Most people living with severe asthma are also living with other health conditions, a major new study has found. Researchers analysed data from thousands of patients. They discovered the extra illnesses – which range from obesity to osteoporosis – tend to appear in clusters. They say identifying patterns could be the key to unlocking more effective treatment for those hit hardest by the condition. The study has now been published in Lancet Regional Health. It was led by

Taking fish oil supplements might be better than eating oily fish for improving heart health, according to an award-winning research paper. Southampton researchers Professor Philip Calder and Dr Helena Fisk are co-authors for the study, which has been named the British Journal of Nutrition’s Paper of the Year. They are both part of our NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre’s nutrition, lifestyle and metabolism theme. Preventing blood clots The study was led by Professor

A research-based initiative to prepare cancer patients for surgery is coming to leisure centres across Southampton. Researchers at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) developed the programme with Wessex Cancer Alliance. It was first introduced at Bournemouth’s BH Live Active Littledown Centre in 2018 as part of the WesFit trial. The scheme has already improved the post-surgery experience for hundreds of patients across Bournemouth and Portsmouth. Now, it is being expanded t

Image credit: World Obesity Federation A new analysis of global obesity trends since the 1980s challenges the idea of a ‘global epidemic’ of obesity. The research reveals rising levels of obesity have slowed, stabilised and possibly even reversed in many nations. The global report was put together by a collaboration of researchers, including from Southampton. It has now been published in the journal Nature. A more optimistic picture The analysis was led by researchers from Im

Tree bark is being tested by researchers at the University of Southampton as a new way to trace harmful air pollution in local communities. Particulate matter – tiny particles of dust too small for the eye to see – is considered to be one of the most harmful types of air pollution for our health. However, it can be difficult to measure what people are exposed to, and establish where it has come from. A new approach being trialled at the University and the NIHR Southampton Bio

Teenagers are embracing ‘food swaps’ after demystifying ultra-processed foods in a project funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Young people quizzed academic, doctor and broadcaster Chris van Tulleken as they finished the work exploring the health effects of ultra processed foods. The star of CBBC’s Operation Ouch! and author of Ultra Processed People was visiting the South to speak at an open day for the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research C

A pioneering trial is testing whether exercising before heart surgery can help patients recover faster and improve long-term outcomes. The CardioFit trial is delivered through the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). It is supported by the Heartbeat charity. Patients with cancer are already routinely offered ‘prehabilitation’ at University Hospital Southampton (UHS). The hospital is now breaking new ground by investigating its impact on patients with heart condi

Deliberately infecting volunteers to test new whooping cough vaccines has been shown to be safe in research. A team at University Hospital Southampton has developed a safe method of ‘controlled human infection’, where volunteers are infected with whooping cough bacteria without causing any illness. This can be used to study the infection in detail and to help develop and test new and improved vaccines. The researchers have shown that the method was safe, even when volunteers

Antibiotics play an essential role in healthcare, but infections resistant to them are on the rise. Antibiotic resistant infections are difficult to treat. This is because bacteria develop defences that mean they can no longer be killed with commonly used antibiotics. Overprescribing of antibiotics is one the main factors driving the rise in antibiotic resistant infections. Avoiding unnecessary prescribing and use of antibiotics will help ensure they continue to work. Nour Od

Researchers have delivered the UK’s first dose in a new trial using an investigational mRNA vaccine to protect people against potential influenza pandemics such as avian flu (also known as ‘bird flu’). The research will assess the safety and immune response of an investigational mRNA-based A(H5) pandemic influenza vaccine candidate, mRNA-1018, commonly circulating in birds, with pandemic potential. The study is supported by the National Insititute for Health and Care Research

Dr Sophie Fletcher shares how the UHS Research Leaders Programme has allowed her to support other researchers and develop new collaborations.

Southampton researchers have revealed new insights into age-related muscle loss and potential contributors to a statin-associated side effect on muscle. The discoveries could enable new treatments to be developed for older people. These could help reduce this side effect of statins and protect muscle health in later years. The two studies were led by experts at the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. Looking at the underlying biology We naturally lose muscle mass and

Placing fruit and vegetables near supermarket entrances can improve sales and diet quality, new research shows. The study found the placement led to thousands more fruit and vegetables being bought at each store every month. The results have now been published in the journal PLOS Medicine . Professor Christina Vogel at City St George’s, University of London and the University of Southampton was lead author. Her research is part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Cent

Southampton researchers have joined a call for urgent action to improve care around pregnancy for women with type 2 diabetes. The call follows a new consensus statement developed by an expert group of clinicians and researchers from the UK and Ireland. This includes researchers in Southampton. The statement sets out critical gaps in current knowledge around care for women with early-onset type 2 diabetes. It also lays out clear priorities for future research. This could help

Dr Nat Easton, a BRC Bridging Fellow, shares how she secured a parliamentary inquiry into air pollution.