New saliva test can rapidly identify paracetamol overdose
- A research team led by the University of Liverpool has developed an innovative new technique that can rapidly assess paracetamol levels from saliva.
- The team demonstrates the clinical validity of a new mass spectrometry technology-based technique that can test a tiny drop of saliva on a piece of paper for levels of paracetamol.
- Called paper-arrow mass spectrometry (PA-MS), the patent pending technique was found to offer enhanced analytical performance while requiring less time, resources and clinical involvement than current clinical tests.
AI is trained to spot warning signs in blood tests
- This is the third feature in a six-part series from the BBC that is looking at how AI is changing medical research and treatments.
- New blood tests are emerging that use the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to spot signs of the cancer in its very early stages.
- And it’s not just cancer, AI can also speed up other blood tests for potentially deadly infections like pneumonia.
How does the public feel about health technologies and data?
- Public trust in the NHS with health data is high, despite debates in the media about data security.
- With around two-thirds of the public having either high or moderate levels of trust in the NHS with their health data, NHS organisations are well placed to communicate and engage with the public on topics around health data.
- Around half the public (51%) think technology improves the quality of health care, compared with just 8% who think it makes the quality of health care worse.
Counting What Matters: how to classify, account and track spending for prevention
- There has been widespread support for this shift in public services towards prevention enabled by a new accounting mechanism.
- However, concerns about both the feasibility of measuring preventative spending accurately and appropriately but also that ring-fencing alone may not lead to the desired improvements in outcomes and value for money.
- This paper explores the challenge of measurement. A second paper, looking at how to shift the culture of public bodies to think ‘prevention first’ and target spending at activities which are value for money and improve outcomes, is published alongside this
UKHSA Science: Securing Health and Prosperity – 2024 Review
- UKHSA set out its vision for securing health and prosperity in its Science Strategy published in May 2023.
- This review summarises progress with the implementation of the strategy and considers the impact of our science.
