COVID infections in UK fall to lowest level since October 2021
- The ONS stated that fewer than a million people had the virus in the last week of August, approximately one in 70
- The represents a massive fall from mid-July, when one in 15 people had COVID
- This comes at a time when the booster jab rollout has begun – with care home residents the first to be protected
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-62876420
Results from Galleri blood test for cancer hugely promising
- The much-vaunted Galleri blood test has yielded excellent results following a Pathfinder study which tested 6,600 adults aged 50 or over.
- 92 new cases, many at an early and treatable stage, were picked up and three-quarters were not routinely screened for
- NHS England are currently trialing the test with 165,000 participants, with results expected next year
(Paywall) Hunt begins for genes to unlock mystery of ME
- A Times piece that examines the search for a genetic link to ME
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hunt-begins-genes-unlock-mystery-me-gxnk32lfb
Breath sampling device proven to be 100% effective
- The PBM-HALE device can study deep lung infections by collecting aerosol from patients’ breath, preventing the need for invasive diagnostic interventions
- Results show that it had 100% accuracy when testing for COVID-19
Empowering people across integrated care systems through digital technology
- A fantastic article which examines the immense benefit that digital technology can have for patients
NIHR revamp to go ahead in 2024
- The NIHR’s Clinical Research Networks are set to be renamed NIHR Research Delivery Networks (RDN) to better reflect the scope of their work
- The networks will seek to support critical clinical trials and patient studies
- England will be supported via 12 delivery networks, working with the national Coordinating Centre to establish a collaborative RDN leadership function so the regional networks can work together to impart their vision across the nation
https://www.nationalhealthexecutive.com/articles/nihr-set-research-revamp-2024
Study finds new biomarker for heart failure
- Levels of endotrophin, a protein fragment, in the blood can be used as a reliable biomarker for common heart failure, a study has shown
- Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have stated that testing for endotrophin levels could be a standard part of a cardiologist’s armoury in future, particularly for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)
- Companies are now working to develop an endotrophin blood test for possible future use in assessing HFpEF patients
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-09-prognostic-biomarker-heart-failure.html
