Medical & Health Sciences

There is a recognised need for healthcare professionals to provide culturally sensitive care. Dr Anna Robinson-Barella from the School of Pharmacy at Newcastle University is leading research working to integrate cultural competency training into pharmacy education and the pharmacy profession. Her studies reveal insights from both pharmacy staff and students on how best to equip the next generation of pharmacists with these vital skills. This work aims to transform pharmacy practice and reduce health inequalities for patients from diverse, minoritised backgrounds.

Sacroiliac joint fusion is a popular surgical procedure to address lower back pain. Despite this, a careful review of the literature shows that we have little solid evidence to confirm that the procedure is particularly effective at reducing pain. Dr Engelke Marie Randers and Dr Thomas Johan Kibsgård at the University of Oslo conducted a thorough trial to determine the real-world therapeutic benefit of this surgery – with important results.

Metastatic abdominal cancers pose a unique set of challenges for clinicians. Dr Patrick Wagner from the Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute is exploring important new ways to tackle these malignancies. With the help of his team, he carries out groundbreaking research into utilising the patient’s own immune system as well as exploring methods of drug delivery to fight these extremely challenging forms of cancer effectively.

For most of human history, our ancestors lived in small, close-knit groups. But how did these early social structures evolve into the complex societies we see today? Esteemed researcher Dr Patrick Manning of the University of Pittsburgh has spent years investigating the development of human households and communities over time. His research reveals how biological, cultural and social evolution shaped our species’ journey from small prehistoric groups to today’s large-scale societies.

Innate immunity, our standing defence against viruses, bacteria, and other infections, is comprised of a vast network of biomolecules working in orchestrated balance to defend against pathogens. Researchers have theorised that ADP-ribosylation – where ADP-ribose groups are added to modify host and viral biomolecules – may constitute an active part of the innate immune system. Dr Bernhard Lüscher and Dr Patricia Korn from RWTH Aachen University lead a team that studies the role of ADP-ribosylation and viral function.

Understanding the individual immune response is key to diagnosing and treating a range of diseases. One way of characterising immune cells is through flow cytometry, where cells are tagged with fluorescent markers known as fluorochromes. Detectors use these markers to understand the different physical and chemical features of the individual cells and the overall immune cell population. Dr Linda Hammerich and a team from Charité-Universitätsmedizin in Germany have optimised this technique to investigate up to 31 different cells or markers from one blood test using currently available technology.

Buildings play a significant role in our global energy consumption, accounting for one-third of the total energy used worldwide. Unfortunately, they are also responsible for nearly 40% of carbon dioxide emissions generated annually. To combat climate change, address energy scarcity, and achieve net-zero carbon goals, focusing on sustainable renewable energy and energy-efficient building technologies is key. Dr Praveen Cheekatamarla of Oak Ridge National Laboratory is working with his colleagues to advance energy-efficient and decarbonisation technologies. Their work is critical in tackling these challenges and analysing innovative solutions.

A frozen shoulder can significantly impact a person’s well-being. The constant pain and ongoing stiffness can sometimes only be relieved with surgery. Expert orthopaedic surgeon Dr Kenneth Cutbush from St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital in Brisbane, Australia, works tirelessly to help ease the suffering of patients with various shoulder problems. Alongside colleagues, he pioneers a minimally invasive surgical technique, the frozen shoulder 360° release.

The SARS-CoV2 surface spike protein is a rational target for COVID-19 vaccination. However, spike protein glycosylation helps the virus evade the immune system, undermining vaccination efforts against newer variants. Dr Chi-Huey Wong’s group at Academia Sinica, Taiwan, is hoping to combat this by glycoengineering protein- and mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines.

Sexual minorities face unique challenges that can negatively impact their mental and physical health. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, leading to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and substance use among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals. Dr Carolyn Fallahi and her colleagues at Central Connecticut State University have been studying the effects of minority stress on sexual minorities, particularly in the context of the pandemic. Their research sheds light on the complex relationships between minority stress, mental health symptoms, and substance use in this vulnerable population.

Dr Nadine Abi-Jaoudeh and Dr David Imagawa of the University of California Irvine are working with a team of researchers dedicated to improving treatment options and outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma – a serious form of cancer associated with long-term liver diseases. Their early-stage research offers important hope that in the future, effective drugs such as sorafenib and regorafenib may be utilised in trans-arterial chemoembolisation thanks to their development of a novel platform for drug delivery.

Understanding how brain tumours grow is vital to the development of novel approaches to beat this type of cancer. In ground-breaking research, Dr Sergey Malchenko from the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria, USA, has identified a cell communication phenomenon called mitochondrial transfer between particular types of brain cells. Alongside colleagues, he works to understand this process, allowing him to decipher its impact on the development of brain cancer.

A supply of nucleotides is necessary to sustain the body’s genetic and metabolic processes. CNT1, a nucleoside transporter, is instrumental in preventing nucleoside excretion. Professor Rajgopal (Raj) Govindarajan at Ohio State University is delving into CNT1’s in vivo activity, utilising mouse models, mass spectrometry, and metabolomics tools. His research has important implications for cancer therapy.

Skin cancer affects millions around the world and is among the most commonly occurring cancers. This global impact leads to an ever-growing demand for dermatology capacity, which is simply not available. Given that skin cancer can be treatable with high rates of survival when detected early, technology interventions are required to address the gap between demand and capacity. Dr Helen Marsden conducts vital research at Skin Analytics Ltd to demonstrate how AI can allow dermatology teams to discharge benign lesions earlier in the pathway and help prioritise patients who need to be seen or receive treatment.

Immunotherapy has changed the face of cancer treatment, particularly for those suffering from advanced skin cancers. With plenty yet to be learnt in this field of medicine, Dr. David Minor and his colleagues based at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute and the California Pacific Center for Melanoma Research and Treatment explore the long-term impact of immunotherapy on advanced skin cancer survivors.

Delving into the intriguing realm of brain blood vessel development and the role of specialised cells is a challenging but critical step in better understanding neuro-vascular diseases in both children and adults. Professor Ramani Ramchandran, from the Medical College of Wisconsin in the USA, investigates cilia in the brain vasculature. It turns out that these microscopic hair-like projections found on the surface of certain types of cells have a far more interesting role to play in brain health than was initially thought.

In a ground-breaking stride toward accessible cancer treatments, a revolutionary method for preparing immune cells has emerged. Dr Nicholas Gascoigne from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore has helped develop an innovative approach involving T-cells, which holds the promise of transforming the landscape of cancer therapy, potentially making it more widely available and more effective.

Alternative healthcare is growing in popularity, but like all healthcare, the use of such therapies is not risk-free. Dr Bernie Garrett of the University of British Colombia, Canada, works with colleague Professor Timothy Caulfield from the University of Alberta, to provide a voice of reason in the world of alternative medicine. While trying to understand what makes people choose these options, they are also shedding light on the risks associated with using such unconventional treatments.

Scientists are developing next-generation vaccines that improve protective immunity and address many of the challenges associated with administering traditional injected vaccines. Dr Sean Tucker and a team from Vaxart have developed an oral temperature-stable tablet vaccine platform that can be modified for a variety of pathogens. This vaccine tablet has a range of benefits: it can be self-administered, distributed easily without requiring ultra-low temperatures, and generates a strong immune response at barrier surfaces such as the gut, nose, and throat – the common entry points for pathogens.

Tubulin has biological significance beyond just microtubules. Professor Richard Ludueña of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, has investigated the localisation of βII-tubulin in the nuclei of cancer cells. Based on his collaborators’ insights, he speculates that βII-tubulin-based CRISPR-Cas9 treatments could become a cutting-edge treatment paradigm for a variety of different cancers.

Tooth decay (known as ‘dental caries’) is a global health problem. The key pathogen is Streptococcus mutans, a hardy tooth-colonising bacterium. An overlooked factor in caries is manganese (Mn2+). India Drummond and Professor Grace Spatafora of Middlebury College are investigating the effect of Mn2+ on Streptococcus mutans traits controlled by the SloR metalloregulator and small RNAs. Their research has important implications for dental health.

Understanding the efficiency of various toothbrush technologies is essential for achieving optimal oral health. Dr Ralf Adam, who leads a dedicated team at Procter & Gamble in Germany, is keen to investigate the complexities of these technologies. His team have provided new insights into the best toothbrush types for plaque removal and the maintenance of gum health. By highlighting the importance of informed oral care decisions and ongoing investigations, this vital research works towards ensuring everyone can achieve a brighter, healthier smile.

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, and the need for new, more effective treatments remains an urgent challenge. Dr Toby Phesse from Cardiff University in the UK focuses on the role of the Wnt receptor found on the surface of cells and its involvement with cell communication and cancer growth, bringing fresh hopes for new therapeutic options.

Severe viral disease presents an ongoing challenge to the health of humankind. While unparalleled developments in science and technology are improving our understanding of such viruses, this information needs to be readily accessible to researchers to ensure continued progress in public health and healthcare. Dr Vijay Reddy and his colleagues at the Hormel Institute (University of Minnesota) developed the Virus World database, an invaluable resource that details the genome, structure, and host of practically every discovered virus to date.

Vitamin D has been studied as a treatment for a large number of diseases and conditions, from cancer to autism to COVID-19. However, its mode of action is not completely understood. Professor Ralf Herwig carries out his research at HG Pharma GmbH (Austria) and Ulster University (UK). His vital work explores the role of vitamin D in the body with a view to unlocking its potential as a treatment for a variety of health conditions involving the immune system.

Dr Yong Teng at the Emory University School of Medicine is working with colleagues to overcome the high mortality of individuals diagnosed with cancers affecting the head and neck. One of his approaches is based on understanding the particular mechanisms of the ATAD3A gene, which new insights suggest are closely related to cancers affecting the head and neck.

Professor Toni Miles has dedicated her research efforts to measuring bereavement and its impact on population health. Individual experience with bereavement is commonplace, but we know little about its impact on society when there is an instantaneous experience by a large number of individuals, i.e., mass bereavement. To measure its occurrence, her research with colleagues first confirmed that bereavement can be effectively measured in population surveys. Professor Miles argues that we should use such approaches to deliver interventions aiming to reduce the negative consequences of bereavement on individuals. By measuring bereavement in communities, these data become a cost-effective way to increase resilience, reduce demands on healthcare systems, and enhance public safety.

Imaging technologies are vital in modern medicine and have revolutionised how clinicians make diagnoses and monitor disease progression. However, the necessary equipment – such as a scanner for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – is very large and expensive, requiring patients to go to the scanner rather than receiving scans as bedside care. This takes up valuable staff time and resources, and can present further risks to patients. Dr Omar Islam from Queen’s University and Drs Aditya Bharatha and Amy Lin from the University of Toronto are showing how portable MRI scanners may offer a viable alternative that benefits patients and healthcare systems.