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1 month ago | 
nursinginpractice.com | Carolyn Scott |Helen Quinn
A study found that smoking rates in the North of England have declined faster than in other regions, narrowing the gap in smoking prevalence across the country. Researchers at University College London (UCL) say that smoking rates in the North are now as low as in the South. They found that regions such as the North East, which had ‘sustained tobacco control activity’ programmes encouraging people to quit, saw the greatest reductions in smoking. The findings are published in Addiction.
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1 month ago | 
nursinginpractice.com | Carolyn Scott |Helen Quinn
Only around one in ten non-surgical and non-interventional treatments for lower back pain are effective, a research study has suggested. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can be effective for acute low back pain. Exercise, spinal manipulation therapy, and some medications, such as antidepressants and TRPV1 agonists, may also be effective for chronic low back pain.
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1 month ago | 
nursinginpractice.com | Carolyn Scott |Helen Quinn
A study exploring adolescent girls’ perspectives on the factors driving their high rates of low mood and anxiety found that gendered expectations, academic pressure, and peer relationships are among the interconnected factors contributing to their increased risk compared to their male counterparts. Researchers from the University of Manchester set out to examine the reasons behind why young girls are experiencing high rates of anxiety and low moods.
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1 month ago | 
nursinginpractice.com | Carolyn Scott |Helen Quinn
A new study has found that the results of a lung function test, commonly used to help diagnose asthma, can vary according to the time of day and season of the year. Researchers at the University of Cambridge showed that positive bronchodilator response (BDR) was more likely to occur in the morning and gradually decreased throughout the day. In addition, positive BDRs were also more frequently observed during winter compared to the rest of the year. The findings are published in Thorax.
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1 month ago | 
healthcareleadernews.com | Helen Quinn |Beth Gault
As the UK’s first clinical professor of AI in radiotherapy, Professor Raj Jena talks to Helen Quinn about the impact of artificial intelligence and deep learning tools on radiotherapy and patient care, the opportunities and challenges he’s hoping to tackle in his new role, and the broader potential of AI in healthcare. Put simply, artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform healthcare.
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1 month ago | 
nursinginpractice.com | Carolyn Scott |Helen Quinn
UK benefits claimants report feelings of moderate to severe depression at twice the rate of the general public, a new study reports. Researchers at the King’s College London (KCL) found that levels of mental distress are ‘extremely high’ amongst people claiming benefits. Nearly half (43 per cent) of claimants reported thoughts that they would be better off dead or of self-harm in the last fortnight.
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1 month ago | 
nursinginpractice.com | Carolyn Scott |Helen Quinn
The Collaboration for Health Equity in Scotland has launched a new initiative this week to tackle health inequalities across the country. Over the next two years, the partnership will work to improve health and well-being in three Scottish regions: Aberdeen City, North Ayrshire, and South Lanarkshire. Researchers from University College London (UCL) will work with Public Health Scotland (PHS) and local councils to implement plans and bring about positive health changes.
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Jan 24, 2025 | 
nursinginpractice.com | Carolyn Scott |Helen Quinn
Good physical fitness combined with muscular strength could reduce cancer patient deaths, a recent study suggests. Researchers suggest that tailored exercise plans may prolong life for people living with cancer and boost their chances of survival. The study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine could have implications for clinical practice, with muscle strength exercises employed to increase life expectancy.
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Jan 16, 2025 | 
nursinginpractice.com | Carolyn Scott |Helen Quinn
Contraception trends among women seeking abortion in England and Wales show a shift away from more reliable hormone-based methods to other methods, such as ‘natural contraception’ over the last five years. Research published in the journal BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health found the use of the Pill, mini Pill, implants, patches, and vaginal rings has given way to other methods, such as period tracking apps, that highlight monthly peak fertility or ovulation time.
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Jan 9, 2025 | 
nursinginpractice.com | Carolyn Scott |Helen Quinn
Specific combinations of long-term health conditions are linked to a worse quality of life and should be taken into account when assessing patients, a new UK-wide study suggests. Research led by the University of Glasgow identified 24 clusters of multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) which, when occurring in specific combinations, such as chronic pain, depression and cardiovascular disease, alongside other long-term health conditions, are associated with a reduced quality of life.
