Research funded and supported by the NIHR has revealed that symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be caused by the same biological processes as mental health conditions such as anxiety. IBS is a common condition worldwide, affecting around 1 in 10 people. The condition causes a wide ... READ MORE
News for Translational Data Science
RECOVERY Trial paper wins BMJ’s Research Paper of the Year Award
The RECOVERY Trial, the world’s largest randomised trial of potential COVID-19 treatments, has been announced as the 2021 winner of The British Medical Journal’s prestigious UK Research Paper of the Year Award. The award recognises original UK research that has the potential to ... READ MORE
Lowering blood pressure still beneficial for the heart in old age
Oxford University researchers have found that blood pressure medication is still effective at reducing the risk of a heart attack and stroke in old age, even if blood pressure is in an apparently healthy range. The research by Professor Kazem Rahimi, who is supported by the NIHR Oxford ... READ MORE
Vaccination still best protection, but less effective against Delta variant, study finds
The latest findings of an ongoing national study of COVID-19 immunity in households across the UK has found that the Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines offer good protection against new infections of the Delta variant of concern, but that effectiveness is reduced compared with the Alpha ... READ MORE
BRC-supported study receives Best Research Paper Award
A leading cardiology journal has named an academic paper written by Oxford BRC-supported researchers as its best research paper of 2020. The paper – which found that two common heart medication do not increase the risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation – was named by the BMJ Heart journal as the ... READ MORE
Liver problems common among COVID-19 patients, study finds
A study by Oxford University researchers has found that liver problems are common among patients with COVID-19. Patient data revealed that baseline hypoalbuminemia (an possible indication that the liver is producing low levels of albumin) and rising alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which can be a ... READ MORE
COVID-19 risk prediction tool wins national award
A COVID-19 risk prediction tool, developed with support from the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) has won the Florence Nightingale Award for Excellence in Healthcare Data Analytics. The QCovid® COVID-19 Population Risk Assessment tool was developed by a cross-organisational team and ... READ MORE
Antiviral drug could be given to more chronic hepatitis B patients, study finds
A study by Oxford University researchers has found that the antiviral drug TDF may benefit a greater number of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus, and that those who are untreated may be at greater risk of liver inflammation and fibrosis. The research was carried out under the auspices of ... READ MORE
“Modest” increase in heart attack hospitalisation rates after years of decline
The burden of hospital admission rates due to heart attacks in England rose between 2012 and 2016, despite decades of falling rates, new research suggests. The researchers also found that after 2010-2011, admission rates increased in most age groups. Young women aged 35 to 49 and even younger ... READ MORE
RECOVERY Trial identifies another effective COVID-19 treatment
The RECOVERY Trial, the world’s largest randomised trial of potential COVID-19 treatments, has found that a monoclonal antibody combination developed by US company Regeneron reduces deaths for hospitalised COVID-19 patients who have not mounted their own immune response. The ... READ MORE
BRC-supported researchers recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours
A number of NIHR Oxford BRC-supported researchers who have played prominent roles in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic have been honoured as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. The researchers, who have developed new vaccines or identified new drug treatments, have saved many ... READ MORE
RECOVERY trial finds aspirin does not improve survival for hospitalised COVID-19 patients
The RECOVERY Trial, the world’s largest randomised trial of potential COVID-19 treatments, has found that in patients hospitalised with COVID-19, aspirin is not associated with reductions in mortality or in the risk of progressing to invasive mechanical ventilation or death. In ... READ MORE
Artificial intelligence tool for streamlining pathology workflow
A multidisciplinary team comprising University of Oxford academics and Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) pathologists has developed an algorithm that automates requests for additional investigation of diagnostically uncertain prostate biopsies. The team were supported by the NIHR Oxford BRC ... READ MORE
Trial finds no benefit from using colchicine in hospitalised COVID-19 patients
The RECOVERY Trial, the world’s largest randomised trial of potential COVID-19 treatments, has found no evidence that that the drug colchicine has any meaningful clinical benefits for patients hospitalised with COVID-19. Colchicine is used to treat inflammation and pain in ... READ MORE
BRC researcher receives national infection prevention award
An NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre researcher who has played a leading role in Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS Foundation Trust’s COVID-19 staff testing programme is to receive a national award. Dr David Eyre (pictured) has been named as the recipient of the Healthcare Infection ... READ MORE
Oxford BRC researchers named among new Academy of Medical Sciences fellows
A number of leading researchers supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre are among 50 prominent biomedical and health scientists elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences’ respected and influential Fellowship. The new Fellows include Oxford BRC experts who have spearheaded the ... READ MORE
Data reveals COVID-19 risk factors for people with type 1 diabetes
The largest study of people with type 1 diabetes admitted to hospital with COVID-19 has found that those with higher body mass index (BMI), poorer kidney function and the presence of microvascular complications were at greater risk of death and/or admission to intensive care. However, the ... READ MORE
Study highlights role of BMI in increased COVID-19 risks
A study by University of Oxford researchers has found that the risk of admission to hospital, admission to ICU or death from COVID-19 increases progressively above a ‘normal’ BMI of 23, even without other comorbidities. The research team, who are supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research ... READ MORE
National survey reveals big reductions in COVID-19 infections with single dose of Oxford-AZ and Pfizer vaccines
Data from the national COVID-19 Infection Survey, which is led by senior NIHR Oxford BRC researcher Professor Sarah Walker, has revealed the impact of vaccination on antibody responses and new infections in a large group of adults from the general population. This major community surveillance ... READ MORE
New clinical prediction tools for myeloma developed
University of Oxford researchers have developed new clinical prediction models for use in primary care with the aim of accelerating the diagnosis of myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow. Myeloma caused 117,077 deaths worldwide in 2020. Earlier diagnosis improves the rate of survival but ... READ MORE