RECENT NEWS

Researchers in Japan have explored whether taking probiotics early in pregnancy could help reduce the risk of spontaneous preterm delivery (sPTD). In a multicentre clinical trial, women who consumed probiotics containing Clostridium butyricum showed lower recurrence rates compared with national averages, suggesting that probiotic therapy may offer a simple strategy to help prevent premature births.

​A new scientific study, published in 'Nature Health', reveals a strong link between exposure to agricultural pesticides in the environment and the risk of developing cancer.

New figures published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that sexually transmitted Shigella cases in England continue to occur at high levels with 2,560 diagnoses in 2025 – a rise from 2,052 in 2023 and 2,318 in 2024.

A team from Geneva has designed a molecular system that distinguishes and neutralises cancer cells with unprecedented precision, paving the way for autonomous, self-regulating drugs.

Higher fat content in the pancreas of children and adolescents with obesity is associated with an increased level of heart and metabolic risk factors, including higher than average body mass index (BMI), elevated diastolic blood pressure, higher levels of abdominal and liver fat, and insulin resistance, according to new research being presented at this year’s European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Istanbul, Turkey (12-15 May).

People who get just a few minutes of vigorous activity daily are less likely to develop eight major diseases, including arthritis, heart disease and dementia, according to research published in the European Heart Journal.

Using artificial intelligence tools to read thousands of chest X-rays and prioritise abnormal ones did not lead to faster lung cancer diagnoses, according to a new study. The research was led by researchers from the University of Nottingham, Nottingham University Hospitals, University College London (UCL) and University College London Hospitals (UCLH).

Velindre University NHS Trust has become the first healthcare organisation globally – and the first NHS Trust, specialist cancer service, and blood service – to achieve the ISO 56001 Innovation Management certification alongside the BSI Innovation Management Kitemark.

The Manchester Diagnostic Suite, a specialist diagnostic service located at Citylabs 1.0 next to the Manchester Royal Infirmary, has been named as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This is the highest rating clinical services can receive and provides independent assurance of the exceptional quality of care delivered to patients across Greater Manchester.

Using cholesterol-lowering medications more intensively to achieve a more aggressive target for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduced the rate of major cardiovascular events by one-third among patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).

Scientists have proven that a wildflower steeped in folklore for its medicinal powers has genuine healing qualities – and the potential to help combat antibiotic resistance. Tormentil, a yellow wildflower found in heath and boglands in the UK, Ireland and across Europe, can inhibit the growth of one of the world’s most deadly pathogens.

Project MinE, an international consortium co-founded by researchers at King’s College London, has identified new genetic variants that play a role in the development of motor neuron disease (MND). These findings mean that a genetic component is identifiable for 1 in 4 people with MND, a sizeable increase from previous estimates of 1 in 5.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) has made anti-racism a central commitment to its ongoing reviews of the Code and Revalidation process – two regulatory tools which shape nursing and midwifery practice in all settings across the four countries of the UK.

Following concerns raised by the General Medical Council (GMC) about postgraduate exam errors, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges recently published new guidance on ways royal colleges can strengthen quality assurance in their exams.

​Almost two thirds of NHS consultants are keen to work for the NHS’s online hospital when the service launches next year, a new poll has revealed. Six in ten consultants (60%) said they would be interested in working for NHS Online alongside their current NHS roles – many more than will be needed to run the service.

Men will be given greater support to live longer, healthier lives through a new multi-million-pound partnership with Movember and People’s Health Trust. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) will join forces with the charities to support community-led men’s health projects and tackle health inequalities.

People who have had a heart attack, stroke, or serious circulation problem in their legs, and who also carry excess weight, can now be offered a weekly injection to help protect them from a further life-threatening event, NICE has said.

The launch of Scotland’s new AI strategy represents ‘a challenging crossroads for healthcare decision-makers,’ insists a leading innovation agency.

​Vitamin D supplementation may help shape how the immune system responds to gut bacteria in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), according to the latest research. The study findings offer new insights into how the immune system and gut microbiome interact in this chronic condition and point to potential new therapeutic strategies.

Women who consistently met physical activity guidelines throughout middle age had half the risk of dying from any cause compared to women who remained inactive, according to new research by Binh Nguyen and colleagues, of the University of Sydney, Australia.