University of Oxford

The PROTEUS trial in 20 UK hospitals found no significant differences in using AI for stress echocardiogram diagnosis, but AI improved decision-making for less experienced clinicians and in complex clinical sub-groups, potentially leveling accuracy across all clinicians.

The Council on Strategic Risks (CSR) has selected nine individuals for its Mid-Career Biodefense Bootcamp Fellowship, aiming to enhance biosecurity and reduce biological threats. Fellows will engage in virtual training, mentorship, and in-person exchanges with experts, focusing on biological threat reduction and policy development for a safer world in life sciences.

Over 55 million people have dementia, expected to triple by 2050. Addressing 14 risk factors, including high cholesterol and vision loss, could prevent or delay 45% of cases. Recommendations include education, exercise, and managing health conditions. Public health actions and lifestyle changes are crucial for prevention and management.

2024 highlights 11 pivotal clinical trials across diseases like cancer, malaria, and HIV, and tech advancements in AI and stem cell therapy, showing promising results. Key studies include a breast cancer treatment with a 73.3% response rate, a malaria vaccine with 78% efficacy, and AI for early lung cancer detection, aiming to significantly impact future medicine.

IntraBio's NDA for IB1001, targeting Niemann-Pick disease Type C, accepted by FDA with priority review. PDUFA date set for September 24, 2024. Based on positive Phase 3 trial results showing improved symptoms and quality of life. Raised $40M for commercialization pending approval.

Global vaccine safety study links COVID-19 vaccines to small increases in rare neurological, blood, and heart-related conditions, including heart inflammation from mRNA vaccines and brain blood clots from viral-vector vaccines.

CUHK fosters global research collaborations to enhance its international profile and advance research. Key partnerships include Baylor College of Medicine for medical genetics, ETH Zurich for healthcare innovation, Imperial College London for healthcare solutions, LMU Munich for medical research, The University of Manchester for diverse research areas, The University of Queensland for health engineering, The University of Sydney for various research fields, University of Exeter for environmental sustainability, University of Oxford for neuroscience and public health, and University of Southampton for stem cell research.

AI and automation are transforming healthcare work, focusing on augmenting rather than replacing jobs. Technologies can substitute, supersede, support, or strengthen tasks, enabling staff to focus on higher-value activities. A proactive approach, involving staff in technology development and adapting roles, is crucial for leveraging technology to improve healthcare work and patient care.

Delaying fatherhood carries consequences, with evidence showing older fathers face increased risks of infertility, children with autism, schizophrenia, and leukaemia. Sperm quality declines with age, affecting conception rates and increasing genetic mutations in offspring. Despite men's ability to reproduce later in life, the risks to children's health rise with paternal age.

MitoRx Therapeutics appoints Christine Charman as Chief Development Officer, David Richardson as Finance Director, and four experts to its Scientific Advisory Board: Prof Chas Bountra, Prof Dame Kay Davies, Prof Laurent Servais, and Dr Bernd C Schwahn. These appointments aim to advance the company's mission to develop treatments for diseases caused by mitochondrial dysfunction.