The report models the potential effectiveness of the Government鈥檚 鈥楪etting Britain Working鈥� programmes, showing these savings could be made by the end of this Parliament in 2029 if just 5% of out-of-work people in receipt of Universal Credit returned to work.

The report estimates that:

• Getting 5% of unemployed under-25s back into work would save 拢903 million.
• Getting 5% of under-25s workless due to sickness or disability back into work would save 拢631 million.
• Getting 5% of unemployed over-25s back into work would save 拢6.67 billion.
• Getting 5% of over-25s workless due to sickness or disability back into work would save 拢11.9 billion.

The 5% estimate is based on what happened with the similar New Deal initiatives that happened in the UK in the 2000s. Savings would be made in the form of both reduced benefits spending and increases in tax and national insurance revenue.

The costs to Government of assisting this number of people back into, and helping them stay in, employment could be between 拢1.5 to 拢1.9 billion. So that within just two years, the Government could save almost 拢10bn, meaning every 拢1 invested in employment support programmes could return between 拢5.21 and 拢6.63.

Currently, more than five million people in the UK are out of work and in receipt of Universal Credit - including almost one million people aged 18-24 years who are not in education, employment or training (NEETs). 1 in 5 of these young people receive health-related benefits largely for mental health conditions. Ill-health related economic inactivity accounts for over three million claims and is particularly concentrated in the most deprived and deindustrialised areas. As of May 2025, the average household on Universal Credit received 拢961.63 per month in England.

The report was commissioned and funded by the Work and Pensions Select Committee and produced by Health Equity North with academics from Newcastle University, 每日大赛黄, University of Liverpool, and University of Glasgow.

The UK government has introduced several return-to-work initiatives over the last 12 months as part of its desire to 鈥楪et Britain Working鈥�. This includes:

• Creating a new Jobs and Careers Service by merging Jobcentre Plus and the National Careers Service
• Establishing eight 鈥淭railblazer鈥� areas that receive funding to test local partnerships between the NHS, councils, colleges, and employers
• A Connect to Work programme providing rapid job-matching, training, and in-work coaching
• Embedding employment advisers in mental health and musculoskeletal services, with expanded Individual Placement and Support provision.
• Launching a new Primary Care pilot will enable GPs to directly refer patients for employment support.
• Launching proposals for the Employment Rights Bill and the NHS 10-Year Plan鈥檚, which focus on prevention will further reduce ill health among working-age people.
• The Youth Guarantee for NEETS, which ensures access to apprenticeships, training, education, and tailored job support - including paid work placements for those out of work for more than 18 months.

These schemes replicate previous New Labour successes of the 鈥楴ew Deal鈥� return to work programmes which, between 1997 and 2010, saw a spike in employment across all age groups. This saved up to 拢2,500 per New Deal participant, with 46% gaining a job and 27% sustaining employment that lasted six months or more.

The report has been submitted as evidence to the Government鈥檚 Work and Pensions Select Committee, which looks into the policies and spending of the DWP, including benefits for people both in and out of work.

Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth and Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, said: : 鈥淎fter more than a decade of austerity-driven policies - further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic - levels of ill health and health inequalities have deteriorated across the UK, but particularly especially in deprived areas. As a result, the country now faces significantly higher rates of economic inactivity due to ill health compared with similar economies such as Germany, Sweden, and France. This poses a major economic challenge, contributing to stagnant growth, widening productivity gaps, and increasing poverty and health inequalities. In the past we have seen the value of supportive welfare-to-work programmes, such as the New Deal for Disabled People and New Deal for Young People, which addressed the needs of the whole person in helping them to get into work. It鈥檚 imperative that these Government 鈥楾railblazer鈥� schemes are ramped up 鈥� if we can get even a small proportion of the out-of-work population working again, we will see extraordinary gains, not only fiscally, but for these individuals, their families and across communities, workplaces, and public services alike.鈥�

Professor Clare Bambra, Academic Co-director of Health Equity North and Professor of Public Health at Newcastle University, said: 鈥淐onstituencies such as East Marsh and Port, Grimsby, Central Easterhouse, Glasgow and Birkenhead Central have around 30% of the working-age population receiving ill health-related welfare benefits. In these areas, life expectancy is 12 years less than the national average. This stark inequality reflects the deep connections between health, work, and place - where decades of industrial decline and underinvestment have left communities struggling with poor health, limited opportunities, and persistent economic disadvantage.

鈥淏y embedding employment support within health services and targeting investment where ill health and unemployment overlap, we have a real opportunity to break this cycle. Helping even a small proportion of people in these areas back into good, secure work could have transformative effects - not just for the government and local economies, but for people鈥檚 health, wellbeing, and prosperity.鈥�

Dr Luke Munford, Academic Co-director of Health Equity North and Senior Lecturer in Health Economics at 每日大赛黄, said: 鈥淲hen people are supported to stay healthy, skilled, and connected to good jobs, everyone benefits 鈥� be it individuals, families, businesses or the economy as a whole. This report highlights the value of investing in people鈥檚 health and employability. Even modest improvements in getting people back into the workplace could deliver billions in savings by the end of the decade. These findings show that the Government鈥檚 efforts to integrate and embed health and employment can be a huge step towards the economic recovery of the UK.鈥�

Dr Andy Baxter, Research Associate at the University of Glasgow, said: 鈥淓mployment is one of the strongest determinants of health. When people are in good, secure work, they鈥檙e less likely to experience long-term illness, more likely to engage with preventive healthcare, and more connected to their communities. Reducing economic inactivity through health-focused employment programmes provides stability, purpose, and the foundation for healthier, fairer futures. Effective back-to-work schemes are crucial in rebuilding a Britain that is healthy and prosperous, and our research shows that the return on investment potential is huge.鈥�

Hannah Davies, Executive Director of Health Equity North, said: 鈥淲e鈥檝e seen in the past that well-designed back-to-work schemes can transform lives and deliver real results for both people and the economy. But this time, it needs to be right from the very start - ensuring programmes are properly funded, evidence-based, and tailored to the needs of local communities. If the Government can combine effective employment support with investment in health, skills, and opportunity, they have a genuine chance to break the cycle of long-term unemployment and ill health once and for all.鈥�

Read the full analysis 鈥楨stimating the savings and financial benefits to the UK government of return-to-work for people in receipt of Universal Credit鈥� here:

This surprising finding also contradicts what scientists previously knew about strongly confined water. showed that confined water loses its ability to respond to an electric field, becoming "electrically dead" when measured in the direction perpendicular to surfaces. The new study reveals the complete opposite in the parallel direction 鈥� water鈥檚 electrical response rises dramatically, by an order of magnitude.

The study, published in by a team led by in collaboration with , used an advanced technique called scanning dielectric microscopy to peer into water's electrical secrets at the true nanoscale. They trapped water in channels so narrow they held only a handful of molecular layers.

The results are striking: bulk water has a dielectric constant around 80, but when thinned to just 1-2 nanometres, its in-plane dielectric constant reaches values close to 1,000 鈥� on par with ferroelectrics used in advanced electronics. At the same time, water's conductivity increases to values approaching those of superionic liquids, materials considered highly promising for next-generation batteries.

"Think of it as if water has a split personality," explains Dr Fumagalli. "In one direction it is electrically dead, but look at it in profile and suddenly it becomes electrically super-active. Nobody expected such dramatic behaviour."

The discovery required the team to develop ultrasensitive measurement techniques capable of probing water layers much thinner than the skin of a virus and track their electrical response across frequencies from kilohertz to gigahertz 鈥� spanning six orders of magnitude.

The research also reveals that confined water exists in two distinct electrical regimes. For channels larger than several nanometres, water behaves like its bulk form, albeit with much higher conductivity. But once squeezed to atomic dimensions, it undergoes a sharp transition into a new "superionic-like" state.

This transformation occurs because extreme confinement disrupts water's hydrogen-bond network, which in bulk is a dynamic but rather ordered structure. At the molecular scale this network becomes disordered, allowing dipoles to align more easily with electric fields and enabling rapid proton transport.

"Just as graphene revealed unexpected physics when graphite was thinned down to a single atomic layer, this research shows that even water 鈥� the most studied liquid on Earth 鈥� can still surprise us when squeezed to its absolute thinnest鈥�, notes Prof Geim, who previously won the Nobel Prize for graphene research.

The implications extend far beyond fundamental science. Insights into water鈥檚 electrical properties at the nanoscale are crucial not only for physics and chemistry but also for technologies ranging from advanced batteries and microfluidics to nanoscale electronics and biology.

鈥淥ur study changes how we should think about water," adds Dr Fumagalli. "The most ordinary substance on Earth has extraordinary talents that were hidden until now."

This research was published in the journal Nature.

Full title:

DOI:

Drs Laura Fumagalli and Andre Geim are available for interview on request.

Images and more information about water research can be found at www.graphene.manchester.ac.uk

The is a world-leading graphene and 2D material centre, focussed on fundamental research. Based at 每日大赛黄, where graphene was first isolated in 2004 by Professors Sir Andre Geim and Sir Kostya Novoselov, it is home to leaders in their field 鈥� a community of research specialists delivering transformative discovery. This expertise is matched by 拢13m leading-edge facilities, such as the largest class 5 and 6 cleanrooms in global academia, which gives the NGI the capabilities to advance underpinning industrial applications in key areas including: composites, functional membranes, energy, membranes for green hydrogen, ultra-high vacuum 2D materials, nanomedicine, 2D based printed electronics, and characterisation.

The knowledge could reduce the risk of severe bowel complications from radiotherapy, known as rectal toxicity, heralding a more personalised approach to prostate cancer treatment. 

The study, funded by Prostate Cancer UK, is published in Clinical Cancer Research today.(13/10/25). 

The study was led by PhD researcher Artemis Bouzaki from 每日大赛黄, who is also an honorary researcher at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. 

Her approach is the first study to combine genetic data with detailed spatial maps of where radiation is delivered in the rectum. 

Though scientists have already identified the lower posterior of the rectum as significant for rectal toxicities after prostate cancer radiotherapy, the study is the first to incorporate genetic information into the framework. 

鈥�Rectal toxicity is a significant concern for patients receiving radiotherapy for prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men and  now the most common cancer in England,鈥� she said.

鈥淎lthough dose guidelines limit the overall rate of rectal toxicity to around 10%, bowel function nevertheless often deteriorates over the course of treatment and beyond.

鈥淪ome patients experience severe, persistent complications, such as incontinence, or rectal bleeding, permanently affecting their quality of life.鈥�

The scientists analysed data from 1,293 prostate cancer patients as part of the international REQUITE study, which collected radiotherapy outcomes from 17 hospitals in Europe and the USA between 2014 and 2016.

For each of three genetic variants linked to increased radiation sensitivity, patients were grouped based on whether they carried the variant.

They were analysed alongside dose maps over the surface of the rectum - based on a methodology developed by the team in their earlier work- which showed the risk regions were consistently in the lower posterior rectum.

 The scientists used a special way of analysing 3D image data by looking at it in tiny volume units called voxels, the 3D equivalent of a pixel.

Instead of just measuring overall dose averages in a region, Voxel Based Analysis analyses the data voxel by voxel across the entire image. This allows smaller regions of organs to be identified, where more radiation dose is linked to different treatment side-effects.

Co-author and supervisor of the study, Dr Alan McWilliam from the University of Manchester added: 鈥淥ur work has revealed that patients with certain genetic variants may benefit from lower radiation doses in those specific parts of the rectum, which could make a significant difference to their recovery.

鈥淗owever, these findings are preliminary, and clinical studies will be necessary to confirm their safety and effectiveness before any changes are made to standard treatment.鈥�

One reason why the lower part of the rectum may be particularly sensitive is that the higher and lower parts of rectum have anatomical and functional differences which could influence their response to radiation.

The differences play a key role in inflammation and immune response and are likely to be affected by different genetic variants, including the ones analysed by the researchers.

Dr Hayley Luxton, Head of Research Impact and Engagement at Prostate Cancer UK, said: 鈥淣o two men鈥檚 prostate cancers will be the same, and different men will opt for different treatment. We know that radiotherapy is an extremely effective way to treat men with prostate cancer. However, it can have life changing side effects for patients.

鈥淭here are two ways to limit the side effects caused by radiotherapy 鈥� either through adjusting dosage to account for genetics or by reducing the dose to certain areas of the body.

鈥淔or the first time, thanks to Prostate Cancer UK鈥檚 funding alongside Movember, the team in Manchester have combined both methods, and can now fine-tune the delivery of radiotherapy based on a man鈥檚 genetics.

鈥淭he ability to personalise treatment in this way is exactly the direction we want prostate cancer care to head in. This study helps bring us that much closer to making sure the right men get the right treatment, at the right time.鈥�

The paper Integration of dose surface maps and genetic data identifies the lower posterior rectum as a key region for toxicity after prostate cancer radiotherapy, DOI: xxxxxxxxxxxx is available

The study, published in , funded by Wellcome and the Royal Society, definitively confirm the mother鈥檚 role as central to the emotional wellbeing of the family unit.

Though other researchers have focused on isolated relationships between mother and child, this is the first study of the role that both partners may play in family mental health, both concurrently and over time.

The researchers produced a series of maps - called networks - depicting the way symptoms of anxiety and depression in parents and their children up the age of 16 connect with each other over time.

They based the analysis on data from 3,757 families from the UK Household Longitudinal 每日大赛黄 between 2009 to 2022.

Additional cross-sectional network maps of 8,795 families captured independent associations between family members鈥� mental health.

While fathers鈥� emotional state was linked to mothers鈥� mental health in the cross-sectional analysis, they observed an absence of associations with their children.

However, they reported that fathers鈥� emotional symptoms may influence children鈥檚 well-being indirectly, by affecting maternal mental health.

The longitudinal maps also identified how a mother鈥檚 feelings of being overwhelmed affected the child鈥檚 emotional state鈥攅specially worry, and that children鈥檚 feeling of worry cycled back, further affecting her own emotional health.

The influence of maternal emotional health on their children waned as they got older, reflecting how adolescents transfer their primary attachment from their parents to others.

Lead author Dr Yushi Bai from 每日大赛黄 said: 鈥淲e do know that children鈥檚 mental health is formed by, and within, their family through shared genes, nurturing behaviours of caregivers, and sibling dynamics.

鈥淥ur study identified mothers, not fathers, as central to the emotional wellbeing of the family unit.

鈥淲e suspect that this can be explained by traditional division of parenting roles, where societal expectations often position mothers as the primary caregivers and organisers within families.

鈥淢others are typically more involved in child-rearing and spend considerably more time with their children than do fathers, which means they are more likely to influence children鈥檚 lives and development.

鈥淕reater exposure to maternal care might also lead children to copy their mother鈥檚 coping mechanisms and behaviours.鈥�

Co-author Dr Matthias Pierce from 每日大赛黄 said: 鈥淓motional disorders in young people are not only increasingly prevalent, but also present at early ages, highlighting the need for early intervention and prevention.

鈥淕iven the family鈥檚 central role in shaping and sustaining mental health, interventions and policies should consider how the family mental health ecosystem operates.

鈥淭his study shows the potential value of interventions that aim to support mothers and reduce maternal anxiety, which may have the greatest impact on improving family dynamics and reduce the risk of poor mental health in children.

鈥淲e also suggest that the link between fathers鈥� and mothers鈥� mental health presents a further potential avenue for alleviating maternal stress.鈥�

• The paper Quantifying cross-sectional and longitudinal associations in mental health symptoms within families: network models applied to UK cohort data  published in MBJ Open is published

• doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2025-104829

The high-tech hearing tests, they say, can efficiently understand human speech from the comfort of your own home, rather than at a hospital clinic, by using AI to screen out background noise.

The researchers developed and tested an AI-powered version of the Digits-in-Noise (DIN) test that combines text-to-speech (TTS) and automatic speech recognition (ASR) technologies.

The result was a fully automated, self-administered hearing test that can be performed without clinical supervision in 10 minutes.

The study, funded by a Medical Research Council鈥檚 Doctoral Training Partnership grant, could revolutionise the way hearing tests are carried out and is published today  in the journal Trends in Hearing.

Lead author Mohsen Fatehifar from 每日大赛黄 said: 鈥淗aving tested this technology, we are confident that with the help of AI it is entirely possible to automate a hearing test on a computer or smart phone so it can be done from the comfort of your own home.

鈥淭hough we still need more extensive trials and a user-friendly interface, this technology could potentially make a huge difference to patients.

鈥淪pecialised equipment in the clinic and the specially trained staff who are needed to use it are not always available to patients who need quick assessment.

鈥淎dditionally, people are slow to seek help when experiencing hearing difficulties: there is an estimated delay of 8.9 years between the time hearing aids are needed to the time of their adoption.

鈥淭hat is why we are excited about the ability of this system to incorporate machine learning into the test procedure to make it less dependent on human supervisors.鈥�

Speech-in-noise tests are commonly used to detect hearing problems by assessing how well someone can understand spoken speech over background noise.

Traditional tests typically rely on pre-recorded human speech and require a clinician to score the responses.

However, the AI-powered version replaces both with computer generated speech and automatic speech recognition, allowing the test to run entirely on its own.

In a group of 31 adults, some with normal hearing and with hearing loss, the AI-powered test was evaluated against two conventional DIN tests.

The researchers assessed both reliability - how consistent results were across multiple runs and validity - how closely results matched a reference test.

Results showed that the AI-powered test gave virtually the same results as the conventional DIN tests.

While there was slightly more variability in some cases - especially in people with a strong accent- the overall reliability and accuracy were the same, demonstrating the addition of AI did not negatively impact test performance.

And by using larger ASR systems, the researchers say the higher accuracy would make the system compatible with stronger accents.

Co-authors Professor Kevin Munro and Michael Stone are from 每日大赛黄 and supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre.

Professor Munro said: 鈥淭his  study highlights how AI can make hearing tests both reliable and user-friendly, particularly for individuals who may find traditional formats鈥攕uch as keyboards or touchscreens鈥攃hallenging to use.

鈥淚t also marks an important step toward more personalised and accessible hearing assessments that people can complete independently at home.

鈥淭he test software will be freely available, providing a foundation for future developments using more advanced speech technologies.鈥�

Professor Stone said: 鈥淭his research highlights the potential for well-crafted and tested AI to modernise hearing care.

鈥淥ur team plans to explore extending this technology to more complex speech tests in future studies.鈥�

Using sunbeds causes melanoma and other skin cancers, particularly among young people, yet existing sunbed legislation is ineffective and there is little evidence that stricter rules would help protect the most vulnerable, say Professor Paul Lorigan and colleagues. 

Indoor tanning is experiencing a boom in popularity, particularly among Gen Z (born 1997-2012), with social media promoting sunbeds as integral to wellness, they explain. For example, a 2024 survey of 2,003 people in the UK by Melanoma Focus found that 43% of respondents aged 18-25 used sunbeds, half of them at least weekly, with many unaware of the associated dangers. 

And despite a ban on under 18s using sunbeds in England and Wales in 2011, a 2025 survey by Melanoma Focus of 100 UK 16-17 year olds found that 34% were still using sunbeds. 

Neither the number nor location of sunbed outlets in the UK are monitored, point out the authors. Data from websites and social media in January 2024 identified 4,231 sunbed outlets in England and 232 in Wales, with density per 100,000 population highest in north west and north east England and in the most deprived areas. 

The distribution of sunbed outlets also correlates with melanoma rates in young people, with the highest rates in north England, they add. Over 2,600 new diagnoses were recorded annually in 25-49 year olds in England during 2018-20 and 146 deaths, with two thirds of cases in women. 

Regulation has also failed to prevent young people鈥檚 use of sunbeds in other countries, they note. For example, the percentage of under 18s using sunbeds in the Republic of Ireland has barely changed since stricter regulation in 2014, while Iceland鈥檚 15-17 year olds are now the main users of sunbeds despite a ban for under 18s in 2011. 

The current situation in the UK is 鈥渁 clear example of an under-regulated industry aggressively marketing a harmful product to a vulnerable population,鈥� they write. 鈥淎n immediate outright ban on commercial sunbeds alongside public education offers the most cost effective solution to reduce skin cancer, save lives, and ease the burden on the NHS.鈥� 

To counter the economic impact of banning sunbeds on providers and communities, they suggest use of a buy-back scheme 鈥渢o mitigate industry pushback and the potential effect on livelihoods.鈥� 

They conclude: 鈥淭he UK government has pledged to prioritise prevention and to reduce health inequalities. Commercial sunbeds target those who are most disadvantaged and susceptible to harm.鈥� 

鈥淓nhanced efforts to encourage sun safe behaviours are critically needed but will likely take a generation to have an effect. A ban on commercial sunbeds is the first step in this process. It would send a clear message and have an immediate effect on skin cancer.鈥�

• Analysis: Commercial sunbeds should be banned in the UK  is published in the BMJ doi: 10.1136/bmj-2025-085414 and is available

Current treatments for asthma largely involve controlling the inflammation of lung tissue using steroid inhalers. However, 4 people die every day in the UK¹ from asthma related complications. With funding from the Medical Research Foundation and Asthma UK, a team of researchers from the University of Aberdeen and the University of Manchester have investigated the scarring that occurs in lung tissue as a result of asthma and have been able to reverse these changes in animal models.

Although still in the early stages of development, this discovery paves the way for a new way to treat not only asthma, but many different diseases in which similar structural changes in tissues occur. Such diseases include conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic heart disease and cirrhosis of the liver and account for approximately 40% of deaths worldwide.

Asthma affects more than 7 million people in the UK and severe asthma can have a hugely detrimental impact on an individual鈥檚 quality of life. Even when treated, asthma can be fatal and the most recent data shows it contributed to 1,465 deaths in the UK in 2022¹ 鈥� this is despite the availability of new treatments which aim to dampen down inflammation in the lungs.

However, as well as inflammation, asthma also results in what has previously been considered to be irreversible structural lung changes. These changes include making the lungs stiffer and more scarred through increases in things like 鈥榚xtracellular matrix collagens.鈥�

Using animal models that share features of severe asthma in people, the researchers found that preventing inflammation alone is not enough to reverse this tissue scarring. Instead, they found that blocking the action of specific protein molecules strongly associated with inflammation and tissue damage, 鈥榬emarkably reversed鈥� scarring in the lungs. 

Dr Tara Sutherland, Lecturer of Immunology, who led the research at the University of Aberdeen, alongside collaborators at the University of Manchester, explains: 鈥淒rugs that inhibit inflammation in asthma are crucial for managing the disease. However, these drugs may not always be enough to prevent and reverse lung damage found in severe asthma.

鈥淥ur findings show that we also need to consider that structural lung changes occur in severe asthma and that these changes may occur independently of inflammatory pathways.

鈥淎 better understanding of these structural changes and their consequences for lung health could lead to development of new therapies that benefit people particularly with severe asthma and could potentially be used alongside drugs that stop inflammation.

鈥淎lthough a first step in a long process, our study suggests avenues for new treatments that may have the potential to prevent disease progression and even reverse tissue scarring in asthma and many other diseases where fibrosis due to disorganised matrix formation is suggested to account for approximately 40% of worldwide mortality.鈥�

James Parkinson, Research Associate from the division of Immunology and Immunity to Infection and Respiratory Medicine at the University of Manchester who collaborated on the project added: 鈥淭his work adds a new layer to our understanding of how asthma develops. It also reinforces the importance of considering all aspects of airway remodelling when evaluating future potential therapies.鈥�

, CEO of the , said: 鈥淎sthma affects millions of people in the UK, including 1.1 million children, yet despite current treatments, too many people still die from the condition every day. Severe uncontrolled asthma can cause lasting damage to the lungs and drastically reduce quality of life. This research is a crucial step forward 鈥� showing how we might not only prevent that damage, but even reverse it, opening the door to treatments that could transform lives.

鈥淏y supporting studies like this, the Medical Research Foundation aims to generate the evidence needed to change how asthma is treated and ultimately improve outcomes for people living with the condition.鈥�

Dr Ellen Forty, Research Networks and Partnerships Manager at Asthma + Lung UK added:

鈥淎sthma + Lung UK is pleased to have funded this exciting research which has helped to tease apart some of the ways that damage to lung tissue occurs in severe asthma, showing potential that some aspects of the damage could actually be reversed in mice. Now we need to invest in the next stages of this research to better understand this newly discovered process, and whether it works the same way in humans.

鈥淭his study offers hope for a new avenue for future treatments for the 7.2 million people in the UK living with asthma, that could supplement existing medicines. It could also have benefits for those with other lung conditions with similar causes of damage. Funding for lung health research is on life support and urgent action is needed to increase investment.鈥�

This research was funded by the Medical Research Foundation and the Asthma and Lung UK Fellowship with support from Medical Research Council and Wellcome.

1: 

The peer reviewed meta-analysis of 16 studies involving 71,336 patients from the US, UK, and the Netherlands published in the today (10/09/25), is a wake-up call to policy makers grappling with escalating numbers affected by the disease. 

鈥淥ur study provides evidence of significant disparities in telemedicine use for type 2 diabetes among men, black communities and those with lower levels of education,鈥� said Nawwarah Alfarwan, a PhD researcher and lead author of the study. 

鈥淭hese groups already face many challenges in accessing essential healthcare services. 

鈥淓very 10 seconds, somebody dies from diabetes-related complications worldwide, most of whom have type 2 diabetes, so policymakers  really need to think about how to improve access to this crucial form of healthcare.鈥� 

Telemedicine has revolutionised the management of type 2 diabetes in primary care by improving access to healthcare services, and consequently health outcomes. 

Comprising a range of technology including virtual consultations, wearable devices, mobile health apps and other technologies, health services have successfully used it as a response to increasing prevalence of the disease. 

Data from 5 studies comprising 59, 609 patients showed patients with higher education levels had 68.1% greater odds of using telemedicine than those with lower education levels. 

The less educated, say the researchers, have lower levels digital and health literacy, and be more likely to have concerns about trust and privacy. 

Ten of the studies, comprising 68,355 patients, showed female patients had a 5% higher chance of using telemedicine than men.

The difference can be explained, say the researchers, by women being more actively engaged with healthcare services not only for themselves but also their family.

Existing epidemiological evidence, they add, suggests men鈥� have lower help-seeking behaviour, stronger preferences for in-person consultations, or lower levels of digital health literacy.

Five of the studies showed that compared to white patients, black patients were less 45% likely to use telemedicine.

Many people within black communities, the researchers argue, have limited access to digital infrastructure, mistrust in healthcare systems, language barriers, and inadequate insurance coverage or digital literacy support.

And 10 of the studies comprising 47 927 patients showed older patients were 2.1% less likely to use telemedicine than younger patients.

Co-author Professor Maria Panagioti , also from 每日大赛黄,  added: 鈥淔or patients with type2 diabetes, we show the extent of the digital divide in certain demographics, especially those from minority backgrounds.

鈥淟ack of affordable access to computers, smartphone, and lower levels digital and health literacy all contribute to these inequalities.

鈥淏y understanding these disparities and addressing the underlying factors, policymakers could make more inclusive and effective telemedicine interventions.

鈥淭hey should also  consider targeted strategies to improve engagement among men, such as awareness campaigns and tailored interventions.鈥�

• The paper is Demographic and Socioeconomic Disparities in Telemedicine Utilisation Among Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes in Primary Care: Systematic Review and Meta Analysis is published in the  

The final version of the tool, called INSPECT-SR, is now published on the pre-print server . 

It was developed by a worldwide collaboration of more than 150 integrity and health research experts, led by Dr Jack Wilkinson from 每日大赛黄 

Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), it was developed in collaboration with the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Cochrane, a not-for-profit organisation which is the world鈥檚 leading publisher of health systematic reviews. 

Some of the studies are subject to critical but honest errors, but many appear to be fraudulent.

Concerns are growing over the increasing numbers of problematic high-level summaries of the research evidence from randomised controlled trials , known as systematic reviews. 

In 2023 alone, over 10,000 research papers issued globally were retracted by journals according to an analysis by , many of which used evidence from problematic RCTs. 

Dr Wilkinson warns problematic RCTs  can result in medical research potentially being compromised, drug development hindered and promising academic research jeopardised. 

INSPECT-SR is designed to root out problematic RCTs which publish faked or manipulated data or have Inadvertently made critical errors. 

Some, written for a fee by outfits known as 鈥減aper mills鈥�, are entirely fabricated. 

The tool guides users through a series of 21 checks, grouped into 4 domains:

• Post publication notices which express concern and retractions.
• conduct, governance, and transparency
• text and figures
• data discrepancies and statistical errors.

One of the most well-known examples of problematic RCT research was around claims the drug Ivermectin, hailed as a miracle drug that would save the lives of people with severe COVID-19. 

However, some of the trials used to make the Ivermectin claims appear to have been fabricated, according  health authorities in the . Subsequent high-quality trials suggested little or no benefit. 

In another example , the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) reversed recommendation for a device called a fetal pillow, developed to assist caesarean sections, following the retraction of three clinical studies supporting it. 

According to an article in : An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, a trustworthiness assessment may have prevented the use of the evidence in the NICE guideline, as it contained statistical anomalies. 

And trustworthiness concerns were also identified in a group of trials around the use of  CBT and exercise to combat spinal pain. The trials had substantial impacts on clinical practice guidelines. Several have now been .

Dr Wilkinson said: 鈥淲hen a systematic review is carried out, it includes all randomised  controlled trials on a given topic.

鈥淏耻迟 historically, there has been no way to identify fraudulent or otherwise problematic RCTs, meaning that these studies are inadvertently included in systematic reviews.

鈥淭his is a big problem, as systematic reviews are very influential - they inform health guidelines for example.

鈥淢ost fraudulent RCTs are produced by individual researchers rather than commercial paper mills, but with the  advent of  AI I fear  this is likely to become more of a problem in the future.鈥�

He added: 鈥淎cademic papers are often assessed for quality before they are published. But reviewers do not ask the more fundamental question of whether the evidence they are reading is even genuine..

鈥淏耻迟 we anticipate that INSPECT-SR will become the standard for assessing trustworthiness of RCTs, especially as it has been created withCochrane for use in their systematic reviews of health interventions.

鈥淗owever, it鈥檚 important to stress that our tool is not merely a test for fraud and misconduct-  though clearly many problematic studies are examples of that.

鈥淚t also tests for critical errors which is why our priority is to  determine if a clinical trial should be used to guide healthcare decisions.

鈥淲ork is ongoing to develop more automated systems -  perhaps using AI-  to assist with this process. In the future, we hope to expand our work  to detect problems in other forms of research studies, not just clinical trials.鈥�

• The paper INSPECT-SR: a tool for assessing trustworthiness of 1 randomised controlled trials is available on the print server https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.09.03.25334905

Two peer reviewed studies led by University of Manchester researchers across 28 NHS maternity units are published  today in the journals BMJ Open Quality  and BMJ Quality and Safety.

The BMJ Open Quality   paper showed 89% of women reported positive antenatal care and 86% had positive labour experiences.

However, the data from online surveys with 1,140 women and 633 healthcare professionals  - carried out in 2023-  also showed concerns around poor communication, lack of personalised care, staff shortages and delays still persist.

The Saving Babies鈥� Lives Care Bundle (SBLCB) was introduced in England from 2015 as the Government鈥檚 response to a stillbirth rate that was comparatively higher than many western countries.

SBLCB has evolved through three versions in 2016, 2019, and 2023, each building on the last to improve maternity care and reduce perinatal mortality across England.

The SBLCB evaluation- of version 2 -  found it had been successfully rolled-out in the majority of NHS maternity providers and that midwives and frontline staff have a pivotal role in implementing it.

Women鈥檚 positive experiences were linked to feeling listened to, being involved in decision-making, effective communication and continuity of care.

They encountered staff, the researchers found, who acknowledged their history and made them feeling able to ask questions.

However their negative experiences often stemmed from poor communication and lack of personalised care, making them feel dismissed, especially when expressing concerns about reduced fetal movement and during labour.

Some of the women who had a negative labour or birth experience also reported disorganised and inconsistent care, staff shortages, lack of beds and poor pain management which left them feeling neglected.

Poor communication between staff made care feel disjointed and was further hindered with changes to electronic notes, they reported.

Risk factors was not always communicated effectively and women were often given no choice in their treatment which meant they felt threatened or frustrated.

Alexander Heazell, is Professor of Obstetrics at 每日大赛黄, Honorary Consultant Obstetrician at St Mary鈥檚 Hospital, and Director of the Tommy鈥檚 Stillbirth Research Centre.

He said: 鈥淲e analysed a total of 1,071 women鈥檚 written responses about their antenatal care, of which 89% reported a positive experience. 86% had positive experience of labour.

鈥淪o much progress has been made  in terms of their experiences around feeling listened to and reassured, feeling in control of decision-making and  encounters with staff and care.

鈥淥ur data suggest that elements of the SBLCBv2 are increasingly embedded in maternity care, but refinements are still needed.

鈥淭his will  address variation in practice between units and to support effective communication between health care professionals and service users to balance standardised clinical practice with personalised care.

A second paper published in BMJ Quality and Safety examined the qualitative  experiences of the women.

Lead author Dr Holly Reid, also from 每日大赛黄, said: 鈥淥ur paper found that having a trusting relationship with maternity care providers is of paramount importance to achieve positive and safe maternity experiences for women.

鈥淭rust was built through consensus among the care team, making sure the partner was involved in discussions around care and continuity of carer.

鈥淲hen women were not listened to or believed by healthcare professionals during labour and birth, this resulted in frightening experiences for women and their safety being put at risk.鈥�

Professor Heazell added: 鈥淗owever, there is still work to do. Service users need to feel heard, involved in and reassured by their care. To this end, the communication between health care professionals and service users is critical.

鈥淲e suggest maternity staff may benefit from additional training to discuss the reasons for and results of interventions to reduce the risk of pregnancy complications.

鈥淭his will need to be combined with effective communication skills to ensure that service users receive information to make an informed choice, ensuring they retain agency and perceived control.

鈥淎nd that will enable the core recommendations of SBLCBv2 to be personalised to individual service users, promoting safe maternity care and improved maternity experience.鈥�

Examples of representative anonymised quote from service users:

All testing done efficiently, staff were continually informing us about the decisions they were making, we felt well taken care of鈥�

鈥淚 felt really dismissed by the midwives when I kept saying the baby wasn鈥檛 moving and I didn鈥檛 feel well

鈥淎ll testing done efficiently, staff were continually informing us about the decisions they were making, we felt well taken care of鈥�

鈥淲hile yes I got growth scans nothing was ever explained and I wasn鈥檛 able to ask any questions鈥�

鈥淭he staff were attentive and provided me with all the information I required. This was offered and also given 24 hours a day with no bias.鈥�

鈥淭he administration side of things was not great. I was forgotten about on numerous occasions. Letters were sent out with appointment dates that didn鈥檛 exist. I would turn up and people weren鈥檛 expecting me.鈥�

• The paper Evaluating the implementation of the Saving Babies Lives Care Bundle Version 2 from Service User and Health Care Professionals鈥� perspectives: A Questionnaire 每日大赛黄  is published in BMJ Open Quality  DOI:  bmjoq-2025-003456
• The paper Service users鈥� experiences of maternity care in England informed by the Saving Babies鈥� Lives Care Bundle Version 2: A reflexive thematic analysis to be published in BMJ Quality and Safety is  published in BMJ Quality and Safety  DOI: 10.1136/bmjqs-2025-018582

The work by Professors Jo Dumville and Nicky Cullum on the most effective types of compression treatments is good news for the hundreds of thousands of patients affected by venous leg ulcers every year,  costing the NHS tens of millions of pounds. 

Venous ulcers are a common long-term condition which adversely affect people's quality of life; nurses deliver the majority of care, which takes the form of compression therapy as a first-line treatment. 

According to the NHS National Wound Care Strategy Programme, venous leg ulcers account for 60% to 80% of all leg ulcers. 

However, the abundance of different compression treatments and heavy product promotion by the wound care industry makes it difficult for nurses to decide, with patients, on the course of treatment that is most clinically effective and offers the most value to the NHS. 

The guidance - known officially as a 鈥淟ate Stage Assessment" -  is set to change that by providing crucial information to nursing staff on the most effective types of compression. 

It will also help NHS commissioners and procurement specialists give healthcare professionals access to a range of the most appropriate compression products to ensure their affordability to the NHS. 

According to the researchers鈥� evidence, the clinical effectiveness of two-layer compression hosiery and two-layer and 4-layer bandages is similar, while compression hosiery is more cost-effective than bandages. However, compression wraps are less clinically and cost-effective.

Professor Cullum was first asked to review the research evidence on leg ulcer management by the then Department of Health (now the Department of Health and Social Care) in 1989.

Working with Professor Dumville, they have been analysing and publishing the evidence in Cochrane and other systematic reviews, and have worked to fill knowledge gaps by doing new randomised controlled trials and other relevant studies.

A Cochrane systematic review is a rigorously conducted, independent review of research evidence on the effects of healthcare interventions, published by Cochrane, a global, not-for-profit organisation.

The latest randomised controlled trial, led by Professor Dumville will have further important implications for care and is likely to be published later in 2025 or early 2026.

Professor Dumville said: 鈥業 am delighted that our NIHR-funded research has delivered high-quality and relevant evidence on compression therapy for venous leg ulcers.

鈥淭he contribution of these findings to NICE鈥檚 late-stage assessment underscores the importance of NIHR studies like VenUS 6 in strengthening the clinical evidence base in wound care and informing national recommendations that support best practice in patient care.鈥�

Professor Cullum said: 鈥淭his is the first time there has been a piece of NICE guidance on compression therapy for venous leg ulcers.

鈥淚t feels like something of a culmination of all the work Jo Dumville and I have been doing for decades, so we are delighted it has culminated in some national guidance which will help nurses and patients arrive at informed decisions.鈥�

• See Professor Cullum鈥檚 Lockdown Lecture  where she talks about her work on leg ulcers and her with Jude Johnson.

Published in the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) journal Cancer Research Communications, the study assessed AOA鈥檚 novel technology that analysed multiple groups of biological markers from a single blood sample. 

The researchers showed the test outperformed traditional biomarker tests for ovarian cancer detection in over 950 patients from Colorado and Manchester. 

This study is a major milestone and AOA is committed to pursuing regulatory approval across the US and Europe in the coming years, ahead of launching the test to the NHS. 

The technology combines two different sets of blood-markers, proteins and lipids, with   machine learning to identify the presence of ovarian cancer in women that present with vague abdominal/pelvic symptoms. 

In samples from University of Colorado the test exhibited an accuracy of 93% across all stages of ovarian cancer and 91% for early-stage disease. 

In a set from Manchester, the model continued to perform strongly, with an accuracy of 92% for all-stages of ovarian cancer and 88% for early-stage disease.

 AOA鈥檚 test performed better than single blood-based-markers which have been used for the past 30 year, which were only able to attain accuracies of less than 90%. 

The successful results, say AOA, will inform the final design of the test, which could produce a streamlined and cost-effective diagnostic relevant to healthcare systems globally. 

鈥淥ur platform detects ovarian cancer at early stages and with greater accuracy than current tools,鈥� said Alex Fisher COO and Co-Founder of AOA Dx. 鈥淭hese findings show its potential to aid clinicians in making faster, more informed decisions for women who need urgent clarity during a challenging diagnostic process.鈥� 

鈥淏y using machine learning to combine multiple biomarker types, we鈥檝e developed a diagnostic tool that detects ovarian cancer across the molecular complexity of the disease in sub-types and stages鈥� said Dr. Abigail McElhinny, Chief Science Officer of AOA Dx. 鈥淭his platform offers a great opportunity to improve the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer potentially resulting in better patient outcomes and lower costs to the healthcare system.鈥�

varian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, largely due to late-stage diagnosis.

Over 90% of women experience symptoms in Stage I, yet only 20% of cases are diagnosed in Stage I or II, as symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, and digestive issues often resemble benign conditions.

Existing diagnostic methods, which rely on invasive procedures or less reliable markers, frequently fail to identify early-stage disease.

An accurate early detection test available to women when they first visit a physician with symptoms could revolutionize the detection of ovarian cancer.

Professor Emma Crosbie, Professor at 每日大赛黄 and Honorary Consultant in Gynecological Oncology, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), said: 鈥淎OA Dx鈥檚 platform shows significant promise for ovarian cancer early detection, offering a practical solution for symptomatic women.鈥�

Professor Crosbie is also National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Co-Theme Lead.

She added: 鈥淎OA Dx鈥檚 platform has the potential to significantly improve patient care and outcomes for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. We are eager to continue advancing this important research through additional prospective trials to further validate and expand our understanding of how this could be integrated into existing healthcare systems.鈥�

The paper Utilizing serum-derived lipidomics with protein biomarkers and machine learning for early detection of ovarian cancer in the symptomatic population published in cancer Research Communications is available DOI:

每日大赛黄 is globally renowned for its pioneering research, outstanding teaching and learning, and commitment to social responsibility. We are a truly international university 鈥� ranking in the top 50 in a range of global rankings 鈥� with a diverse community of more than 44,000 students, 12,000 staff and 550,000 alumni from 190 countries.  Sign up for our e-news to hear first-hand about our international partnerships and activities across the globe. 

The breakthrough, reported in by a team led by Professor Andre Geim, was achieved by placing a sheet of graphene just three atoms below cleaner bulk graphite. This 鈥減roximity mirror鈥� cancels out unwanted electric fields, reducing disorder in graphene by a factor of 100.

"Think of it like creating the ultimate clean room, but for electrons," explains first author Dr Daniil Domaretskiy. "We鈥檝e removed almost all the 鈥榙irt鈥� that disrupts smooth flow of electric current. You can suddenly see effects that were hidden, like wiping clean a fogged-up window."

In quantum materials, disorder hides delicate effects and can prevent new physics from emerging. Researchers normally go to great lengths to remove impurities and minimise interference, but in graphene the team has now pushed this to an extreme: just one uncontrolled electron per 100 million carbon atoms remains across an entire device.

This record-low disorder means that electrons travel faster and further than ever before. Key benchmarks of material quality, such as Shubnikov鈥揹e Haas oscillations, are now visible at fields below 10 Gauss. The celebrated quantum Hall effect appears below 50 Gauss, far weaker than a fridge magnet.

The concept is straightforward: the nearby graphite acts like an electrical mirror, cancelling random electric fields in the graphene layer. The challenge was engineering the mirror close enough, three atoms apart, without damaging the graphene.

鈥淣ow that we know how to make things this clean, it opens the door to exploring phenomena that were out of reach,鈥� said co-author Dr Zefei Wu. 鈥淭his is just the beginning.鈥� 

The team expects their 鈥榩roximity-mirror鈥� technique to become standard for probing quantum phenomena in two-dimensional materials, enabling new discoveries in superconductivity, magnetism and exotic quantum phases, which would all benefit from the ultraclean electronic conditions to clearly emerge.

The work involved collaborators from Lancaster University, the National University of Singapore, and the National Institute for Materials Science in Japan.

This research was published in the journal .

Full title: Proximity screening greatly enhances electronic quality of graphene

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09386-0

The is a world-leading graphene and 2D material centre, focussed on fundamental research. Based at 每日大赛黄, where graphene was first isolated in 2004 by Professors Sir Andre Geim and Sir Kostya Novoselov, it is home to leaders in their field 鈥� a community of research specialists delivering transformative discovery. This expertise is matched by 拢13m leading-edge facilities, such as the largest class 5 and 6 cleanrooms in global academia, which gives the NGI the capabilities to advance underpinning industrial applications in key areas including: composites, functional membranes, energy, membranes for green hydrogen, ultra-high vacuum 2D materials, nanomedicine, 2D based printed electronics, and characterisation.

Published today  in the journal , the study provides a major insight into the muscular dystrophy subtype known collectively as Collagen VI-related dystrophy 鈥� or COL6-RD for short.

The team are the first ever to determine the high resolution structure of collagen VI- one of the networks of protein molecules that give our tissues mechanical strength and the ability to stretch and bend.

Called the extracellular matrix, the protein network also enables cells to sense their environment and communicate with one another in response to mechanical forces.

COL6-RD, which includes Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD) and  Bethlem myopathy (BM), can cause a range of symptoms including muscle weakness, joint contractures, decreased muscle tone, and weak breathing muscles.

It is one of a number muscular dystrophy subtypes and others include the more prevalent Duchenne-  caused by mutation of another protein -   for which scientists are developing gene therapies.

However, so far equivalent therapies have not been developed for COL6-RD.

Collagens are the most abundant extracellular matrix proteins, and form long fibres many times smaller than a human hair, called microfibrils. 

Collagen VI forms one type of microfibril, taking on the appearance of a large bead-like structure, consisting of  three separate protein chains, that twist and fold together.

The research required the scientists to develop small fragments of collagen VI, which they called mini-collagens.

Mini-collagens will be useful tools for studying or even treating the diseases associated with collagen VI mutations.

Lead author of Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council funded study Clair Baldock, Professor of  Biochemistry at the University of Manchester said: 鈥淚t is extremely important to understand where mutations in the tiny protein chains called collagen VI that cause a subtype of muscular dystrophy are, to help in the design of future treatments.

鈥淯sing a technique called cryogenic-electron microscopy -  which can magnify collagen VI hundreds of thousands of times-   we were able to determine the organisation of parts of collagen VI and map the disease mutations.

鈥淭hat provides an opportunity for scientists to design drugs which specifically target the mutations by focusing only on what's broken.

She added: 鈥淲e are the first group to determine the high resolution structure of collagen VI; until now, no- one has been able to show the locations of these mutations on the collagen VI structure.

鈥淭his is an important step along the path of finding ways to treat these types of muscular dystrophy and will provide momentum  to accelerate scientific discovery in this area.

鈥淲e hope that our structure will provide vital information to help the scientific community develop treatments, such as gene therapy, for collagen VI-RD.

鈥淭his provides some hope to people with muscular dystrophy that one day treatments will be available to improve their quality of life and help them to stay active and independent.鈥�

• The paper Collagen VI microfibril structure reveals mechanism for molecular assembly and clustering of inherited pathogenic mutations is . https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62923-3

 Published in the American Journal of Nephrology today (11/08/25), the researchers show that higher levels of  Kidney Injury Molecule-1(KIM-1), a special marker of kidney damage in the blood and urine, are associated with higher risks of mortality and kidney failure, never before have the two been measured together. 

The research follows hot on the heels of their published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology last month, which measured 21 markers in blood and urine that reflect key processes driving kidney disease, inflammation, and heart disease. 

From the JASN study , the team pinpointed three standout markers that can predict both how quickly kidney disease will progress and the risk of death. 

Unlike the generic tests used in routine kidney clinics, the markers shine a light on the biological changes, underpinning CKD, that truly drive the disease. By revealing the hidden drivers, the discovery opens the door to new treatments designed to target the disease at its roots. 

Lead author Dr Thomas McDonnell, is both a researcher at 每日大赛黄 and a kidney doctor at Salford Royal Hospital, part of Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust. 

He said: 鈥淭he progression of chronic kidney disease is highly variable between people,  so it鈥檚 difficult to predict which patients will progress to kidney failure or worse. 

鈥淏耻迟 our work raises the prospect of the development of  simple blood or urine tests that could better predict the degree of risk-  invaluable information for doctors and patients. 

鈥淲e think that , these models, which are more closely aligned with the underlying biological changes happening in chronic kidney disease, could allow a more tailored approach to the individual needs of patients.鈥�

The researchers analysed the blood and urine of adults with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease from 16 nephrology centres across the UK.

They analysed blood and urine KIM-1 in 2581 patients for the KIM-1 study and looked at all 21 markers of kidney damage, fibrosis, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease together in 2,884 patients for the second

They used statistical analysis  to assess how or if biological signals associated with kidney failure and mortality, and developed risk prediction models.

Because chronic kidney disease can stay stable for years in one person but suddenly worsen in another, doctors find it difficult to identify which patients are most at risk.

Existing blood tests currently only give doctors a partial picture, missing important clues like  inflammation and scar build up. As a result, people with the same CKD stage are often labelled has having the same risk and are given the same treatments.

Dr McDonnell added: 鈥淭his  discovery may will help doctors identify high-risk patients, so they enact more aggressive interventions, earlier specialist referral, and earlier treatment therapies.

鈥淎nd by identifying low risk patients, they  would be able to prevent over-treatment.

鈥淟iving with chronic kidney disease often means managing fatigue, having limits to what you can and can鈥檛 eat, and being consigned to  frequent medical appointments.

鈥淚t can be physically and emotionally challenging, but with the appropriate care, it is possible maintain an active and fulfilling life.鈥�

Plasma and Urinary KIM-1 in Chronic Kidney Disease: Prognostic Value, Associations with Albuminuria, and Implications for Kidney Failure and Mortality is published in   doi 10.1159/000547867is 

Biomarkers of kidney failure and all-cause mortality in chronic kidney disease  is published in the  DOI:10.1681/ASN.0000000767

Researchers at 每日大赛黄鈥檚 have developed a new class of programmable nanofluidic memristors that mimic the memory functions of the human brain, paving the way for next-generation neuromorphic computing.

In a ground-breaking study published in , scientists from the , and the have demonstrated how two-dimensional (2D) nanochannels can be tuned to exhibit all four theoretically predicted types of memristive behaviour, something never before achieved in a single device. This study not only reveals new insights into ionic memory mechanisms but also has the potential to enable emerging applications in low-power ionic logic, neuromorphic components, and adaptive chemical sensing.

Memristors, or memory resistors, are components that adjust their resistance based on past electrical activity, effectively storing a memory of it. While most existing memristors are solid-state devices that rely on electron movement, the team, led by Prof Radha Boya, used confined liquid electrolytes within thin nanochannels made from 2D materials like MoS鈧� and hBN. This nanofluidic approach allows for ultra-low energy operation and the ability to emulate biological learning processes.

Four memory modes, one device

The study reveals that by tuning experimental parameters such as electrolyte composition, pH, voltage frequency, and channel geometry, the same nanofluidic device can switch between four distinct memory loop styles, two 鈥渃rossing鈥� and two 鈥渘on-crossing鈥� types. These loop styles correspond to different memory mechanisms, including ion-ion interaction, ion-surface charge adsorption/desorption, surface charge inversion, and ion concentration polarisation.

鈥淭his is the first time all four memristor types have been observed in a single device,鈥� said , senior author of the study. 鈥淚t shows the remarkable tunability of nanofluidic systems and their potential to replicate complex brain-like behaviour.鈥�

Mimicking the brain鈥檚 synapses

Beyond demonstrating multiple memory modes, the devices also exhibit both short-term and long-term memory, akin to biological synapses. This dynamic control over memory duration is crucial for developing neuromorphic systems that can adapt and learn from their environment.

For instance, the devices could 鈥渇orget鈥� information over time or retain it for days, depending on the applied voltage and electrolyte conditions, e.g., like how one might quickly forget where they left their keys, yet remember their home address for life.

Imagine you're working in a caf茅. At first, the clatter of cups and chatter is noticeable, but soon your brain filters it out so you can focus. This everyday phenomenon is called sensory adaptation, and short-term synaptic depression is one of the cellular mechanisms contributing to them. The team mimicked short-term synaptic depression, a process where consecutive neural signals reduce the strength of a response unless sufficient time is allowed for recovery. In neurons, this is caused by temporary depletion of neurotransmitter vesicles. In the nanochannels, a similar effect emerges due to the ionic interactions, which requires time to relax back to its initial state.

A minimal model and a major leap

To explain the observed behaviours, the team developed a minimal theoretical model that incorporates ion鈥搃on interactions, surface adsorption, and channel entrance effects. The model successfully reproduces all four memristive loop types, offering a unified framework for understanding and designing future nanofluidic memory systems.

鈥淭his work represents a major leap in our understanding of ionic memory,鈥� said Dr Abdulghani Ismail, lead author of the study. 鈥淚t opens up exciting possibilities for low-power, adaptive computing systems that operate more like the human brain.鈥�

Towards brain-inspired computing

By harnessing the unique properties of 2D materials and fluidic ion transport, the researchers envision a new class of reconfigurable, energy-efficient computing devices capable of real-time learning and decision-making, with broad implications for artificial intelligence, robotics, and bioelectronics.

This research was published in the journal .

Full title: Programmable memristors with two-dimensional nanofluidic channels

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61649-6

The is a world-leading graphene and 2D material centre, focussed on fundamental research. Based at 每日大赛黄, where graphene was first isolated in 2004 by Professors Sir Andre Geim and Sir Kostya Novoselov, it is home to leaders in their field 鈥� a community of research specialists delivering transformative discovery. This expertise is matched by 拢13m leading-edge facilities, such as the largest class 5 and 6 cleanrooms in global academia, which gives the NGI the capabilities to advance underpinning industrial applications in key areas including: composites, functional membranes, energy, membranes for green hydrogen, ultra-high vacuum 2D materials, nanomedicine, 2D based printed electronics, and characterisation.

The team introduced a new type of thermal switch utilising high thermal conductivity graphite films. When a voltage is applied, ions insert between graphite layers. These ions disrupt phonon motion, cutting thermal conductivity by up to 1,300%. Removing the voltage expels the ions and restores the original heat-carrying capacity. This powerful modulation allows the device to actively turn heat conduction "on" and "off" at will, mirroring the functionality of electronic transistors, but for heat instead of electricity.

 鈥淲hat makes our device truly transformative is its ability to operate reliably in extreme environments such as space,鈥� said Dr Pietro Steiner, lead author and current technology lead for graphene-based thermal technologies at , a spinout from the University of Manchester. "The solid-state nature and absence of mechanical parts make it particularly attractive for aerospace applications, where reliability, weight, and efficiency are critical."

Beyond basic switching, the team demonstrated that their device could actively steer heat flow in desired directions. By configuring voltages across patterned electrodes, they created anisotropic thermal conduction pathways, opening possibilities for programmable thermal management systems.

Lead author added, "This thermal switching technology could revolutionise spacecraft thermal regulation, offering dynamic and reconfigurable solutions to manage excess heat without complex moving mechanisms or bulky radiators."

Spacecraft often rely on radiators or mechanical valves to dump excess heat. These systems add weight and risk mechanical failure under vibration. A thin, solid-state switch removes those constraints. It can operate in ultra-high vacuum and tolerate radiation levels found in orbit.

Next, the group will test switching speed under high thermal load. They plan to integrate the switch with prototype electronics. Faster ion motion and alternative intercalants could boost performance further. By directly linking electrical signals to heat transport, this work lays the groundwork for programmable thermal management in aerospace, electronics cooling and adaptive insulation.

This research was published in the journal .

Full title: Electrically controlled heat transport in graphite films via reversible ionic liquid intercalation

DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adw8588

The is a world-leading graphene and 2D material centre, focussed on fundamental research. Based at 每日大赛黄, where graphene was first isolated in 2004 by Professors Sir Andre Geim and Sir Kostya Novoselov, it is home to leaders in their field 鈥� a community of research specialists delivering transformative discovery. This expertise is matched by 拢13m leading-edge facilities, such as the largest class 5 and 6 cleanrooms in global academia, which gives the NGI the capabilities to advance underpinning industrial applications in key areas including: composites, functional membranes, energy, membranes for green hydrogen, ultra-high vacuum 2D materials, nanomedicine, 2D based printed electronics, and characterisation.

Silver has long been used to combat bacteria, particularly in wound care, due to its ability to release ions that disrupt bacterial cells. However, current approaches have limitations; silver can be released too rapidly or unevenly, potentially harming surrounding healthy tissue and resulting in short-lived or inconsistent antibacterial protection.

The Manchester team tackled these issues by designing a graphene oxide-based membrane that can release silver ions slowly and precisely over time. The key lies in the structure of the membrane itself, its nanoscale channels act like filters, regulating how much silver is released.

"Our research represents a paradigm shift in antimicrobial coating technology," states lead author . "By harnessing the potential of graphene oxide membranes, we've unlocked a method for controlled silver ion release, paving the way for sustained antimicrobial efficacy in various applications.鈥�

The team also created a testing model that better reflects real biological conditions. By using foetal bovine serum in lab trials, they could simulate the environment the coating would encounter in the body, offering a clearer view of how it performs over time.

鈥淭his approach allows us to deliver just the right amount of silver for extended protection,鈥� first author Dr Swathi Suran adds. 鈥淚t has potential in many areas, including wound care dressings and antimicrobial coatings for implants, and could bring long-term benefits for both patients and healthcare providers.鈥�

As the team looks ahead, they're focused on exploring how this coating could be integrated into a range of everyday and medical products, making bacterial resistance less of a hidden threat and more of a manageable challenge.

This research was published in the journal .

Full title: Tunable Release of Ions from Graphene Oxide Laminates for Sustained Antibacterial Activity in a Biomimetic Environment

DOI:

The National Graphene Institute (NGI) is a world-leading graphene and 2D material centre, focussed on fundamental research. Based at 每日大赛黄, where graphene was first isolated in 2004 by Professors Sir Andre Geim and Sir Kostya Novoselov, it is home to leaders in their field 鈥� a community of research specialists delivering transformative discovery. This expertise is matched by 拢13m leading-edge facilities, such as the largest class 5 and 6 cleanrooms in global academia, which gives the NGI the capabilities to advance underpinning industrial applications in key areas including: composites, functional membranes, energy, membranes for green hydrogen, ultra-high vacuum 2D materials, nanomedicine, 2D based printed electronics, and characterisation.

Approximately one in 50 people will develop wounds that fail to heal with the issue a particular problem for older people and in diabetes. 

Chronic wounds are more likely to become infected and can even result in a need for amputation making tackling them a really important issue. 

The paper published in the , reveals that the enzyme-  called arginase 1 -  can  promote wound repair in the  skin, through modulation of  a protein called Lipocalin2. 

A major factor in non-healing wounds is a failure of the damaged outer layer of skin, the epidermis, to repair and regrow. This can be worsened by uncontrolled inflammation and infection. 

The authors show that on wounding Arginase 1 enhanced production of Lipocalin2, an anti-microbial agent, which was required to combat infection and help the skin cells reform the skin barrier. 

Arginase 1 also reduced levels of inflammatory products made by the damaged skin cells showing its potential for tackling the inflammation typically associated with chronic wounds.

 The researchers also showed that the function of arginase, could be restored to help skin regrow by adding products that arginase 1 can make which include metabolites called polyamines. 

The paper follows on from previous by the team, published in February, which showed how important this enzyme Arginase 1 was for healthy skin and eczema. 

A healthy skin barrier involves a balance between cells multiplying (鈥榩roliferating鈥�) and changing their function (鈥榙ifferentiating鈥�). A key feature of eczema is a disruption of this balance. Arginase is required for skin barrier regulation where it functions to promote cell differentiation, a process essential to maintain a protective healthy skin barrier. A process that is disrupted in eczema.

 Arginase 1 has been shown to have an important role in tissue repair but how it promotes skin health was until now, unknown. 

Lead author Sheena Cruickshank, Professor of immunology at 每日大赛黄 鈥榮 Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, said: 鈥淭hese two studies highlight the mechanism by which arginase 1 promotes barrier function and ensures good wound healing. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 importance is highlighted by the abnormal levels of Arginase seen in wounds that don鈥檛 heal well and eczema 

鈥淭hat is why we think that targeting arginase 1 has potential to be used in the treatment of eczema and non-healing skin ulcers. Data in the two papers suggest it might also protect the skin from infection.鈥� 

She added: 鈥淣on-healing skin wounds, or ulcers, are incredibly common and serious skin conditions that are more common as we age. 

鈥淭hey can have a devastating effect on the lives of patients, causing chronic pain, problems with mobility and can lead to increased morbidity. 

鈥淪imilarly, eczema can significantly impact quality of life, leading to intense itching, pain, and sleep disruption. It can also increase the risk of skin infections. 

鈥淲e clearly have a long way to go before these skin conditions can be cured, but knowing the crucial role of arginase 1 in the healing process and that we can rescue function in model systems is an important milestone.鈥� 

Jason Wong, Professor of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Regenerative Medicine  from 每日大赛黄 said: 鈥淭he burden of chronic wounds seems to be on the increase and any new insights to how we can treat the problem will save limbs.鈥� 

The PhD studentship for coauthor Denis Szondi was funded by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Singapore and 每日大赛黄. 

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) funded a PhD studentship for co-author Rachel Crompton. 

Banked tissue collection was funded by Wellcome Institutional Strategic Support Fund and supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). (Prof Wong is part of the Dermatology Theme at the NIHR Manchester BRC.

British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 193, Issue 1, July 2025, Pages 125鈥�135, 

The team uncovered a rare type of wave, known as a shear phonon polariton, in a two-dimensional form of the material. Phonon polaritons are light-matter hybrid waves that emerge when light interacts with atomic vibrations in certain crystals. They can travel through materials in unusual ways and concentrate light into extremely small volumes.

In this study, the researchers found that in  thin films of gypsum, these waves undergo a topological transition, shifting from hyperbolic to elliptical behaviour, passing through a unique canalized state.

This transition allows scientists to tune how light propagates through the material.

鈥淭he studies of shear phonon polaritons in previous studies were limited to bulk crystals in the hyperbolic regime. In our study we aimed to complement those initial findings with shear polaritons in a 2-dimentional material,鈥� said Dr Pablo D铆az N煤帽ez, who co-led the study. 鈥淎nd remarkably, we discovered that shear phonon polaritons in gypsum support a topological transition from hyperbolic to elliptical propagation, with canalization in between.鈥�

Dr D铆az N煤帽ez added, 鈥淢oreover, we were able to confine light to a space twenty-five times smaller than its wavelength and slow it down to just a fraction of its speed in vacuum, this opens up new possibilities for manipulating light at the nanoscale.鈥�

The research also highlights the role of crystal symmetry. Gypsum belongs to a class of materials with low symmetry, specifically to the monoclinic crystal system, which gives rise to asymmetric light propagation and energy loss, the central characteristic of shear polaritons.

These findings extend beyond fundamental research of phonon polariton propagation and could support future developments in areas that rely on precise control of light, such as thermal management, sensing, and imaging beyond the limits of conventional optics. Moreover, the study introduces gypsum as a new platform for exploring advanced photonic concepts in emerging areas like non-Hermitian photonics.

This research was published in the journal .

Full title: Visualization of topological shear polaritons in gypsum thin films

DOI:

The National Graphene Institute (NGI) is a world-leading graphene and 2D material centre, focussed on fundamental research. Based at 每日大赛黄, where graphene was first isolated in 2004 by Professors Sir Andre Geim and Sir Kostya Novoselov, it is home to leaders in their field 鈥� a community of research specialists delivering transformative discovery. This expertise is matched by 拢13m leading-edge facilities, such as the largest class 5 and 6 cleanrooms in global academia, which gives the NGI the capabilities to advance underpinning industrial applications in key areas including: composites, functional membranes, energy, membranes for green hydrogen, ultra-high vacuum 2D materials, nanomedicine, 2D based printed electronics, and characterisation.

On Thursday 17^th July 2025, researchers from 每日大赛黄 furthered their entrepreneurial journey by completing the MEC R2I programme at the Options Roundabout event. The event saw participants pitch their innovations to a panel of commercialisation experts, entrepreneurs and funders from across the University. The day concluded with a celebration of the cohort鈥檚 accomplishments with peers and supporters of the programme, as well as a networking opportunity to aid them in their next steps.

The R2I programme aims to inspire and accelerate the translation of academic research into impact-driven ventures. Over the course of 12-weeks, participants benefited from a series of bespoke workshops and mentoring opportunities to help them articulate their ideas and explore the commercial potential of their research.

Six Innovation Enabling Awards were granted to acknowledge the progress and growth potential, with early career researchers receiving between 拢2,000 to 拢10,000 to support the further development of their businesses.

Aurore Hochard, Director of the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, presented the Innovation Enabling Awards to the six winning projects.

Award Winners

Innovation Enabling Award: 拢10,000

Lut猫o Medical

Dr Abigail Elias (School of Biological Sciences)

鈥�The support, mentoring, and resources provided through the Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme have been transformative. Most importantly, the experience gave me the confidence to reach out to potential stakeholders and begin building the connections needed to bring my ideas to life. It was also great to connect with people on the cohort from such a broad range of disciplines."

Innovation Enabling Award: 拢5,000

ViRTUE: Virtual Reality Training in Ultrasonic Evaluation

Daniel Conniffe (School of Engineering)

鈥淩2I equipped me with the resources, motivation, and communication skills to bridge the gap between research and industry. Through building a strong network, I gained insight into real-world challenges and was able to pivot my research toward creating a meaningful, practical solution.鈥�

Innovation Enabling Award: 拢3,000

Hollowgraf

Dr Premlal Balakrishna Pillai (School of Engineering)

鈥淭he encouragement, guidance, and practical knowledge I gained through R2I have been truly inspiring. The programme really helped me to clarify my idea and shape it into a commercially viable opportunity, giving me the confidence to take the first steps into entrepreneurship.鈥�

Innovation Enabling Award: 拢2,000

PRECIOUS: Programmable Recovery of Critical Elements Using Synthetic Biology

Dr Sergio Guti茅rrez Zapata (School of Natural Sciences)

鈥淭he R2I programme gave me the push I didn鈥檛 know I needed. It helped me go from a scientific idea to something that could actually work in the real world 鈥� with real people and real challenges. Being able to shape a venture around bioremediation, and test the idea from different angles, has been incredibly motivating.鈥�

Innovation Enabling Award: 拢2,000

PRISM: Prostate cancer Risk Identification by Spectroscopic Measurement

Dr Dougal Ferguson (School of Engineering)

鈥�The R2I programme really helped me hone my ability to concisely and impactfully pitch my research as a commercial application. I am much more confident now pitching my science to a non-scientific audience!鈥�

Innovation Enabling Award: 拢2,000

Inclusive Skincare Solutions

Yoana Kirilova (School of Biological Sciences)

鈥淭he Researcher to Innovator programme has been a fantastic journey 鈥� connecting with like-minded peers, learning from experienced entrepreneurs, and gaining insights that will continue to shape my innovation journey.鈥�

The prize winners will also receive expert support and signposting to regional and national accelerator programmes and all the participants on the MEC R2I programme will be connected to the wider ecosystem for further support, mentoring and guidance in taking their research ideas forward.

The organisers wish to thank the Innovation Academy and the Engineers for Business Fellowship for their sponsorship of the Innovation Enabling Awards.

The  is supported by the University鈥檚 Innovation Academy. The Innovation Academy is a pan University initiative and joint venture between the , the  and the Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange team, bringing together knowledge, expertise and routes to facilitate the commercialisation of research.

The research study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), LifeArc and the Wellcome Trust and published in The Lancet Neurology today (16/07/25). 

Twenty-five years ago when Timothy Bingham was two years old, he had a mild flu like illness which left him unable to walk. 

Three years later following another infection, he was paralysed and has been in a wheelchair ever since. 

Then in 2011, doctors saw an 8-month-old girl at a UK hospital who had been completely fit and well until a mild chest infection left her unable to breathe without the support of a ventilator. 

They considered that there may be a genetic cause as her two brothers had experienced similar severe problems following mild infections. 

Genetic researchers at the University of Manchester have now discovered that changes in a gene called RCC1 led to this severe nerve damage in both Timothy and the family in Manchester. 

A further 20 children from 10 families from the UK, T眉rkiye, Czechia, Germany, Iran, India, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, and Slovakia have been found to have changes in the same gene leading to this severe nerve condition all triggered by mild infections. 

In over half of the children, doctors suspected the diagnosis of a different severe nerve condition that can develop after infection called . 

The researchers performed laboratory studies on skin cells taken from patients and in specially genetically  engineered fruit flies to show that the damage to nerves can be caused by certain chemicals. 

Skin cells from patients when looked at under special microscopes have changes very similar to those seen in the cells of patients with motor neuron disease where muscles, including those controlling breathing and swallowing, become weak. 

Bill Newman, Professor of Translational Genomic Medicine at the University of Manchester and Rare Condition co-theme lead at the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre led the research. 

He said: 鈥淯ntil this study, little was known about why some people experience severe nerve damage after they have had a mild infection like flu or a stomach upset. 

鈥淭his work provides families with an explanation and is the first step in us developing an effective treatment. As children are well before they develop nerve damage following an infection, this gives us an opportunity to treat at risk children before problems occur. 

鈥淭he similarity with Guillain-Barr茅 syndrome and with conditions like motor neuron disease may help us understand these more common conditions and why some people are at greater risk and what treatments may be effective.鈥� 

Kate Bingham, mum of Tim who is now 28, said: 鈥淎bout 25 years ago Tim got a flu like infection and a temperature. What seemed like a minor illness had devastating consequences. 

鈥淭he attack, and subsequent attacks - did terrible damage. First to his legs, then his arms, his face and his chest. 

鈥淎nd now he needs 24-hour care. His diaphragm barely works at all so he can鈥檛 cough. It鈥檚 hard for him to chew and he can鈥檛 drink unassisted. He can鈥檛 move in bed so needs turning throughout the night. The things we all take for granted he can鈥檛 do. 

鈥淏耻迟 I鈥檓 proud of how strong Tim has been. He now has a girlfriend he met online who is wonderful. He proves there is life beyond disability.鈥� 

She added: 鈥淎s Tim鈥檚 mum the discovery of a gene which is linked to what happened to Tim means everything to me. For so long we have lived with uncertainty of not knowing the full picture. 

鈥淭his breakthrough brings us great hope as it will do to all those people who have waited years for answers. This is something that helps us look to the future.鈥� 

Sam Barrell, CEO of LifeArc, said, 鈥溾�淔or many people living with rare conditions, the wait for a diagnosis can be agonisingly long - around a third wait more than five years. In Timothy鈥檚 case, that uncertainty stretched for over twenty years.  This discovery provides a potential target for treatment and the first step towards delivering a brighter future for people that could be living with this same devastating condition.鈥� 

Image: Kate and Tim and Tim with his dog, Red.

The paper Acute-onset axonal neuropathy following infection in children with biallelic RCC1 variants: a case series is published in The Lancet Neurology here DOI 

Up to 拢50 million is to be invested in a Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence (MRC CoRE) in Exposome Immunology over the next 14 years.

These environmental exposures, which also include things like microbes and toxins, predominantly interact with our bodies at what we call 鈥榤ucosal barrier sites鈥�, for example our lungs and intestines. Here, they met by our immune cells, and can change how the immune system works, pushing some tissues into chronic inflammation, causing diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

The centre will embrace AI technology to interrogate large data sets, such as those from UK Biobank, patient cohorts and long-term studies in hospital clinics, and identify common pathways by which environmental factors disrupt the immune system. Findings will be tested through laboratory studies and by exposing healthy volunteers to pollutants and common viral infections, leading to more accurate diagnoses, better prevention, and more effective treatment options.

Individuals from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds often have a more adverse exposome, facing greater exposure to pollution, mould (in poor quality housing), and occupational hazards (cleaning chemicals, industrial processes). The MRC CoRE is therefore key to 每日大赛黄鈥檚 mission to address , and builds on work investigating .

Professor Judi Allen, from 每日大赛黄 is Director of the MRC CoRE in Exposome Immunology.

She said: 鈥淕lobally we鈥檙e facing a crisis in chronic inflammatory diseases, such as asthma and inflammatory bowel disease. For decades we鈥檝e been studying how our genes make us susceptible to disease. While very valuable, genetics has only got us so far. We need to understand how our environment interacts with our genes to make our immune system malfunction.鈥�

鈥淲e will benefit from advances in new technologies to identify which of the many complex factors may be important in driving disease, but what鈥檚 different about our new Centre is we are going to define how the immune system is altered by these environmental factors and how that impacts inflammation. Changing environments, often made worse by socioeconomic disparities and rising pollution, appear to be increasing the rates of these diseases, making it even more imperative to find the causes.鈥�

鈥淲e hope to later expand our research to include more environmental factors, such as mould and microplastics, which are growing concerns. An ultimate goal of this research would be to discover the underlying causes of these chronic diseases so we can develop better prevention and treatments.鈥�

Professor Fiona Powrie, co-director of the MRC CoRE in Exposome Immunology, from University of Oxford, said: 鈥淭his is an exciting opportunity to bring together complementary expertise in 每日大赛黄 and University of Oxford to build a multidisciplinary team to tackle this challenge. Our Centre will train a new generation of scientists working across biology and environmental science, future proofing our efforts to combat the health effects of a changing environment.鈥�

Professor Patrick Chinnery, MRC Executive Chair, said: 鈥淭his new MRC Centre of Research Excellence will transform our understanding of how lifelong environmental exposures shape immune health and cause chronic inflammatory diseases. With chronic inflammatory diseases posing such a large and growing disease burden, the new centre is well placed pave the way for more effective and targeted treatments.

鈥淎longside exceptional scientific leadership linking two world-leading centres, and strong partnerships with patients and digital health innovators, the scientists鈥� commitment to the next generation of researchers will embed UK leadership in this field, with long-term potential to deliver a transformative, global impact for health.鈥�

The findings - based on the scans of 1,684 women - could make the difficult task of determining whether labour should be induced in the final stages of pregnancy easier, resulting in fewer complications, say the researchers.

Published today in the Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women鈥檚 Health, the study was led by gynaecologist Sanne Gordijn of the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) in collaboration with Wessel Ganzevoort of Amsterdam University Medical Centre and Professor Alexander Heazell from 每日大赛黄.

When pregnant women feel their baby is moving less in the final weeks of pregnancy, they are referred to hospital where an examination is carried out to assess the condition of the baby.

The examination consists of monitoring the baby鈥檚 heart rate and an assessment of its growth and amniotic fluid - the fluid around the baby it.

Now the researchers have discovered that an extra ultrasound scan - in addition to the other tests-  is able to significantly help doctors to see whether a baby would benefit from being born earlier.

By measuring the resistance in the blood vessels of the umbilical cord and the baby's brain they were able to accurately assess the functioning of the placenta and the condition of the baby, making it easier to decide if doctors needed to induce delivery earlier.

The perception from mothers that their baby is moving less commonly can occur when a baby has changed position or the mother hasn鈥檛 noticed the movement because she is busy or distracted.

However in some cases, reduced movement could be a sign that the baby is unwell, which can be worrying for pregnant women and midwives.

Professor Heazell said: 鈥淲e know that a reduction in baby鈥檚 movements is a common reason to attend maternity services. Thankfully, in the majority of cases the baby is ok.

鈥淭he findings of this study will help us to reassure the majority of mothers that their baby is healthy, and help us to focus intervention for the babies who will benefit from being born because they are not receiving enough oxygen or nutrients in the womb.鈥�

Sanne Gordijn said: 鈥淲e call the ratio between the two ultrasound measurements the Cerebro Placental Ratio (CPR). The idea is that an abnormal value may indicate that the placenta is not functioning properly.

鈥淚n that case, it is better for the baby to be born in the short term. We do this by inducing labour. If the value is normal, it would be better to wait for the natural moment of delivery, as the baby may not be completely ready yet. Women who want to give birth at home can still do so.鈥�

鈥淭he results of this study show better outcomes for the baby when the result of the CPR measurement is known.

鈥淭his means that we see fewer complications during childbirth when this measurement is taken, compared to the current policy where it is not done.鈥�

She added: 鈥淚f doctors know the results of this measurement, they can better distinguish whether the baby's reduced movement has a harmless cause or whether it requires action.

鈥淭his ensures that mother and baby receive the care that best suits their situation.' The guideline on reduced fetal movements will soon be updated; the professional association will incorporate the results of this study into it.鈥�

The study was funded by ZonMw from the Netherlands.

Sanne Gordijn conducted this CEPRA study together with researchers from Amsterdam UMC in 23 hospitals. Laura Lens, the MD, PhD student on this study presented at the international SMFM conference in Denver (USA) and Sanne in London. The study is published on July 10 in the authoritative scientific journal The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women鈥檚 Health.

• The study is published in the Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women鈥檚 Health and is available
• doi.org/10.1016/j.lanogw.2025.100002

Despite tearing his right knee ligament just eight weeks ago, the customer service officer 鈥� who works at a Halifax Housing Association 鈥� will walk 120 miles nonstop, without sleep.

Starting at the Angel of the North in Gateshead on Saturday 12 July, 42-year-old Ben will make his way to Tommy鈥檚 Rainbow Clinic and Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre at Saint Mary鈥檚 Hospital 鈥� the specialist unit that helped save his son鈥檚 life.

Just seven days later, after flying to Rhodes, Ben will climb the steep mountain road to Prophet Elias Monastery in Faliraki, Greece an exhausting 50 times 鈥� a gruelling test of endurance with no shade and where temperatures are likely to soar above 40掳C.

Ben is aiming to raise 拢20,000 for Professor Alex Heazell, Director of the Tommy鈥檚 Stillbirth Research Centre and the University of Manchester-based team leading UK research to reduce preventable stillbirths and support families through pregnancy after loss.

Ben and his partner Gaynor Thompson lost their daughter Kallipateira to a preventable stillbirth at 37 weeks in October 2018. They later suffered a miscarriage in 2019.

Determined to stop other families going through the same heartbreak, they founded The Kallipateira Moorhouse Foundation, which funds research and supports families affected by baby loss.

In 2020, their son Apollon was born safely at Tommy鈥檚 Rainbow Clinic, thanks to the specialist care of Professor Heazell.

Ben has since taken on multiple extreme solo fundraising feats.

鈥淭his year has brought mountains I鈥檝e had to climb emotionally and physically. Now, I鈥檓 preparing to put myself through the mill 鈥� fuelled by love, grief, and purpose,鈥� said Ben.

鈥淭here鈥檚 no pain greater than holding your dead baby in your arms 鈥� but every step I take will honour Kallipateira and help save other babies across the UK. I will once again show that because of love and a reason why, anything is possible.鈥�

Every day in the UK, eight babies are stillborn 鈥� many of which are preventable.

The funds Ben raises will go directly to Professor Heazell鈥檚 team, who are making groundbreaking progress in understanding stillbirth and supporting parents in pregnancy after loss.

Alex Heazell, who is also Professor of Obstetrics at 每日大赛黄 and Honorary Consultant Obstetrician at Saint Mary鈥檚 Hospital, part of MFT, said: 鈥淏en鈥檚 unwavering commitment is extraordinary. His support has already helped us improve care for families and expand our research into stillbirth prevention. These challenges will fund new projects that could save lives.鈥�

Dignity Funerals, through Lawrence Funeral Directors Halifax, are proud headline sponsors of Ben鈥檚 2025 challenge.

Stuart Cox, Head of Public Affairs at Dignity, said: 鈥淏en is a true inspiration. We鈥檙e honoured to support The Kallipateira Moorhouse Foundation and the vital work they do in memory of Kallipateira.鈥�

To support Ben鈥檚 Mission donate now at: 

每日大赛黄 project has been awarded the grant through the NHS Cancer Programme Innovation Open Call with support from SBRI Healthcare (Small Business Research Initiative) as part of a new, unique national partnership which could save lives and improve quality of life.

Researchers in Manchester will implement an innovative lung cancer risk assessment tool and an adapted care pathway for Hodgkin lymphoma survivors, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).

The new multi-centre study started in June 2025 and will be running for two years within the existing NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme at 10 Cancer Alliances across England, including Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance leading the initiative.

Every year, around 2,100 people in the UK are diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer that develops in the lymphatic system (part of the immune system).

Although it is a highly curable cancer, treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy to the chest and lungs increase the risk of second cancers occurring in later life. This risk increases further for people who smoke.

Survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma are six times more likely to develop lung cancer than the general population.

每日大赛黄 lead Dr Kim Linton, Senior Lecturer at 每日大赛黄 and Living With and Beyond Cancer Co-Theme Lead at Manchester BRC, said: 鈥淚t is crucial that Hodgkin lymphoma survivors can access screening to detect lung cancer at an early stage, when it is more treatable.鈥�

Developed in Manchester, the new UK-wide programme aims to screen 500 Hodgkin lymphoma survivors over two years, which could detect early lung cancer in an estimated 10-12 people.

Joanne Murray, from Didsbury in Manchester, was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 1997 at the age of 29 and received successful treatment at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

She took part in the pilot study in 2022 which helped Manchester researchers design the new national programme. Despite having no symptoms, the study found Joanne had stage 1 lung cancer.

Now 56 and living in North Wales, Joanne said: 鈥淚 feel exceptionally lucky that this research has saved my life. I had no symptoms of lung cancer and had I not taken part in this study, it might have been too late for me once symptoms had appeared.鈥�

Through the study, Joanne had a CT scan at The Christie in Manchester which revealed a 鈥榝luffy鈥� and opaque nodule (small lump) on her right lung. Following surgery to remove part of her lung, a biopsy revealed it was stage 1 cancer.

Joanne, who works for North Wales Police, explained: 鈥淎fter my scan, doctors closely monitored me through 鈥榳atch and wait鈥�, with regular check-ups to determine if the nodule grew or if I developed symptoms. In November 2023, after I had moved to Wales, a follow-up scan at my local hospital showed that the nodule had grown by 1mm. After discussing my treatment options, I decided to have surgery to remove part of my right lung.鈥�

Joanne had the surgery in January 2024 at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital. She said: 鈥淚 was absolutely terrified of having the surgery, but it was fine, and all the staff were fantastic. I had video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery [a form of keyhole surgery] which was less invasive, and I was back home in two days to recover.

鈥淲hen I found out from the biopsy that it had been stage 1 cancer, I was in complete shock. I鈥檓 a positive person and thought I had just been overthinking it. I am so thankful for this vital research and the team at The Christie.鈥�

Now 18 months later, Joanne has had two clear scans, with the next one due in early 2026.

On taking part in research, Joanne said: 鈥淲hen I read the letter asking me if I wanted to be part of research I thought, 鈥榯here鈥檚 nothing wrong with me, but I鈥檒l do it.鈥� You never know what鈥檚 around the corner.

鈥淲ithout doubt, I would urge other cancer survivors to take part in screening. It might take 10 or 15 minutes out of your day, but it could save your life.鈥�

Hodgkin lymphoma can develop at any age, but it mostly affects people between 20 and 40 years of age and those over 75. The most common symptom is a painless swelling in a lymph node, usually in the neck, armpit or groin.

Second cancers, such as lung cancer or breast cancer, can develop more than 10 years after treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma. Survivors can help to reduce their risk of a second cancer by adopting a healthy lifestyle through not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight with a balanced diet, and getting regular exercise.

Dr Linton, who is also an Honorary Consultant in Medical Oncology at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, said: 鈥淢ost Hodgkin lymphoma survivors do not meet current lung cancer screening criteria, so we hope the success of this study will support an application for routine adoption across England and Wales.

鈥淚n Manchester, we have been working on a lung cancer screening programme for Hodgkin lymphoma survivors for many years, including a pilot screening study at The Christie where we detected 3 lung cancers in 102 people who had showed no symptoms.

鈥淭his research helped us to design the national programme and confirmed that our proposed study meets the needs of this high-risk patient group. This work also builds on Manchester鈥檚 previous track record of successfully implementing breast cancer screening for Hodgkin lymphoma survivors within the national breast cancer screening programme.鈥�

The new study will be open to Hodgkin lymphoma survivors aged between 45 and 74 who smoke or have previously smoked.

It will have an embedded programme to identify and tackle health inequalities, including people where their risk of lung cancer is highest, such as those with lower socioeconomic status, men and older people.

It will help address barriers to screening participation, such as fear of cancer diagnosis, low perceived risk of cancer and issues of cost, travel and time off work.

Screening will take place at convenient community-based settings to encourage participation, including in mobile clinics at supermarket car parks.

Researchers will actively promote screening participation for people with the highest smoking prevalence.

Participants will be offered health education and stop smoking advice to encourage supported self-management to prevent lung cancer, cardiovascular disease and other significant illnesses, which could lead to improved survivorship and reduced healthcare costs.

The Manchester-based project is part of the NIHR Manchester BRC鈥檚 , which aims to transform the detection of cancer recurrence and second cancers to improve quality of life and treatment outcomes for survivors.

Researchers will also be collaborating with the NIHR Manchester BRC鈥檚 , which aims to reduce cancer burden across society through implementing prevention and early detection strategies.

The project will be supported by the NIHR Oncology Translational Research Collaboration, Lymphoma Action charity and patient partners.

Health Innovation Manchester will work with Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance to support local adoption and run patient focus groups to understand barriers to engagement and develop solutions to improve uptake.

• images: Dr Kim Linton and  Joanne and Rob

By carefully monitoring the level of cancer activity in the blood, doctors can identify the best time to start and stop the drugs to give treatment breaks, which it is hoped will prevent resistance to treatment developing and also reduce side effects. This experimental blood test could help people with stage 4 melanoma, a type of skin cancer, live longer. 

The ground-breaking approach looks for tiny fragments of DNA coming from the cancer, which can be found in the patient鈥檚 blood. 

Dr Rebecca Lee, consultant oncologist and clinician scientist at The Christie and a senior lecturer in Medical Oncology at 每日大赛黄 is leading on the DyNAMIc trial.She said: 鈥淐ancer treated with targeted therapy can be thought of as two armies of cells; those that are sensitive to the treatment and those that are resistant, which fight for nutrients in order to grow. A patient does not want either cell army to win as that means their cancer will get worse. Although the targeted therapy can kill the sensitive cells, over time the resistant ones grow through. However, if treatment breaks are given, it is thought that the growth of these resistant cells can be suppressed by the sensitive cells. 

鈥淭his blood test enables us to develop a new approach to overcome resistance to targeted therapy treatment. The DyNAMIc trial is really at the forefront of precision medicine. We can adapt the treatment in response to the patient鈥檚 melanoma activity levels in real-time and therefore reduce the chance of the cancer becoming resistant in the long term.  This could be a real game-changer in how we treat melanoma and other patients with cancer undergoing similar treatments in the future.鈥� 

Professor Paul Lorigan, consultant oncologist at The Christie and chief investigator for the DyNAMIc trial said: 鈥淓valuating new biomarker in clinical trials such as DyNAMIc allows us to personalise treatment decisions and continue to improve outcomes for patients with melanoma and other cancers.  The close collaboration between The Christie and the National Biomarker Centre has allowed us to take this from concept to clinical trial.  The study is now open in ten centres in the UK, led by the Manchester team. This would not be possible without support from the patients and their families, The Christie and The Christie Charity, Jon Moulton Charity Trust, Cancer Research UK and many other colleagues.鈥� 

Dr Dominic Rothwell, the Deputy Director of the Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre and one of the team who helped develop the test said: 鈥淭he DyNAMIc trial is a great example of how cutting-edge research, funded by the Jon Moulton Charity Trust and CRUK can lead to the development of exciting new tests and how, in close collaboration with our clinical colleagues, these tests can be transferred to the clinic and lead to the potential improvement of treatments for cancer patients.鈥� 

The first patient to join this clinical trial was a supermarket worker from Stockport in Greater Manchester. Jan Smith (64) had been working on the shop floor at her local superstore in November 2022 when she started to experience severe pain and was rushed to A&E. A scan revealed kidney stones which doctors were able to treat successfully.  However, the scan also showed a shadow near her left kidney which was far more serious. It was a 12-inch-deep mass around her adrenal gland at the top of her kidney and a biopsy confirmed she had stage 4 (the most advanced stage) melanoma in December 2022. 

The self-confessed 鈥榗razy cat lady鈥�, who shares her home with five much-loved moggies, was referred to The Christie. 

鈥淚 hadn鈥檛 had any symptoms and never take time off sick at work. The pain I had with the kidney stones was unbelievable. Like nothing I鈥檇 known before. But in a strange way they saved my life.鈥� Jan explained: 鈥淚t was good news to be told that they had managed to clear the stones but a real shock to discover I had cancer. My local hospital said they couldn鈥檛 remove the tumour as it was too big, so I was referred to The Christie for more specialist treatment.鈥� 

In January 2023 Jan began a course of immunotherapy, which uses the body鈥檚 own immune system to fight the cancer. Unfortunately, within weeks her condition worsened, and she developed speech difficulties and weakness on one side of her body. Jan was given the devastating news that she had developed two brain tumours and needed emergency life-saving surgery to remove part of the tumour in the right side of her head. 

Unfortunately a scan in October 2024 found a new growth near Jan鈥檚 liver so she was offered the chance to participate in research at the ) at in Manchester. Jan was told in the November she was eligible for DyNAMIc, a clinical trial which aims to improve how well the treatment works for patients whose melanoma can鈥檛 be removed by surgery or has spread. 

Jan was prescribed two targeted drugs, encorafenib and binimetinib which is an approved treatment in patients with melanoma. They suppress a protein called BRAF, which causes melanoma cells to survive and grow. Around half of people with melanoma have a BRAF mutation which can become overactive.  

These drugs stop the cancer growing and can shrink the tumour by killing off the cells with the abnormal gene. But the cancer can fight back and develop more changes and become resistant to the treatment. Therefore, a sensitive blood test which precisely measures the amount of circulating DNA from the cancer enabling treatment can be turned on and off as required could be very beneficial to patients. 

Talking about her experience of being on the clinical trial, Jan Smith said: 鈥淭his has been quite a journey with one thing after another, and my battle with cancer is certainly not over yet.  Despite numerous setbacks and changing treatments, I鈥檝e tried to always stay positive and I鈥檓 glad to be benefiting from this trial.

鈥淚 am pleased to take part in research. If we don鈥檛 try new treatments, then we鈥檒l not get the answers and make the medical advancements we need.鈥�

The DyNAMIc study is open for recruitment with the aim of recruiting 40 participants.  The trial is funded by the Jon Moulton Charity Trust, sponsored by The Christie and run by the Liverpool Clinical Trials Centre.  

According to Cancer Research UK, new treatments for melanoma have improved outcomes in recent years. Around half of people with stage 4 melanoma can now survive for 10 years or more.

Dr Rebecca Lee is a senior lecturer in Medical Oncology at 每日大赛黄 and her post at The Christie is funded by .

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 .

To date, over 2000 patients have consented to be part of the ID LIVER study, with more than 600 assessed in community settings across Greater Manchester over the last year, as part of the . 

This research project is delivered as part of a series of projects that looks to address Greater Manchester鈥檚 major diseases for the Advanced Diagnostics Accelerator (ADA), part of the . The Accelerator has been established to rapidly improve the diagnosis and treatment of disease across the 2.8m Greater Manchester population.

Stephanie Landi, Clinical Research Hepatology Fellow at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), said: 鈥淚D LIVER is shifting the focus of liver disease care towards early detection and intervention. By bringing liver health assessments directly into communities, we are removing barriers to access and reaching people who might otherwise present much later with advanced disease. We also know that liver disease disproportionally impacts those living in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation, so by targeting these communities, we are ensuring care reaches those who need it the most. Early detection empowers individuals to understand their liver health and make informed decisions before complications develop.鈥�


Health Innovation Manchester met with Tony, aged 68 from Greater Manchester, who attended the Early Detection of Liver Disease (ID LIVER) health check in his locality, following a referral from his General Practitioner (GP). 

Tony decided to act on this referral after meeting the criteria for the screening opportunity and followed up before an appointment was made for him. He explained that he was pleasantly surprised that the health-check was so easily accessible for him:

鈥淎n appointment was made for me鈥� I turned up and it was all very pleasant, there was no stress, no worry 鈥� I just turned up, did the test which was a scan, and that was it. The opportunity is there and there are people out there who want to help you, it鈥檚 all being done to help you. It鈥檚 all about you, the patient.

鈥淭he thing for me, is that it鈥檚 done in my locality, it鈥檚 within walking distance鈥� the way this is being done, this is the beauty of it, you鈥檙e just there and it鈥檚 all about you. It鈥檚 intimate really and it makes life easier. If you take the opportunity to get screened and get looked at, you鈥檙e cutting out a load of possible aggravation in the future.鈥�

ID Liver participants are benefiting from state-of-the-art Greater Manchester Research Van - operated by MFT. The purpose-built vehicle is unique to the region with the goal of widening opportunities for people to be part of research in easy-to-reach locations, improving the relevance and quality of the research. as well as being more inclusive for members of the public.

Oliver Street, Programme Manager, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at 每日大赛黄, said: 鈥淓arly detection and prevention of liver disease is extremely important because often symptoms do not present until the disease is advanced and damage to the liver is irreversible. By identifying and assessing patients at increased risk of liver disease we are supporting patients in receiving the right treatment at the right time and developing improved pathways of care.鈥�

Daniel Zamora, Programme Director 鈥� Health Innovation Accelerator at Health Innovation Manchester, said: 鈥淭his project is another fantastic example of how a targeted approach for early detection and community screening is having a lasting positive impact on the treatment of disease for people across Greater Manchester. Through the Accelerator we鈥檝e now seen a considerable number of patients tested and screened for some of our region鈥檚 most prevalent diseases. This work will continue to help us shape how we can identify and treat patients moving forward with the use of innovative solutions across primary, secondary and community care settings

In the first ever study of its kind, tennis fan Dr Liam Blything analysed the impact of timeouts using from the world鈥檚 top 250 players between 2013 and 2023. 

Players at this year鈥檚 Wimbledon Championships will be watching closely how their opponents take a bathroom break, in light of the study. 

The paper follows years of speculation by journalists and sports people that the practice amounts to gamesmanship, bestowing an advantage for players taking a bathroom break by disrupting the rhythm of their opponent. 

However, proponents of the bathroom break argue that timeouts are a useful and acceptable way to help players reset.

 In response, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) introduced a rule for the 2022 season to restrict timeouts to a maximum of 3 minutes, alongside limitations on when and how often they can be deployed. 

Published in the peer reviewed International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, Dr Blything found that 71% of time outs were taken when a player lost the previous set. 

And in normal circumstances, 33% of players recover the next set after losing the previous one. This, however, rose to 47% if they took a bathroom break. 

The data analysed by Dr Blything showed there were 1,928 breaks in play in the study period, though when medical and other breaks were accounted for, he was left with 366 bathroom timeouts. 

Dr Blything said: 鈥淭here has been much argument in the media over recent years about the formalisation of gamesmanship in tennis, with the taking of bathroom breaks. 

鈥淭his study for the first time used real data to check the validity of those concerns. 

鈥淭here is now clear evidence a well-timed bathroom break in play confers an advantage to the player taking the break by regathering him or herself and disrupting the flow of the opponent..鈥� 

Dr Blything also carried out follow up analyses on the extent to which unforced-errors contributed to the forms of points won and lost. 

The overall decrease in the opponent鈥檚 winner-shots was offset by an equivalent decrease in the strategist鈥檚 unforced errors, preserving the proportion observed in the baseline data. 

That showed timeout advantage is a combination of both the strategist benefitting from the opportunity to personally reset, and a disruption of the rhythm of the opponent, rather than being disproportionally driven by one player. 

Psychological theory also supports the notion that taking a break can confer advantages by interrupting momentum. 

Theorists argue an interruption disrupts perceptions associated with positive momentum for players who are on a roll, which is in turn difficult to regain. 

The timeout also potentially affords the opportunity for a losing player to refocus from that negative thinking spiral about prospective outcomes, for example by using self-talk and mental imagery techniques. 

Dr Blything added: 鈥淭hese pioneering findings uniquely inform players and tennis governing bodies about the influence of timeouts and, more broadly, elucidate the role that stoppages can play in sport for altering momentum. 

鈥淚t would be useful understand if this effect is relevant  in other sports. Snooker players, for example, seem to take a lot of bathroom breaks.鈥� 

Examples of comments from players:

Andy Murray on a Stefanos Tsitsipas bathroom break after Murray won the 4th set 2-2 in the 2021 US Open 1st round. He went on to lose 3 - 2. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just disappointing because I feel it influenced the outcome of the match. I鈥檓 not saying I necessarily win that match, for sure, but it had influence on what was happening after those breaks.鈥�

Roger Federer who took a bathroom break after losing the 4th set 2-2 in the 2017 Australian Open semifinal. He went on to beat Wawrinka 3-2. 鈥淚 think they're more mental than anything else. I only really did take the timeout because I thought, 'He took one already, maybe I can take one for a change'. Because I'm not a believer in any way that we should be allowed to take a lot of timeouts. But I took it after the set break. People know I don't abuse the system. I hope it's going to stay that way in the future for me, too.鈥�

Stefanos Tsitispas, who鈥檚 opponent Novak Djokovic took a bathroom break after losing 2nd set to make it  0-2 in the 2021 French Open Final. Djokovic recovered to beat Tsitsipas 3-2: 鈥淚 don't think I changed much, I just kept the same pace. I kept the things that were working for me. He left the court after two sets to love down, and he came back to me like a different player suddenly. I don't know. I have no idea.鈥�

On the same match, Djokovic said: 鈥淭he bathroom break was the turning point. Sometimes in these kind of circumstances where not much is happening positively for you on the court in terms of tennis and the other guy on the court is dominating the play, sometimes these things are necessary. A little break, a little pep talk, and try to recuperate and re-gather the thoughts and reassemble everything that you have and [counter] your opponent with the best possible game.  Maybe it's the experience, maybe it's the toilet break, maybe it's everything combined, but I'm just glad I'm through.鈥�

The paper psychological (ab)use of timeouts in professional tennis is available DOI: 10.1080/24748668.2024.2436271:

The event is a joint collaboration between the University of Manchester, Athlete鈥檚 Journey Home and Drug Science and is supported by the British Association for Psychopharmacology. 

The event will feature world experts in the psychedelics field:  Prof David Nutt from Imperial College London and Prof Sara Tai from 每日大赛黄. 

Three elite athletes: former professional rugby player, Rory Lamont; former professional ice hockey player, Daniel Carcillo; and former mixed martial artist, Ian McCall will talk about their own healing experiences. 

Organised by Jo Neill Professor of Psychopharmacology, from 每日大赛黄, the event will explore scientific and real world evidence to show that psychedelic assisted therapy (PAP) may be able to alleviate some harmful effects of trauma in elite athletes. 

Clinical studies, fieldwork and personal accounts from across the world are now finding that PAP can induce neuroplasticity - the ability of the brain to reorganise and make new connections throughout life. 

And that may treat the cognitive decline, early dementia, severe headache and pain which are so common in brain injuries. 

Prof Neill said 鈥淭his is particularly relevant to elite athletes in sports such as rugby, football, ice hockey, horse riding, mixed martial arts and boxing. 

鈥淚n addition to injury, athletes experience emotional trauma from the high pressure environment of competitive sport, and gruelling training regimes, most evident when they leave that sport. 

鈥淏耻迟 psychedelic assisted therapy is known to reduce the emotional and physical impact of these forms of trauma and is even starting to be used by elite athletes for their mental and physical health in countries where it is legal. 

鈥淧AP is increasingly being recognised as a safe treatment though patients must always adhere to the law, and be well prepared in a very safe setting when taking the psychedelic medicines. They must also receive appropriate and extensive integrative therapy afterwards.鈥� 

The event takes place at the University鈥檚 Nancy Rothwell Building on Wednesday 2nd July at 2PM. 

Dr Grace Blest-Hopley and Nige Netzband, experts on Traumatic Brain Injury who work with psychedelics will also speak to the conference. 

Professor Neill added: 鈥淲hile most people find it extremely beneficial and indeed life-changing, PAP can be a very challenging and difficult experience for many. It is not be a medicine to be taken lightly. The treatment paradigm is 1-3 high doses in combination with therapy. Some people may not need to take this treatment again. This is very different from the current approach where people need to take a medicine every day which can have a significant side effect burden. 

鈥淚n spite of all the clinical and scientific evidence for their medicinal properties, particularly for disorders where nothing else works, they remain illegal Class A, Schedule 1 drugs in the UK. 

鈥淭he law is not evidence based and it enacts the harshest penalties for unlicensed manufacture, possession and supply. 

鈥淐linicians and scientists who want to conduct research require a controlled drugs licence from the Home Office, an expensive, bureaucratic and extremely time-consuming process. This must change.鈥� 

Tickets available here, free for BAP members.

CurrentBody Skin, one of the three innovative beauty technology brands owned by TBTG, has been at the forefront of home-use beauty technology globally since 2009 and is a pioneer in bringing LED light therapy to the home. CurrentBody Skin鈥檚 LED Light Therapy Face Mask uses 236 LEDs to emit the three most clinically recognised wavelengths for anti-ageing: red light, near-infrared and deep near-infrared. The efficacy and safety of the technology is underpinned by hundreds of clinical studies, alongside being endorsed by Doctors, dermatologists and aestheticians.

As awareness for our products grows, so does the desire for both education and science-backed beauty technology solutions. We are therefore investing heavily in clinical research for the future as the beauty technology market increasingly becomes a part of people鈥檚 skincare routines.

Home to one of the most active and comprehensive centres for dermatology research in the UK, 每日大赛黄 was an obvious partner for our next clinical study. The 12-week clinical study will commence in September 2025 and will be led by Dr. Abigail Langton, PhD, who has an established record of internationally-recognised original research in the field of skin health and ageing.

The study will see a minimum of 20 healthy adult volunteers use the CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask Series 2  for 10 minutes, five times per week for a 12-week period. In conjunction with the mask, a bespoke LED device for use on the forearm has been designed and manufactured to the same specification as the face mask. This bespoke device will be used on the volunteers鈥� forearms for the same duration as the face mask to support the clinical study. Participants will undergo non-invasive assessments of their face at the beginning, the halfway point and at the end of the study. In addition, small forearm skin biopsies will be taken at the start and at the end of the 12-week period.

The results from this new study will deepen our knowledge of our technology even further, leveraging pioneering techniques including biopsies of the skin to assess the extent of skin ageing and repair. It will evaluate the technology鈥檚 impact on photoaged skin, which is the result of long-term sun exposure over the years, often characterised by wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and dull appearance. It will focus on the impact on skin health and function on the face and forearm, including measures such as elasticity and hydration, as well as microscopic features of the forearm skin, such as epidermal thickness.

Laurence Newman, CEO of The Beauty Tech Group, commented: 鈥淎s the use of LED light therapy and other beauty technologies becomes increasingly commonplace in people鈥檚 lives, so has the increase in demand for education and proof of results. Unfortunately, imitation products, where the accuracies of wavelengths cannot be proven, have entered the beauty technology market and this is subsequently leading to confusion and misinformation. The need to validate and prove our technology is therefore more important than ever.

鈥淲e are addressing these challenges by ensuring each device that we produce can be traced back to its manufacturing to show the exact wavelengths in our CurrentBody Skin LED Face Mask Series 2. Partnering with one of the biggest faculties for skin in the country, and in our home city, will support our continuing journey in expanding the clinical aspect of the use of LED light therapy.

鈥淭his partnership not only demonstrates our commitment to leading the way in product design and development, but also shows our commitment to raise the standards across the industry. Most importantly, it aims to ensure that customers purchase high quality aesthetic products that are proven to work and are safe to use. I am proud of the work we are doing to innovate and progress the beauty technology industry, and look forward to publishing the results once the clinical trial is completed.鈥�

Dr. Abigail Langton added: "We鈥檙e thrilled to be collaborating with The Beauty Tech Group on this pioneering study into the effects of LED light therapy on skin ageing. By harnessing cutting-edge technology and combining it with our expertise in dermatological science, we have a unique opportunity to uncover how targeted light wavelengths influence the biology of photoaged skin. This research will generate powerful new insights into skin structure and function, helping to shape the future of science-backed, at-home skin treatments."

The White Paper takes recommendations from research carried out by University of Manchester researchers based at the Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness (ManCAD), funded by the Alzheimer鈥檚 Society and supported by the  National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre.

They found that unaddressed hearing loss is highly prevalent in care homes, impacting on residents鈥� quality of life.

The research identified several barriers relating to caregivers鈥� knowledge of hearing loss and opportunities for care homes to work with audiologists. Unclear responsibilities relating to hearing care and residents鈥� difficulties adapting to, or being comfortable wearing, hearing aids were also identified.

Titled 鈥淗earing Loss in Care Homes 鈥� A Call to Action鈥�, the paper brings together nearly a decade of practical experience from Engage鈥檚 work across over 35 care homes, alongside extensive research and insights from Nightingale Hammerson, where the Engage project has been running for over three years.

With at least 80% of residents in older people鈥檚 care homes living with hearing loss, the paper highlights the widespread impact of unaddressed hearing needs 鈥� from increased risks of dementia and falls, to social isolation, depression, and avoidable distress.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, said: 鈥淗earing loss has long been overlooked in care settings, despite its profound impact on wellbeing, safety, and social connection. This white paper, developed jointly with Engage and Nightingale Hammerson, is a timely and vital resource for the sector. It provides practical, evidence-based recommendations that care providers can implement to deliver more compassionate, inclusive and effective care.鈥�

The paper sets out a comprehensive set of evidence-informed recommendations including:

• Conducting environmental audits to reduce noise and improve lighting;
• Implementing clear protocols for hearing aid support and maintenance;
• Providing experiential hearing loss training for staff;
• Appointing Hearing Loss Champions to embed best practice;
• Ensuring access to personal amplifiers when hearing aids are not tolerated or unavailable;
• Improving access to audiology services and earwax removal;
• Supporting residents and families to explore and use assistive hearing technologies;
• Embedding person-centred communication, particularly for people living with dementia.

Dr Hannah Cross, Research Associate, Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness (ManCAD) at 每日大赛黄, said: 鈥淗earing care that is personalised, provided consistently and dementia appropriate can make huge changes to residents鈥� quality of life, wellbeing, independence and functioning.

"Meeting the hearing needs of care home residents with dementia is vital in maintaining their communication abilities, independence, and quality-of-life. 

"My PhD work outlined just how complex providing hearing care can be and how much needs to change. This White Paper will help to guide care homes in supporting their residents, and boost the priority of hearing loss within Social Care policy and regulation.鈥�

Padraic Garrett, Head of Engage and Andrew Goodwin, Service Manager for Engage, said: 鈥淲hen residents with hearing loss are not adequately supported, it leads to increased anxiety, depression, and social isolation, with higher risks to physical health issues including falls. From our many years of successfully collaborating with homes, our motivation for this Paper is to share what we have found works to address the suffering of residents with hearing loss.鈥�

Nuno Santos Lopes, Director of Research and Innovation at Nightingale Hammerson, added: 鈥淗earing loss is common to the vast majority of older people with care needs and the levels of knowledge of the care givers remains very low. From creating the right environment to get staff, managers and relatives knowledgeable about how to engage with someone with hearing loss, there is a lot of work to do and this document works as an easy to access guidance to help improving the hearing care standards.鈥�

The paper not only outlines an ethical and clinical imperative but also makes a compelling financial case: improved hearing care can reduce falls, mitigate cognitive decline, and enhance resident and staff wellbeing鈥攗ltimately supporting occupancy, reputation, and staff retention.

Care England urges all care providers to read the paper and implement its recommendations, using it as a foundation for improving practice and a platform to advocate for better audiology provision within local health systems.

Triangle CERSI is one of five Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-funded centres across the US, designed to promote innovation in regulatory science and accelerate access to complex emerging technologies. Located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, Triangle CERSI is a partnership between University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University, in collaboration with North Carolina State University, North Carolina Central University, and the Burroughs Welcome Fund.

UK CEiRSI, jointly funded by InnovateUK and the Medical Research Council (MRC), operates under the leadership of the Christabel Pankhurst Institute in partnership with Unit M. This pioneering consortium has established a comprehensive national network that unites elite academic institutions鈥攊ncluding University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University College London (UCL), University of Edinburgh, University of Strathclyde, Queens University of Belfast and Swansea University鈥攚ith key regulatory bodies such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Health Research Authority (HRA). With participation from 85 additional national and international stakeholders spanning academia, industry, and regulatory affairs, UK CEiRSI represents an unprecedented collaborative effort to integrate robust in-silico evidence into medical product development and regulatory decision-making pathways.

Professor Alejandro Frangi, Executive Director of UK CEiRSI, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration: 鈥淭his partnership represents a strategic milestone in global regulatory harmonisation. Triangle CERSI's pioneering work in virtual imaging trials and pharmaceutical regulatory science perfectly complements our comprehensive in silico capabilities across drugs and medical devices. By synchronising our regulatory approaches across continents, we're not simply sharing knowledge鈥攚e're building a unified scientific foundation that will accelerate innovation, reduce redundancy, and ultimately deliver safer, more effective medical technologies to patients worldwide. Together, we're transforming regulatory barriers into bridges.鈥�

Christin Daniels, Executive Director of Triangle CERSI, highlighted the importance of the partnership: "Partnering with UK CEiRSI creates a synergistic alliance to modernize regulatory science. Ensuring faster, safer solutions for patients worldwide requires a unified regulatory language. By combining Triangle CERSI鈥檚 expertise in pharmaceutical evaluation and safety, clinical trial optimization, in silico models and other New Approach Methodologies with UK CEiRSI鈥檚 impressive national network focused on comprehensive in silico technologies, we aim to close the gap between the pace of innovation and speed of adoption along the regulatory pathway on both sides of the Atlantic."

The MOU sets the stage for a series of joint initiatives, including workshops, training programs, and collaborative research projects. These efforts will not only advance regulatory science but also contribute to the development of a skilled workforce capable of navigating the complexities of modern healthcare. 

• "In-Silico"  is a term used to describe experiments or studies that are performed using computer simulations or software. 
• For more information visit: UK CEiRSI LinkedIn ; UK CEiRSI ;  InSilicoUK ; UK CEiRSI | InSilicoUK ; In Silico Trials, Real Impact! ; Triangle CERSI

In a new report from the Northern Health Science Alliance, partly based on research by University of Manchester experts entitled 鈥淎geing in the North鈥�, researchers have catalogued an 鈥渁larming鈥� range of disadvantages faced by older people living in the North, in areas such as health, life expectancy, housing, nutrition, employment, and social isolation.

The authors stress that this inequality is mainly driven by economic and social factors, and is 鈥渢otally reversible鈥� - as long as policymakers are bold enough to act. For example, targeted investment has the potential to reduce or recover as much as 拢10.9 billion in lost productivity costs, 拢315 million in NHS costs from falls and hip fractures, and 拢588 million in NHS costs from treating conditions resulting from poor  housing.

鈥淎geing in the North鈥� is published by the Northern Health Science Alliance鈥檚 Ageing North network - including a multi-disciplinary team from Durham University, Lancaster University, 每日大赛黄, Newcastle University, and the University of Sheffield - and Health Equity North. The team features expertise from a wide range of disciplines, from biology to sociology.

Researchers analysed existing data through a regional lens to examine the different ways in which ageing is experienced across England. They explored issues such as poverty and employment, health expectancies, long-term chronic conditions, frailty and falls, physical activity, nutrition, dementia and cognitive frailty, social support and unpaid care, social isolation and loneliness, housing and ethnicity.

The report - which you can read in full - states that:

鈼�     There are an estimated 904,200 economically inactive 50-64 year olds in the North: 170,100 in the North East, 428,600 in the North West, and 305,500 in Yorkshire and the Humber, contributing to a potential reduction in GDP of 拢10.9 billion per year

鈼�     People from the South are more likely to retire, while those in the North are more likely to leave the job market due to poor health

鈼�     Older people living in the North East and North West are 1.61 and 1.33 times, respectively, more likely to be frail, 1.16 and 1.06 times more likely to have a fall that requires hospital treatment, and 1.14 and 1.12 times more likely to have a hip fracture compared to older people living in the South East

鈼�     The cost to the NHS of falls and hip fractures in the North is NHS 拢55.7 million and 拢258.8 million per year respectively

鈼�     1.47 million northern homes are considered non-decent, with over a third housing over-60s residents. This is costing the NHS approximately 拢588 million in treatment per year

鈼�     In the ten years from 2012 to 2022, the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber have seen the rates of poverty among people aged 65 and over rise by 10%

鈼�     People aged 65 or over are 5% more likely to be deprived in the North (68%) than in the South (63%)

鈼�     Between 2020-21 and 2022-23, pensioner couples in the North East had an average income 14% lower than the national average and 25% lower than those in the South East

鈼�     Men aged 65 and over in the North East are predicted to have the highest number of unhealthy years of life on average, at 20.2 years. Yorkshire and Humber have 19.1, while the South East has 16.6

鈼�     The number of unhealthy years of life for older women in the North East is 23.7 years, compared to 19.4 years in the South East

鈼�     There is a two-year life expectancy gap between the North and the rest of England, with premature death rates 20% higher for those in the North

鈼�     Arthritis is more common amongst 55-64 year olds in the North (28%) than in the South (23%). Just 51% of people in the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber are seen for treatment within the national three-week target, compared to 79% in the South West

鈼�     Physical inactivity in the North East among 55-74 year olds is at 31% compared to 22% in the South East

鈼�     Northern adults over 65 are 27% more likely to experience food insecurity than those in the South

鈼�     Cognitive frailty (cognitive impairment plus physical frailty) in old age is more common in the North than in the South, with 11.8% living with cognitive frailty in the North East compared to 7% in the South East.

鈼�     Older adults in the North are 23.3% more likely to experience loneliness compared to the South, with northern women 1.55 times more likely to be lonely than men

鈼�     The three northern regions have the highest proportion of people aged 65 and over living in care homes, costing an estimated 拢4.83 billion in care home fees

鈼�     Minoritised ethnic groups consistently report poorer self-rated health than White British peers. Self-rated health is generally poorer in the North than in London and the South.

The report is being launched at an event in Westminster today (Monday, June 23, 2025) hosted by MP for Shipley, Anna Dixon, who wrote the Foreword.

Anna Dixon, Member of Parliament for Shipley, said: "Where you live shouldn鈥檛 affect your experience of ageing. This report brings into sharp focus the reality of how unequal ageing is across England. If we want to create a society that supports everyone to live and age better, we need to tackle the wider societal issues that result in some people in some communities dying earlier and living longer in poor health. This needs a life course approach, from childhood to adulthood, that enables people to remain active, stay healthy and contribute to society for as long as possible.鈥�

Leading academics behind the report are now calling on the Government to recognise the  challenges faced by people in later life and to prioritise tackling the root causes of unequal ageing. The report includes evidence-based policy recommendations, which could go a long way to reversing the widening inequality gap between North and South.

These recommendations include:

鈼�     Adopting a cross-government approach to prevent unequal ageing, looking at themes such as education, housing, employment and health

鈼�     Strengthening place-based collaboration between local government, combined authorities, housing developers, the NHS, and older adult

鈼�     Developing and delivering a national housing strategy for older people that prioritises ageing in place and invests in age-friendly, accessible homes

鈼�     Significantly increasing investment in adult social care in the North of England

鈼�     Developing an NHS-led, UK-wide strategy to address physical inactivity as a key driver of later-life health inequalities

鈼�     Producing a national strategy to recognise and address cognitive frailty as a preventable condition distinct from dementia

鈼�     Identifying the regions most at risk of diseases such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and adopting a proactive preventative strategy which expands community-based services and strengthens early intervention

鈼�     Expanding workplace health programmes and improving healthcare access disparities

鈼�     Developing tailored place-based strategies to reduce loneliness among older people, focusing on groups at highest risk, such as women, minoritised ethnic groups, people who are living alone, or with poor health

鈼�     Addressing food insecurity in later life through stronger national tracking and targeted local action

鈼�     Improving the collection and use of ethnicity and regional data across health and care systems to better understand and inform culturally-appropriate and regionally-sensitive responses

鈼�     Strengthening support for unpaid carers of older people by increasing carer鈥檚 allowance and carer-related benefits.

Emeritus Professor Alan Walker, from the University of Sheffield鈥檚 Healthy Lifespan Institute, said: 鈥淭his report paints an alarming picture of how inequality has eaten away at the quality of life of so many older northerners. In almost every aspect we investigated, there is a yawning gap between the North and the South - from their income and health to their housing, social care and sense of isolation.

鈥淭his gap is hardly new, but the most frustrating thing about it is that it is totally reversible - assuming that policymakers are willing to take decisive steps to address these issues, and provide a better life for our family members, friends, and neighbours as they age.鈥�

Professor Chris Todd, from 每日大赛黄, said: 鈥淭he country has faced several crises in recent years, from austerity to the COVID-19 pandemic. Older people in the North have carried more than their fair share of that burden.

鈥淭he reality is now stark. Older people in the North are more likely to be poorer, and to live shorter, less-healthy, more isolated lives in sub-optimal accommodation.

鈥淭he gap is growing every day. We need proactive policies - targeted at areas of greatest need - to reverse this trend and enable the North to age with hope, rather than inequality.鈥�

Professor Carol Holland, the Director of Lancaster University鈥檚 Centre for Ageing Research, said: 鈥淯nequal ageing is not inevitable. The gulf between North and South has been created and exacerbated by long-term national policies. And it can be reversed in the same way.

鈥淭he evidence presented in this report does not merely highlight all the ways that people experience ageing differently in the North and South. It offers a clear call to action, to make it a national priority to address this inequality - and vastly improve the lives of millions. We know a lot about prevention and risk reduction of later life difficulties such as frailty or cognitive impairment: it is not enough to claim that nothing can be done. It is time to be bold, and do better.鈥�

Professor Barbara Hanratty, Professor of Primary Care & Public Health at Newcastle University, said: 鈥淔or many, it is harder to grow old in the North than in the South. There are some deep-seated and long-term reasons for that. But we must also acknowledge that the situation is being influenced by decisions that are being made today.

鈥淎verage earnings in the North amongst those aged 65 and over are the lowest in England, and poverty has increased over the last ten years. People in the North are more likely than their neighbours to leave the workforce due to ill-health. We need real policy changes to tackle the root causes of this inequality, with more targeted initiatives to address the many disadvantages facing older people in the North.鈥�

Professor Charlotte Clarke, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health) at Durham University, said: 鈥淭he factors that contribute to the struggles faced by older people make their presence felt far earlier - in childhoods and adulthoods where poverty, poor housing, ill-health and other disadvantages are all too common.

鈥淚t is absolutely essential that policymakers act to help our older citizens. But they must also recognise that these issues are the result of lifelong experiences and inequalities. To achieve real tangible change, we need policies that improve lives as a whole - and tackle these issues long before they escalate.鈥�

Hannah Davies, Chief Executive of the Northern Health Science Alliance and Executive Director of Health Equity North, said: 鈥淭he North is a beautiful place to grow old. We have some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country, as well as welcoming and tight-knit communities. And yet, the day-to-day reality of ageing for many northerners is far harder than it should be.

鈥淲e have often talked about the inequalities that exist in the North, and this report is a reminder of why the gap between North and South continues to widen. There is clear evidence of this on so many fronts - from poverty levels to housing quality, frailty, nutrition, and social support. The divide is particularly pronounced amongst older adults from diverse ethnic backgrounds, which highlights the need for culturally-sensitive solutions which recognise community needs.

鈥淚t is undeniable that we need to offer urgent help to older people who are dealing with these issues. It is also our responsibility to make sure that future generations do not have to go through the same challenges - with targeted, considered policies that address the lifelong issues that are so familiar to northern citizens.鈥�

Read the full 鈥淎geing in the North鈥� report here:

The University tops both the global league table of publications and citations at 177 and 12,313 respectively. 

The output was predominantly driven by Professor David Denning from The Manchester Fungal Infection Group (MFIG) at the 每日大赛黄, the most published and most cited author at 89 papers and 9850 citations.

 He was followed by Thomas J. Walsh from the United States at 72 papers and 6,036 citations, and Dimitrios P. Kontoyiannis also from the United States ranking third at 66 papers, 6404 citations. 

Invasive aspergillosis a potentially lethal infection, usually of the lungs, is thought to affect over 2 million people each year. 

According Professor David Denning, one of the world鈥檚 leading experts on fungal disease, global outcomes for patients with invasive aspergillosis have improved markedly in recent years.

The success, he argues, is partly down to the huge amount of research activity devoted to the topic in Manchester and at centres across the globe. Professor Mike Bromley, Head of MFIG said: 鈥淲e have made significant inroads to improving outcomes for patients suffering from the devastating diseases caused by Aspergillus, but much more needs to be done.鈥�

MFIG have recently worked with the WHO to highlight the need for additional efforts in antifungal drug and

However the disease still has a high mortality rate, particularly in immunocompromised people and those in intensive care, who can experience severe complications including bleeding and spread from the lungs to the brain.

Professor Denning said: 鈥楽ince I first encountered invasive aspergillosis as a trainee doctor in the mid 1980鈥檚 when it was poorly understood, my clinical and research focus has been focussed on improving what was then a dismal outcome for these patients.

鈥淕reat strides in both diagnosis and treatment have been made since 2002, with what was almost a universally fatal disease before the millennium to around 30% in the best performing hospitals.

鈥淭he improvement is down to major studies, agreed diagnostic criteria and application of accepted guidelines for caring for patients.

鈥淗owever there continues to be a desperate need to build on these gains in every hospital globally so we can continue to improve the outlook for these often complex and vulnerable patients.

鈥淲orking with major pharmaceutical companies on the clinical development of key antifungal drugs voriconazole, caspofungin, and micafungin and the preclinical development of anidulafungin, posaconazole and isavuconazole has been an extraordinary journey.鈥�

The figure of 177 papers dwarfs the others in the top 4:  Radboud University Nijmegen in the Netherlands published 92 papers, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston 90 papers, and the University of Texas 81 papers.

This research is supported by three major units at 每日大赛黄:  the Manchester Fungal Infection Group (MFIG), the National Aspergillosis Centre and the Manchester Mycology Reference Centre.

MFIG has recently been awarded some significant research grants: Prof Bromley, Dr Bertuzzi and Dr Bottery of MFIG have recently received 3 awards, totalling over 拢2 million from the Wellcome Trust to explore new ways of combatting fungal infection.

About our international research
每日大赛黄 is globally renowned for its pioneering research, outstanding teaching and learning, and commitment to social responsibility. We are a truly international university 鈥� ranking in the top 50 in a range of global rankings 鈥� with a diverse community of more than 44,000 students, 12,000 staff and 550,000 alumni from 190 countries.  Sign up for our e-news to hear first-hand about our international partnerships and activities across the globe. 

Desalination of seawater and brackish water is one of the essential solutions to the increasing global challenge of water scarcity. Yet, widespread deployment of desalination technologies remains limited due to high upfront costs and intensive energy requirements. Moreover, current desalination systems use fossil fuels contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

To address these challenges, the EU-funded project AQUASOL brings together a multidisciplinary team of seven partners from six countries to explore and develop innovative solutions to facilitate green transition in desalination processes. To achieve this, the consortium will develop a technological platform that will enable the integration of renewable energy sources into desalination technologies and provide disruptive solutions for seawater and wastewater treatment.

, a researcher at Manchester, will develop graphene-based membranes designed to treat seawater and brackish water more efficiently. The goal is to increase membrane durability and reduce energy demands, offering practical improvements over current desalination systems.

The partners, comprising of research institutions, universities and small and medium businesses, met in Barcelona to officially launch the project, which started earlier this month.

AQUASOL, which stands for Advanced Quality Renewable Energy-Powered Solutions For Water Desalination In Agriculture And Wastewater Recycling, has a total budget of over 鈧�3.6M and will run for 3 years. 每日大赛黄 joins six other partners: Instituto Tecnol贸gico de Canarias (Spain), Strane Innovation (France), Ferr-Tech B.V. (Netherlands), farmB (Greece), and Aarhus University (Denmark).

Acknowledgements

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

We鈥檙e home to 700 materials experts, revolutionising industries by developing advanced materials that unlock new levels of performance, efficiency, and sustainability. Supported by the 拢885m campus investment over the last 10 years, our researchers are at the forefront of materials innovation, creating game-changing solutions. From healthcare to manufacturing, we鈥檙e tackling global challenges and ensuring the UK's reputation as a technology 鈥榮uper power'. Find out more about our advanced materials research.

The team designed a two-dimensional (2D) manganese-oxide/graphene superlattice that triggers a unique lattice-wide strain mechanism. This approach significantly boosts the structural stability of the battery鈥檚 cathode material, enabling it to operate reliably over 5,000 charge-discharge cycles. That鈥檚 around 50% longer than current zinc-ion batteries.

The research, published in , offers a practical route to scalable, water-based energy storage technologies.

Atomic-level control over battery durability

The breakthrough centres on a phenomenon called the Cooperative Jahn-Teller Effect (CJTE). A coordinated lattice distortion caused by a specific 1:1 ratio of manganese ions (Mn鲁鈦� and Mn鈦粹伜). When built into a layered 2D structure on graphene, this ratio produces long-range, uniform strain across the material.

That strain helps the cathode resist breakdown during repeated cycling.

The result is a low-cost, aqueous zinc-ion battery that performs with greater durability, and without the safety risks linked to lithium-ion cells.

鈥淭his work demonstrates how 2D material heterostructures can be engineered for scalable applications,鈥� said , lead and corresponding author from University of Technology Sydney and a Royal Society Wolfson visiting Fellow at 每日大赛黄. 鈥淥ur approach shows that superlattice design is not just a lab-scale novelty, but a viable route to improving real-world devices such as rechargeable batteries. It highlights how 2D material innovation can be translated into practical technologies.鈥�

Towards better grid-scale storage

Zinc-ion batteries are widely viewed as a promising candidate for stationary storage, storing renewable energy for homes, businesses or the power grid. But until now, their limited lifespan has restricted real-world use.

This study shows how chemical control at the atomic level can overcome that barrier.

Co-corresponding author from 每日大赛黄 said, 鈥淥ur research opens a new frontier in strain engineering for 2D materials. By inducing the cooperative Jahn-Teller effect, we鈥檝e shown that it鈥檚 possible to fine-tune the magnetic, mechanical, and optical properties of materials in ways that were previously not feasible.鈥�

The team also demonstrated that their synthesis process works at scale using water-based methods, without toxic solvents or extreme temperatures - a step forward in making zinc-ion batteries more practical for manufacturing.

This research was published in the journal Nature Communications.

Full title: Cooperative Jahn-Teller effect and engineered long-range strain in manganese oxide/graphene superlattice for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

DOI: 

We鈥檙e home to 700 materials experts, revolutionising industries by developing advanced materials that unlock new levels of performance, efficiency, and sustainability. Supported by the 拢885m campus investment over the last 10 years, our researchers are at the forefront of materials innovation, creating game-changing solutions. From healthcare to manufacturing, we鈥檙e tackling global challenges and ensuring the UK's reputation as a technology 鈥榮uper power'. Find out more about our advanced materials research.

The is a world-leading graphene and 2D material centre, focussed on fundamental research. Based at 每日大赛黄, where graphene was first isolated in 2004 by Professors Sir Andre Geim and Sir Kostya Novoselov, it is home to leaders in their field 鈥� a community of research specialists delivering transformative discovery. This expertise is matched by 拢13m leading-edge facilities, such as the largest class 5 and 6 cleanrooms in global academia, which gives the NGI the capabilities to advance underpinning industrial applications in key areas including: composites, functional membranes, energy, membranes for green hydrogen, ultra-high vacuum 2D materials, nanomedicine, 2D based printed electronics, and characterisation.

The research, which included more than 270,000 people, found no such link between asthma and working nightshifts in men.

The study was by Dr Robert Maidstone from the University of Manchester, UK, and colleagues. He said: 鈥淎sthma disproportionately affects women. Women generally have more severe asthma, and higher rate of hospitalisation and death from asthma compared to men.

鈥淚n our previous research we found a higher risk of moderate or severe asthma in nightshift workers, so we wanted to see whether there were further differences between the sexes.鈥�

The researchers used data from the UK Biobank. They included a total of 274,541 working people and found that 5.3% of these had asthma, with 1.9% suffering with moderate or severe asthma (meaning they were taking an asthma preventer inhaler and at least one other asthma treatment, such as an oral steroid). They categorised these people according to whether they worked only during the day, only nightshifts, or a combination of the two.

Their analysis revealed that, overall, women who work shifts are more likely to have asthma. Women who only work nightshifts are around 50% more likely to suffer with moderate or severe asthma compared to women who only work in the daytime.

The risk of asthma in men did not alter according to whether they worked days or nights.

Dr Maidstone said: 鈥淭his is the first study to evaluate sex differences in the relationship between shift work and asthma. We found that permanent night shift-workers had higher odds of moderate-severe asthma when compared to corresponding day workers.

鈥淭his type of research cannot explain why shift work and asthma are linked; however, it could be because shift work disrupts the body clock, including the levels of male and female sex hormones. High testosterone has previously been shown to be protective against asthma, and so lower testosterone in women could play a role. Alternatively, men and women work different types of shift jobs, and this could be a factor.鈥�

In postmenopausal women, the risk of moderate or severe asthma was almost doubled in night workers, compared to day workers, in those not taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Dr Maidstone added: 鈥淥ur results suggest that HRT might be protective against asthma for nightshift workers, however further research is needed to test this hypothesis in prospective studies and randomised controlled trials.鈥�

The researchers plan to study whether sex hormones play a role in the relationship between shift work and asthma by using data from the UK Biobank and from Our Future Health, a new health research programme in the UK population. 

Professor Florence Schleich from the European Respiratory Society鈥檚 expert group on airway diseases, asthma, COPD and chronic cough, based at the University of Li猫ge, Belgium, and was not involved in the research. She said: 鈥淎sthma is a common, long- term condition that affects millions of people worldwide. We know that women are more likely to have asthma, to have worse asthma and more likely to die from asthma, but we do not fully understand why.

鈥淭his research suggests that working nightshifts could be a risk factor for asthma in women, but not in men. The majority of workers will not have an easy option of switching their shift pattern, so we need further research to verify and understand this link and find out what could be done to reduce the risk for women who work shifts.鈥�

Maidstone RJ, Ray DW, Liu J, et al. Increased risk of asthma in female night shift workers. ERJ Open Res 2025; in press .

Over 2000 scientists, veterinarians, technicians, and regulators from across Europe and beyond converged on Athens for the sixteenth FELASA Congress to hear BSF Director Dr Maria Kamper鈥檚 vision on transformational leadership. 

The Congress is held every three years in different European cities to advance excellence in laboratory animal science. 

FELASA - the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations - develops guidelines and policies on all aspects of laboratory animal science, including training programs, welfare standards, and scientific best practice. 

Representing professionals in over 28 countries across Europe, this year's Congress took place between June 2 and 5 at the Megaron Athens International Conference Centre. 

Dr Maria Kamper, Director of the BSF, spoke to a packed audience about how exceptional leadership creates excellence in laboratory animal science.

 Drawing from her philosophy that "people are the heart of our work," Dr Kamper challenged the traditional approach to facility management. 

"We don't just ask our staff to follow protocols," Dr Kamper told the Congress. "We inspire them to see themselves as guardians of breakthrough discoveries. 

鈥淓very refinement they create could spare suffering for thousands of animals. They go to work knowing they are advancing human knowledge while honouring every heartbeat in their care," she added. 

The BSF's Dr Jo Stanley and Mike Addelman from the University's Directorate of Communications, Marketing and Student Recruitment also addressed the Congress on the University's sector-leading openness agenda in animal research. 

The University - officially recognized as a Leader in Openness - has developed an award-winning website and engagement programme that has become a trailblazer for the sector, demonstrating how transparency fosters public trust, enhances research integrity, promotes collaboration, and exemplifies ethical rigor in the responsible use of animals in research. 

Dr Kamper said: "Being part of FELASA was an extraordinary privilege and represents the kind of strategic leadership that looks beyond daily operations toward future possibilities.

鈥淲e are proud of the culture of excellence we have cultivated at Manchester - where our teams don't just meet standards, they set new ones.

 鈥淥ur hope is that the transformational approach we've developed here will inspire colleagues across Europe and beyond to lead their teams toward excellence that serves both scientific advancement and compassionate animal care.鈥� 

• Dr Stanley's attendance was supported by a LASA (Laboratory animal science association) bursary
• To view the presentation by Dr Kamper, click
• To view the presentation by Dr Stanley and Mike Addelman click

The report, presented in Helsinki on 6 June, addresses persistent barriers to public-private research and development (R&D) partnerships, and proposes a series of strategic reforms. Professor Georghiou chaired the international expert panel behind the study, commissioned as part of the EU鈥檚 Horizon Europe Policy Support Facility.

Speaking to an audience of 300 stakeholders from across Finland鈥檚 innovation ecosystem, Professor Georghiou outlined the report鈥檚 findings, which call for a cultural shift in academia, more robust incentives for collaboration, and streamlined government support systems. He later presented the final report personally to Finnish Prime Minister, Petteri Orpo, accompanied by cabinet ministers and business and research leaders - an indication of the importance attached to the recommendations at the highest level of government.

Professor Georghiou, part-time Associate Vice-President and Professor in AMBS, said: "While I hope that the report will be of general interest, the demonstrated importance which the Finnish government attach to the impact of university research is also significant. In a time of economic difficulty for Finland, they have nonetheless decided to increase research spending to 4% of GDP. The UK figure is currently 2.9%."

The report highlights the need to reinvigorate collaboration through long-term strategic partnerships, better incentives for researchers, and improvements to the visibility and accessibility of research infrastructure鈥攑articularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It also underscores the importance of building a skilled workforce and supporting scale-ups to remain rooted in the Finnish innovation ecosystem.

The significance of the work extends beyond Finland. The European Commission has invited Professor Georghiou to present the report at a meeting of research ministry heads from all EU and associated countries in Gda艅sk, Poland, later this month.

The full report, titled Support to Finland on improving R&D collaboration between research organisations and the private sector, is available for download from the .

The report is the first to analyse the impact of the Government鈥檚 2019 drive to increase the numbers of these workers, who connect patients to activities and support in their communities which boost health and well-being.

The 2019 NHS Long-term Plan pledged NHS England funding to provide 1,000 trained social prescribing link workers in place by the end of 2021 - and to ensure that every patient in England could access the service by 2022.

This National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded study - led by researchers from 每日大赛黄 and co-authored with the University of Edinburgh, Newcastle University and University of Bristol- indicates that the scheme has led to improved outcomes and experience of and or both patients with long-term conditions and mental health needs. However, researchers were unable to pinpoint any noteworthy impact on loneliness and isolation.

The study combined administrative workforce data and information from the General Practice Patient Survey between 2018 and 2023, which includes more than 4.1million responses in total. It calculated the impact of adding one full-time equivalent (FTE) link worker per 50,000 patients to assess whether the NHS鈥� aims for the rollout were fulfilled. The outcomes from the survey assessed for this study were:

o   Increasing the patient鈥檚 confidence in managing their long-term condition

o   Making them feel more supported by local services and organisations

o   Making them feel less isolated from others

o   Improving their experience with their GP

o   An increased feeling that their mental health needs were understood

The study found that for those with one or more long term conditions, patient confidence in managing their long-term condition increased, as well as feeling more supported by local services and in their overall experience with general practice.

Similar improvements were seen for those with mental health needs and in feeling that their needs were understood. However, no evidence of benefit was found for those experiencing loneliness and social isolation.

The results indicate that an increase in social prescribing provision has had a positive effect on the population level. While the figures appear low, only 3.2% of the registered GP population had actually been referred to a social prescribing service by March 2023, so being able to detect an impact of this size at the population level is 鈥渃linically significant鈥�.

The researchers estimated the population effects, and the findings suggest that an additional FTE social prescribing link worker per 50,000 population in all Primary Care Networks (PCNs)  - which equates to approximately one extra link worker per average PCN - was associated with an increase nationally in approximately 47,000 people reporting confidence in managing their long-term conditions and 132,000 people reporting having had a good GP experience.

However, the authors suggest that more work needs to be done to establish whether the rollout has any impact on use of hospital services, and whether there has been an impact on known health inequalities.

They also note that the initiative cost the NHS an estimated 拢130million in 2022/23, without taking onward referral costs into account. They conclude that further research is required to determine 鈥渨hether the scheme is financially sustainable as a whole鈥�.

, Professor of Implementation Science at 每日大赛黄, said: 鈥淭he Government鈥檚 plan to increase the provision of social prescribing was an attempt to tackle crucial challenges, including helping patients feel more supported, empowered, and positive about the health services available to them.

鈥淎s such, it is important that studies such as this exist, to assess whether initiatives have the desired effect, and that they provide the right assistance to people who are most in need of care and connection.

鈥淥ur results indicate that the Government鈥檚 focus on link worker provision has had a positive effect, and that social prescribing can help patients feel more supported by healthcare services and professionals.

鈥淗owever, we would welcome future research into the sustainability and cost-efficiency of the scheme, particularly when more is known about its full cost including referrals.鈥�

, Research Fellow in Health Economics at 每日大赛黄, said: 鈥淭his report provides useful food for thought for policymakers assessing this scheme, and other similar initiatives designed to improve the health of the country.

鈥淐onsidering the service has been used by a relatively small percentage of the population, the results seem to indicate that social prescribing has a notable effect on a patient鈥檚 GP experience and their sense that their needs are understood.

鈥淗owever, there is still much work to do before we can determine the impact and sustainability of schemes such as this one. There is definite scope for future studies which determine whether such referrals have an effect on unplanned hospital admissions, and whether the current approach offers the best possible care for the country at an optimal cost.鈥�

Charlotte Osborn-Forde, Chief Executive of the National Academy for Social Prescribing, said: 鈥淭his is an important and groundbreaking piece of research. There is already a wide range of evidence demonstrating that social prescribing is highly impactful and can save the NHS money, but this is the first time research has been published showing statistically significant improvements for the whole population. It鈥檚 simple: the more Link Workers that are employed, the more likely it is that patients are able to manage their own health, and have a good experience of their GP. 

鈥淭his is because Link Workers get to know patients, supporting them step by step to access local services, tackling issues like housing, debt, food or fuel poverty, loneliness and unemployment - the issues that matter to people and can have a big impact on our health. This vital research further supports the case for the expansion of social prescribing in the NHS so that is available to more patients who could benefit.鈥�

The full study - entitled 鈥業mpact of the rollout of the national social prescribing link worker programme on population outcomes: evidence from a repeated cross-sectional survey鈥� has been published in The British Journal of General Practice. You can read the report and its results here:

, Reader in Engineering for Net Zero, is one of ten finalists to be awarded 拢100,000 in seed funding to develop his solution for this year鈥檚 .  

In its second year, the Manchester Prize is looking for researchers with the most impactful and innovative artificial intelligence (AI) solution enabling the UK to accelerate progress towards net zero.  

Although AI technologies are advancing rapidly, their adoption in clean energy systems has not kept pace. The Manchester Prize aims to accelerate progress by encouraging the development of AI solutions that support the UK in achieving its ambition to lead the world in clean energy. 

Dr Papadopoulos鈥� solution, Grid Stability, uses AI to accelerate the analysis performed which ensures electrical power systems meet the specified stability, security and reliability criteria. 

Electrical power systems worldwide are going through unprecedented changes to achieve decarbonisation targets. This drive calls for new technologies, such as renewables, electric vehicles and heat pumps, which increases the complexity and uncertainty in power system operation. System stability is the cornerstone of power system operation, and if not carefully considered, it can lead to blackouts with high economic impact and fallout.  

The tool replaces slow, complex simulations with rapid, AI-driven assessments, enabling real-time monitoring, faster decision-making, and more confident planning. This helps grid operators maintain reliability while scaling up clean energy solutions and cutting emissions. 

Dr Papadopoulos aims to work closely with utility companies to enable safe and useful implementations of Grid Stability. 

Speaking about his solution, Dr Papadopoulos said: 鈥淕rid Stability uses machine learning to help bring lower, or zero, carbon technologies onto the grid faster and at the scale we need to hit net zero, but without compromising system stability.

鈥�Being named a finalist for the Manchester Prize is a huge boost; it not only validates the impact of our work but also gives us a platform to accelerate progress and collaborate more widely across the energy sector.鈥�

Dr Papadopoulos recognised that the computational cost and complexity of assessing stability and security made it difficult to support real-time awareness, decision-making and optimisation. As a result, system dynamics are often neglected or oversimplified. Grid Stability, using machine learning, offers a promising solution to addressing this challenge. 

The Manchester Prize will pick its winner in Spring 2026, and the winning innovator will receive a 拢1 million grand prize to continue developing their solution. The winning solution must demonstrate not only technical innovation, but also an evidenced road map to near-term (2030) adoption and scale.  

Announced and launched in 2023, the Manchester Prize is multi-million-pound, multi-year challenge prize, which is funded by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology. The Prize seeks to reward UK-led breakthroughs in AI for public good and continues to secure the UK鈥檚 place as a global leader in cutting-edge innovation. 

The Manchester Prize is named after the world鈥檚 first stored programme computer, nicknamed 鈥楾he Baby鈥�, which was built at 每日大赛黄 in 1948. AI research at The University continues to build on this legacy, as shown by Dr Papadopoulos鈥� achievement. 

The study is published today (Wednesday) in ERJ Open Research [1]. Carbon can enter the lungs via cigarette smoke, diesel exhaust and polluted air.

The cells, called alveolar macrophages, normally protect the body by engulfing any particles or bacteria that reach the lungs. But, in their new study, researchers found that when these cells are exposed to carbon they grow larger and encourage inflammation.

The research was led by and from 每日大赛黄, UK, and funded by the North West Lung Centre Charity and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).

Dr Baker, Research Associate within the NIHR Manchester BRC鈥檚 Respiratory Theme said: 鈥淐OPD is a complex disease that has a number of environmental and genetic risk factors. One factor is exposure to carbon from smoking or breathing polluted air.

鈥淲e wanted to study what happens in the lungs of COPD patients when this carbon builds up in alveolar macrophage cells, as this may influence the cells鈥� ability to protect the lungs.鈥�

The researchers used samples of lung tissue from surgery for suspected lung cancer. They studied samples (that did not contain any cancer cells) from 28 people who had COPD and 15 people who were smokers but did not have COPD.

Looking specifically at alveolar macrophage cells under a microscope, the researchers measured the sizes of the cells and the amount of carbon accumulated in the cells.

They found that the average amount of carbon was more than three times greater in alveolar macrophage cells from COPD patients compared to smokers. Cells containing carbon were consistently larger than cells with no visible carbon.

Patients with larger deposits of carbon in their alveolar macrophages had worse lung function, according to a measure called FEV1%, which quantifies how much and how forcefully patients can breathe out.

When the researchers exposed macrophages to carbon particles in the lab, they saw the cells become much larger and found that they were producing higher levels of proteins that lead to inflammation.

Dr Lea, Investigator within the NIHR Manchester BRC鈥檚 Respiratory Theme said: 鈥淎s we compared cells from COPD patients with cells from smokers, we can see that this build-up of carbon is not a direct result of cigarette smoking. Instead, we show alveolar macrophages in COPD patients contain more carbon and are inherently different in terms of their form and function compared to those in smokers.

鈥淥ur research raises an interesting question as to the cause of the increased levels of carbon in COPD patients鈥� macrophages. It could be that people with COPD are less able to clear the carbon they breathe in. It could also be that people exposed to more particulate matter are accumulating this carbon and developing COPD as a result.

鈥淚n future, it would be interesting to study how this carbon builds up and how lung cells respond over a longer period of time.鈥� 

Professor Fabio Ricciardolo is Chair of the European Respiratory Society鈥檚 group on monitoring airway disease, based at the University of Torino, Italy, and was not involved in the research. He said: 鈥淭his set of experiments suggest that people with COPD accumulate unusually large amounts of carbon in the cells of their lungs. This build-up seems to be altering those cells, potentially causing inflammation in the lungs and leading to worse lung function.

鈥淚n addition, this research offers some clues about why polluted air might cause or worsen COPD. However, we know that smoking and air pollution are risk factors for COPD and other lung conditions, so we need to reduce levels of pollution in the air we breathe and we need to help people to quit smoking.鈥�

[1] Baker J, Booth S, Dungwa J, et al. Alveolar macrophage carbon is associated with COPD severity. ERJ Open Res 2025; in press (https://doi.org/10.1183/23120541.00933-2024).

The paper is available here: 

Funding: the North West Lung Centre Charity and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).

Since the breakthrough, 18-year-old Rose Anderson from Stretford in Manchester has received a diagnosis of one of the newly discovered conditions.

Rose has been known to the team at the Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) for nearly her whole life, although a precise diagnosis for her seizures and developmental delay has proved difficult to find.

On receiving the news from the Manchester research team last year, Rose鈥檚 mum Lyn said: 鈥淲e felt excited and relieved to finally receive Rose鈥檚 diagnosis. Rose is a very happy person, and with any diagnosis, she will always be Rose to us. This has helped us pinpoint what has caused her to be the way she is.鈥�

The study was supported by the MFT-hosted NIHR Manchester BRC, as part of its which aims to improve diagnosis of rare conditions.

Researchers from the NIHR Manchester BRC, MFT, and 每日大赛黄 (UoM) collaborated with scientists globally to analyse the genetic data of thousands of individuals including those who took part in the a Genomics England initiative to sequence and study the role genes play in health and disease.

Genes are sections of our DNA and contain the instructions for building proteins, which are needed by the body for cell growth and repair.

Parts of our genes that do not make proteins have previously been dismissed as 鈥榙ark matter鈥� because they were not understood, or 鈥榡unk DNA鈥� because it was thought they were not essential.

Published in Nature Genetics today (date), Manchester researchers have challenged these assumptions, showing that changes in these regions play a crucial role in brain development.

The team found that mutations in regions of the genome that form R-loops (special DNA-RNA structures that can influence genetic activity) are more common than previously thought.

This insight led them to uncover two new neurodevelopmental conditions:

• RNU2-2-related disorder, which is linked to developmental delays, intellectual disability, small head size (microcephaly), autistic traits and seizures.
• RNU5B-1-related disorder, associated with developmental delays, weak muscle tone (hypotonia), larger-than-average head size (macrocephaly), and poor growth.

Neurodevelopmental conditions 鈥� disorders that affect brain development 鈥� impact 2-5% of people worldwide.

For many families, these conditions remain a mystery, as current genetic tests often fail to find a cause.

The two new conditions, along with ReNU syndrome (a condition identified in 2024 which has an impact on learning, behaviour, speech and movement) account for more than 1% of all unsolved developmental cases.

This means the breakthrough could provide a genetic explanation for several thousands of people globally with these conditions.

Rose, who was diagnosed with RNU2-2-related disorder in October 2024, loves music, walking, swimming, visiting cafes and riding a tandem bike. She lives with her mum Lyn, dad Joe and younger sister, Lily.

At Lyn鈥檚 20-week pregnancy scan, it was first suspected that Rose may have a rare genetic condition. Despite undergoing extensive genetic testing at MFT and taking part in research, the team had been previously unable to find a specific cause for Rose鈥檚 symptoms.

Lyn said: 鈥淵ou wonder if it鈥檚 just a random thing that has happened or parents sometimes look to themselves for the cause. Rose first started experiencing seizures when she was a baby 鈥� she would become flushed, very vacant and would loll her head to one side. After a bad seizure when she was 2 and a half years old, Rose was diagnosed with epilepsy. She occasionally has seizures now, but these are better managed with medication.

鈥淲hen Rose went to nursery, younger children began overtaking her with early developmental milestones. Rose is non-verbal and is great at communicating using objects and symbols. She experiences hyperventilation (rapid breathing), can struggle with spatial awareness and needs support with eating and personal care.

鈥淭his breakthrough is fantastic, and we hope it will lead to more families receiving a diagnosis now and when early symptoms first appear. This could help improve quality of life for other children and young people and find out what it is that makes them unique.鈥�

Rose and her family are working with the Manchester team to help them better understand RNU2-2 related disorder. Rose has also taken part in more research at MFT since receiving her diagnosis, including donating skin cells to help the team produce brain stem cells for epilepsy research.

每日大赛黄 lead and first author of the paper Dr Adam Jackson, Academic Clinical Fellow at the Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine at MFT and 每日大赛黄 and early career researcher in the NIHR Manchester BRC鈥檚 Rare Conditions Theme, said: 鈥淏y proving that non-protein coding genes play a key role in human health, this study challenges long-held assumptions about 鈥榡unk DNA鈥� and brings hope to many families searching for answers.鈥�

Dr Jackson, who is also part of the (MRCC), a virtual centre based at MFT which aims to improve the lives of people with rare conditions, explained: 鈥淚dentifying these genetic mutations was a one-year process. They are difficult to understand because they are in the 鈥榙ark matter鈥�, so we didn鈥檛 know what their effect would be when they don鈥檛 produce a protein. It was thought that one of the genes didn鈥檛 do anything at all, but our method of looking at R-loop forming regions has highlighted this region to be active.鈥�

15-year-old Noah from the Isle of Wight was diagnosed with RNU5B-1-related disorder by the team at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust this year, more than seven years after donating his DNA for the 100,000 Genomes Project.

His mum, Maria Villa Vine, said: 鈥淲e were blown away when we received the diagnosis and to find out it was rare. I always knew my boy was special, but this confirmed it! Having a diagnosis can help you understand yourself, so this will support Noah being able to do that.鈥�

Noah鈥檚 diagnostic journey began at around 15 months old when his family noticed he wasn鈥檛 reaching some milestones that are typically displayed at that age. At four years old, Noah was diagnosed with autistic traits and following a reassessment when he was 12, Noah was diagnosed as autistic.

Following extensive initial genetic investigations by clinicians in Southampton, Noah took part in the 100,000 Genomes Project. This did not find a diagnosis, but his data was entered into the research environment which resulted in the Manchester team鈥檚 discovery.

Maria said: 鈥淲e took part in the 100,000 Genomes Project because as a family we thought, what鈥檚 there to lose? If it can help your child or other children with disabilities in the community, why wouldn鈥檛 you? We didn鈥檛 expect to hear anything from it until we got the phone call.

鈥淣avigating early years as a parent can be difficult, it鈥檚 full of emotion and your brain blocks things out. You can feel self-blame and guilt, wondering if it鈥檚 something you did. It can also be a hard time for siblings 鈥� Noah鈥檚 sister was seven at the time of his autism diagnosis. It鈥檚 important to have a network of professionals around families to support them and put the children at the centre of conversations.鈥�

This study was supported by the , which facilitates research into the epigenomics of rare diseases and is part of the Medical Research Council and NIHR-funded Rare Diseases UK Platform.

Professor Siddharth Banka, senior author of the study who oversaw the research, is a Professor of Genomic Medicine and Rare Diseases at UoM, Consultant Clinical Geneticist at the Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine at MFT, and Clinical Director of the MRCC.

Discussing the next steps for the research, Professor Banka, who is also the Rare Conditions Co-Theme Lead at the NIHR Manchester BRC and Co-Lead for the EpiGenRare Node, said: 鈥淲e now want to understand these conditions better, such as how do their symptoms evolve over time, are there any associated complications and discover potential treatment options. We also need to understand the mechanism of the disease better 鈥� how exactly are these genetic mutations causing neurodevelopmental conditions? With this information, we hope to identify treatments and therapies, and make these available for patients.鈥�

The Manchester-based team鈥檚 findings have also had a positive impact on patients and families worldwide.

In Australia, the breakthrough has meant that clinicians there were able to diagnose with RNU2-2-related disorder after a decade-long diagnostic journey.

Gitty鈥檚 mum, Miriam, said: 鈥淲e felt very relieved when we found out. The diagnosis didn鈥檛 change anything because Gitty was 10 years old at this stage and we鈥檝e lived through all these symptoms. But knowing that it won鈥檛 affect our other children and can鈥檛 be passed down by them was a big relief. Uncertainty can be very unnerving, so having a diagnosis gives us peace of mind.鈥�

Professor Marian Knight, Scientific Director for NIHR Infrastructure, said: 鈥淔or parents of children with neurodevelopmental conditions, understanding the cause of symptoms is an essential first step to getting the best help for their child. The experimental medicine championed by our NIHR Biomedical Research Centres which leads to important discoveries like this provides real benefits for real people like Rose. This exciting work has the potential to change the care of patients not only in the UK but around the world."

Dr Sarah Wynn, CEO of Unique, a charity which supports families affected by rare genetic disorders, said: 鈥淭his research study which has discovered two new frequent causes of neurodevelopmental conditions is incredibly important and valuable to patients and families, who have often been searching for a long time for the answer to their child鈥檚 developmental delays. Receiving a diagnosis like this can be life-changing for families, not only by providing the explanation they have been looking for but enabling them to connect to others and learn more about the condition resulting in improved care and support for their child. We are enormously grateful to research teams such as this, who work tirelessly to discover new gene associations and understand more about rare genetic conditions bringing benefit to people and families all over the world.鈥�

鈼�&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Led by The University of Cambridge and 每日大赛黄, and supported by the two Mayoral Combined Authorities, City Councils, alongside businesses and investors

A groundbreaking partnership between 每日大赛黄 and The University of Cambridge has been awarded 拢4.8 million by Research England to accelerate inclusive growth and innovation collaboration. As the UK鈥檚 first cross-UK innovation partnership, it will pioneer a new model of place-to-place collaboration and help drive economic growth for the UK- setting an example for other cities to follow. With further investment from the two universities, the total funding for the partnership will be 拢6m.

The partnership will be led by Unit M and Innovate Cambridge - the universities鈥� respective innovation capabilities - with support from the two Mayoral Combined Authorities, City Councils, businesses and investors. It is a prime example of how a university-led, cross-UK innovation collaboration can enhance the UK's global competitiveness and foster innovation-driven growth.

This initiative responds directly to the UK government鈥檚 imperative for universities to support the delivery of the national Industrial Strategy and make a stronger contribution to economic growth.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice Chancellor of 每日大赛黄, commented: "Our partnership with Cambridge marks a new model of collaboration between UK universities. It brings together the distinctive strengths of each of our universities and cities, connecting two of the great innovation ecosystems to scale up what we can achieve. This new approach to innovation accelerates the time between discovery and impact, getting ideas into the real economy and our communities even more quickly to drive inclusive growth.鈥�

Professor Lou Cordwell, Chief Executive of Unit M, said: 鈥淯niversities are increasingly taking a lead in convening and catalysing their innovation ecosystems. By bringing together investors, businesses, entrepreneurs, academics, and public sector agencies, this partnership will create new opportunities and stimulate investment into the innovation economy. We are proud at Unit M to be part of such a pioneering partnership, and look forward to continuing to work with Cambridge.鈥�

Professor Deborah Prentice, University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor, commented: 鈥淭his pioneering initiative brings together the combined strengths of Cambridge and Manchester to create something that is truly ground-breaking. By connecting our cities, we鈥檙e helping to build a more collaborative and dynamic environment in which innovative research can connect with industry, venture capital and entrepreneurs to drive economic growth and deliver real benefits for people and places across the UK.鈥�

Science Minister and Oxford-Cambridge Growth Champion, Lord Vallance, said: 鈥淭his pioneering partnership is proof that our ambitions for the Oxford-Cambridge Corridor can and will fire up economic growth across the length and breadth of the UK, which is critical to our Plan for Change.

鈥淐ambridgeshire and Greater Manchester are forging a path I hope others will follow. Science is always stronger when we work together, and stronger research ties between the UK鈥檚 great regions will only lead to more investment, more opportunities, and more breakthroughs, from health to clean energy and beyond.鈥�

Jessica Corner, Executive Chair of Research England, commented: 鈥淭his investment underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration across England. By connecting the vibrant ecosystems of Cambridge and Manchester, we aim to drive significant economic growth and create a model for place-based innovation that can be replicated nationwide."

At the core of the partnership is the exchange of complementary innovation assets to ensure real-world impact. Both cities already have strong R&D capabilities and strengths in leading-edge sectors such as AI, life sciences, and advanced materials. Cambridge has deep investor networks but experiences growth constraints due to its small scale, higher costs, and lack of development land. Manchester provides that scale, affordability for start-ups and scale-ups, and a large talent pool - but has a less mature support ecosystem.

The Research England funding will be used in three key areas: ecosystem activation and integration; growing investment; and testing and learning.

鈼�&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Ecosystem activation and integration: It will strengthen relations within and between the innovation ecosystems of the two cities, to create a vibrant and ambitious cross-city innovation network. This aims to create progressive new approach inclusive growth.

鈼�&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Growing investment: It will harness the combined strengths of both universities and partner cities to support start-ups and scale-ups to secure funding and grow, attract innovation-intensive FDI to the UK, and stimulate investment into R&D.

鈼�&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Testing and learning: It will pilot new approaches and share best practice for delivering ecosystem collaboration and inclusive growth. This will allow other cities, the wider higher education sector community, and local and national governments in the UK and internationally to learn from the partnership.