Research

A woman with advanced ovarian cancer has become the first patient globally to receive an experimental off-the-shelf cell therapy. Tracy Tomlinson, 58, was given the experimental drug ZI-MA4-1 at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester. The treatment forms part of a clinical trial evaluating its use against several cancer types, including ovarian, lung, head [...]

Daily beetroot juice may help support kidney health during pregnancy in women with chronic kidney disease, early research suggests. Pregnancy puts additional strain on the kidneys. Around half of women with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease experience a decline in kidney function while pregnant. Despite these risks, outcomes for pregnant women with the condition [...]

Menstrual cycle timing may affect vaccine side effects, according to a study involving 1,474 users of period-tracking app, Clue. People vaccinated before ovulation were more likely to report side effects than those vaccinated after ovulation. They also appeared to go longer before a subsequent Covid-19 infection, although the researchers said this finding was exploratory. Amanda [...]

Ectopic pregnancy admissions have risen in England since 2021, according to a 20-year analysis of NHS data. Women in the most deprived areas had more than twice the admission rate of those living in the least deprived communities. The study was the first 20-year national analysis of NHS England data on the issue. [...]

Parenthood is associated with changes in women’s health that are not seen in men, including reduced exercise and differences in wellbeing, new research has revealed. Men’s health indicators varied only slightly depending on whether they were fathers, while the number and age of children were linked to changes in women’s health. Anna Barbuscia, of the [...]

Contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) has shown promise for women at higher risk of breast cancer, with follow-up screening showing greater specificity and accuracy. Cancer detection rates remained consistent during repeat screening, while specificity improved compared with baseline examinations. Specificity shows how accurately a test identifies people who do not have the disease, helping to reduce unnecessary [...]

Davunetide may significantly slow the progression of a fatal brain disease in women, according to a new analysis of clinical trial data. The findings indicate that women and men with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) may respond differently to the experimental treatment. Progressive supranuclear palsy, or PSP, is a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disease. [...]

A preeclampsia study has found unusual cell activity in mothers and babies that could reveal new targets for treatment. The condition affects 2 to 4 per cent of pregnancies worldwide and is a leading cause of maternal and foetal mortality. There is currently no cure, and severe cases can put both the mother and baby [...]

A 20-year study of 66,892 postmenopausal women linked the Planetary Health Diet to lower cardiovascular disease risk. Women whose eating habits most closely followed the diet had around a 28 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those in the lowest-adherence group. Even moderate adherence to the diet was linked with a lower risk. [...]

Yoga and omega-3 supplements may be as effective as talking therapies for pregnancy depression, a major review suggests. Globally, nearly one in three pregnant women experience depression, but most receive no treatment. When support is available, women are often directed towards talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, and mindfulness. CBT [...]