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Newsletter from NIHR BRC: Birmingham: research news, events, and much more |
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Research news |
AI clinical support tool improved clinician decisions in real-world primary care trialA large real-world clinical trial has found that a generative AI-powered support tool used to support frontline clinicians was safe and improved the quality of clinical decision-making but did not significantly change short-term patient outcomes. |
Boosting lung defences may protect against respiratory viruses and future pandemicsResearchers from our BRC have been awarded £2.5million of funding from the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) to develop a new approach to protecting the lungs against respiratory viral infections. |
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Obesity leaves a lasting memory in immune cellsPeople who live with obesity are ‘tagging’ a memory of being overweight on a key part of the immune system – leaving people with ongoing risk of obesity-related conditions years after losing weight, according to a 10 year-long study. |
Genes link pancreatic cancer with obesity and diabetesNew research shows that the same genes are active in pancreatic cancer, obesity and diabetes, helping to explain why people with metabolic disease often face poorer cancer outcomes and pointing to future ways to predict recurrence and develop more targeted treatments. |
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Blocking hormone pathway protects against age‑related muscle lossNew research has identified a promising biological pathway that could be targeted to prevent muscle wastage, known clinically as sarcopenia, caused by ageing. |
Muscle loss in liver disease varies by underlying causeDifferent types of liver disease are leading to distinct signatures of muscle loss, according to a new study which could help pave the way for more personalised treatments for sarcopenia in people with end‑stage liver disease. |
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BRC researchers receive funding to improve cancer patients’ livesResearchers supported by our BRC have secured funding for two new projects to better understand and reduce the side effects of cancer immunotherapy – helping patients to live better during and after treatment. |
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Accolades for our Birmingham expertsJoin us in celebrating recent achievements by our researchers, recognising their leadership and impact across clinical practice, research and health policy: |
Professor Elizabeth Sapey, co-lead of our Infection and Acute Care theme, on being elected as the President of the Association of Physicians of Great Britain & Ireland |
Professor Alastair Denniston, co-lead of our Data, Diagnostics and Decision Tools theme, on being recognised as #7 in the Health Service Journal’s “50 most influential people for NHS tech in 2026”, elected as Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, and appointed as lead for the NIHR Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme. |
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Blogs |
PhD Perspectives: Understanding muscle loss in inflammatory diseaseIn our new PhD Perspectives blog series, we share the research journeys of our BRC-funded PhD students. The first post features Ana Crastin, from our Sarcopenia & Multimorbidity theme, who explores her PhD research on understanding muscle loss in inflammatory disease. |
Public contributor spotlight: Flic’s takeAt the NIHR BRC: Birmingham, we work with patient and public contributors across a range of health conditions. But who are they, and what is it like to get involved in research as a member of the public? To find out, read this piece authored by our public contributor, Flic Gaete. |
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Events |
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The thyroid–miscarriage connection: New research and hope for the future30 June | 6–7pm | Online
How might thyroid health be linked to miscarriage – even when tests appear normal? Join our next research talk with Dr Rima Dhillon‑Smith from our Women's Metabolic Health theme to explore new research aiming to guide future care for women and families. |
In the media |
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Over the last few months, our research has been making headlines across national and international media: Genes link pancreatic cancer with obesity and diabetes: Medical Xpress - Metrópoles (Brazil) and many more Obesity leaves a lasting memory in immune cells: Daily Mail - La Repubblica - Forschung und Wissen and 300+ more Muscle loss in liver disease varies by underlying cause: Knowridge - Medical Xpress and more |
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Feedback or suggestions to share? Please get in touch at birminghambrc@uhb.nhs.uk. |
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