Big data and AI are being used to improve care for arthritis. Southampton researchers are part of a new international partnership, known as PROBE . This aims to revolutionise the way osteoarthritis is understood, diagnosed and treated. Professor Nicholas Harvey, Dr Leo Westbury and Dr Elizabeth Curtis are involved in the major new initiative. All three are researchers at Southampton’s MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre (LEC). They are also part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedi

Professor Keith Godfrey has been honoured with the 2025 David Barker Award. The David Barker Award recognises outstanding contributions to medical research. Each year it is presented to a long-serving consultant at University Hospital Southampton (UHS). In receiving the prize, Professor Godfrey praised his late mentor David Barker, who inspired his journey into research. Globally leading clinical academic Professor Godfrey is Professor of Epidemiology and Human Development at

A UK study has shown that a vaccine can protect people against paratyphoid fever. Paratyphoid fever affects over two million people globally each year. Yet no licensed vaccine is currently available. The clinical trial involved six UK sites, including University Hospital Southampton. Volunteers took part locally at the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility (CRF). The new oral vaccine was shown to provide significant protection. There weren’t any safety concerns. ‘Major

Southampton researchers have co-developed new national guidelines on preparing patients for cancer treatments. Prehabilitation prepares people physically and mentally for cancer treatments. It ensures they are as healthy as possible beforehand. This is achieved through exercise, a healthy diet and psychological support. Research shows that people with cancer who have prehabilitation have better treatment outcomes. This includes fewer complications, a faster recovery and short

Over three-quarters of people around the world are not eating the recommended intake of omega-3, new research shows. Southampton researchers have found 76 percent of people worldwide are not meeting recommended intakes of two omega-3s, EPA and DHA. The review was a collaboration between researchers at the University of Southampton, University of East Anglia and Holland & Barrett. It is the first global review of national and international omega-3 intake recommendations across

A human challenge trial has shown a new vaccine could offer better protection against whooping cough.   This follows a new report that highlights that 2024 whooping cough numbers were at their worst in 30 years.   Whooping cough is a serious and sometimes deadly disease. It affects millions of people worldwide each year.   Vaccines for whooping cough are already part of routine childhood immunisations in the UK. However they don’t provide lifelong protection. They also don’t

Southampton researchers are leading an international project on a potential new treatment for a serious threat in hospitals. They have found it in a surprising location - hospital toilets. The team have comprehensively catalogued a new collection of bacteria-eating viruses called phages. They have sourced these, in part, from hospital wastewater. These phages could potentially be used to treat one of the world’s most dangerous hospital superbugs. Serious threat to patients Th

Left to right: James Allen, UHS Chief Pharmacist, Prof Cathy McKenzie, Professor of Intensive Care Pharmacy, and Prof Mike Grocott, Director of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre Southampton researchers are leading a new trial to see if giving certain patients vitamin B1 reduces the chances of delirium during intensive care. Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) often experience a syndrome called delirium. This causes hallucinations and can make patients very

Professor Tristan Clark is one of six new outstanding research leaders chosen to address urgent health challenges in the UK. He has been appointed as an NIHR Research Professor. The  Professorship will provide up to £2 million to deliver ambitious, translational research. Professor Clark is a leading expert in infectious diseases. His research is reducing unnecessary antibiotic use in acute respiratory infection through rapid diagnostic tests. He is a professor at the Univer

When emergencies happen, swift and safe blood transfusion is vital. Road accidents and heavy bleeding around childbirth are common in countries such as Ghana in West Africa. However, blood stocks are often chronically low. Honghui Shen is a PhD student at the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. Based at the University of Southampton, he is developing a digital health app that will be piloted in Ghana to boost donations. He shares his hopes for his project and what ad

Over 900 people have taken part in a national study to help improve ways to prevent and treat respiratory infections. The UNIVERSAL study is exploring how and when patients with different respiratory viruses may progress to more serious disease. This could help develop effective antiviral treatments to combat these infections. The study is being led by Southampton’s Professor Tom Wilkinson. He is a theme lead at the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. The research is

Researchers in Southampton are part of a new Translational Research Collaboration (TRC) in Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The new network will rally research communities across the UK to help fight infections. It is backed by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Southampton’s Professor Robert Read will co-lead one of the TRC’s core workstreams. This will expand early-phase vaccine research. It will also help identify correlates of protect

Ros Gough and her son Eddie University Hospital Southampton and primary care services are leading a trial to test the nasal flu vaccine in one-year-old children . The FluSNIFF study is inviting families to take part at around 100 GP practices across the UK. Three hospital sites are also taking part. The trial is being led by co-chief investigators Professor Saul Faust and Dr Alasdair Munro from the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility. It is exploring whether the nasal