Health and medicine news

Photo of Chris McLeod

PhD researcher’s article on eating habits published in academic journal

Chris McLeod, a final year PhD student, has had his paper on portion size and meal context published in the journal Appetite.

Taking fish oil tablets for four weeks improves ‘night vision’ – new study

Fish oil supplements can significantly improve ‘night vision’, according to a new study.

Labelling foods with the amount of physical activity needed to burn off calories linked to healthier choices

Labelling food and drinks with the amount and type of physical activity needed to burn off the calories in it might be a more effective way of encouraging people to make ‘healthier’ dietary choices, indicates research led by º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ.

Five minutes of exercise each day may help reduce risk of hip fractures in postmenopausal women

As we age, our bones lose strength, but research at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ has shown that just five minutes of exercise each day may benefit hip strength in postmenopausal women.

Does childcare influence health behaviours later in life?

Researchers are looking at whether non-parental childcare during the early years have an influence on children’s health behaviours later in life.

Mothers’ depression and anxiety linked to unhealthy diets for children

Having symptoms of depression or anxiety could be affecting the way mothers feed their children and could contribute to youngsters developing unhealthy eating habits, a new study has found.
A young person holding an old person's hand

How hypothetical designs can help us think through our conversations about euthanasia

Belgian Paralympic athlete Marieke Vervoort revealed two years ago that in 2008, she had been approved to receive euthanasia.
A woman cooking with biomass and an electric alternative in the background.

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ-led programme awards £1.3m to projects and innovators in a bid to accelerate the transition to clean cooking on a global scale

More than £1.3m has been awarded to six clean cooking innovators and 22 projects thanks to a º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ-led research programme that looks to find innovative, clean and modern alternatives to biomass fuels, such as charcoal and wood.

A vector of a man running.

Research to explore how the physical fitness of Ministry of Defence Police officers is affected by age and gender

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ and the Defence Police Federation are collaborating on new study to determine whether Ministry of Defence (MOD) officers will be able to meet the fitness standards expected by the force as they age.

photo of the colouring book with the cover and also an example of one of the drawings inside the book

University students and graduates contribute to mindfulness colouring book

A group of students and graduates from º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ have created a series of drawings for a mindfulness colouring book produced by LU Arts.

Could standing consultations help improve GPs’ health?

A new study being led by º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is hoping to find out if standing consultations could help improve the health of the nations’ GPs.
Photo of students engaged in creative activities held as part of World Mental Health Day programme

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ becomes the first University to host a Mental Health Mates walk as part of programme of activities for World Mental Health Day

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ became the first higher education institution in the UK to host a Mental Health Mates walk as part of a series of activities taking place across the campus to mark World Mental Health Day on 10 October.

Heated suit simulates exercise benefits for people unable to take part in physical activity

Scientists are testing a heated suit which replicates some benefits of exercise without the need for physical activity.
AI voice recognition device

Research to explore how AI and voice technologies help people with disabilities live independently

A group of º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ academics have been awarded funding to examine how AI-voice-based technologies, such as the Amazon Echo, help people with disabilities live independently and explore how they may shape the future of social care.

Bus driver at the wheel.

New measures to tackle bus driver fatigue are set out thanks to world-first research into the issue

Tough measures to improve road safety by tackling bus driver fatigue have been set out by Transport for London, thanks to world-first research led by º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ.

Air pollution coming from a chimney

Government activity to tackle air pollution can reduce people’s mental wellbeing, research says

Efforts by governments to tackle air pollution can reduce people’s mental wellbeing by not meeting citizens’ expectations, new research has found.

Fitness trackers and eating disorders – is there a link?

Fitness and health tracking devices are becoming increasingly popular and a huge variety of wearable tech and apps now exist. Indeed, many smartphones and smart watches now come primed and ready to track our activity, sleep and nutrition.
Eye vector design.

Eye-tracking tests may be key to predicting who will develop Alzheimer’s disease, study finds

NEW research has found that it may be possible to predict if people with mild memory and thinking impairments will go onto develop Alzheimer’s disease using eye-tracking technology.

New Government scheme aimed at tackling child hunger could be a giant boost for alleviating food poverty in Britain, according to º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ expert

Experts from º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ have published two papers which give new insights into efforts to tackle children’s food insecurity.
Hot earth.

Heatwave: think it’s hot in Europe? The human body is already close to thermal limits elsewhere

I am a scientist who researches climate hazards. This week I have published research on the potential for a catastrophic cyclone-heatwave combo in the global south.

Heatwave: Four key points for keeping cool in hot conditions

Record-breaking temperatures are being logged across the UK but research by º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ can help you stay cool(er) and more importantly safer during the July heatwave.
Woman kicking a football.

Women’s World Cup: choking under pressure is common – here’s how to avoid it

Pressure affects us all and sports performers are no different. Tennis players serve double faults, golfers miss short putts and football players miss penalty kicks when it really counts.

Photo of Professor Paul Thomas speaking at the research showcase in London

Influential leaders attend TOXI-triage research showcase

International experts and influential stakeholders – including leaders in the NHS, police, military and ambulance service – attended the º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ TOXI-triage research showcase at Altitude 360, London on 26 June.

Helping children grow is about much more than a better diet: A study of youngsters from urban slums

Breastfeeding and vitamin and mineral supplements alone are not enough to prevent stunting of a child’s growth, according to a new report which examined health interventions in poor urban areas.

Student creates portable wallet to keep medication cool after being inspired by girlfriend’s story

A student from º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ has designed a portable wallet to keep medication cool after being inspired by his girlfriend who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).