FoLSM - A year in review - August

MRI scans improve prostate cancer diagnosis in screening trial

New research has found using MRI as a screening test alongside the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test allowed detection of cancers that would have been missed by the blood test alone.

Men over 50 in the UK can ask for a PSA test if they are experiencing symptoms or are concerned about prostate cancer. PSA is a protein produced by normal cells in the prostate and also be prostate cancer cells. A raised PSA level may suggest a problem with the prostate, which could include cancer.

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Irregular sleep patterns associated with harmful gut bacteria

New research has found irregular sleep patterns are associated with harmful bacteria in your gut.

The study, published today in The European Journal of Nutrition, by researchers from King’s and ZOE, the personalised nutrition company, is the first to find multiple associations between social jet lag – the shift in your internal body clock when your sleeping patterns change between workdays and free days - and diet quality, diet habits, inflammation and gut microbiome composition in a single cohort.

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 SIMS PhD student has first paper published – 5 minutes with James Glover

James is a PhD student in the labs of Juan Martin-Serrano and Monica Agromayor at the Department of Infectious Diseases, investigating cell division using advanced microscopy techniques. Recently having his first paper published as co-first author in the Journal of Cell Science, we grabbed 5 minutes with James to hear about his background, goals and a day in his life.

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Exercise and ageing well - what does physical activity do to our body as we get older?

We spoke to Professors Stephen Harridge and Norman Lazarus about a study that looks to gain greater understanding of the effects of exercise on ageing.

Professor Harridge, who is leading the study, talks about the four different groups of people they are comparing, and how they believe that 'healthspan', or good quality of life, in later years is linked to physical activity.

Professor Norman Lazarus is a co-investigator as well as a participant in the study. At 87 years old, he falls into the master cyclist category. He explains why he took up exercise and the benefits it has provided him throughout his life.

Watch the video interview here