Skip to content

Categories: medical research

"May contain relatively high levels of cholesterol-elevating substances". Photo: Uppsala University

Cholesterol-elevating substances in coffee from machines at work

The coffee from most of the coffee machines in workplaces contains relatively high levels of cholesterol-elevating substances. There is a big difference in comparison to coffee made in regular paper filter coffee makers, which filter out most of these substances.

Lobate shape of mammalian lymphatic endothelial cells. Photo: Hans Schoofs

Unique cell shape keeps lymphatic vessels and plant leaves stable

The cells that make up the walls of the finest of all lymphatic vessels have a lobate, oak leaf-like shape that makes them particularly resilient to changes in fluid volume. A similar cell shape also supports mechanical stability in plants. This has been shown by researchers from Uppsala University in a new article published in the journal Nature.

BioArctic’s co-founder Lars Lannfelt and CEO Gunilla Osswald receive the Uppsala University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award together with co-founder Pär Gellerfors. Photo: Simon Hastegård/Bildbyrån and BioArctic

Trio behind Alzheimer’s drug receives Uppsala University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award

The drug that slows down Alzheimer’s disease is already being used by more than 20,000 patients in 10 different countries – and could soon be available in Europe too. The success story is down to the two founders of BioArctic Lars Lannfelt and Pär Gellerfors and the company’s CEO Gunilla Osswald. Their achievement is now recognised by the Uppsala University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award.

Structure of the protein OGG1 (colour: purple, left) and one of the molecules that inhibit the activity of the enzyme (colour: yellow, middle and right). Image: Andreas Luttens

New method searches through 10 sextillion drug molecules

A recent study shows that computer algorithms can be used to find molecules that can be developed into anti-inflammatory drugs. In the article, the researchers also describe how the same strategy can be used to search through 10 sextillion alternatives to identify the best drug candidate.

None of the participants had been diagnosed with gastrointestinal diseases. Samples were taken from both their small and large bowel. The researchers then studied different types of immune cells in the mucous membrane. Illustration: Maria Lampinen

Inflammation may explain stomach problems in psoriasis sufferers

People with the skin condition psoriasis often have invisible inflammation in the small intestine with an increased propensity for ‘leaky gut’, according to new research at Uppsala University. These changes in the gut could explain why psoriasis sufferers often have gastrointestinal problems and are more prone to developing Crohn’s disease.

Miika Martikainen and Magnus Essand, researchers at Uppsala University. Photo: Private/Mikael Wallerstedt

Route of entry for Semliki Forest virus into the brain revealed

A recent study shows that the Semliki Forest virus enters the central nervous system by first entering the cerebrospinal fluid and then binding to a specific cell type before penetrating deeper into the brain. This finding could potentially be used to develop the Semliki Forest virus as an agent for treating brain cancer. The study has been published in the journal Nature Communications.

Self-help app "Min sorg" (my grief)

App helps alleviate mental health symptoms in bereaved parents

New study: An app can help parents who are mourning the loss of a child. Parents who used the app for three months reported reduced symptoms of prolonged grief and post-traumatic stress, and also had fewer negative thoughts. Some parents thought that in future, the app should be offered early in the process of mourning. The study is published in the scholarly journal Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

Therese Johansson, postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology and WOMHER

Different menopausal hormone treatments pose different risks

Researchers have analysed the effects of seven different hormone treatments for menopausal symptoms, and the risk of blood clots, stroke and heart attack. The risks differ depending on the active substance and how the medicine is taken. The study involves around one million women aged 50-58 and is the largest and most comprehensive study of currently prescribed hormonal substances in the world.

A graphical summary illustrates the strategy used to identify CYP2D6 as a target for collateral lethality, which is driven by the widespread occurrence of loss of heterozygosity in cancer genomes.

Genetic variation enhances cancer drug sensitivity

By exploiting the genetic variation in cancer cells, an already approved cancer drug demonstrated enhanced effects against cancer cells in specific patient groups. This is shown in a recent study from Uppsala University, published in the journal eBiomedicine. The findings suggest a potential for more individually tailored and more effective cancer therapies.

New antibody could be promising cancer treatment

New antibody could be promising cancer treatment

Researchers at Uppsala University and KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a new form of precision medicine, an antibody, with the potential to treat several types of cancer. Researchers have managed to combine three different functions in the antibody, which together strongly amplify the effect of T cells on the cancer tumour. The study has been published in Nature Communications.

Philip Leissner, doctoral student in cardiac psychology at the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University.

Patients may become unnecessarily depressed by common heart medicine

All patients who have had a heart attack are typically treated using beta blockers. According to a Swedish study conducted earlier this year, this drug is unlikely to be needed for those heart patients who have a normal pumping ability. Now a sub-study at Uppsala University shows that there is also a risk that these patients will become depressed by the treatment.

The results show that the prevalence of overweight or obesity has now fallen to the same levels as before the COVID-19 pandemic, i.e. 11.4%. During the pandemic, the prevalence was 13.3 per cent.

Childhood overweight is associated with socio-economic vulnerability

More children have overweight in regions with high rates of single parenthood, low education levels, low income and high child poverty. The pandemic may also have reinforced this trend. This is shown by a study conducted by researchers at Uppsala University and Region Sörmland in collaboration with Region Skåne.

New research model for predicting hip fractures could save lives

New research model for predicting hip fractures could save lives

Researchers at Uppsala University have developed a clinical model that can accurately predict the risk of hip fractures in the elderly. The model is based on analyses of data from the entire Swedish population and can identify patients at high risk, without the need to measure skeletal strength. This can speed up the process for doctors and allow patients to receive preventive treatment.

Anna Bill-Axelson, Professor of Urology, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University. Photographer: Mikael Wallerstedt

Early prostate cancer surgery extended life

The survival rate of men with prostate cancer who had their entire prostate gland removed immediately after the tumour was detected increased by 17 percentage points compared with those who did not have treatment until the tumour began to cause symptoms. On average, they also lived more than two years longer. These are the final results of a 30-year Scandinavian study led from Uppsala University.

Olof Rudbeck Day 2024 will focus on AI in care and health

Olof Rudbeck Day with focus on AI in care and health

What are the opportunities of using AI in healthcare? And what potential risks does it entail? These issues will be discussed during the Olof Rudbeck Day on 18 October. This year’s Rudbeck Prize winner, Ulf Gyllensten, will also give a lecture on his research into gynaecological cancer.

Dr Charlotte Blease, Associate Professor at Uppsala University.

One in five UK doctors use AI chatbots

A survey led by researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden reveals that a significant proportion of UK general practitioners (GPs) are integrating generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, into their clinical workflows. The results highlight the rapidly growing role of artificial intelligence in healthcare – a development that has the potential to revolutionise patient care but also raises concerns.

Researchers at Uppsala University have developed a gel inspired by cow slime for patients suffering from disc herniation.

Cow slime can help disc herniation patients after surgery

Researchers at Uppsala University have developed a gel inspired by cow slime for patients suffering from disc herniation. By adding the mucin gel immediately after surgery, it is possible to create a protective barrier around the discs to prevent the immune system from attacking their nucleus pulposus. This keeps the discs intact and reduces the risk of further damage.

John Pettersson, Associate Professor of Medical Virology at the Zoonosis Science Centre (ZSC), Uppsala University.

Animals on fur farms can spread viruses to humans

Animals bred in the fur animal industry can both carry and spread viruses with the potential to infect humans. In a new study conducted by researchers at Uppsala University and others, researchers have identified 36 previously unknown viruses. The study has been published in the journal Nature.

Bengt Glimelius, Senior Professor of Oncology at Uppsala University and Senior Consultant at Uppsala University Hospital.

Promising treatment for rectal cancer confirmed in major study

A new treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer shows favourable results in that surgery can sometimes be avoided completely. It also reduces the risk of recurrence. The method has been confirmed as effective in a comprehensive study conducted at Uppsala University and published in eClinicalMedicine.

The researchers have analysed the substance neurofilament, a protein that is released from the brain in cases of injurious strain and hypoxia, in blood samples from more than three thousand people with atrial fibrillation. Illustration: Karl Sjölin

Brain biomarker in blood sample predicts stroke

Researchers at Uppsala University Hospital and Uppsala University have demonstrated that a simple blood test that reflects brain health can predict which people are most at risk of suffering a stroke. The discovery could contribute to more individualised treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation. The study has been published in the journal Circulation.

Show more

Uppsala University - quality, knowledge, and creativity since 1477

Founded in 1477, Uppsala University is the oldest university in Sweden. With more than 50,000 students and 7,500 employees in Uppsala and Visby, we are a broad university with research in social sciences, humanities, technology, natural sciences, medicine and pharmacology. Our mission is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to society on a long-term basis. Uppsala University is regularly ranked among the world’s top universities.

Uppsala University

Dag Hammarskjölds väg 7
BOX 256, 751 05 Uppsala
Sweden