University Of Birmingham

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are common and can be severe, but diagnosis often requires specialized equipment and medical professionals. Antonio Belli, a neurosurgeon, explored using saliva as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for TBI. Saliva contains biomarkers like small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) that can indicate brain health. Belli's research with rugby players found that sncRNA levels in saliva could differentiate between those with and without concussions. Marker Diagnostics is developing a saliva-based TBI test that could be available to consumers next year, aiming for quick results and broader applicability beyond athletes.

The IOTA ADNEX ultrasound test detected 96% of ovarian cancers in postmenopausal women, outperforming current U.K. standards, according to a study published in Lancet Oncology. The study recommends the IOTA ADNEX model as the new standard of care, emphasizing its high sensitivity and the need for specialized training for sonographers.

Mike Peters, frontman of The Alarm, diagnosed with aggressive Richter’s syndrome, saw his cancer disappear after participating in a clinical trial combining acalabrutinib with chemotherapy at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. Now in complete remission, he plans to undergo a donor stem cell transplant for a chance at a cure.

Melbourne researchers created blood stem cells resembling human ones, potentially enabling personalized treatments for children with leukaemia and bone marrow failure. The lab-grown cells, developed by Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, can be transplanted into immune-deficient mice, mimicking successful umbilical cord blood cell transplants. This breakthrough could address donor shortages and prevent complications from mismatched transplants.

CERN's NA62 experiment observed a rare kaon decay, 50% more frequent than predicted by the Standard Model, hinting at potential new physics. The experiment aims to confirm or refute this deviation.

Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence (AIME) launched at Aston University with a £10 million grant, focusing on collaborative science across biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. AIME aims to develop biomimetic membranes for water purification, therapeutic nanoparticles, and drug target identification, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration.

The TRIPOD+AI update provides harmonised guidance for reporting prediction model studies, superseding TRIPOD 2015, to accommodate AI and machine learning methods. The new 27-item checklist aims for complete, accurate, and transparent reporting, facilitating study appraisal and model implementation.