Shows
Deep Dive OnHow Global Policies and Free Transit Rewrote City Movement During the PandemicThis episode looks at a global analysis of how city mobility shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on Apple’s Mobility Trends Reports from 296 cities, researchers examined how public health policies influenced walking and public transport use. They found that initiatives promoting walking, such as closing roads to cars, led to a clear rise in walking activity. The study also mapped more than 500 active transportation policies worldwide, revealing that most were introduced in high-income countries. The findings suggest that encouraging walking and other forms of active transport can strengthen public health, support sustainable cities, and improve future pandemic resilience....
2025-12-2210 minDeep Dive OnPredicting Neonatal SepsisThis episode explores a groundbreaking study published inb The Lancet that identified gene expression biomarkers capable of predicting neonatal sepsis before symptoms appear. Conducted in The Gambia, researchers analysed RNA sequencing data from healthy newborns to distinguish those who later developed early- or late-onset sepsis. Using machine learning, they identified a four-gene signature — HSPH1, BORA, NCAPG2, and PRIM1 — that accurately predicted early-onset sepsis at birth. The findings also revealed that early sepsis profoundly alters immune and metabolic development in the first week of life. This research highlights how genomic tools could transform neonatal care, especially in low- and middle-income sett...
2025-12-0815 minDeep Dive OnCan Early Geriatric Care Save Lives in C. diff Infections?In this episode, we explore findings from the CLODIfrail trial, a Danish study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity (2024). The trial tested whether early, comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) could improve outcomes for older adults hospitalised with Clostridioides difficile infection. While 90-day mortality rates were similar between groups, those receiving CGA had fewer infection recurrences, shorter hospital stays, and fewer deaths directly linked to C. difficile. Researchers suggest that earlier access to faecal microbiota transplantation may be key to these improved results. Research paper:Rubak T, Baunwall SMD, Gregersen M, Paaske SE, Asferg M,B...
2025-11-2413 minDeep Dive OnThe Shocking Truth About Helicopter Research and Resource-Limited InstitutionsHere we address the issue of “domestic helicopter research,”which occurs when well-resourced institutions conduct studies on marginalised communities or through resource limited institutions (RLIs) with minimal involvement or equitable benefit for local researchers or community members. The authors, a multidisciplinary team of health equity researchers, argue that this practice mirrors the historical concept of “helicopter research” prevalent in global health and perpetuates structural inequities by limiting RLI influence and diverting resources. The paper provides examples of this exploitative research and discusses the negative consequences, such as eroding trust and degrading the quality of scholarship. Finally, the authors propose several...
2025-11-1018 minDeep Dive OnIron-Dependent Telomerase Reactivation Drives Colorectal CancerThis research article investigates the mechanistic link between high iron levels and the development of colorectal cancers (CRCs), focusing on the reactivation of telomerase, an enzyme associated with cellular immortalization. The authors identify Pirin, an iron-sensing protein, as a crucial mediator that binds with oxidized iron (Fe3+) to reactivate the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) subunit. This finding provides a molecular explanation for the known association between high dietary iron intake (such as red meat consumption) and increased CRC risk. Furthermore, the study pinpoints a small molecule, SP2509, which inhibits this process by competing with Fe3+ for binding to Piri...
2025-10-2712 minDeep Dive OnHow Parenting Rewires the Brain for Lifelong Mental HealthThis academic paper explores the impact of parenting styles, specifically harsh and warm approaches, on adolescent brain architecture and subsequent mental health outcomes in early adulthood. It investigates whether these associations are dependent on the child's developmental stage, early, middle, or late childhood, rather than simply accumulating over time. The study found that psychological aggression in early childhood was linked to widespread changes in brain organisation, while later aggression affected specific emotional regulation circuits. Conversely, warm parenting during middle childhood was associated with positive changes in corticolimbic regions, which, in turn, predicted lower anxiety and depression in young adults...
2025-10-1316 minDeep Dive OnEpigenetic Clocks Measuring Your Biological Age and Unlocking the Future of HealthspanThis article provides an overview of DNA methylation aging clocks, which are molecular tools used to measure an individual's age based on specific chemical modifications to their DNA. The authors discuss the current understanding and significant challenges in utilising these clocks, particularly in distinguishing between chronological age and biological aging. They also explore the utility of tissue- and disease-specific clocks and the importance of integrating epigenetics into large-scale longitudinal population studies to better understand aging dynamics. This paper then addresses the need for broader genome-wide analyses and the exploration of other epigenomic marks, as well as the potential and challenge...
2025-09-2920 minDeep Dive OnEarly-life sugar rationing protects against diabetes and hypertensionThis research article investigates the long-term effects of early-life sugar intake on the development of type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Utilising a natural experiment from the end of sugar rationing in the UK in 1953, the study compares adults with varying levels of sugar exposure during their first 1000 days. The findings suggest that restricted sugar intake in early life significantly reduced the risk and delayed the onset of both conditions. This highlights the critical impact of early nutrition on lifelong metabolic health, with in-utero sugar restriction also showing a protective effect.Review paper:Gracner T, Bo...
2025-09-1518 minDeep Dive OnVaccine reactogenicityThis review article thoroughly examines vaccine reactogenicity, which encompasses the common, often mild, inflammatory responses individuals experience post vaccination, such as soreness or fever. The authors explore the underlying biological mechanisms that cause these reactions, detailing how the body's immune system responds to vaccine components. Furthermore, the paper investigates various factors that can influence reactogenicity, including host characteristics, vaccine composition, and administration techniques. Ultimately, the article aims to enhance understanding among healthcare professionals and the public to maintain confidence in vaccination programmes by managing expectations and mitigating anxiety related to side effects.Review paper:Hervé...
2025-09-0122 minDeep Dive OnDietary inflammation and mortality risk in coronary heart diseaseThis research investigated the connection between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and the risk of all-cause mortality in adults with coronary heart disease (CHD) using data from a national health survey. The study found that higher DII scores, indicating a more pro-inflammatory diet, were associated with a greater risk of death in these patients. Notably, this association appeared stronger in women with CHD. The findings suggest that managing dietary inflammation could be an important factor in improving outcomes for individuals with CHD, particularly for females. However, due to the study's design, further research is needed to confirm a direct...
2025-08-1818 minDeep Dive OnKIBRA anchors PKMζ for memory persistenceThis research article investigates how long-term memories persist despite the turnover of brain molecules. The study reveals that a protein called KIBRA physically interacts with the enzyme PKMζ at synapses activated during learning. This KIBRA-PKMζ complex acts as a stable anchor, maintaining the synaptic changes underlying memory storage. Blocking this interaction with specific inhibitors disrupts established long-term potentiation and erases both recent and remote memories in animal models, highlighting the crucial role of this continuous molecular coupling in memory maintenance.Review paper:Tsokas P, Hsieh C, Flores-Obando RE, Bernabo M, Tcherepanov A, Hernández AI, Thomas C, B...
2025-08-1822 minDeep Dive OnSARS-CoV-2 vaccine responseThis research investigated the durability of SARS-CoV-2 specific plasma cells generated after mRNA vaccination by examining bone marrow samples. The study found that, unlike influenza and tetanus, SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody secreting cells were largely absent from the long-lived plasma cell compartment in the bone marrow up to 33 months post-vaccination. Consequently, the waning of SARS-CoV-2 serum antibodies observed after vaccination could be attributed to this lack of establishment in the long lived compartment. The findings suggest that mRNA vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 do not induce the same durable plasma cell response in bone marrow as traditional vaccines, offering a potential explanation for the...
2025-08-0416 minDeep Dive OnMultiplexed SERS detection of cardiac markers via metasurfacesThis research introduces a novel biosensing strategy using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for the multiplexed detection of serum cardiac markers, crucial for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction. The method employs a specially designed plasmonic metasurface with enhanced electric and magnetic fields to improve SERS signal consistency. Furthermore, it utilises nanomechanical perturbations to transduce signals as frequency shifts, overcoming limitations associated with SERS intensity fluctuations. By integrating this metasurface with 3D-printed microfluidics, the study demonstrates a single-antibody-based assay capable of simultaneously and specifically detecting multiple cardiac biomarkers in serum samples, presenting a significant advancement in quantitative optical diagnostics.
2025-07-2122 minDeep Dive OnEpigenetics in diabetic cardiovascular complicationsThis scientific review from Molecular Medicine explores the intricate link between diabetes mellitus and its cardiovascular complications, focusing on the emerging role of epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation and histone alterations. The authors highlight how these heritable changes in gene function, influenced by environmental factors like hyperglycaemia, contribute to the pathophysiological mechanisms and the "metabolic memory" seen in diabetic vascular damage. Furthermore, the article discusses potential therapeutic strategies targeting these epigenetic processes, including “epidrugs” like BET inhibitors and the observed epigenetic activity of existing antidiabetic medications, ultimately considering the future of personalised epigenetic therapies for diabetes-related cardiovascular disease.
2025-07-0727 minDeep Dive OnInfections, brain atrophy, and long-term dementia riskThis study investigated the connection between prior infections and long-term brain health. The study found that a history of infections like influenza and herpes viruses is associated with accelerated brain volume loss in specific regions and an increased risk of developing dementia. By analysing blood proteins, the researchers identified immunological drivers that may mediate this link between infection and neurodegeneration. Furthermore, genetic analysis suggested a potential causal role for certain infection-related proteins in brain atrophy, highlighting possible pathways for future interventions. Research paper:Duggan, M.R., Peng, Z., Sipilä, P.N. et al. Pr...
2025-06-2313 minDeep Dive OnBoosting aged neural stem cell activation via gene knockoutThis research used CRISPR–Cas9 screening in mice to identify genes that regulate the activation of neural stem cells (NSCs) during ageing. They discovered several gene knockouts, particularly those involved in cilium organisation and glucose import, that could restore the function of old NSCs both in vitro and in vivo. Notably, the knockout of Slc2a4 (GLUT4), a glucose transporter, significantly improved NSC activation and the production of new neurons in older brains. The study found that glucose uptake increases in NSCs with age, and reducing this uptake, either genetically or through starvation, could rejuvenate old NSCs. This work es...
2025-06-0919 minDeep Dive OnHuman sex ratio evolutionThis research paper explores the genetic basis of the human sex ratio at birth, which is the proportion of males to females. It challenges a long-held scientific principle, known as Fisher’s principle, which suggests that the sex ratio should naturally converge to 50/50 through natural selection. The authors argue that previous studies were underpowered and unable to detect genetic variations in sex ratio due to significant measurement errors associated with the relatively small number of offspring per human. The research involved a large-scale genome wide association study (GWAS) using data from the UK Biobank, which yielded a single significant SN...
2025-05-2610 minDeep Dive OnFrailty and cardiovascular diseaseThis study investigates the association between frailty and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in three large, prospective cohorts from China, the UK, and the USA. The researchers assessed participants' frailty status using the Rockwood frailty index, taking into account changes in frailty over time. The findings show that frailty progression, particularly from robust to pre-frail or frail, significantly increases the risk of incident CVD, while frailty recovery, specifically from frail to robust or pre frail, decreases CVD risk. This research suggests that frailty is a modifiable risk factor for CVD and highlights the importance of early intervention to prevent frailty progression...
2025-05-1208 minDeep Dive OnMendelian randomization for cardiovascular diseasesThis review from the European Heart Journal focuses on the use of Mendelian randomization (MR) in cardiovascular epidemiology. MR leverages genetic variants to uncover causal relationships between modifiable risk factors and various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). By drawing parallels to randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the authors explore the principles, advantages, and limitations of MR. The article also examines MR applications in predicting the efficacy and safety of drugs targeting CVD risk factors and explores the repurposing potential of existing medications.
Research paper:
Larsson SC, Butterworth AS, Burgess S. Mendelian randomization for cardiovascular diseases...
2025-04-2827 minDeep Dive OnClimate change and healthcareThis systematic review examines the ways healthcare systems are contributing to climate change and explores strategies and tactics to reduce their carbon footprint. The authors analyzed 205 studies, reports, and frameworks from 18 years of research to identify themes and overarching strategies for mitigating the impact of healthcare on the environment. The review also identifies key areas for policy and practice, including the need for effective governance, robust measuring tools, and the implementation of decarbonisation tactics like changing clinical and surgical practices, reducing waste, and minimising travel.
Research paper:
Braithwaite J, Smith CL, Leask...
2025-04-1417 minDeep Dive OnMove to surviveThis study, conducted by the Prospective Physical Activity, Sitting, and Sleep (PROPASS) consortium, looked at the relationship between various movement behaviours and cardiometabolic health outcomes. They analysed data from over 15,000 participants from six studies across five countries using thigh-worn accelerometers to track movement behaviour. The study found that increasing time spent in moderate-to vigorous physical activity was the most strongly associated with better cardiometabolic health outcomes. The study also found that standing, and to a lesser extent light-intensity physical activity, may have some benefits. However, they found that increasing sedentary behaviour was consistently associated with poorer outcomes.
2025-03-3110 minDeep Dive OnRecording research harmsThis article discusses the shortcomings of current methods for recording harms in behavioural change intervention trials, which primarily rely on definitions designed for drug trials. The authors argue that these definitions can miss important harms specific to behavioural interventions, leading to inefficient recording practices. They propose evidence-based recommendations for identifying and recording potential harms, encompassing a multidisciplinary approach, involving stakeholders, and incorporating a range of data collection methods. These recommendations aim to improve transparency, efficiency, and the overall understanding of potential risks and benefits of these interventions.
Research paper:
Papaioannou D, Hamer-Kiwacz...
2025-03-1715 minDeep Dive OnOrigin of complex cellsThis research paper examines the current state of knowledge surrounding the evolution of eukaryotic cells, which are more complex than their prokaryotic counterparts. The paper focuses on the two key events involved in eukaryogenesis: the evolution of the host cell, which is now believed to be closely related to Asgard archaea, and the acquisition of mitochondria, which are thought to have originated from a free-living bacterium. The authors discuss the different hypotheses surrounding the timing and nature of these events and highlight the advancements made possible by metagenomic sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. They also explain the ongoing research on th...
2025-03-0311 minDeep Dive OnDigital wellbeingThis article examines the complex relationship between
mobile connectivity and well-being. The author argues that achieving digital well-being requires a delicate balance between the benefits and drawbacks of ubiquitous connectivity. The article then proposes a dynamic systems model of digital wellbeing, suggesting that it is influenced by person, device, and context specific factors. This model highlights the importance of considering the interconnectedness of various elements, rather than focusing solely on-screen time as a primary cause of problems. The author also discusses the implications of this dynamic systems model for research methodologies and advocates for the use of more sophisticated approache...
2025-02-1709 min
Deep Dive OnHow to conduct a meta-analysisThis is a comprehensive guide on conducting a meta analysis, a research technique that combines results from multiple studies to reach a more robust conclusion. The paper outlines eight key steps, starting with defining the research question and searching for relevant literature, and then progresses through the selection of effect sizes and analytical methods. It also covers coding data, analysing for potential bias, and finally reporting the results. The guide highlights the importance of choosing appropriate methods, software, and reporting practices to ensure accuracy and transparency.
How to conduct a meta-analysis in eight steps...
2025-02-1022 minDeep Dive OnDigital health in clinical careThis article from the New England Journal of Medicine examines the integration of wearable digital health technologies (DHTs) into clinical care, focusing on the challenges and opportunities presented by their increasing use. The authors highlight six key issues: data ownership, patient trust, literacy, and access, standards and interoperability, integration into clinical environments, patient empowerment and agency, and reimbursement and return on investment. The article suggests that while DHTs hold immense potential for improving health outcomes and patient care, addressing these challenges is crucial for their successful and equitable implementation.
Research paper:
Ginsburg GS, P...
2025-02-0317 min
Deep Dive OnHow to conduct a systematic reviewThis is a guide on how to conduct a systematic review, which is a type of research that aims to synthesise the best available evidence on a particular topic. We talk about the key stages involved in conducting a systematic review: identifying the research question, defining inclusion and exclusion criteria, searching for studies, selecting studies, extracting data, assessing quality, and synthesizing and presenting results. Each stage is discussed in detail with practical tips and tools to make the process more efficient and effective. This highlights the importance of using a systematic approach to ensure that the review is comprehensive...
2025-01-2728 minDeep Dive OnImproving outcomes for cervical cancerThis research, published in The Lancet, explores the benefits of adding a short course of chemotherapy before standard chemoradiotherapy for women with locally advanced cervical cancer. The INTERLACE trial, an international, multicentre, randomised phase 3 trial, compared the standard treatment with a group that received induction chemotherapy followed by the standard chemoradiotherapy. The study found that induction chemotherapy significantly improved both progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. While the treatment caused increased haematological toxicity, particularly neutropenia, the benefits were considered clinically meaningful, and the researchers recommend that this treatment approach be included in clinical guide...
2025-01-2006 min
Deep Dive OnWhat is GRADE?The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) system is a widely used framework for systematically assessing and presenting the quality of evidence for clinical practice recommendations. It outlines a structured approach for evaluating the certainty of evidence based on study design, potential biases, and other factors. GRADE helps clinicians understand the strength of evidence supporting various treatments or interventions and informs their decision-making process. The system provides a clear hierarchy of evidence quality, including high, moderate, low, and very low levels, and details factors that can increase or decrease certainty in the evidence. This framework encourages a...
2025-01-1319 minDeep Dive OnDiet, genes, and longevityThis podcast episode discusses a groundbreaking study published in Nature that examined the effects of calorie restriction and intermittent fasting on the lifespan and health of genetically diverse mice. The study, unlike previous research using single mouse strains, used 960 mice with different genetic backgrounds to create a more realistic picture of how individuals respond to dietary interventions. While both calorie restriction and intermittent fasting led to a slight increase in lifespan, the study revealed that the mice who started heavier benefited from calorie restriction but not intermittent fasting, suggesting that different approaches may be optimal for different body types. Th...
2025-01-0609 minDeep Dive OnBody shape and healthThis research investigates the Body Roundness Index (BRI), a new anthropometric measure, and its association with all-cause mortality. The study, conducted on a nationally representative cohort of US adults, reveals a rising trend in BRI over almost 20 years, particularly among women, older individuals, and Mexican American individuals. Notably, the study discovers a U-shaped relationship between BRI and mortality, implying higher risks for both very low and very high BRI groups. This research underscores the potential of BRI as a non-invasive screening tool for mortality risk assessment, highlighting its significance in public health practice.
Research pape...
2024-12-0212 minDeep Dive OnMpox (monkeypox)This article from the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) provides a comprehensive review of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox. The authors discuss the virus’s origins, transmission, clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, management, and prevention strategies, highlighting the recent global outbreak of clade IIb Monkeypox virus (MPXV). The paper delves into the characteristics of the virus, its impact on different populations, and the effectiveness of various treatments and vaccination strategies, noting the emergence of new clades and the evolving global health threat.
Research paper:
Titanji BK, Hazra A, Zucker J. Mpox Cl...
2024-11-1811 minDeep Dive OnTime restricted eating: Good or not?This research article from the New England Journal of Medicine investigates the effectiveness of time-restricted eating, where individuals only consume food within a specific eight-hour window, compared to daily calorie restriction alone. The study, involving 139 obese participants in China, followed them for 12 months, assessing their weight loss, body composition, and metabolic risk factors. The findings revealed that both time-restricted eating and daily calorie restriction resulted in similar reductions in weight, body fat, and cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, the study concluded that caloric intake restriction was the primary factor driving the beneficial effects of time-restricted eating. The authors also highlighted the im...
2024-11-0408 minDeep Dive OnArm position and BP readingsThis study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, examines the effect of different arm positions on blood pressure readings. The study, which involved 133 participants, found that common arm positions such as resting the arm on the lap or leaving it unsupported at the side resulted in significantly higher blood pressure readings compared to the recommended arm position – supported on a desk with the cuff at heart level. The authors suggest that these non-standard positions may lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment of hypertension, highlighting the importance of adhering to proper arm positioning during blood pressure measurement.
Res...
2024-10-2809 min
Deep Dive OnFace and personalityThis research paper investigates whether facial images can be used to predict personality traits. Using a large dataset of real-life photographs and self-reported personality scores, the researchers trained a cascade of artificial neural networks to predict personality based on facial cues. The study found statistically significant correlations between predicted and observed personality scores, particularly for conscientiousness. This supports the idea that facial features may contain subtle information about personality, which can be extracted using advanced machine learning techniques. While the effect sizes were modest, they suggest that an artificial neural network could outperform an average human rater in predicting...
2024-10-1605 min