Health and medicine news

Aardman animated characters

Loughborough academics join forces with Aardman to tackle mental health crisis

Young people struggling with mental health issues arising from challenges such as loneliness, perfectionism and competitiveness, will be supported by a series of new animated films and companion website.
Colleagues from Loughborough University and the English Institute of Sport (EIS) will collaborate on a new study to investigate the mental health and wellbeing challenges faced by Para athletes.

New study to investigate the mental health and wellbeing challenges of elite Para athletes

Colleagues from Loughborough University and the English Institute of Sport (EIS) will collaborate on a new study to investigate the mental health and wellbeing challenges faced by Para athletes.

living neuronal cell circuits grown in the lab

Stem cell AI: Loughborough part of £3m ‘brain on a chip’ project that aims to revolutionise computing power

Loughborough University scientists have started work on a project that will see human brain stem cells used to power artificial intelligence (AI) devices and bring about a revolution in computing.
the latest experts in sport podcast looks at exercise and cancer

Experts in Sport: Insight into the relationship between exercise and cancer

This week’s Experts in Sport podcast takes a closer look at the relationship between exercise and cancer.

Biofilm rendering off Getty

FEATURE: Corals, wound infection detection, and theoretical physics...exploring how Loughborough academics are tackling major issues related to biofilms

Biofilms are central to our most important global challenges, from antimicrobial resistance and food safety to water security, and they have a significant economic, social, and environmental impact.
Hand sprinkling salt

A dash of salt could revolutionise drug delivery and bio-analysis, experts suggest after developing new mechanism that can trap submicron particles in minutes

A spoonful of sugar may make the medicine go down, but a new Loughborough-led study suggests a dash of salt is key to progressing important medical areas such as drug delivery and biological sample analysis.

Woman holding 'we need a change' sign. Getty

Only 12% of sexual offence victims feel police investigations are fair and proportionate, new study reveals

Only one in five victims of sexual offences in England and Wales were satisfied with their criminal justice experience, a new Loughborough-led study has revealed.

It’s not just you – work during COVID has become much harder

The pandemic has seriously altered how we work. According to statistics published by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in September 2020, US$35 trillion (£26 trillion) has been lost globally in labour income. There has also been an estimated loss of 17% of working hours worldwide since 2019, with young people and women being hit hardest. And many of those still in jobs are working under very different conditions.
Iwona, the ECR Award winner.

Elsevier and US-UK Fulbright Commission announce Loughborough University academic as winner of Early Career Researcher Award

A Loughborough University academic in the Department of Geography and Environment has been named as one of the 2020 winners of the prestigious Early Career Researcher (ECR) UK Awards.

Standing desks: School children choose to stand in class when given the opportunity, new study finds

Providing a standing desk to every primary school child in a UK classroom can reduce sitting time throughout most of the academic year, according to a new study.
a brain

New study to explore the psychosocial impact of physical challenge

It is widely understood that the more a muscle is challenged, the stronger it gets.

Loughborough research leads to potential Covid-19 diagnosis with a non-invasive breath test that provides almost instant results

Initial findings from a new study led by Loughborough University – published by The Lancet – have shown how Covid-19 can be detected via a non-invasive breath test, providing almost instant results.
experts in sport main picture

Experts in Sport: Disordered eating - just how common is it in elite level sport?

Former England cricketer Freddie Flintoff’s recent BBC documentary ‘Living with Bulimia’ sparked conversations regarding eating disorders, particularly amongst elite level athletes. But how commonplace are such health challenges?

someone struggling with fitness

Lost your motivation to work out? Here’s why – and how to get back on track

In the early phases of lockdown, the streets were teeming with runners and living rooms were a blur of uncoordinated star jumps and lunges. In fact, physical activity levels in the UK peaked around mid-to-late May, just before lockdown restrictions began to be eased. Now, after months of fluctuating social restrictions, many people are reporting on social media that they’ve suddenly lost their motivation to exercise.

International initiative aimed at reducing the use of biomass for cooking awards £826,000 to 14 new projects

More than £800,000 has been awarded to 14 innovative projects around the globe which aim to reduce the reliance of cooking with charcoal, wood and other biomass fuels.

Life beyond COVID-19: What are Loughborough’s experts concerned about?

Loughborough academics have voiced their concerns about the impact of coronavirus as part of a new UK Parliament report.
vector of a man running

Buttock size matters: Researchers reveal a large gluteus maximus is key for sprint speed and performance after examining the anatomy of elite athletes

A Loughborough University study examining the muscle size of elite sprinters has revealed a large gluteus maximus (the muscle that forms the backside) is key to achieving top speeds on the track.

New study aims to improve the health and wellbeing of professional wrestlers

A unique project will bring academics and professional wrestlers together to address serious issues around health and wellbeing.

Nearly half the world’s population still lacks access to modern energy cooking services – new report

Four billion people around the world still lack access to clean, efficient, convenient, safe, reliable, and affordable cooking energy, according to a new report.

New toolkit to help employees return to work following sick leave during Covid-19 pandemic

Loughborough University has created a new toolkit for businesses based in the Midlands, which offers free resources and support to manage the return to work of employees on sick leave during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Illustration of pregnant woman

The emotional stress caused by COVID-19 will lead to smaller babies being born, predicts Loughborough scientist

Being pregnant is a wonderful experience, but at the same it can be incredibly stressful – throw a global pandemic into the mix and those nine months may see an expecting mother go from happy and joyful, to fearful and concerned.

London city landscape

Is humanity doomed because we can’t plan for the long term? Three experts discuss

While the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are still unclear, it is certain that they are a profound shock to the systems underpinning contemporary life.

Swimming makes you hungrier – new study

Running, cycling and resistance exercise have all been shown to decrease appetite.
A kidney

Loughborough academics support online wellbeing resource for those with kidney disease

Academics at Loughborough University have supported an online wellbeing platform, launched by Kidney Research UK, for patients at all stages of kidney disease.

A person receiving rehab

Academic experts come together to push forward innovation in clinical rehabilitation

COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of effective rehabilitation post serious illness or injury – saving lives is only one part of an overall care journey which necessarily needs good rehabilitation if a patient is to stand a chance of returning to their former selves.