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

Researchers have paved the way for a new system to monitor the health of people trying for a baby around the world. For the first time, researchers have identified a list of essential indicators. These could be used globally to monitor people’s health before pregnancy. The work is set out in a new paper published in The Lancet . It has been led by researchers at the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and UCL. Optimising health before pregnancy More women are be

A new study is challenging the traditional approach to pregnancy care, which focuses solely on mothers’ behaviours. Southampton researchers and international partners have highlighted the important role of fathers. The study has been published today in The Lancet .  It suggests that providing more support for fathers could help to improve the health of the next generation. Focussing on fathers Professor Keith Godfrey is a senior author of the study and a researcher at the Uni

A new warning is calling for national action to reduce maternal obesity that affects one in four pregnancies. The report has been issued by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP). It signals that obesity in women and people of childbearing age is an urgent and growing public health concern in the UK. The new RCP View on Obesity and Maternal Health was developed by a group of leading health experts. These include Southampton’s Professor Keith Godfrey. Professor Godfrey is Co-C

by Danielle Schoenaker, Isla Davis and public contributors Michelle and Zaman Involving public contributors helps make sure studies are meaningful, relevant and grounded in lived experience. Public contributors can be invited to attend academic conferences. But what do they get out of these experiences? And how can researchers support them better? We work at the University of Southampton and NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. Our research looks at how people can be

An award-winning paper has warned that older people can feel unheard and unsupported as they leave hospital. Southampton researchers looked at why some older people end up back in the hospital within 30 days of being discharged.  Their analysis suggests that listening to what matters most to older people can result in better care. The study brought together insights from a multi-disciplinary team. This included Dr Harnish Patel from the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research C

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

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

An expanding pill trialled in Southampton could soon offer a new and affordable weight loss treatment. It follows a successful clinical trial at University Hospital Southampton (UHS). Participants in Southampton took part at the NIHR Clinical Research Facility at UHS. The treatment was developed by Oxford Medical Products (OMP). OMP partnered with the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) for the trial. They also partnered with the NIHR Bristol BRC, and the North

Muscle health is about more than just fitness — it’s about staying well, active and independent throughout your life. Dr Mark Burton, a researcher at the University of Southampton, is working to help people understand how important muscle is for everyday health. He has recently completed a bridging fellowship at the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. Now, he's set to start a fellowship funded by the Vivensa Foundation. What is sarcopenia? Dr Burton studies sarcopeni

Professor Nicholas Harvey is leading calls for urgent change to improve the treatment of osteoporosis around the world. He has led a...

Aspiring medics joined LifeLab’s summer school to gain hands-on experience and support their university applications. Dozens of young...

Image credit: UK Biobank/Dave Guttridge Bone health expertise in Southampton has underpinned one of the biggest health studies in the...

Young people, teachers, researchers and collaborators came to LifeLab for a vibrant evening of celebration. The 2025 Showcase event took...

A new report has highlighted the role of Southampton researchers and their partners in shaping the global conversation on preconception...

Government minister Stephen Morgan has learned how Southampton researchers are improving children's long-term health prospects. The...

High rates of anxiety in children and young people may be rooted in the earliest stages of life, researchers have warned. The number of...