Health and medicine press releases

Experts in Sport: Improving global child health and nutrition

In this episode of the Experts in Sport podcast, Paula Griffiths (Professor of Population Health) and Emily Rousham (Professor of Global Public Health) sit down with host Martin Foster to discuss their research, focusing on the health and nutrition challenges that lower and middle-income countries experience.

An image of a human on some weighing scales

Body mass index: why practitioners are relying on it less when looking at a patient’s health

Body mass index has long been used by doctors as the standard method for measuring health – and often still is. But earlier this month, the American Medical Association (AMA) adopted a new policy that cautions medical professionals from using the body mass index (BMI) as a stand-alone clinical tool during patient consultations. In 2022, England’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) also made similar changes to obesity guidelines, recommending that waist-to-hip ratio be used alongside BMI.

Fruits spelling 'keto'

Keto diet may slow cancer tumour growth in mice – but not without potentially deadly consequences

The ketogenic (keto) diet has been popular in recent years among people looking to lose weight and keep fit. But what many people don’t realise is that this low carb, high-fat diet has actually been used for centuries in the treatment of medical maladies, such as epilepsy. More recently, researchers have been investigating its use alongside chemotherapy to improve remission and survival in patients with advanced metastatic cancers.

Loughborough to host discussion with MPs on concussion in British wrestling

Experts and Members of Parliament are due to join together at Loughborough University this month for a discussion about the dangers of concussions and head injuries in wrestling.
Woman with eyes closed and a vector of a brain overlaying the photo. Image courtesy of Getty Images.

Technology is radically changing sleep as we know it

From sleep trackers to wakefulness drugs, the 21st century has seen an influx of new technology that could radically alter the way we sleep.
The researchers’ small molecule probe binding to 5-PP-InsP5 and emitting bright red light. Image generated by Dr Felix Plasser, Loughborough University.

Scientists develop probe that could unlock the mysteries of a vital cellular messenger and pave the way for new drug discoveries

A ground-breaking study by Loughborough University and the University of Oxford has led to the development of a small molecule probe that could deepen our understanding of a crucial cellular messenger and lead to the development of new therapeutic drugs.
Dr Joan Fitzpatrick

Raising children in the 16th century: Parenting tips you may (not) want to try

“Children should be seen and not heard”, “we didn’t raise children like that in my day”, “children today don’t have any manners or respect”.

How can toys, games and apps help children strengthen their emotional intelligence?

Researchers are attempting to design toys to boost young children’s emotional intelligence to help them better handle their feelings and improve their interaction with others.
An old person holding hands with a robot arm

New project to create friendly robotic service to support elderly people

A friendly robotic service for preventative care amongst older adults at risk of frailty is to be developed as part of a new collaborative project involving Loughborough University.

Unhealthy exercise attitudes and behaviours in young people linked to parental and peer expectations

Young people’s exercise attitudes and habits are influenced by parents, peers and fitness tracker goals as they strive to achieve the bodies they see on social media.

Respiratory disease in early childhood linked to higher risk of death in adulthood

Contracting a lower respiratory tract infection in early childhood is associated with a higher risk of dying from respiratory disease as an adult, according to new research.
El Morgan

How nuns’ urine, frogs, and hamsters are helping me make sense of my relationship with my frozen embryos and view IVF differently

If you walk into El Morgan’s solo exhibition at the Castlefield Gallery you’ll be met by a bubbling cauldron of fake urine, pictures of frogs that birth young through their backs, and maggots dancing to swan lake.
An elderly person is supported by a care worker

Could memory-based theatre therapy help prevent undernutrition in older adults?

A new Loughborough University research programme will examine if a type of memory-based theatre therapy can be used to prevent and treat undernutrition in care home residents.
children in a PE lesson

Support needed to enhance PE provision for young people not in mainstream schooling – new study

New research has found that physical education (PE) provision away from the mainstream schooling system may not be supporting young people as effectively as it might, leading to them potentially missing out on positive developmental opportunities.

a pregnancy kit

New research to offer guidance to athletes supporting pregnant partners

Researchers from Loughborough University will spearhead a new project looking at how athletes can better support their partners throughout pregnancy.

Five reasons physical activity is important for cancer patients

You might know that physical activity can help lower your risk of getting many common types of cancer. But what many of us don’t realise is just how important physical activity is if you’ve been diagnosed with cancer.

Watching your weight? You may only need to make small changes to your daily routine

Losing weight is one of the most popular new year’s resolutions, yet it is one which most of us struggle to achieve. By the time the second or third week of January rolls around, many of us are finding it harder to stick with the lifestyle changes needed to lose, or at least maintain, our weight.

How weightlifting saved me – going from fear and anxiety to international sport and medals

Syuhaidah Ahman took up weightlifting while at Loughborough University to help her cope when her self-esteem plummeted.

COVID in 2023 and beyond – why virus trends are more difficult to predict three years on

In 2020, we knew very little about the novel virus that was to become known as COVID-19. Now, as we enter 2023, a search of Google Scholar produces around five million results containing the term.

Activity “Advent calendar” could help boost activity and cut sitting time

A Christmas themed physical activity intervention during Advent shows promise for increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary time among inactive adults, finds a trial by Loughborough University.

Procrastination: the cognitive biases that enable it – and why it’s sometimes useful

Are you procrastinating? I am. I have been delaying writing this article for the last few days even though I knew I had a deadline. I have scrolled through social media, and I have gone down a rabbit hole looking up houses on Rightmove – even though I do not need a new house.
Illustration of a woman in a pink jumper sat cross-legged, meditating.

Exercise toolkit looks to improve physical and mental wellbeing of patients in secure psychiatric facilities

A new physical activity toolkit for patients and staff in secure services has been launched by Loughborough University academics.

cartoon veg

Struggling to get your children to eat enough veg? Loughborough researchers may have the answer!

Many parents will know all too well the struggle with encouraging children to eat more vegetables.

New multimillion investment in Leicester to help turn research discoveries into treatments for patients

Pioneering research into medical advancements in Leicester has received a welcome boost today, as the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) announces £26 million over the next five years for an NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).

Triage by telemedicine – Loughborough research directs healthcare policy in Brazil

Loughborough’s research into video consultations has helped shape healthcare policy in Brazil after COVID-19 put unsustainable pressure on hospitals and doctors’ surgeries during the pandemic.