High volume mammo centres yield high quality research
With 350,000 mammography screenings annually, Unilabs Sweden finds itself on the leading edge for research in mammography and pioneering patient education programmes. John Brosky reports
Researchers pioneer treatment for viral infection
Researchers at Imperial College London have discovered a new way in which a very common childhood disease could be treated.
Genetic variation doubles risk of aortic valve calcification
Study described in The New England Journal of Medicine is the first to show cause-and-effect relationship between a gene variant and calcium deposits on the aortic valve.
New price for hospital hygiene und infection prevention
In 2013, the Robert‐Koch‐Stiftung will for the first time award a prize for excellent scientific research and practical measures in the field of hospital hygiene und infection prevention. Healthcare institutions such as hospitals and rehabilitation facilities and research institutes as well as individuals are invited to apply for the prize which is endowed with 50,000 €.
Four-stranded helix identified in human cells
Sixty years ago, a research paper was published which was the first to describe the double-helix DNA structure.
Bilateral initiation
Renowned French and German cardiovascular researchers gathered in October at the French Embassy in Berlin for a one-day symposium entitled ‘The Frontiers of Cardiovascular Research: From Basic Concepts to Novel Approaches in Therapy and Prevention’
The German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK)
A dynamic new consortium was launched in October during the recent Innovation in Oncology event organised by the German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ) with Heidelberg University Hospital.
Surgical-site infections increase risk of blood clots
Despite receiving blood thinners and other clot prevention treatment, some patients still develop potentially lethal blood clots in the first month after their operations anyway, especially if they developed a surgical-site infection while in the hospital, according to results of a study at Johns Hopkins.
Medical research in the United Kingdom
The formation of the National Institute for Health Research has made the field vastly stronger and the country is now placed second only to the USA, reports Mark Nicholls
Medical research in France
Since its creation three years ago, the French National Alliance for Health and Life Sciences (Aviesan) has proved its full worth in scientific coordination, Annick Chapoy reports from Paris
‘The perfect murder is one that isn’t actually discovered’
Austrian specialist: If the science is not used the impact on crime detection will be negative.
A link between adult neurogenesis and memory recovery
The brain of mammals produces new neurons for the whole of their lives. This process, called neurogenesis, enables cognitive functions such as memory or learning, and its decrease is linked to some neuro-psychiatric pathologies and intellectual disabilities.
MRI powerhouse breaks new ground in medical research
At RSNA 2012, Siemens is launching its new MRI addressing academic research centres and university hospitals. According to Bernd Ohnesorge, the Magnetom Prisma 3.0 T enforces the company’s major commitment to advancing research, bearing testimony to Siemens’ innovation leadership in the field. In Chicago, the CEO of the Siemens MRI business unit presented the 3 T system for which the company…
France: 61-year-old receives the first fully-biodegradable stent
A novel, entirely biodegradable device has been successfully implanted in a blocked artery patient needing a percutaneous coronary intervention
Image guidance and robotics in the OR improve precision in the OR
Key trends in computer-assisted surgery and robotics dominated the agenda of the annual congress of the German Association for Computer- and Robotics-Assisted Surgery (CURAC), reports Michael Reiter.
Smartphones and high-tech laboratories to reveal health effects
New technologies for sensing chemicals that people are exposed to and their effects in the body will help scientists work towards a complete picture of how environmental pollutants influence health in a major EU initiative being launched yesterday.
Sensors facilitate rehabilitation at home
European doctors and scientists are working on the StrokeBack project, a medical system aimed at supporting stroke patients in their rehabilitation. Modern technology helps affected patients to practise their mobility at home.
National interests hamper EU cross-border research
Germany hopes for better research conditions as revision of the EU Clinical Trials Directive is nigh
It’s not a done deal yet, says expert, but it’s absolutely where we are heading!
Personalised cancer medicine is much discussed, with high expectations for biomolecular decoding of various tumours and the global pharma industry developing targeted drugs to attack tumours at a biomolecular level.
Mounting systems for anaesthetic units
Intelligent mounting systems featuring CIM med GmbH’s integrated data and power lines for anaesthetic technology increase hygiene in operating theatres and protect cables from damage, the manufacturer reports.
Nine UK hospitals participate in a red cell immunohaematology electronic reporting pilot
Nine British hospitals are working with National Health Service (NHS) Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) on an electronic reporting pilot that may offer quicker access to patient test results and data.
