how many women are living with secondary breast cancer in England – in new research which could help to shape cancer services.

News • Trial finds improved survival rates

Pancreatic cancer: chemotherapy before surgery brings benefits

Treating pancreatic cancer patients with chemotherapy before surgery significantly improved 1-year survival rates compared to immediate surgery, a randomised clinical trial has found.

News • Enhancing diagnostics

Al and robots could help detect urinary tract infections early

Scientists are developing artificial intelligence (AI) and talking robots to help to detect urinary tract infections (UTIs) in vulnerable people early.

Article • Emergency care crisis in the UK

Severe impact of ambulance handover delays

Rows of ambulances held in queues outside emergency departments waiting to admit patients to hospital is becoming an increasingly familiar scene in the UK. Senior figures across the health sector are becoming increasingly concerned at the levels of harm this bottleneck is causing patients. Patient care has hit a massive roadblock as delays in handovers between ambulances and emergency departments…

News • Radiology solution

Enterprise remote reporting platform launched at RSNA

OpenRad announced at RSNA the launch of its enterprise remote reporting platform, which enables cloud-based reporting, collaborative workflows across companies and advanced mobile fleet management.

News • Deadly heart inflammation

Hope for first blood test to detect myocarditis

The first blood test to diagnose inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) could be in use in as little as a year, following the discovery of a molecular signal in the blood.

News • Stereotactic body radiotherapy

Advanced radiotherapy speeds up prostate cancer treatment

An advanced radiotherapy technique can be used to safely treat prostate cancer patients in as little as one to two weeks, compared with the current standard, which takes one to two months.

Eliminating silos and improving patient outcomes

Clinician and nurse burnout is a frequently discussed topic in the healthcare community in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to an analysis of the NHS published earlier this year, more than 400 workers in England have left the NHS to restore work-life balance within this past year. Burnout and cases of post-traumatic stress disorder after working through the Covid-19 pandemic are major…

News • CSCC study finds distinct subgroups

Cervical cancer: major new clue to understanding aggressiveness

Scientists have discovered that cervical cancer can be divided into 2 distinct molecular subgroups – one far more aggressive than the other – as part of the largest ‘omics’ study of its kind.

News • Patient empowerment

Shared decision making in cardiology: study shows benefits

Is joint decision making of healthcare professionals and their patients better than a doctor making the calls on his own? New research supports this notion for cardiology.

News • Coronavirus countermeasures

Long Covid: referral drop suggests vaccine effectiveness

Referrals to Cambridge’s long Covid clinic fell dramatically in the period August 2021 to June 2022, which researchers say is likely due to the successful rollout of the vaccine.

News • Disrupted neurogenesis

Covid-19 delirium: new study reveals possible brain mechanisms

Researchers have shown that when brain cells are directly exposed to blood taken from Covid-19 patients with delirium, there is an increase in cell death and a decrease in the generation of new brain cells.

News • Suggestion for double reading practice

Solving the radiologist shortage with trained radiographers

When double reading screening mammograms, radiographers trained for the task perform as well as radiologists in key areas, according to a new publication.

News • Biotechnology

Miniature biosensor monitors condition of serious wounds

Researchers at Nottingham Trent University and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust have developed a new biosensor capable of accurately monitoring the condition of a chronic wound.

Article • Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

HFpEF poses increasing burden on health services

With the life expectancy of populations improving, experts believe the rising diagnosis and prevalence of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) will have a significant impact on healthcare services going forward.

Article • Women’s heart health

Exploring the cardiovascular impact of pregnancy and menopause

The critical times in a woman’s life of pregnancy and the menopause – and their relation to heart health – is explored at the ESC. The defined field of gender-specific cardiology is becoming an increasingly important area of focus, experts say.

News • Extended treatment

New trial doubles down on antibiotics against life threatening infections

Hospital patients who develop infections where 10% of sufferers die will be offered double the traditional course of antibiotics in a new trial.

News • Better outcomes, fewer costs

Experts propose less invasive bowel cancer treatment approach

New research suggests that providing a break in treatment to patients with advanced bowel cancer could not only benefit a patient’s quality of life but could also help reduce costs.

News • Mixed reality

Hologram patients help train doctors and nurses

Cambridge University Hospitals and the Faculty of Education are helping to bring medical training using 'mixed reality' technology a step closer.

News • Automation

Digitalization: Solution Within Automa + Healthcare 2022

Automa + Healthcare is held in September, and gathers leaders from hospitals & healthcare providers, governmental bodies and institutions with the goal to contribute to further development of ongoing digital health trends.

News • Increasing deaths from treatable causes

Privatizing NHS services associated with decline in quality of healthcare

Outsourcing NHS services to the private sector is associated with reduced quality of patient care and increased rates of deaths from treatable causes.

News • In the heart

4D flow MRI scans to assess blood flow

Researchers have developed cutting-edge imaging technology to help doctors better diagnose and monitor patients with heart failure. The state-of-the-art technology uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to create detailed 4D flow images of the heart.

Video • Bowel cancer removal

Sustainability: UK surgeons perform first ‘net zero’ operation

Surgeons completed the first documented ‘net zero’ operation in the NHS, combining evidence-based approaches and documents using a carbon output calculator developed specifically for this task.

News • Faulty gene is catalyst

New liver and kidney disease identified

Scientists have identified a new disease in a ground-breaking discovery that could help patients with unexplained liver and kidney problems.

News • Non-hospitalized patients

Long COVID: Xenon MRI finds lung abnormalities

A special type of MRI found lung abnormalities in patients who had previously had COVID-19, even those who had not been hospitalized with the illness.

Article • Glioblastoma analysis

Revealing tell-tale signs of deadly brain cancer

A new way of differentiating healthy from diseased cells could pave the way for more personalised treatment for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a common and aggressive type of brain tumour.

Article • White matter hyperintensities

Uncovering the hidden part of the WMH iceberg

Cerebral white matter hyperintensities (WMH) can have a devastating impact on a patient’s life. Radiologists must learn to recognise these white spots in the brain and conventional imaging may just reveal the tip of the iceberg.

News • High field-strength MRI

7T brain scanners offer hope for Parkinson’s disease patients

Ultra-powerful 7T MRI scanners could be used to help identify patients with Parkinson’s disease and similar conditions who are most likely to benefit from new treatments, say scientists.

Article • NPIC network

Pathology in North England goes digital

Reaching out across 15 hospitals and a population of six million people, a network established by the National Pathology Imaging Co-operative (NPIC) is an ambitious move to advance digital pathology in the North of England.

News • Cardio-imaging

MRI could revolutionise heart failure diagnosis

Using MRI scans to detect heart failure could revolutionise how the condition is diagnosed, thanks to new research from the University of East Anglia and the University of Sheffield.

Article • Gender inequalities

Breaking the bias: a woman’s perspective of cancer research

In an online event to mark International Women’s Day, five women at various stages of their careers in cancer care discussed the hurdles they had to overcome – often because of their gender – and their determination to succeed.

Article • Clinical computational tools

Managing cancer more effectively

Computational approaches are being applied on enormous amounts of data from sequencing technologies to develop tools to help clinicians manage cancer more effectively.

News • Cognitive impairment after infection

Severe Covid-19 can 'age' our brain by 20 years, study finds

Cognitive impairment as a result of severe Covid-19 is similar to that sustained between 50 and 70 years of age and is the equivalent to losing 10 IQ points, scientists found.

News • Machine learning vs. NSCLC

AI to improve post-treatment surveillance of lung cancer patients

Artificial intelligence (AI) could help guide the post-treatment surveillance of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and improve outcomes as a result, according to a new study.

Article • Technology advances

Robotic surgery: the importance of social sharing

During the first Chemnitz’ Robotic-Symposium, two experts reported on the current state and the future of robot-assisted surgery and highlighted why it is a good time to be involved in this field of technology.

News • Workforce exodus

A third of GPs plan to jump ship within five years

Around 33% of GPs are likely to quit direct patient care within five years, according to a UK survey. The high percentage of young physicians is especially alarming.

News • Radiofrequency myth debunked

No, smartphones are not a driver of brain tumour risk (not even with 5G)

Can mobile phones increase the risk of brain cancer? A new, large study was unable to verify such concerns. However, the researchers say it might still be a good idea to cut back on smartphone time.

News • Magnetic tentacle

A small robot to explore the lungs

A proof of concept for a robot that can reach some of the smallest bronchial tubes in the lungs to take tissue samples or deliver cancer therapy.

News • Hospital staff engagement

Happy nurses are key for doctors' retention, study finds

Hospitals that boost nursing staff engagement also find they improve the retention rate for senior doctors, according to a new study from the University of Surrey.

News • Alzheimer's assistance

Dementia: 'Storytelling AI' to aid memory recollection

A new type of AI companion is being designed to aid memory recollection, boost confidence and combat depression in people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.

Article • Nuclide shortage

Radiotherapy: Nuclear waste as a potential source?

Molecular radiotherapy shows great potential in becoming a more mainstream treatment for cancer, but the field is being hampered by a limited radionuclide supply.

News • New imaging approach

Diagnosing prostate cancer with ultrasound

UK researchers have found that a new type of ultrasound scan can diagnose most prostate cancer cases with good accuracy in a clinical trial involving 370 men.

News • Sealing the deal

Surgical 'duct tape' could be an alternative to suture

Engineers at MIT have developed a kind of surgical duct tape — a strong, flexible, and biocompatible sticky patch that can be applied to biological tissues and organs to help seal tears and wounds.

Article • Cancer mortality study

Does ethnicity affect brain tumour survival?

New research has pinpointed ethnicity as a potential factor in brain tumour survival. A UK study showed that white British people who have been diagnosed with a malignant primary brain tumour appear to have an increased one-year mortality than patients from at least four other ethnic groups.

News • Oncology

New blood test identifies if a patient has cancer

Researchers outline a new minimally invasive and inexpensive blood test that can identify cancer in patients with non-specific symptoms and whether these cancers have metastasised in the body.

Article • Game elements

Gamification in diabetes care

The number of gamified mobile applications is rising rapidly—especially in healthcare. Gamified apps or devices are used in many fields, from mental health therapy to stroke rehab to managing metabolic conditions. This article illustrates how gamification is employed in diabetes care.

News • Machine learning

Covid-19 diagnosis with improved accuracy, preserved privacy

Researchers in the UK and China have developed an AI model that can diagnose Covid-19 as well as a panel of professional radiologists, while preserving the privacy of patient data.

News • Lack of support

Frontline healthcare workers: Covid heroes – or cannon fodder?

A large-scale qualitative study looks into the difficulties frontline doctors faced across two waves of the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK and Ireland since early 2020.

Article • Radiology approach

Watch your back! Spinal imaging in trauma

At the BIR virtual congress, spinal imaging specialist Professor Elizabeth Dick focused on approaches and protocols for a range of spinal injuries and discussed assessment and imaging strategies, choice of modalities, and other key factors.

News • mhealth

'Surgery selfies' could spot serious infections early

Smartphone pictures of post-surgical wounds taken by patients and then assessed by clinicians can help with the early identification of infections, a study has found.

News • Whole genome sequencing

Rare disease diagnosis: the huge impact of WGS

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) from a single blood test picks up 31% more cases of rare genetic disorders than standard tests, shortening the ‘diagnostic odyssey’ that affected families experience, and providing huge opportunities for future research.

News • Lack of diversity

London: Discrimination against doctors from ethnic minorities

New data published by The BMJ show that white doctors applying for medical posts in London are six times more likely to be offered a job than black applicants.

News • Nosocomial infection prevention

Improving hospital hand hygiene compliance with smart measurement system

Water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services provider Ecolab launches its Hand Hygiene Compliance Measurement (HHCM) System, a digitally connected technology to systematically monitor and improve hand hygiene in healthcare settings, across Europe. In healthcare settings, clean hands save lives. While the Covid-19 outbreak increased adoption of hand hygiene measures at first,…

Lab interoperability is essential

Fast, flexible laboratory information management systems (LIMS) that cope with data and workflow complexities of molecular and genetic testing now work in laboratories internationally. Here, in the first in a new Lab Pinnacle Series, experts from the CliniSys Group, Sunquest Information Systems and Data Innovations (all owned by Roper Technologies), discuss the value of a LIMS in molecular and…

News • QCovid tool

Vaccinated groups at highest risk of Covid-19 hospitalisation

According to new research, vaccinated people are at greatest risk from severe Covid-19 leading to hospitalisation or death from 14 days post the second dose vaccination, when substantial immunity should be expected.

News • Blood clots in the legs

Machine learning algorithm to diagnose deep vein thrombosis

A team of researchers are developing the use of an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm with the aim of diagnosing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) more quickly and as effectively as traditional radiologist-interpreted diagnostic scans, potentially cutting down long patient waiting lists and avoiding patients unnecessarily receiving drugs to treat DVT when they don’t have it.

Article • 8th Digital Pathology and AI Congress

London digital pathology conference returns to in-person format

More than 50 leading digital pathology experts have been lined up for a major conference in London in December looking at all aspects of the field. Speakers will explore latest developments, new trends, challenges, and innovation, as well as the effects of Covid-19 on pathology practice, during the 8th Digital Pathology and AI Congress on December 1 and 2. Artificial intelligence will feature…

Article • A painful divorce

Post-Brexit worries for UK healthcare

Brexit could have a potential impact on healthcare delivery across the UK, according to an expert in the field. Dr Hugh Harvey believes that will be particularly noticeable in the area of Medical Device Regulation (MDR), with the UK and Europe seemingly going in different directions on the subject after the UK left the European Union (EU) at the end of last year.

News • Congress

Patient-centered digitalization in modern healthcare

Patient-oriented innovations and cases of the processes digitalization are presented at the Healthcare Automation and Digitalization Congress 2021 (AUTOMA+ Healthcare Edition 2021). The Congress takes place online, at BGS Online Platform on September, 27-28, 2021, and gathers hospitals, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical companies to network and share solutions regarding the personalized…

Article • Cardiology advances

Digital solutions for heart failure patients

Triage HF Plus, highlighted in the BCS conference session ‘Digital Innovation in Cardiology - What's new?’ is a digital heart failure care project that uses a customised algorithm to detect early signs of deterioration in patients with implanted devices. During her presentation ‘Digital solutions to identify worsening heart failure’, consultant cardiologist Dr Fozia Ahmed discussed the…

News • Thromboembolic misunderstandings

Covid-19, not vaccination, presents biggest blood clot risks

Researchers from the University of Oxford have announced the results of a study into thrombocytopenia (a condition with low platelet counts) and thromboembolic events (blood clots) following vaccination for Covid-19, some of the same events which have led to restricted use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in a number of countries.

Article • Diagnosis, prognosis, prediction

AI offers advances in cardiovascular imaging

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is providing numerous opportunities across clinical care in the field of cardiovascular imaging. While challenges remain, AI is being applied in terms of diagnosis and prognosis, defining cardiovascular imaging pathways, and image acquisition and analysis. It can also help cardiologists predict which patients may do well, or which treatments are best applied to those…

Article • Neurology

Supercomputer helps create 3D synthetic brain models

Scientists are using artificial intelligence (AI) and the Cambridge-1 supercomputer to synthesise artificial 3-D MRI images of human brains and create models that show disease states across various ages and genders. The Synthetic Brain Project is focused on building deep learning models which have been developed by King’s College London (KCL) and NVIDIA data scientists and engineers as part of…

News • Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia

Rare blood clotting in brain after Covid-19 vaccination: study gives new insights

A new study of patients with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) following Covid-19 vaccination provides a clearer guide for clinicians trying to diagnose and treat patients. The research, led by University College London (UCL) and UCL Health and published in The Lancet, is the most detailed account of the characteristics of CVT, when it is caused by the novel condition vaccine-induced immune…

News • Compulsory coronavirus prevention

Should Covid-19 vaccination be mandatory for health and care staff?

Italy, France, and Greece have made Covid-19 vaccination mandatory for healthcare workers, and England is making it compulsory for care home workers and consulting on whether to extend this to healthcare workers and other social care staff. Experts debate in The BMJ whether frontline health and social care workers should be compelled to take up the vaccine, if efforts to encourage them fail.…

News • Software solution

Using AI to match cancer patients to early phase clinical trials

Cancer informatics and digital pathology provider Inspirata announced that King’s Health Partners ECMC and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust will pilot its Trial Navigator software as part of an evaluation the organisations are conducting into how artificial intelligence based automation can improve the identification and efficiency of matching patients with cancer to early phase…

News • Search for signatures

‘Long Covid’ biomarkers in blood could lead to diagnostic test

Markers in our blood – ‘fingerprints’ of infection – could help identify individuals who have been infected by SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, several months after infection even if the individual had only mild symptoms or showed no symptoms at all, say Cambridge researchers. The team has received funding from the National Institute for Health Research to develop a test…

Article • Oncology

Pancreatic cancer - current challenges and future direction

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the world, and one of the most difficult to treat. In 2020, an estimated 495,000 individuals worldwide were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and an estimated 466,000 died, according to statistics from the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer. Most patients with advanced disease die within a year of…

News • CADU vs cancer

Detecting oesophageal cancer with AI

Experts at University College London (UCL) and spinout company Odin Vision working with clinicians at UCLH have used artificial intelligence (AI) to help detect early signs of oesophageal cancer. The first procedure in the world using the AI technology was performed at University College Hospital by UCLH consultant gastroenterologist Dr Rehan Haidry. The system, called CADU, uses AI to support…

News • Aerosol propagation study

Covid-19: is it safe to play the trumpet and other wind instruments?

Aerosol generated by playing woodwind and brass instruments is less than that produced when vocalising (speaking and singing) and is no different than a person breathing, new research has found. The findings could be crucial to developing a roadmap for lifting Covid-19 restrictions in the performing arts, which have been significantly restricted since the start of the pandemic.

News • Imaging

4D flow MRI scans to help patients with heart disease

A cutting-edge imaging technique that creates 4D flow images of the heart has been carried out for the first time in the UK at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH).

Article • HIMSS

COVID response boosted by digital transformation

Digital transformation has been a significant factor in the way hospitals have responded to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, at HIMSS21 European Health Conference, experts were also quick to point out that the approach of the ‘human resource’ to the challenges and changes was a key factor.

News • Coronavirus consequences

Long Covid? There's an app for that

People with long Covid could be monitored with the aid of a ground-breaking mobile phone app and clinical website. The system has been developed to help NHS rehabilitation teams manage the large number of people suffering from the debilitating effects of the illness. Patients will also be able to use the app to track their recovery. The app will initially be available to patients in 27 NHS trusts…

Article • Digital pathology

Today’s tissue for tomorrow’s research

Specialist biorepositories are helping advance personalised medicine by supporting the availability of human tissue for research using digital pathology techniques. The pivotal role of the Glasgow Tissue Research Facility (GTRF) in making tissue available to shape new therapies and treatments was outlined in a presentation to the online “Transforming Digital Pathology – Integrating AI to Move…