The latest CVS news stories. CVS receives £5 million funding from BHF Award will support world-leading cardiovascular research Welcome: Elizabeth Haythorne Diabetes researcher Elizabeth Haythorne is set to join CVS later this year as a Chancellor’s Fellow Launch of a free infographic on the use of antenatal corticosteroids The Edinburgh Pregnancy Research Team led by Professor Rebecca Reynolds (Centre for Cardiovascular Science) and Dr Sarah Stock (The Usher Institute) has contributed to the launch of the infographic on use of antenatal corticosteroids before planned caesarean birth at term. Risks of running clinical trials without prior mechanistic studies New research demonstrates risks of running clinical trials without prior mechanistic studies. Scientists find that acetylcysteine has no mechanistic effect in patients at risk of contrast induced nephropathy. Research Insights - 'Brain scanning: a lifetime in an image' Dr Adriana Tavares delivered a public talk on how PET scanning of the brain as part of the Research Insights series on the 2nd March 2022. Edinburgh Pregnancy Research Team launches new website Edinburgh Pregnancy Research Team (EPRT), a group of health/science professionals working together in pregnancy research across the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian, has launched its new website. Long-term use of paracetamol linked with high blood pressure Recent study led by scientists from CVS is the first large randomised clinical trial to address the long-term use of paracetamol in people with high blood pressure Pioneering imaging techniques to study scarring tissue in the heart CVS researchers have received a grant of £671,000 from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) for a clinical study using state-of-the art scanning and imaging to identify scarring in patients in the early stages as it is developing. CVS wins government funding for AI-assisted heart attack diagnosis tool An algorithm that uses artificial intelligence to improve the diagnosis of heart attacks has been successful in the latest round of the Artificial Intelligence in Health and Care Award. Prof Nick Mills elected to prestigious 2021 Academy of Medical Sciences Fellowship CVS Professor recognised for contributions to medical research, benefiting patients and wider society. Research Integrity Team recognised for commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion The Centre for Cardiovascular Science is pleased to announce that its Research Integrity Team has been nominated for a 2021 staff recognition award. 2020 CVS News Highlights Despite the tremendous challenges to both work and personal lives in 2020, the Centre for Cardiovascular Science adapted to the changing times and achieved many successes throughout the year. Stress during pregnancy may change brain development in babies Infants’ brains may be shaped by the levels of stress their mothers experience during pregnancy, a new CVS and CRH study has revealed. Pete Aldiss awarded TENOVUS funding to study 'lean genes' and obesity CVS's Dr Pete Aldiss has received a pilot grant to study a lean gene linked to calorie burning. CVS scientists shift to COVID-19 cardiovascular research During the global COVID-19 pandemic, many CVS scientists shifted the focus of their research to coronavirus-related topics. BHF and ASCUS PhD students win 2020 Public Engagement Award 20 students have been awarded the 2020 CVS Public Engagment award for their work with schools and adult audiences, through the BHF and ASCUS. New research highlights blood clot dangers of COVID-19 A special report published in the journal Radiology highlights the risk of COVID-19 blood clot complications and offers guidance for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. DyNAbind and CVS enter collaboration agreement DyNAbind GmbH and the University of Edinburgh have entered a new collaboration for the discovery of novel fragment- and small molecule-based drug candidates. Abdominal fat cells could prevent sepsis A new CVS study has shown that certain immune cells in abdominal fat tissue could prevent sepsis and other life-threatening infections. Jim Jefferies kicks off heart disease trial Tynecastle legend Jim Jefferies has teamed up with the CVS cardiologist who helped save his life to support a new research study that aims to prevent heart attacks. Mouse cell research offers hope for diabetes treatment Patients with Type 1 diabetes could soon avoid multiple islet transplants and regular insulin injections, recent research reveals. New imaging technique sheds light on zebrafish and heart disease A new type of microscopy is helping scientists study the regenerative hearts of zebrafish. HiSTORIC moment for heart attack diagnosis A new study from the Centre for Cardiovascular Science indicates a safe, effective test to rule out heart attack and cut down on hospital staff time CVS BHF workshops at Edinburgh Fringe Festival BHF-funded PhD students hosted a series of free science events at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival Key blood vessel discoveries could aid patient recovery after heart attack, two CVS studies suggest Professor Baker and Dr Brittan provide new insights into understanding blood vessels Babies born to obese and overweight mothers face greater diabetes risk New study shows that obesity in expecting mothers has increased five-fold in the past 60 years. Prof Nicholas Mills wins prestigious award for pioneering heart attack research CVS Professor presented with 2019 BHF Research Fellow of the Year Award CVS Student named an “Education Legend” by VisitScotland VisitScotland has just named PhD student, Hannah Costello, as a Young Legend in Education for her work in schools, raising awareness about heart health and CPR. This award recognises the role she played in founding and implementing a British Heart Foundation schools outreach programme. CVS Staff and Students demonstrate hands-on science at Edinburgh Science Festival Do whales get stressed? Can we fix diseased heart valves? What is mass spectrometry? Immune cells may be the key to tackling high blood pressure A CVS study led by Dr Neeraj Dhaun and Professor Matthew Bailey revealed a new relationship between the immune system, blood pressure, and blood vessels. CTA scans reduce heart attack rates A CVS study led by Professor David Newby indicates that a non-invasive diagnostic scan could cut heart attack rates and reduce risk of death from heart disease. First randomised trial tests criteria used to diagnose heart attack Results presented at the 2018 European Society of Cardiology Congress call into question the current diagnostic definition of heart attack used by medical professionals. The Increasing Global Burden of HIV-Associated Heart Disease A CVS study has just revealed that HIV infection doubles the risk of heart disease. Additionally, the study showed that the global burden of HIV-associated cardiovascular disease has tripled in the past 20 years, and most greatly affects those in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia-Pacific regions. Recent legislation linked to decreased numbers of drug-related hospital admissions A CVS study suggests that temporary, 12-month drug legislation plus trading standard restrictions put in place in 2015 decreased drug-related hospital admission rates in Edinburgh by 80%. Novel approach to studying calorie-burning fat tissue could help counteract obesity Research, published in Cell Metabolism, has revealed a new way to study brown fat stores in the body. This novel approach could give us a better understanding of calorie-burning tissues and contribute to efforts to prevent weight gain and obesity. This article was published on 2024-03-19